Asif M Athar from Bijapur covered 60 mts ghat from Balehonnur to Chikmagalur in 1 hour 44 minutes and 29 second, making his way to the top in gents category.
“In our place cycle is the main mode of transport. We are used to cycling and hence cycling my way to the top was easy,” said Athar revealing his secret for success.
Sangamesh Ramesh from Bijapur who bagged second place in the gents category too said that since cycle is his means of transport back home in his village, he found it easy to be ahead of others.
Shortcomings
Though district administration made all necessary arrangements to host the competition there were some short comings. Many participants said that the vehicles moved normally on the ghats as ever even when the cyclists rode their way to the final mark.
“It is always better to control the traffic when such competitions are going on.
Otherwise, the competitors are posed to threat,” said Sridhar Savanur, third place winner.
Savanur was leading till he reached the city. The competitors on reaching the city were required to take a right near Bolarameshwara temple and reach Deputy Commissioner’s office but since there were no sign, Savanur was confused and due to this confusion, he was pushed to third place.
‘Memorable’
Competitors said “they had some happy and memorable experience during the competition. Throughout the route from Balehonnur to Chikmagalur, public and school children stood on the road side and tried to give water and eatables to the competitors. Mugthihalli school students even boosted the morale of the competitors by playing music on band.”
Ashok, Mohan Kumar and Venugopal bagged first three places in Chikmagalur category.
As many as 58 participants took part in the competition, of which 12 were women.
Winners
Gents category (60 kms): Sangamesh Mallappa from Bijapur, Bagalkot Sridhar N Savanur, Shivaji M Malligowda from Bijapur.
Ladies category (40 kms): Geethanjali Jyothappanavar from Bijapur Sports Hostel, Vijayalakshmi Adiveppa from Bagalkot, Kavitha Nyamagowda from Bijapur Sports Hostel, Savitha Nyamagowdar, Rajeshwari Mathapathi.
Gearless category (30 kms): Vittal B Nayak from Bagalkot, Virupaksha M Naganure from Belgaum, Lakshman L Doddamani from Bagalkot, Mohan Kumar from Chikmagalur, Vittal M Mariyappaji from Bagalkot.