Cycling has become a popular activity among the TCS High School students for enjoyment and to improve their physical fitness.

While some of the students are riding on the weekends others are riding after school or even coming to school on their bikes.

“I started cycling to school on the last week of last year and that’s when I came to the realization that it was the most responsible and environmentally sustainable thing to do,” Carolina Penagos, 12th grader, said.

After some calculations, Carolina realized she had the power to help decrease polution by leaving home earlier, and riding her bike to school instead of driving.

“Half way from my house to school its 40 kg of carbon dioxide emitted per year and that’s extremely unsustainable and irresponsible for one person,” Penagos said.

Other high school students ride for fitness, mostly routes on Las Palmas or in Llano Grande.

“During the week I ride an hour or two and during the weekends since I have more time, I do longer rides, it takes me like 3 to 4 hours in general,” Elisa Cuartas, 11th grader, said.

During the week, some students ride after school as well to keep their rhythm and improve their cycling development.

“When I get home from school I cycle, I ride in Rionegro, Las Palmas and on the Autopista Medellin- Bogota every week,” Emilio Berdugo, 9th grader, said.

Even though these students agree that its a great sport and entertaining, none of them have desire to become professional cyclists, they just want to keep having fun with their bikes.

“I do it as a hobby and I don’t have any aspirations. Obviously,I want to improve and that’s one of my main goals, but I just want to do it for fun, and as I said before to exercise and enjoy,” Cuartas said.

A change of environment and a close relationship with nature is also an important factor in cycling motivation for TCS students.

“My favorite thing about mountain biking is that you can enjoy nature while you are doing it,” Penagos said.

Even though cycling, with famous riders like Nairo Quintero and Rigoberto Duran, has brought lots of recognition to Colombia, none of these students were influenced.  However, all of them agreed on their admiration for their dedication and talent.

“I really love cycling. That’s mainly because it gets me close to people since a lot of people in Medellin are currently riding, it has created a community where people get close to each other. We plan rides and that keeps us together,” Cuartas said.