PANAJI: A total of 182 cyclists from Goa and Maharashtra will participate in ‘Pezzaad67’ on February 14. The unique cycling event has been organised by ‘Slopes and Bends’ cycling group of Ponda.
A media release issued in Ponda on Wednesday by the organisers stated that its name was inspired by the topography of the Ponda-Antruz region, which is dotted with hills, slopes and bends. The cyclists will begin at GVM’s Shri Sitaram Kerkar Vidya Sankul, Farmagudi, and cycle through the villages of Apevhal, Bhootkhamb, Savoi Verem, Codar, Nirancal, Shiroda and Adpai experiencing the hills, jungles, biodiversity and the backwaters of Ponda. The word ‘Pezzaad’ is commonly used in Konkani to mean powerful and strong.
Ajay Dongre, president, Slopes and Bends club said that the cyclists will have to cycle a distance of 67 kms on a route with steep ascents and descents testing the cyclists’ endurance and hill-climbing capabilities.
“The cyclists will experience a total elevation of 900 metres. To ensure the safety of the riders, the route will be manned by our volunteers placed at strategic points and in patrol vehicles. We will install water points at regular intervals enroute. Sumptuous breakfast and lunch will be provided to all the participants and each finisher will be awarded a beautifully crafted trophy,” revealed Dongre.
