The streets of Flora Fountain are still and empty
The streets of Flora Fountain are still and empty. It is a Sunday morning and I watch, as devoid of the crowds that jostle this landmark space of Mumbai, these heritage structures pass silently by as I cycle past them.
It is 6:30 am.
The sun is just peeking across the lazy Sunday sky, and I watch the city slowly wake up as I pedal the stretch from Eros theatre at Churchgate, past Veer Nariman road, going on to Marine Drive.
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A girl feeds pigeons at the Gateway at dawn |
Just two wheels and me, drinking in the fresh morning breeze. Seeing a familiar city, a hustling hub turn sentinel as it is washed by the first sunrays.
The milkmen ringing their cycle bells as they pass by with a bemused look in my direction. At the corners, newspaper vendors briskly sorting out what will soon turn into stacks of leisure reads, sparrows twittering among the leaves; it all morphs into a picture-perfect snapshot of Mumbai in the morning, a movie played out in slow motion through the turning of my cycle wheels.
I sail pass the early morning joggers of Marine Drive, taking care to keep along the kerbs, as the light holiday morning traffic has already hit the roads.
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While two men have an early chat |
Cycling and Mumbai city is a lovely combination, I discover. It's a charming way to see bylanes, monuments, the magic of the streetside, food stalls, vendors, the cogs and wheels that make this city what it is a charming medley of cultures, cuisines, and characters!
It's also a great way of keeping fit. Barring the potholes and craters, which can put any seasoned speedbreaker to shame, the roads offer unending possibilities of working out the leg muscles, the abs, the back muscles, build up stamina, and regular cyclists enjoy a fitness level of someone 10 years younger. And if you cycle with a friend, it's more enjoyable too the company, and the competition!
Wake up to this lovely idea and give it a shot next Sunday. You can start a revolution in Mumbaiu00a0on two wheels!
