GUWAHATI, March 20 � Cycling past the meadows, lakes and beautiful forests, an expedition to the paradise unexplored, has left a group of Pune cyclists spellbound, convincing them that the north-east region has immense potential for cycle tourism.
A group of 20 cyclists between 13 to 57 years of age arrived here today after covering Imphal, Kohima, Dimapur, Kaziranga, Tezpur, Mangaldoi, among others.
Organised by Sarhad, an NGO working for people in bordering areas of the country, and Swanand, a Pune-based organisation promoting adventure sports, the 11-day cycle expedition named �Call of the Brahmaputra� which flagged off on March 13, 2015 by Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.
Group leader of the expedition Sanjeev Shah told mediapersons here that his group would act as an ambassador for connecting the Northeast with other parts of the country, specially through cycling.
�We have led such expeditions from Kanyakumari to Kashmir and can assert confidently that the splendid natural beauty of the Northeast is exceptional. Uttarakhand, Manali and Pune were the hub of cycling expedition in the country. After a few years of setback, cycling is regaining popularity in Pune, where more and more people are joining cycling for hobby, exercise and daily activity. Northeast too, can be a centre of cycling tourism, given the variety of landscape it has on offer,� he added.
Highlighting the need for improving the accommodation facilities and defining the routes through proper milestones, signboards etc., the group of cyclists said that availability of cycles would encourage the adventure enthusiasts to take up such trips in different corners of the region.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government had also invited the group to promote cycling in the state.
According to Shruti Shah, a chartered accountant and the only lady cyclist in the group, the trip to Kaziranga was the most refreshing experience that re-energised the group for the expedition. �Crossing the bridge over Brahmaputra on cycle was another mesmerising experience with cool wind on our faces and crisp blue water on our both sides. Every member of the group had contentment writ large on their faces after crossing the bridge,� she said.
The cyclists represent various backgrounds like education, hospitality sector, construction and medical, among others. The trip would culminate in Shillong.
