A slightly-nippy Sunday morning saw 60 cyclists including stalwarts Prashant Tidke of Pune, ranked
among country’s fastest riders, and Mumbai’s Anil Uchill, founder of Mumbai
Randonneurs, along with Goa’s own ‘Golden Girl’ Dr Belinda Mueller, lined up
for a ride promising to showcase the beautiful hinterlands of South Goa.
Xaxti 200 Powered by Bergamont was flagged off at 6 am from
Ravindra Bhavan Margao by Tidke, who went on to join the riders.
A scenic coastal route passing through Colva, Benaulim, Varca
and Cavelossim, crossing over to Assolna and taking off for Betul, rode on
until Agonda – Cabo Da Rama crossroads. All along, riders were treated to
splendid vistas as promised by the organisers. Accompanying the scenic splendour
was the steep Cola climb and the challenge factor of Xaxti 200.
The first control
point was at 46-km mark at Agonda. After clinching Cola climb, riders were
treated to a breakfast of sandwiches, plum cake and hot tea, boosting them for
the next leg and challenge of the route. The Xaxti Riders brief was to ‘enjoy
the ride and the beauty’ and to promote spirit of cooperation and camaraderie
than competition. “I had decided to enjoy Xaxti 200 with all that it offered,
rather than engaging in a contest,” says Anil Uchill of Mumbai Randonneurs.
Though shady
stretches and cool breeze proved a breather on elevations, Ambeghat and its
headwinds was the next challenge. Realising this, organisers had provided a
much-needed water and bananas break atop Ambeghat. Peddling across wooded
expanse and tree-lined track, riders were welcomed at Second Control point at
120-km to a piping-hot Goan lunch. Full of praises for a route that renewed
faith in themselves, the cyclists dug into the dal, curd, rice and fried fish,
resting under tree shade. Outstation riders particularly appreciated direction
arrows at crucial points, without which “I would have definitely missed my
fabulous Goan lunch,” says Tidke lightly.
So far, the Xaxti 200
route had offered sea views and forest vistas; now the river beckoned. The
third Control Point was Chicalim junction in Vasco. The route took riders
towards picturesque Shiroda and Borim along Zuari River and across Borim Bridge
via Cortalim to Chicalim.
It was a King’s
welcome to riders at Chicalim Garden by Vasco Cycling with garlands and
full-hearted cheers. Chilled water and crisp chikkis and riders were once again
set to zoom-in at the Finish Point at Ravindra Bhavan.
The Xaxti Riders
honoured Finishers with a distinguished plaque inscribed with ‘Man of Mettle’,
not forgetting Queen of Goan cycling Belinda Mueller who was presented a
specially-inscribed ‘ Woman of Mettle’ plaque.
To prove to oneself
is way higher than to prove to the rest, believe Xaxti Riders. A record number
of 71 riders registered for Xaxti 200; 60 lined up at Start Point and 53
completed the Challenge.
“Events
like these bring together cyclists from all parts of Goa and Xaxti 200’s
accomplishment belongs as much to all clubs in Goa as to the host club,” says a
humble Sameer Nadkarni, President of Xaxti Riders Club. “Riders from Cycling
Goa, Vasco Cycling, Panjim Cycling and Slopes & Bends of Ponda rode and
volunteered with full enthusiasm to make Bergamont-Powered Xaxti 200 an
unprecedented success.” Xaxti Riders salutes all the riders and promises to be
back with more!
