A Cyclist with a Passion for Speed

The record for being the fastest to cover 100 km by cycling was set by G D Vishnuraam of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. He cycled 100 km in 2 hours 55 minutes, starting from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu and ending the attempt in Thrissur, Kerala, on February 23, 2022.

Mr Vishnuraam completed his endurance cycling record with the aim to raise awareness of vaccination drive against Covid-19. The record breaking attempt, which started from Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology (SKCET), Coimbatore, was flagged off by R.Sudhakar, IPS (IGP West zone, Tamil Nadu) along with Sri Krishna Institution Chairperson and Managing Trustee, S. Malarvizhi and Trustee K. Adithya.

From SKCET, Vishnuraam took the Coimbatore Palakkad – Kuthiran Tunnel route to Thrissur. He concluded the attempt at the Police Commissioner Office, Thrissur and was felicitated by Aadhithya IPS (Commissioner of Police, Thrissur city).

Vishnuraam says cycling has no age limit. Anyone from 8 years to 80 years of age can pedal for good health, as cycling improves overall fitness. “However, your lungs should be clean for this hobby. People who smoke a lot have problems in their lungs, which is bad for cycling. It helps in managing sugar level and blood pressure,” says the 40-year old champion, who runs a play school for a living.

He has also been recognised by the Asia Book of Records (ABR) and the India Book of Records (IBR) earlier for cycling from Coimbatore to Kanyakumari via Salem, Karur and Madurai in 23 hours 53 minutes. His other record was about covering the maximum distance by a car (Hyundai Creta) within 24 hours on July 6, 2021.

According to Vishnuraam, to be fit and healthy one needs to be physically active. Regular physical activity can help protect one from serious diseases such as obesity, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, diabetes and arthritis. Riding a bicycle regularly is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Cycling is a healthy, lowimpact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults, as there is no age restriction. It is also fun, cheap and good for the environment. An estimated one billion people ride bicycles every day – for transport, recreation and sport all over the world.

Cycling is a good way to control or reduce weight, as it raises metabolic rate, builds muscle mass and burns body fat. If someone is trying to lose weight, cycling must be combined with a healthy eating plan. Cycling is a comfortable form of exercise and one can change the time and intensity. Research suggests that one should be burning at least 2,000 calories a week through exercise. Steady cycling burns about 300 calories per hour. British research shows that a 30 minutes cycling every day will burn nearly five kilograms of fat over a year.

Regular cycling stimulates and improves heart, lungs and blood circulation, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, which include stroke, high blood pressure and heart attack. Cycling strengthens heart muscles, lowers resting pulse and reduces blood fat levels. Research also shows that people who cycle to work have two to three times less exposure to pollution than car commuters, so their lung function is improved.