And now Sallu is asking you to join him. Backed by his Being Human Foundation, Salman Khan is now asking people all over the world to join him in India's first ever international cycling event - Mumbai Cyclothon.
“The Tour De Mumbai will be held at Bandra Reclamation on Sunday, 21st February. The whole reason Salman agreed to join this event is to promote the practice of cycling in the city. He wants everyone to get healthy, and this is his way of contributing,” says a close friend of the actor, “Salman is inviting all his fans – whether u are a cyclist or not!”
The ride will have participants from all walks of life, including amateur cyclists, cycling enthusiasts, working professionals, housewives and school children. The maximum distance covered will be 24 km. But we don’t think that will deter our superstar, who is used to cycling long distances.
The Mumbai Cyclothon — the Tour de Mumbai cycle race at Bandra Reclamation is promoted by Being Human — the Salman Khan Foundation, to encourage the practice of cycling in the city, he will participate himself “for quite a bit... but not the whole distance”. Riding besides amateur cyclists, enthusiasts, professionals, housewives and schoolchildren, lending muscle to the charity event, not to mention adding colour and festivity.
Salman is no stranger to cycling, this is something he’s been doing even while learning to walk, and now he owns several professional bikes that he uses to get around the city. Some are with 28 gears, some with 14, though he doesn’t use the gears so much. “Cycling gives me a kick,” he says recalling his BMX days as a boy when he would perform stunts, jumps and bunny-hops on the bike. “Anything that increases momentum is a high, besides which it’s a damn good form of cardio and the best way to prevent pollution. Everybody in the city can afford a cycle. Go on, get one, it keeps you fit, and in Mumbai’s peak hour traffic — you reach your destination faster. When I travel by car, I’m on the phone, but when I cycle to a shoot, I get my workout done on the journey, and my evening is free.”
People have often seen Salman cycling from his Galaxy Apartments residence in Bandra to location shoots at Film City in Goregaon. “It takes me around 54 minutes,” he says, “which is less than a cardio workout. And I cycle like the postman or a doodhwala, slowly, I don’t bhagao the bike.” He has advice for first-time cyclists. “The first three-four days, your butt will be sore, but that’s like in any other exercise. Don’t give up.”
He believes cycling helps people retain their youth for the longest while. “People past their youth, get it back once they get onto a bike,” he says. “For anything in life, if you have the enthusiasm and interest, there’s no way old age will get you.” And there’s one more thing cycling does for Salman Khan. It keeps him rooted and gives him a sense of being connected with life and reality. “In the future, if all that I have is gone, the cycle will still be there... so it’s best that I get used to it,” he smiles as he mounts his bike for a practice ride.
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