Sathya Sankaran, the ‘bicycle mayor’ of Bengaluru, is part of BYCS, a Dutch social enterprise that promotes biking. In case you have any cycling-related queries, you possibly can attain out to him by way of Twitter @bicyclemayorblr

Antara Gange Hills

Nandi Hills could be among the many favorite locations of 99 % of the cyclists right here, together with me. For a similar motive, nevertheless, Nandi Hills has began to get crowded after some extent. So, about six years in the past, my buddies and I made a decision to search for routes close to Kolar. We stumbled upon Antara Gange Hills. We went there for the primary time on New Yr’s Day in 2016. Ever since, it has change into a ritual: We go there on the primary day of yearly. Antara Gange is shorter than Nandi Hills however affords an outstanding vista. It’s a good spot for trekkers and cyclists. You can even try the Antara Gange temple there. We normally begin from the Vishnu Bhavan restaurant in Hoskote early morning on weekends and return by 10 am or 11 am. The Chennai freeway we take is fairly good, making certain a clean experience. When you attain the hill, nevertheless, it will get a bit steep.

Venkateswara Rao aka Bikey Venky is a biking coach and race organiser. You may attain out to him by way of his Instagram web page @bikeyvenky

Nandi Hills

The route we normally take lately is the Airport Street simply by the advantage of comfort. From Central Bangalore, if you wish to go as much as the toll gate and return, you get an excellent 50-60 km experience. It’s a straight, clean street. You’ve loads of eateries alongside the best way, if you wish to seize a chunk or use the restroom. We additionally transcend the toll gate and head for Nandi Hills. The tree-lined street with a hill-view is gorgeous to experience on. On the weekends, many individuals do the ‘Nandi Darshan’ when going uphill. Whereas returning, they’ll have breakfast at Nandi Upachar. Of late, it has change into a bit too crowded. So, now we go there on weekdays principally. There are additionally many backroads that lead you to some attention-grabbing spots. Throughout one in every of our explorations, we discovered a quaint, picturesque railway station referred to as Nandi Halt. So, if you wish to do a little bit of off-roading, you may make a detour to the railway station and spend a while there.

Vidya Chandran runs an all-women biking membership referred to as SpokesWomen. You will get in contact along with her by way of Instagram @spokes_women

Lake hopping

As somebody who has been curating bicycle rides in and away from Bengaluru, it’s arduous for me to choose one vacation spot. Among the many rides we provide inside Bangalore at my enterprise, Pedal In Tandem, one in every of my favourites is the Lake Hopping package deal. You get to experience throughout a dozen lakes and reservoirs set in opposition to a backdrop of rolling hills on the fringes of the Bannerghatta Nationwide Park and the Ragihalli State Forest. Aside from having fun with these scenic water our bodies, you may also get a glimpse of rural and semi-rural life as you cross by way of some villages. You experience on dust roads flanked by fields, orchards, and plantations. You additionally get to look at flocks of birds hang around on grasslands and backwaters. Relying in your issue, you possibly can go for a 25 km or a 40 km route. We normally begin from the MTR at Kanakapura Street at 6 am and finish at 10 or 11 am.

Dheeraj Subramanian is the founding father of Pedal In Tandem, which affords curated bicycle excursions and equipment. You may try the Lake Hopping and different tour packages at pedalintandem.com or contact +918277580808

Bannerghatta-Kanakapura Street

The street that goes from Bannerghatta to Kanakapura is nice for cyclists due to its greenery, rolling terrain, and extra importantly, low visitors. There usually are not too many settlements or buildings alongside the best way. As a bunch, we take a look at using 50 km, from side to side. It takes about three hours. And, early mornings are one of the best time to cycle in Bangalore. Normally, we begin and finish at Jayanagar.  One other good route for using could be in the direction of the west, the place you’ve gotten the Bangalore College – if you happen to transcend, you’re going to get to the Huge Banyan Tree. That is a couple of 60-km loop, which can take about three to three-and-a-half hours. The primary eight or 9 kilometers have a little bit of visitors however after that, it will get very nice. You may even spot just a few peacocks alongside the best way. As a bunch, till the pandemic, we used to experience each Sunday to find new routes. We’re planning to restart that quickly.

Rohan Kini is the founding father of BumsOnTheSaddle, a premium bicycle and bike equipment model in Bengaluru. To hitch his rides, you possibly can contact