Age, illness no bar: At 70, Bengaluru legislator pedals 702km to Kanyakumari in five days | Bengaluru News
Bengaluru: At 70, Rajajinagar MLA Suresh Kumar has proved that age and illness are no match for grit. Months after battling a rare neurological complication that left him bedridden, the former minister pedalled his way from Bengaluru to Kanyakumari — a 702km ride completed over five days.For him, the journey was far more than just a long-distance cycling feat; it was a powerful statement of resilience, recovery, and belief in fitness, coming after he was struck down by chikungunya encephalopathy (CE), a serious complication of the viral infection that left him unable to move even his fingers. He was part of a group of 12 who completed the journey over five days under the banner ‘Rajajinagar pedal power’.Kumar had originally planned to repeat the iconic Bengaluru-Kanyakumari cycling journey in 2024 to mark five decades since his first ride. However, the plan had to be put on hold after he, in Aug 2024, was diagnosed with CE. After two to three months of recovery, Kumar slowly returned to cycling in March 2025, crediting the sport for helping him regain strength and mobility. In Dec 2025, he finally undertook the long-distance ride, covering close to 702km over five days and riding for nearly 37 hours with his group from Bengaluru.He and his group began the journey on Dec 23, leaving Bengaluru at 4am. On the first day, they covered 157km in 8.2 cycling hours. The second day saw them ride 159km in 8.3 hours, followed by 155km in 8.1 hours on day three. On the fourth day, the cyclists covered 156km in 8.2 hours, before completing the final 73km in four hours on the fifth day. In all, the group traversed 702km in almost 37 cycling hours before reaching Kanyakumari.Recalling his long association with cycling, Kumar said he grew up riding everywhere as a child and continued to use a bicycle even during his early years as an advocate, often cycling to the high court. “Cycling was always part of my life. I took a brief break after entering politics, but I returned to it with a renewed purpose,” he said.Prashant Sadashiv Patil, who cycled with him, said, “He (Kumar) was inspiring us throughout the journey with interesting stories; he also taught us about team bonding. It is high time all constituencies encouraged cycling so that we can bring back the habit of cycling in Bengaluru.” For other cyclists, Kumar’s ride stood as a reminder that recovery, fitness, and public leadership can go hand in hand.
