Pedalling around Pondy

By Malati Vijay

What better way to take in the sights of Pondicherry than with a laidback trip on a bicycle? The Wake-up Pondy Tour, organised by Sita Cultural Center — an organisation run by two French women – is just the ticket for cycling enthusiasts.

The guided tour starts from the colourful houses in the Muslim quarter and winds its way through Goubert Market, Kuruchikuppam (fishermen's village) and Beach Road.

“We started Sita two years ago to help tourists explore Indian arts and culture through various activities. We offer workshops on wellness, cookery, kolam (rangoli), mehendi and both traditional and Bollywood dance,” says Fleur Soumer, who specialises in Oriental health practices. Her friend and Sita co-founder, Martine Mallard, runs an interiors company.

For the tour, Sita has partnered with My Vintage Byciclette, which transforms old Indian bicycles into groovy, retro-style masterpieces. “My friends Fiona and Idriss are a young French couple, who remodel old bicycles. We thought using these colourful bicycles to discover Pondy was a fun way. It also fits with our wider project to make the town eco-friendly,” says Fleur.

The ride kicks off from Sita, located in the city centre, at 6.45 am when the air is still fresh and ends by 9 am, in time for a hearty Indian or French breakfast in the centre’s garden. Each tour can accommodate a maximum of five.

For details, visit

http://www.pondicherry-arts.com/en/

or call +91-4134200718

The cost is Rs 1,200 per adult and Rs 400 per child under five years of age (using a child’s seat on the bicycle).