Race enabled the foundation to raise Rs 13 lakh for para-athletes; Lakshmi Manchu joined by Indian cyclists
Lakshmi Manchu
Before Lakshmi Manchu learnt how to cycle for a 100-kilometre race to support an NGO, she had last sat on a bicycle in childhood.
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“I started practicing on February 2, and in a matter of 19 days, prepared for the race,” says the actor, adding, “Each day, I would wake up at 4.30 am, because I wanted to beat the traffic. I had to learn how to use the gears on a hybrid bike.” For Machu, small achievements like learning how to consume water while cycling, instead of constantly punctuating her ride, served her well.
“Getting adjusted to the [aerodynamic] bike was another challenge. It was thinner, and had a different gear mechanism. It was after the 50-kilometre mark that the task became difficult. I was given a [special] jacket which cooled the body down, and only then was I able to complete the race,” says the actor, adding that while generally mindful of her eating habits, she happily indulged in breads and pasta on the night before the race to increase her carbohydrate intake.
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