63-year-old man completes cycle trip to Kanyakumari
He had headed out on January 17 and peddled over 120 km a day.
Chennai: Age did not act as barrier for this 63-year-old resident, who returned to Chromepet on Saturday afternoon after completing his bicycle trip to Kanyakumari.
R. Ramalingam chose to peddle 1,400 km in drastic weather conditions to sensitise people about environmental and health benefits of using a bicycle.
“My cycle did not give any problem on the way,” chuckled Ramalingam as he entered the suburb post the trip.
He had headed out on January 17 and peddled over 120 km a day. “I would fetch an accommodation only after peddling the set distance,” he told DC.
Along with a travel kit and helmet, the bicycle has a laminated tag with details about his blood group and contact number.
The senior citizen’s determination was lauded by social activist, V. Santhanam, on behalf of People’s Awareness Association.
Talking about his adventure, Ramalingam said his trip taught him lessons of life.
“I had checked into a star hotel. In some rural areas, I took rest under a tree shade. It taught me how to bar odds to achieve the goal,” he said. Ramalingam spent Rs 15,000 for his trip.
A member of a runners group called Chromepet Cheetahs, Ramalingam chose a thin-tired cycle with high powered LED bulb.
Members of Chrompet Cheetahs and students of MIT college gathered at the college campus to welcome him.