Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. Vishav Driman (65 year old) and her husband Kamal Jeet (69 year old) set out to discover the hidden treasure of Uttarakhand by bicycle. Vishav shares their post-retirement adventure. Pedalling through the Golden Years At a time when our peers were slowing down, relaxing and watching sunsets from their front porch, we found a new passion—cycling. We started out with short daily rides, but found ourselves looking forward to them more and more, so much that we decided to venture further and cover more ground. There were obvious health concerns—the risk of performing a physically strenuous activity at a high altitude, the most obvious of them. But it helped that we had lived in Uttarakhand’s capital, Dehradun, our entire lives, and were therefore acclimatised to the cold winds and narrow winding roads that characterise this beautiful state. We were also familiar with almost all the scenic mountain trails it had to offer. Short rides extended to longer ones as we started falling deeper in love with not just the sport, but the very idea of discovering a world we had always been a part of, but never had the time to explore. Soon, a simple hobby turned into a project of sorts, and we started participating in cyclotrons and other cycling events being held in the city. Admiration and encouragement poured in from family members, friends and neighbours along the way, sparking a new thought—was it possible to travel across the state on our bicycles? It seemed daunting at first, but we knew we had to try. Our gear in place, our bikes serviced, and our minds set, we set off on an adventure we would remember for the rest of our lives. In my opinion, there are very few ways to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of Uttarakhand and cycling is the most thrilling of them all. Sunlight filtering through the trees and a cool breeze gently caressing your faces as you ride, coupled with breathtaking views of sal forests spread like a green cover on the mountains and surrounding valleys, the experience of pedalling across the state is truly inexplicable. Of the many trails we navigated, there is one that occupies a special place in our hearts. It began from Ghanta Ghar, a popular tourist attraction in Dehradun, it took us through some of the most picturesque locations of the state such as Kimadi, Hathi Paon, Mussoorie and Chaar Dukaan, right up to George Everest point. This 100km ride (approximately) is also one of the few routes in Uttarakhand that encapsulates all the element that one expects while cycling here—steep slopes, sharp curves, endless hills, lush forests, and off-road experiences. (Source: By Vishav Driman, India Travel 360) Q.1. What is the meaning of the expression "when our peers were slowing down, relaxing and watching sunsets from their front porch" and in what context has the author used this? Q.2. What made Vishav and her husband confident to venture into Uttarakhand on their bicycles? Q.3. What was the strong passion that prompted the retired couple to take up this adventurous journey? Q.4. What, according to the author, is the most thrilling way to enjoy and appreciate Uttarakhand? Why does she say so? Q.5. Which trail occupies a special place in the couple’s heart? Q.6. What are the expectations of a cyclist from such an adventurous trip through the mountains? Did Vishav and Kamal Jeet get these experiences from the 100 km ride?
Answers
Q.1) The meaning of the expression” When our peers were slowing down, watching sunsets from their front porch” is Retirement. The context in which the author has used this is, post retirement, everyone likes to take life easy and enjoy the small things in life like watching a sunset with joy, without having to work or take up everyday challenges in life.
Q.2) By going for short rides on their bicycles, and also their familiarity with the state, as they had lived in it all their lives, that had made them acclimatized to the climate and the narrow roads , that characterized the state, made Vishav and her husband confident to venture into Uttarakhand on their bicycles.
Q.3) The passion for cycling and the need to travel across the state of Uttarakhand, prompted the retired couple to take up this adventurous journey.
Q. 4) The most thrilling way to enjoy and appreciate Uttarakhand, is by cycling through the state, they can enjoy the cool breeze that caresses their faces as they ride, experiencing and enjoying the scenic beauty, as they pass through the Sal forests with their greenery spread out.
Q. 5) The trail from Ghantaghar, a popular tourist attraction in Dehradun, to Kimadi, Hathi paon, Mussoorie and char dukan right up to George Everest Point, is the trail that occupies a special place in the couple’s heart.
Q.6) The Cyclist expects from such an adventurous trip to the mountains, sharp curves, steep slopes, endless hills, lush forests and off-road experiences. Yes, Vishav and Kamal Jeet got all these experiences from their 100 km ride.
Answer:
Q.1) The meaning of the expression” When our peers were slowing down, watching sunsets from their front porch” is Retirement. The context in which the author has used this is, post retirement, everyone likes to take life easy and enjoy the small things in life like watching a sunset with joy, without having to work or take up everyday challenges in life.
Q.2) By going for short rides on their bicycles, and also their familiarity with the state, as they had lived in it all their lives, that had made them acclimatized to the climate and the narrow roads , that characterized the state, made Vishav and her husband confident to venture into Uttarakhand on their bicycles.
Q.3) The passion for cycling and the need to travel across the state of Uttarakhand, prompted the retired couple to take up this adventurous journey.
Q. 4) The most thrilling way to enjoy and appreciate Uttarakhand, is by cycling through the state, they can enjoy the cool breeze that caresses their faces as they ride, experiencing and enjoying the scenic beauty, as they pass through the Sal forests with their greenery spread out.
Q. 5) The trail from Ghantaghar, a popular tourist attraction in Dehradun, to Kimadi, Hathi paon, Mussoorie and char dukan right up to George Everest Point, is the trail that occupies a special place in the couple’s heart.
Q.6) The Cyclist expects from such an adventurous trip to the mountains, sharp curves, steep slopes, endless hills, lush forests and off-road experiences. Yes, Vishav and Kamal Jeet got all these experiences from their 100 km ride.
Explanation: