Care for your environment - Cycle!

My current city, Gurgaon, has taken a huge step towards making the city ecofriendly! Following the World Car Free day which fell on a Tuesday ( 22 nd Sept 2015), the Traffic Police of Gurgaon has declared every Tuesday, each week a car free day.  The car free day basically means that every resident makes a conscious decision towards the mode of commuting. Every city resident choses a public mode of transport, either a bus, the metro or car pool but avoids driving solo around the city.

The first Car Free Day in Gurgaon saw a few resident participate with a lot of roads still clogged with traffic. But it was a start! I for one picked up my Merida (bicycle) and decided to cycle to work and back. It was a total ride of 50 kilometers. I started early in the morning at 6 am and avoided the peak traffic. The morning ride was a breeze however on my way back I came across peak traffic and the roads did not have any cyclists only lanes. But all in all it was a good day where I felt like a good samaritan who did her bit for the city and it's environment! Here are some of the clicks from my ride that day.

On the Highway early in the morning

Close to my destination

Blessed with Great Weather that day

So to all those people who are fed up of the traffic situation on the road, care enough for their environment and want to be fit but dont find time for it , pick up that bike which is catching dust in one corner of your house and make a lifestyle change now!

Accessories which make a ride comfortable

Accessories which make a bike ride comfortable and fun are few basic ones! Mine just arrived! Here's a peak into my latest haul:
1. Btwin hand gloves - long rides can be tough on the palms. Holding onto  the handle bar for long can be painful. Gloves are a must for long rides.

2. Btwin padded shorts - being on the bike saddle for long can be uncomfortable no matter how good the saddle is. A good pair of shorts help!

3. A saddle bag to carry your bare minimum stuff...money , keys, phone!

4. Good pair of shades for eye protection

Fastrack sport frames

5. Face Mask

6. Btwin Helmet - head protection

7. Last but not the least- My latest mouse pad for office computer
A constant reminder of how much fun cycling is cause it's a heady mix of exercise , being in the midst of nature and friends!

So this was the update on my accessories! I am fully prepared for long rides! Riding to my office to observe the World Car Free day tomorrow (22nd Sept 2015). We are responsible for our environment..let's make a change today!

Merida Crossway Hybrid Bike

This post is dedicated to my new bike, the Merida Crossway 20! This weekend I took this bike out for a 50 kilometer ride and every bit of the ride was pure pleasure. This review is by a very happy customer and Merida bike is totally worth the money!

I bought my bike from a big store called CycloFit in Ghitorni , Delhi. The store has all international brands of sports bikes and honestly although I had done my research on the types and brands  of bikes to buy,  I had no idea about the Merida brand.

On evaluating different bikes in the store, I realised that Merida was offering superior quality in terms of the gear set, suspension, brakes, tires as compared to the other brands!

I finally chose the Crossway 20 model ..Merida is a cycle brand from Taiwan which makes bikes with German tecnology. Here's a peep into the are specifications..

Merida Crossway 20 (Hybrid Bike)

Specifications:

The Merida Crossway 20 Features are:Frame: 6061 technoformed aluminium frame with hydroformed top tube, mounts for rack, mudguards Fork: Suntour NEX 63mm travel with lockout Bars: Merida comp oversize 6200mm wide 25mm rise Stem: Adjustable A-Head - allows you to adjust height of the handle bar Gears - 3 in front and 8 at backFront Mech: Shimano Tourney Rear Mech: Shimano Acera-X Chainset: Shimano M131 48-38-28Bottom Bracket: Cartridge BearingCassette: Sunrace CS-8S 11-32Chain: Sunrace 8s
Front Brake: Promax MTD 160mm 
Rear Brake: Promax MTD 160mm 

Rims: Merida Comp D 

Front Hub: Alloy Disc 

Rear Hub: Alloy Disc 

Tyres: Cross 40c Front Cross 40c Rear

Seatpost: Suspension 
Rear Brake: Promax MTD 160mm 
Rims: Merida Comp D 

Front Hub: Alloy Disc 

Rear Hub: Alloy Disc 

Tyres: Cross 40c Front Cross 40c Rear

Seatpost: Suspension 
Rims: Merida Comp D 
Front Hub: Alloy Disc 

Rear Hub: Alloy Disc 

Tyres: Cross 40c Front Cross 40c Rear

Seatpost: Suspension 
Front Hub: Alloy Disc 
Rear Hub: Alloy Disc 

Tyres: Cross 40c Front Cross 40c Rear

Seatpost: Suspension 
Rear Hub: Alloy Disc 
Tyres: Cross 40c Front Cross 40c Rear

Seatpost: Suspension 
Tyres: Cross 40c Front Cross 40c Rear
Seatpost: Suspension 
Seatpost: Suspension 

Bike Weight - 14.9kg (52cm frame - with pedals)

The Crossway is Merida's very popular hybrid bike for daily commuting, leisure and light off-roading. It's the versatility of the Crossway which makes it so popular...and the very competitive pricing.

The Crossway 20 MD is a great first bike or run-around available through Cycle 2 Work (or on Tredz Finance).

Frame & Fork

Merida have done an excellent job on the frame. It is light so you can accelerate fast, stiff so your pedalling is efficient, and strong for daily durability. Ideal for nipping through the morning traffic or a bit of off-roading too - thanks to the 63mm travel Suntour NEX fork.

The frame on the 20-MD is also double butted, helping to shave extra weight for a more rapid ride. There are also mounts for rack and mudguards - showing it's credentials as a commuter machine.

Components

Shimano gears and shifters are good quality and reliable, while Merida's own 700c Comp rims will keep you rolling. Promax MTD mechanical disc brakes give you great stopping power than standard rim brakes - great if you're on busy urban roads or gravel/ dirt tracks.