Maharashtra: CM Eknath Shinde inaugurates first of its kind multi-stage, long-distance cycle race

CM Eknath Shinde with Vishnudas Chapke during the inauguration

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde on Saturday inaugurated the registration of HindAyan, India's first long-distance multi-stage cycle race, at his official residence-Varsha at Malabar Hill in Mumbai.

At present, India does not have a long distance cycling race, hence most of the professional cyclists, members of Olympic team, national cycling team and Adventure Cells of Armed Forces have to go to the US, UK and France to participate in the long distance cycling race.

In order to promote the culture of cycling and give an opportunity to the cyclists to practice outdoors, the ‘HindAyan', an annual multi stage cycling race under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat' is being organised.

It would be a first of its kind cycling race in the country. The first edition of this event would commence on February 5, 2023 at the National War Memorial, New Delhi and travel via Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Surat, Thane, Mumbai, to culminate at Fort Sinhagad in Pune on February 19, 2023, thus coinciding with the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The event is being promoted by Vishnudas Sheshrao Chapke, who circumnavigated the planet on foot in three years. Participants can visit https://www.hindayan.in/ to enroll.

Nature of Event:

The race is limited to the countryside. The NHAI has concurred ‘Approval in Principle' to organize the
race on the Express / National Highways. With the help of the Local Superintendent of Police and District
Administration, roads will be designated for the race. In urban areas, it will be termed as an expedition and not a race.

1) Full Race from Delhi to Pune: 60 participants
2) One Day Pro Inter City Race
3) One Day 30 km Joy Ride

1) Full Race:

The 14 day race will start on February 5, 2023, from the National War Memorial, New Delhi and will conclude on February 19, 2023, at Sinhagad Fort, Pune.

Shortlisted teams will be cycling an average of 250 km per day followed by a rest/free day.

Fees: Total fee for the full race is Rs.60,000 (Sixty Thousand) per participant. Pre-registration is Rs.3,000 (three thousand, non-refundable) at time of online application. Due to logistic and accommodation restrictions, we have a total of 60 spots for the full race. If one is selected, one has to pay the remaining
Rs.57,000 to confirm his/her seat.

Registration fee includes food, accommodation, first aid, local transport, ambulance support to the nearest hospital.

2) Inter-City Pro Race:

A one day race for those cyclists who cannot take part in the full race. The Inter City Race will cover approximately 250 km in between two cities. Registration fee is Rs. 2,499 per inter-city race. One can participate in as many one-day races. Participants will have to manage the transport, food, and accommodation. Participants will be responsible to bring their own cycle, spare parts, and safety gear. No ride will be allowed without an appropriate helmet.

3) One-Day Expedition:

30 km Joy Rides

1) Thane to Mumbai city

2) Azad Maidan, near CSMT in Mumbai
to Vashi, Navi Mumbai at 7.30 am on February 19, 2023. Registration fee is Rs.1499. Special discount for
students Rs.499.

Participants will have to manage the transport, food, and accommodation. Participants will be responsible to bring their own cycle, spare parts, and safety gear. No ride will be allowed without an appropriate helmet.

Timetable:
February 5: Delhi to Agra, 221 km
February 6: Rest in Agra
February 7: Agra to Jaipur, 240 km
February 8: Rest in Jaipur
February 9: Jaipur to Bhilwara, 248 km via NH48
February 10: Bhilwara to Udaipur, 152 km via NH48
February 11: Rest in Udaipur
February 12: Udaipur to Ahmedabad, 263 km via NH48
February 13: Rest in Ahmedabad
February 14: Ahmedabad to Surat, 262 km via NH48
February 15: Rest in Surat
February 16: Surat to Thane, 260 km via NH48
February 17: Rest in Thane
February 18: Thane to Mumbai 60 km
February 19: Mumbai to Pune, 180 km via NH48