Midnight in Mumbai

A midnight cycle trail across the city is all one needs to unwind this weekend

Mumbai maybe a noisy city by the day, but it wears a different mood by sundown. And by midnight, the daily cacophony makes way for a welcoming lull. It is this contrast that organiser Ritika Saraf wants to share with fellow Mumbaikars. The founder of Some Place Else will conduct a midnight cycle trail that will explore the city’s coastal route — Bandstand, Carter Road and Worli Seaface. The ride will start at the Bandstand promenade and lead to Worli Seaface and a detour back to Bandstand. The cycle ride will cover around 23 kms in fours. “The ride is slow-paced and even perfect for people who aren’t comfortable with the cycle. We have planned the route in a way that makes sure participants aren’t huffing and puffing by the end of the trail,” states Ritika.

A few years ago, it dawned on Ritika that most haven’t picked up a bicycle since their teenage days. It was then that she realised that it was the perfect time to introduce a midnight cycle trail in the city. She says, “For most of us who have grown up in the 90s, we haven’t really explored the city on a cycle. The bicycle brings up nostalgic memories for many since it is something we used last during our teenage years. We Mumbaikars are in such a hurry that we take little time to appreciate the scenic routes. So introducing the midnight ride was a no-brainer.”

The rains don’t need to be a spoiler for the ride. The event is planned keeping the weather in mind. “The roads are riddled with potholes, so we mapped the route in such a way to ensure the novice rider doesn’t face any problems. Since we are coming back to Bandra, we have included a newer route so that the participants discover the lesser-known roads. We have also included a few descending roads on the tour — riding down is one of the best things to look forward to when cycling,” she states.

Naina Meattle, who has previously participated in a midnight trail with Some Place Else, says, “The trail makes you notice things that you would otherwise miss while driving past the city. The breaks during the ride can get a little too tiresome if you’re someone who wants to simply explore the city. But this is an experience I would cherish for a long time.”

Ritika concludes that the cycle trails are one of the best ways to discover the city. She says, “All the participant needs to do is show up. We will even provide water to make sure that the rider isn’t burdened with carrying his baggage. You can always catch up on your sleep; but riding around the city during the rains isn’t something that happens everyday.”

Meeting point: near Lilavati Hospital, Bandra. For more information, call on 9833163486