Pedaling a new culture(REAR WINDOW)

The mofussil   wakes up from its usual slumber when something new happens or a new visitor turns up.  This time the stimulus was Prof. Kurup. The prefix, as was customary to magicians, tooth healers, story-tellers, palmists et al was self-styled. His latest mission was to circumnavigate in a’ death-well.’  Accordingly, a 30 ft. platform was set up near Mannanam junction with a wooden plank reclining to the edge of a 30 ft trench, nicely plastered. From the platform, the cyclist would swiftly enter the top of the trench and pedal round his way to the bottom and without any stop, pedal back to the top in top speed. High decibel accompaniments and onlookers’ cheer add punch to the adventure. This was no trick, but one that needed fitness, regular training and above all, a cool nerve. No wonder the show pulled crowds from the nearby villages too.  Once it was all over after a month, the death-well bore a deserted look.  Some of my school mates would pedal around it for a while, on way to school. Usually my brothers and I behaved to be studious without openly indulging in wanton ways.  However when the death-well beckoned, I could not resist the temptation any further. One afternoon I too began racing round the trench.  As the acceleration was hiking up, a call from behind spoiled the adventurous course of action. It was the textile vendor. He threatened me with the dire consequence of tipping my mom of the ‘show’.  Though he did not go that far, my ambition to become a cycling adventurist fell apart there itself. I don’t know how come the sports world copes up with this great tragedy.

I saw Prof. Kurup for the next time in Amsterdam. It was 30 April, the Queen’s day. The Dutch were celebrating along with the whole of Europe. Amidst the carnival ambience, I noticed a big crowd clapping and cheering a colourfully dressed man showing his acrobatics on a bicycle.  Prof. Kurup of Holland. Though he had more fitness and finesse than his Indian counterpart, one was not sure whether he could do the death-well.  Nevertheless, Holland and the bicycle do have an intricate kinship. Even today this motor less simpleton happens to be their beloved vehicle .The Dutch use it to go to work, roam around in leisure and to go deep into the countryside with friends and family on holidays. The government on its part has come up with separate lanes for cyclists along public pathways. Cyclo-tourism, as they call it, has become a national pastime with several agencies conducting cycle-tour operations. There is an annual competition as well.  Dating as far back as 1891 CE, this national contest / festival demands the participants to cover 1200 km in 90 hours.  Apart from a number of cycle clubs and mountaineering cyclers, they have a cycle-band even, that goes around singing and fiddling on bicycles.  Many European nations have their own cycling tournaments, the tour de France being the most famous and prestigious.  In the vroom vrooming   formula-1 age, the cool and serene velodrome proves to be the sober rebel with a cause.  That is how Mile- a –minute Murphy gently pushes Michael Schumachers, miles behind.

Fall from a bicycle need not be that fatal, unless you are Lance Armstrong.  What a strange fate life has bestowed on this champion of champions!  Seven- time winner at the tour de France and umpteen other tournaments, Armstrong‘s   epic story emulates some Greek tragedies of lore. Detected for   cancer in the testicles, later spreading to the lungs and brain, he was written off at a tender age by the best in the oncology business.  Going through all the dreadful ordeals of chemotherapies and surgeries, he bounced back to life, fighting all odds. Cycling becoming the soul and spine of life, to the velodrome he became what Jessie Owens was to the track and Michael Phelps to the pool. And even more, to the millions suffering from cancer. The $ 500 million Lance Armstrong Cancer Foundation still lives to tell the tale.  But all on a sudden, it’s all gone into thin air. The US anti-doping agency unveiling his dope habit, the fall from grace was instantaneous. The emperor was stripped of his crown and the floodgates of ridicule broke open. However, there still remains a mute question.  If anything, can we strip one of his talent and courage with administrative and technical power play?

Armstrong may fade away in history’s back burner, but bicycle is pedaling its way to resurgence of sorts. Public opinion is favouring cycling as the best alternative mode of transport the world around. . Especially in cities bottle-necked by traffic blocks and air pollution. This humble vehicle can save fuel, add to climate and environmental safety besides being an effective physical exercise for the body. Some argue for the cities to be made  cycle-friendly  without making  any separate arrangements ; while others  are for  infra-structural  rejig  to promote cycle traffic. However on a pragmatic note, it is really difficult to separate motor traffic and cycle traffic either by developing the infrastructure or by trying reconstitution of cities. For, these two have to cross at several points in a city. Still, we can improve our civic attitude for betterment in this regard. For e.g., in the Netherlands   if a cyclist gets injured in a mishap involving a motor vehicle, law will book the latter. If the fault lies with the former, it needs   to be proved beyond doubt with solid evidence. San Francisco  initiated  another  significant  contribution not just  to the history of pedaling  but  to that of  democratic  protest  modes  as well. In 1992, there was a heated debate on whether cyclists too should wear helmets or not. Those who defied helmets   took themselves to the streets with a novel form of protest – Critical Mass.  If you ask for its leader, there would be none.  But ask about their programme, the answer would be loud and clear:  On the last Friday of every month, thousands of cyclists sporadically join together and pedal through the main city lanes. This vibrant, yet calm and peaceful form of protest has of late become sort of a style statement in many countries.

Style or no style, cycling undoubtedly has substance in it. The World Health Organisation has recommended it as one of the best tools for public health improvement.  Regular and orderly cycling can enhance life by a decade, some studies claim. Whatever the truth be, one thing is certain.  It improves blood flow, thereby putting your heart and circulatory system in good stead. At least, it never pollutes you with any emission, carbon or car-born.  That precisely is the simple question Prof. Kurup puts forth:  Is it wise to throw it into the death-well, that which saves us from killer-motors?