They are heading from the Mumbai metropolitan region to the satellite township, drawn by the clean air, hilly terrain and wide, good roads to hone their skills and stay fit.

"We don't feel fatigued even after hours of training. Clean air is an important source of source of energy, which we get plenty here. The traffic is less too," says international cyclist Rajendra Soni, who has shifted base to Navi Mumbai to pursue his regular training, away from the pollution and traffic on Mumbai's roads.

Soni (43), who used to train along the busy Eastern Express Highway stretch from Mulund to Ghatkopar, used to find it risky. He then moved from Chembur to Kharghar more than a decade ago. Peers and proteges of the SAARC Games bronze medalist and Central Railway employee soon followed. Among them are international cyclists Harpreet Singh (26), Amardeep Singh (27), Amit Singh (22), who also moved to Navi Mumbai to train with Soni along the byroads of Kharghar and on the Mumbai-Pune Highway. The group can often be seen pedalling from Kharghar to Khopoli and sometimes beyond to Bhor ghat.

Palm Beach Riders (PBR), a cycling group that came into existence a year ago, has more than 200 members, including amateurs. Every month they go an endurance test on the trails in Bhor ghat. They also train on Parsik and Kharghar hills before long-distance competitions.

For many PBR members, the favorite is the 25-km circuit on Palm Beach Road. Kavita Talib (43), an architect and founder-member of PBR, says, "The ecosystem of this city is unparalleled for cycling, with various routes connecting to bigger stretches toward the ghat areas. Some cycle for health and fitness, some take it up as a hobby and a few full-timers for competition. We also have a few shops to get our cycles repaired." Talib often cycles to work.

Jasmine Khurana (41) says that her husband Manmeet took up cycling after a knee ailment. He can now easily ride a 200-km race. "My 12-year-old son Hamraaj too has completed a 114-km race," she adds.

There's another group from Mumbai that travels to Navi Mumbai to push the pedal.

Kedari Gupta Cherivirala (50) from Chembur has never missed his weekend training sessions on Palm Beach Road, Parsik Hill, Kharghar Hill, Uran Road, and Kharghar-Khopoli-Bhor ghat. Like Soni, he too used to practise on the Ghatkopar-Mulund stretch. A driver by profession, Cherivirala says he took up cycling after being appalled by the air pollution . He and his friends—Ashish Agashi and Krishna Keni—even cycle to Alibaug and Khandala.

Among the professionals who train in Navi Mumbai is Dilawar (18), placed 10th in the world junior ranking. He says he was inspired by his mentors, Soni and the Singhs. His group, which includes national medalists Maninder Singh (22), Iqbaljeet Singh (29) and Uttam Nale (30), train for three hours daily along national highways 4 and 4B, covering around 100km. "In the run-up to a competition, we get into special training—150km a day via Kamshet or Bhor ghat, doing 40-50 kmph. We also train at 50-60 kmph a week before the event on a 10-km circuit. We have never had any accidents," says Soni.

A support system has grown in Navi Mumbai which adds to the allure that the area holds for cyclists. There are now half a dozen shops that can fix high-end cycles. "Tyres can be replaced at Rs 5,000 per pair which needs to be done once a year. The cycles cost Rs 2 to Rs 5 lakh. Unless you encounter a crash, the carbon frame remains unaffected. It can withstand a fall several times," says Amardeep, a CWC participant.