By our reporter
SHILLONG: While the Urban Affairs Department is trying to improve the public transport system to reduce dependence on private vehicles, the winner of the Open Cycling Race on Saturday, Garry Umdor, has already switched to cycling for his day-to-day commute.
The 19-year-old, who won the Mountain Biking (MTB) category, is pursuing his Bachelor’s in Business Administration (BBA) from Martin Luther Christian University. Although he has been cycling since childhood, he started using a bicycle as a regular means of transportation a few months ago.
Umdor says, “I bought a new MTB (mountain bike) Hercules 8300 five months ago and, unlike the regular BMX I had earlier, this one can go uphill, too. I care about the environment and am adventurous, too, so I thought why not cycle instead of taking taxis.”
This move has not only improved his stamina but also encouraged him to get into racing.
“After I began cycling everyday, I was able to cover longer distances. Now I ride up to Sohra at least twice a month.
“I really wanted to participate in the MTB Shimla event this year, but couldn’t go because I fell ill just before the event. So I am very happy that the open cycling race was conducted and winning it has boosted my confidence to prepare better for Shimla,” he said.
The 13.1-mile route covered much of Shillong, and though Umdor, who lives at Laitumkrah, is familiar with the roads, it wasn’t an easy win.
Umdor said of the race: “The competition was tough because at some points the other two (Gogoi and Jayant, who took second and third places respectively) were very close and at some points they were behind. And they were riding racing bikes, so they could easily catch up with me when I went uphill. But in the last bit of the race I got a chance to go ahead and did it.”
Given that there were 120 participants, including the five-year-old Ryan Jeffrey Lyngdoh, it is evident that cycling races are welcome in Shillong and the potential of kids can be built upon.
“I really liked the event and hope the government conducts it again, so that others who couldn’t come this time can participate next year,” Umdor said.
Perhaps a little surprisingly, the cyclists were not timed at all during the race.
And to ensure that each one adhered to the route, they had to collect ribbons at different points along the way to prove that they didn’t take any shortcuts.
This was a little awkward for Umdor, who wants a better system in place as he was worried that he might lose a ribbon along the way and be disqualified.
Umdor was given a new bicycle for winning the race and plans to pass it on to his brother.
He also dedicated his win to a cousin who is fighting cancer.