A Café in Gurugram not only fills its customers' tummy with food and beverages, but loads their brain with sufficient knowledge on cycles. The man behind Ciclo, Ashish Thadani tells Karthik Raman more about this new outlet
If you love eating waffles and pancakes, simultaneously having a quick peek at the latest brands of cycles, then Ciclo Café is the place for you.
A place filled with cycling paraphernalia, this café in Gurugram offers food and beverages filled with amazing background music to its on-rushing cuisine lovers.
Sports bar, we have heard before, and several themed restaurants, having a specific ambience to get its customers enjoying an altogether new environment is something that is common these days.
But why choose cyclesIJ
"Those who started cycling earlier can now come back and get connected to it again — that's what Ciclo is all about," explained Ashish Thadani, CEO, TI Absolute Concepts (Ciclo Café).
He went on to explain how everyone can get connected to it.
"Ciclo is a place where we want cyclers to feel at home. It is a way to educate them and pass on the information to the people who walk-in. To educate them what is happening in the world of cycling, in terms of products and technologies.
"Even if they don't end up buying, we give it for rental as well so maybe they can try out a cycle or maybe interest someone else when they talk to them. The idea is we want people to lead an active lifestyle," he added.
Partnering with TI cycles, Ciclo was launched in May, 2015. The pilot project was in Chennai.
After the successful welcome they received from the people of Tamil Nadu's capital, the café found new homes in Hyderabad, Gurugram and Bengaluru (started only last month).
The Café hosts 8 professional cycle brands — Ridley, Cannondale, Bianchi, GT, Mongoose, Schwinn, Dahon and Montra. It provides merchandise and accessories as well, along with necessary advice on cycling, special rides, etc.
"Ciclo was the brainchild of Arun Alagappan — he represents TI cycles. That's when the idea of keeping cycles in café started," started Ashish, before adding, "He approached me and asked whether I would be interested in setting up a cycling café. It was very exciting and immediately I said yes and started working on a pilot in Chennai. It (Chennai outlet) was very well received."
Thadani, then, went on to explain about his journey from being an avid walker to an amateur cyclist.
"In 2006, I got very bored of walking, so we 3 of us, who used to walk everywhere, decided to have an alternative activity. Thus we started taking bicycle," he said. "For ten years we are riding, we used to do 20kms every morning — atleast 6 days a week. Once Ciclo began, I started trying various bicycles and that's when my cycling also went to another level. Now we do 60-70 kms in weekdays and 200-300 kms in weekends — that's what we have progressed to," he elaborated.
Why he does itIJ "Because for me it's like meditation," he replied.
"When we run on treadmills or go for gym, etc, music will be played along with it and hence we won't be completely concentrated on our task.
"But here that's not the case. We specifically ask other riders also not to listen music as their concentration should only be on the road ahead," he added.
Besides, Ciclo has a 'Ciclo Team Racing'. Having Naveen John, India's first International pro cyclist as a team director, mentor and rider, the team is trained under his leadership. Arvind Panwar (Two-time winner at the National Championship) is another rider.
Moreover, they also have two U-23 riders — Parashuram Chenji and Aman Punjani from Hyderabad — as team's first two development riders for 2017.
"The team is getting trained and also equipments are provided for them. We also sent them to Belgium to spend 3 months over there to train," he explained.
Ciclo Team recently procured multiple golds among a list of podium finishes across multiple categories at the 22nd Road Cycling Nationals held at Jamakhandi, Karnataka last month.
In the men's individual time trial (40 km), Naveen John (representing Karnataka state) won gold, while Arvind Panwar (representing Railways team) bagged the silver.
In the men's classic road race (140 km), Naveen won another gold. In the team time trial (40 km), Team Railways (Captained by Arvind Panwar) bagged gold.
Aman Punjani (representing Telengana state) won silver in men's Individual time trial — Under 23 (40 km), while Parashuram Chenji (representing Telengana state), got a bronze in the men's Criterium Race.
The first edition of 'Ciclo Academy' took place in May this year. It was a 3-day cycling training bootcamp, where riders where coached by Naveen and Arvind.
"Cycling is also a mind game, so we don't want someone just physically strong. These camps are also about spotting the talents," he said.
"If he is not mentally strong, then there is no point of investing in that athlete, we might as well give the chance to someone else. It's a tough life out there
"He might win one or two races but if he is not mentally strong, it will be difficult to keep on going and keep on doing this day in and day out. So that's when these camps will be helpful. We get to interact with them and get to know better," he added.
They also have their own rides. They are 100 km road races. It started in 2015.
"We have U18, open and women (open) categories. The idea is to promote cycling. It's not just about races. But we have timed events also," he explained.
Our business is food, sale and rental of bicycles. Ciclo team is our passion. That is our way of doing something for the community as well as for the sport, concluded Ashish.