OLIVE EARTH

It is humbling to see the results of human tenacity in the face of difficult imperatives to enable change. With Bicycle as the medium to execute on the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle - Ride A cycle foundation (RAC-F)has dedicatedly pursued sharing, donating & sustainable transportation leveraging the saddle & paddle in a not-for-profit manner. Set up with a passionate mission to advocates cycling as a sustainable mode of transport that is both environmentally safe and socially responsible, the Foundation works towards reigniting cycling as a mode of transport and also works with Communities that suffer because of transportation woes.  Olive Earth is proud to partner with them in multiple modes in furthering this mission. 

The results of this mission are manifested in several bold & visionary initiatives. From being vocal advocates for policy changes and infrastructure upgrades to assist cycling as a mode of communication to encouraging Cycle Manufacturers, Activists and Communities as well as donating Free cycles to underprivileged yet deserving students in and around schools and colleges in Bangalore, this mission has acted as a resource-magnet, attracting corporates, bloggers, cycling enthusiasts & policy officianados alike to further the cause. One of the initiatives is Tour of the Nilgiri's, India's first day touring cycle tour.

Tour of Nilgiris: TfN as a tour is as bold as the mission that RAC-F has undertaken. TfN covers 1000 KMs across the scintillating kaleidoscope that is Nilgiri's. Traversing across some of the most daunting landscapes, this trip is a testimony to human endurance and offers view of some of the most exhilarating landscape that India has to offer. The event has the twin objectives of promoting bicycling as an activity and spreading awareness about the bio-diversity, flora and fauna of the Nilgiris. It soon grew into something a lot many in a relatively smaller, eclectic riding community of 2008 wanted to take part in. The community soon got together, chalked out plans, figured out a route and realized they would need a framework to support such a large group of people, got sponsors on board to mitigate costs as well as popularize the Tour and the Cause of popularizing Cycling as a viable and sustainable means of travel.

Ever since it's first edition, the TfN has stayed true to the Community of Cyclists in India by being a Tour for the Community, Of the Community and By the Community. Day Touring has slowly started gaining ground in India with many more events growing in popularity, like the MTB Himachal, Grate Malnad Challenge, the Tour of TamilNadu and Sikkim MTB.

This year the Tour of Nilgiris 2010, popularly known as the TfN Ten, will have 100 Riders, an increase of 60% since its maiden year, has seen a huge surge of support and the Foundation has had people, both within and out of the Cycling Community, pitch in at every juncture to plan, organize and execute the third edition of India's most popular non competitive Biking Tour. Coming from around the World and India, the TfN Ten will seen it's Riders tackling terrain that is as diverse as themselves.

In its latest edition, BSA TfN Ten Riders will pedal 1000 kms starting from Bangalore, going through the Nilgiris (also known as the Blue Mountains) and covering 3 of the Southern states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. On the 15th of Dec, TfN Ten will start from Bangalore >> Kollegal >> Bandipur >> Gudalur >> Ooty (with an optional local loop in Ooty on the Rest Day) and thereafter to Devarsholai >> Devala >> Kalpetta >> Wayannad >> Kalpetta >> Manathavady >> Boys Town >> Iritty >> Gonikoppa >> Siddapura >> KRS >> Mysore and back to Bangalore by a chartered bus. (http://tourofnilgiris.com/?page_id=39). The first edition to have the ‘Charity Rider’ slot where Riders will ride for Charity. The Proceeds will be used for the benefit of an NGO that work for tribals and underprivileged in and around the Nilgiris’.

You can register for the event at http://olivearth.com/events .