Man’s urge to create something new is never ending. The search for that innovative idea can transform how things are done is an ongoing journey. In the world of athletics, it could be a shoe designed using innovative material or a new approach or tactic to an event. Or it could mean taking something interesting and adding your own touch to it.
There are now a large number of people in Goa who run, cycle and swim. Most of them who are amateurs do this to stay fit or do this because they enjoy it. Jai Verenkar is one such amateur who first took up running ten years ago. Never an athlete in school or college, he started running with friends. Two years later, a friend introduced him to cycling. He had learnt swimming as a child.
His passion for cycling grew and so did his collection of cycles. Speaking about the cycle he regularly used, he says, “I have a geared cycle called a Merida Reacto 6000 for the summer. During the rains, I use a mountain terrain bike which has bigger wheels.”
Like any cyclist today, he would spend time going online to check on bikes. Jai says, “I like to learn what is happening in the world of cycling and to also learn of new developments. The changes can be small but they can make a huge difference to the performance of the bike.”
It was during one of those visits online about two years ago, when he came across a cycle made of wood. This was done by a company based in the UK. The body of the cycle was made of wood and the rest was made of alloy and steel. Veren has a timber business based in Ponda which has helped him gain a thorough knowledge of wood. He is aware of its strength and the difference in various woods. He started gaining knowledge on the cycle and his interest grew over a period of time. He conducted research on it and came across videos that showed him how to make it.
During the same time, the world was struggling through the Covid-19 pandemic. Like many parts of the world, India was in lockdown. This gave him time to spend on thinking and then begin constructing the cycle. He used African wood for the frame and then had the steel parts custom made. He got the work done in Goan companies. It was not an overnight success. There was a lot of tinkering that needed to be done.
He says, “Wood has strength in one direction. It would develop cracks. I had to take care choosing the wood. Eventually it all fell into place over a period of time. It cost me around Rs 60,000-70,000 to build the bike.” He was assisted in his efforts by Ajay Dongre of Escapades, a high end cycle shop based in Ponda. Ajay had a lot of knowledge of cycle parts and assisted Veren in his efforts.
The wood used in the cycle is African hardwood which is available in his timber mart. It is resistant to rain. He rides the cycle on Sundays. He has driven it over a distance of 120 kilometres without any problem. Weighing 18 kilograms, the bike does not give its rider an unfair advantage. It is a mountain bike and other such bikes are in the same weight category.
He has now named it Lakdachi and has placed photographs of it online. This has helped in gaining recognition across Goa and even across the country. This has led to people showing interest in the bike. He is open to the idea of making a similar bike for people if they are interested in one. However, he says, “Earlier I had free time on my hand because of the lockdown but now I have my business to run. I will need time to build the bike. If they can give me the time, then yes, I would be interested in making one for them.”
What are his plans for the future? He says he is keen on making another bike made of wood but this time he wanted to make a road bike. This, of course, would depend on the availability of time. Till then, he will run his business and run, swim and cycle on his wooden bike with friends
