Many Jamshedpureans are cycling for fun or leisure if the swelling register of the city's first group for cyclists formed by Tata Steel management trainees, Steel Cyclos, is any indication.

From 40 on August 31, when Steel Cyclos had been launched in the presence of Everesters Bachendri Pal and Premlata Agarwal, the number of members has now risen to 147.

'We think membership will cross 250-plus by this year-end. There are a fair number of women, too,' enthused Ashish Chaudhary, a manager in Tata Steel and one of the club's core committee members.

And, it's not empty numbers either, Chaudhary stressed.

'Our members meet mostly on Sundays. We pedal to many destinations near the steel city, including Jadugora, Gamharia, Dimna, and even Tiring on the Odisha border, some 45km from Jamshedpur. The club started with mostly Tata Steel employees but non-company residents have also shown great interest to join us as it gives them an opportunity to socialise differently, exercise, and most importantly, reduce carbon footprint and go green,' he said.

Senior manager at Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) Hemant Gupta, who turned an Everester earlier this year, said he was delighted that something like this was finally happening in the steel city.

'I am an active member of the club's core team and so I'm really happy to see membership grow in leaps and bounds in such a short span,' Gupta said.

'It proves that many people are keen to be fit, enjoy the outdoors and making new friends and want to reduce air pollution,' he added.

In November, club members are heading to Tumung, a rocky area some 25km from Jamshedpur, with a special cause, Chaudhary said.

'We'll visit a primary school in Tumung to spread awareness on education among school children there. We'll also distribute stationery items like copies, pencils and erasers among them.'

Steel Cyclos has a Facebook page for enrolling names. Aspiring members can also visit the TSAF office at the JRD sports complex in Jamshedpur. There no membership fee.

'As they say, the best things in life are free,' laughed Harjit Singh, an employee of a private firm and a Mango resident who joined Steel Cyclos last week.

'I liked the concept of this club and will ask my friends to join too,' he added.

Adityapur businessman Sumeet Pandey said he loved cycling as a leisure activity. 'But joining a group certainly makes it more exciting,' smiled the new member.

Share your experiences on a group trip with Steel Cyclos with ttkhand@abpmail.com

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