After deciding to convert his passion to a mission, Gagan Grover, a 25-year-old software engineer, would now take off on his cycle to spread the message on global warming. Grover has planned a 1700-kilometre cycling expedition from Pune to Kanyakumari via Bangalore to promote cycling as an eco-friendly mode of transport.

On World Car Free Day, September 22, Grover who works with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) Pune, has planned a lecture on cycling and global warming at Dell Research and Development centre and C-DAC in Bangalore as part of the expedition. “The presentation will show pictures reflecting effects of global warming. I hope it motivates at least a few people,” said Grover who daily cycles to office. Grover, who belongs to Shahajahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, has never rode a motorcycle. “I am a nature lover and a regular trekker. It bothers me when I see polluting two-wheelers,” he said. Staying in the city of two-wheelers, Grover says he is not yet tempted to buy one. “I am, however, definitely saving to purchase another bicycle especially for long-distance expeditions,” he said.

Grover cycles for about 70 to 80 kilometres every Saturday or Sunday morning. He covered 600 kilometres last week during a practice session for this expedition.

Grover will begin the expedition — ‘Cycle and recycle, the only solution to global warming’ — on a hard tail mountain bike on Friday and will finish on September 28. “I plan to cycle from about 6 am to 1 pm and again from 2 pm to 7 pm every day and cover an average of 170 km every day,” Grover said.

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