“I love you for eternity; I love all your quirks. Our love will never grow old; we will do all that we planned. Let’s watch sunrises together.”
Heard these lines before? Well, all those in love must have made such promises at some point in their lives. But soon life happens. Things change, new responsibilities creep in, the rat race begins – and those promises remain promises. Or, as the saying goes – promises are meant to be broken.
But, for 72-year-old Anoop Babani and 66-year-old Savia Veigas, love comes first. It’s six in the morning as Anoop gets ready, wearing his cycling gear, checking for his helmet and taking his cycle out. He is not alone. His wife Savia is right next to him to set out on a new adventure, as they exit from their house in Carmona.
Married for 45 years, this couple loves adventures. “I am a slow cyclist. I enjoy scenic coastal rides and drifting through villages. I feel that it benefits me as a writer and I get to see Goa at its best. Even though I ride ahead for safety reasons, Anoop is the discoverer and explorer,” says Savia as they cycle through the interior countryside of South Goa.
What began as a simple, friendly cycling trip, this power couple are now out exploring the true Goa for around four hours every day. “I usually cycle every morning for an average of 40 kms. I have singularly explored almost a 100-km ride without touching the main roads. I am planning to enhance my daily cycling routine to 50 km as well as attempt some 100 km rides,” says Anoop, who believes that the expression of love is to take care of each other.
“At our age, the best expression of love and concern for each other is to take care of one another’s wellness and health. To that extent taking up cycling as a couple is the best thing that has happened to us. Cycling as a couple on most mornings, exploring Goa’s hidden lanes and destinations and sharing on-the-road experiences have truly bonded us,” he adds.
Their love for cycling has inspired them to write the book, The Bicycle Diaries. “It is India’s first book on cycling history and tracing the global cycling journeys by some Indian 100 years ago,” says Anoop.
Have you experienced that feeling of standing next to your best friend, your confidant, your partner to avoid getting drenched from the rain? Well, Savia loves it and says, “Standing for the rain to clear when cycling on unknown terrain is my favourite experience.”
And Anoop too finds the rain beautiful. “According to me, cycling trips are best done during the rainy season. It’s highly enjoyable and comfortable to ride in the rain in Goa. Alongside, I have been exploring inner lanes of South Goa which are traffic and stress free as well as shaded and wooded,” says Anoop.
While one can make a lot of memories as did this cute couple, most of their encounters on the roads have been with dogs. One such dog was named PubG. “We became very friendly with PubG over the years while cycling and walking the Chandreshwar Hill located in Paroda. In fact PubG was a favourite of every cyclist, runner and walker on the hill. Unfortunately, early this year PubG was poisoned by an insane local. We all registered a police complaint and had a meeting in its memory,” the couple says.
They also face concerns like bad roads. “I have overcome several health issues by cycling. But, sadly I have also become very conscious that some fool with lots of money can knock me down and then buy his freedom. I am a writer and a painter that is my primary societal contribution. I am most vulnerable on a cycle and do not want my life to be chaffed out without purpose because some fool was drunk or took the wrong turn or has enough money to buy his innocence,” says Savia, as the two find new places to explore.