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Cycling for awareness sake
"HELP THE handicapped", "Support orphanages and old age homes", "Donate your eyes and help the underprivileged" — these were among the public service slogans Arivazhagan chose to popularise in a novel way.
Though his attempt was to enter the record books by cross-handling his cycle bars for a distance of 100 kms, the unemployed 34-year-old also wove in these messages to create awareness among the public.
The need for rain water harvesting and education for all also got mileage during the recent event, which was flagged off by Coimbatore Mayor T Malaravan.
Cycling by cross handling the bars is not an easy task and Arivazhagan clocked 4:19.2 seconds to cover the stipulated distance.
He bicycled from Ganapathy via Saravanampatti, Kovilpalayam and Annur to reach Puliampatti and took the same route home.
It was an easy first half for the cyclist, but the return took extra effort.
"My enthusiasm saw me speeding in the first 50-kms, but I could feel the strain on my way back home.
I did have the clock in mind since I had decided to complete the route in under five hours and I am happy that I finished it well below that time."
Born in a hamlet near Virudhunagar, Arivazhagan says his self-belief has guided him to this level.
He underwent rigorous training and was ably guided by Mathiazhagan, another Guinness record holder, who impressed Coimbatoreans a couple of years ago with his back running.
Arivazhagan says he will not stop with this.
"I have an urge to create more awareness among the public regarding education, human rights and rain harvesting.
My cycle will help me in my mission and with this feat, I am sure I can go places," he says with confidence.
Details of his feat have been sent to authorities at the Limca Book of Records and the Guinness Book of Records and though Arivazhagan is thrilled about that, he waits for the day when he will, like many others, have a job he can be proud about.
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