Arya, an avid cyclist, and his team the Ryders: Team Jammy, are in France for the 19th edition of the challenging Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) Randonneur, to be held from August 18 to 22. The event, organised by the Audax Club Parisien (ACP), is one of the most prestigious cycling tournament in the world.
Actor Suriya released the cycling jersey of the team on Friday evening.
Happy to launch @arya_offl ‘s #Ryders team Cycling Jersey for PBP 2019 – 1200 kms. Wishing the Energetic team all the very best for a perfect finish ??#SreeGokulam #Heini #GtecComputerEducation#NS pic.twitter.com/0HnA5AeHcV
— Suriya Sivakumar (@Suriya_offl) August 16, 2019
In a voice note from France, where the team has reached earlier for practice, Arya’s voice drifts off thanks to the breeze — windspeed is expected to be about 50 kmp through the route — but he sounds cheerful. “We are a group of 13 friends from Chennai, all working people. We love cycling and have been riding together for four-five years now. The PBP is a huge challenge and it helps us push our boundaries. That is what brings us here.”
arya
The team is high on motivation, something it needs if it has to finish 1200 km in 90 hours, going without sleep for four days. “In the 90 hours, we can catch about four-five hours of sleep, if we ride well. We hope to get good rest and a good ride. It is very windy and cold, and also raining, so that is going to be the biggest challenge, especially at night. We don’t have the luxury of stopping for rain, for we will lose time,” he explains.
The cost to take part is huge, and since this is a group of 13 (12 riders plus one support staff) the team has found some sponsors, so some of the cost is covered.
Arya has always been fond of fitness, and was known for his prowess in athletics in school and college. “Not just cycling, we are also into Ironman (swimming, running and cycling) and anything else related to fitness. The greatest advantage with cycling is that it is very beneficial, and is something you can do for long hours. It provides full body workout, and is a great option if you want to be fit, lose weight or are looking at cardio exercise,” he says.
Over the years, Arya has used his Twitter page to get people to lead more active lifestyles, encouraging them with his trademark “darling” when they achieved their goals or put in the required effort.
Induuuuuu darling .. Good workout .. Need 5kms from u darling . I love the cup ????Have a Lovely Day Darling https://t.co/ciMES4g22T
— Arya (@arya_offl) August 22, 2015
So, what is Arya now known as, cyclist-actor or actor-cyclist? “I seem to inhabit both worlds,” he laughs. “In my fitness group, they don’t see me as an actor at all. We never talk movies, it’s only fitness or life in general. In my other group, I’m an actor who also loves fitness. They appreciate my love for fitness. As for me, I enjoy being both.”
The actor will soon be seen on the big screen in films such as KV Anand’s Kaappaan, with Suriya, and in Magamuni, directed by Santhakumar.
Feature image courtesy Arya’s Twitter account
