Mangaluru: ‘Cycling makes you Fit, Young and Healthy’ says Pro-Rider Donald Menezes

‘Forget Apples! Even if there is a saying that a apple a day, keeps the doctor away- but cycling a day keeps the doctor at bay

Mangaluru: Cycling is low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. Regular cycling has many physical and mental health benefits. It is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of health problems such as stroke, heart attack, some cancers, depression, diabetes, obesity and arthritis. To be fit and healthy you need to be physically active. Riding your bicycle regularly is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle. It is also fun, cheap and good for the environment. Also riding to work or the shops is one of the most time-efficient ways to combine regular exercise with your everyday routine.

And one person who has benefitted a lot, including relieving himself from various health problems from regularly cycling is Donald “Donny” Menezes of Mary-Hill here.”Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” had said Albert Einstein- and this cyclist has great passion for cycling that he has enjoyed this hobby by pedalling for fun and glory, and this sport has kept him moving in his life. In a exclusive interview for mangalorean.com, Donny reveals his life journey, how he relieved himself from various health problems after he started cycling, and the benefits of cycling.

Whether it’s to boost your fitness, health or bank balance, or as an environmental choice, taking up cycling could be one of the best decisions you ever make, says Donny who took up cycling eight months ago, and since then has benefitted a lot from it-relieving himself from health problems, and also has brought him name and fame. Donny says, ” Cycling will get to your destination faster than other vehicles during rush hours in the city; Cycling makes you- Sleep more deeply; Look younger; Boosts your bowels; Increases your brain power; Beats illness; Live longer; Save the planet; Heal your heart; Lose weight in the saddle; Avoid pollution; Enjoy healthy family time etc etc. So, if you’re feeling tired, take a ride!”

“Bicycling, along with being the most efficient mode of human locomotion, is also one of the best all-around activities for improving our health. From head to toes, cycling’s health benefits are hard to beat. Cycling is good for your heart; Cycling is good for your muscles; Cycling is good for your waistline; Cycling is good for your lifespan; Cycling is good for your coordination; Cycling is good for your mental health and Cycling is good for your immune system-it can strengthen your immune system, and could protect against certain kinds of cancers” adds Donny.

Donny Menezes born on 18 November 1967 in Mangaluru to (Late) John and Gertie, after doing his studies at St Aloysius College moved to Gulf for better prospects in the year 1991. Married to Rita, a Choreographer and a Bharatnatyam Dance Teacher, he is a proud father of two-and-a-half year old boy, Jordan. While he was employed as a Ground Supervisor with Emirates Airlines in Dubai for nearly 21 years, Donny developed certain health issues like breathing and lung problems due to constant inhaling of pollution (from burning of airplane white fuel), and also developed severe knee pain due to rigorous climbing of many steps while at work. In order to avoid more consequences to his health, he left his job and returned back to Mangaluru along with his wife in 2012. Presently he is at at the helm of a real estate business.

It was his chum, Kishan Bangera (whom Donny respects as “Guru”)- a seven-time National Body Builder champ and also a pro-cyclist who inspired and guided Donny to take up cycling to get rid of his health problems. “It really did work, cycling for the past eight months has resulted in relieving all my health problems and also my knee pain. I feel fit, young and healthy everyday. Thanks for my buddy Kishan who guided me throughout the past months, in making me a healthy person through cycling activities” said Donny.

Cycling has not only helped Donny to get rid of all his health problems, but has also brought him name and fame. On September 29, 2015 he set a record by cycling nearly 300 kms from Mangaluru to Byndoor (to and fro) in 14 hrs and 30 mins, a record which no one has achieved in DK. The earlier distance covered in cycling in DK is around 230-250 kms. His friend Kishan who also joined him in this ride, couldn’t make the desired time due to some technical problems with Strava App/website. Recently, Donny also made a record by climbing the elevation (road stretch from Karambar/Kenjar) which leads to Mangalore International Airport, thirty-three times, a total distance of 2697 mts. Earlier record set by Bhavesh of Mangaluru climbing the elevation was 20 times.

On 5 October 2015, Donny also set a new record, by cycling from BC Road/Bantwal to Padil-Mangaluru, a total of 14.5 kms in 26 mins 20 seconds. The previous record was 27mts 20 secs held by top cyclist of Mangaluru, Godfrey Pinto. Donny says that he looks forward to break as many records held by other cyclists in the past, thereby adding more feathers to his cap. On 4 October, 2015-he also joined the members of Mangalore Cycling Club, and Mangalore Bicycling Club on a Cycle Rally from MCC building-Lalbagh here to Ullal, to bring awareness about the Yettinahole project. As a member of MCC, Donny covered 28 kms (to and fro) in this ride.

Donny starts his day by waking up at 3.30 am in the morning, and by 4.30am he is on the road cycling until 8.30am on weekdays, and during weekends from 4 am till noon. Daily he rides from Mangaluru to Udupi or Puttur or other destinations he plans for the day, depends on his mood. Other than cycling, Donny’s hobbies are gardening, walking, reading, listening to music, sports…and also babysitting his tiny son, Jordan. Cyclists are a diverse group. “Some of us ride fat tires down rocky trails, some of us ride road bikes up burly hills, some of us ride for sport and some of us ride just for fun. Some ride for the adrenaline rush and some ride their bikes for basic transportation. But all of us can take advantage of the healthy benefits of cycling, even if we never ever buy a single item made from Btwin or Trek” said Donny.

“Forget apples, riding’s the way to keep the doctor at bay. Moderate exercise makes immune cells more active, so they’re ready to fight off infections. People who cycle for 30 minutes, five days a week take about half as many sick days as couch potatoes. Those who exercise regularly are at significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes, all types of cancer, high blood pressure and obesity. The body becomes much more efficient at defending itself and regenerating new cells.” says Donny.

In conclusion, when asked what would be his message for Mangalorean.com readers, Donald “Donny” Menezes said, ” All I have to say again is that Cycling makes you a better person, a positive person, a positive thinker. It also keeps you away from bad habits like smoking and drinking. Once I was a alcoholic, but now a teetotaler-thanks to cycling which kept me busy and made me stay away from boozing. By waking up early and start riding your bike will keep you fresh and healthy. If I can do it at the age of 47, anyone can do cycling. There is no age bar-anyone can take up cycling as their hobby- and you’ll be glad that you did it. Happy cycling to all of you- and one of these days I may even run into you on the streets”.

Okay- well narrated by Donny- Even with all of these health benefits to cycling, some of us may ride them just for fun. Why do you ride a bike? Let us know in the comments box below. Team Mangalorean wishes Donny all success in his cycling venture, and may he set many more records beating the ones held by other pro-cyclists. Best of luck!

Also Read Related Articles :

Mangalore: Amateur Cyclist Meets a Pro! Abhishek S from UP Interacts with ‘Nobbie’ D’Souza from DK

Mangaluru: Cyclist Abhishek from UP on his Nationwide ‘Swachh Bharat’ Yatra makes Pit Stop in City