It all started 14 weeks ago when a multinational firm announced the first ever competitive cycling event for amateur cyclists in Noida. It said “relive your childhood” and so it was. All the budding cyclists who discovered cycling as their hobby were telling each other to register. Word of mouth, racing with friends on roads and unbelievable cash money prizes along with goodies as gifts drew people from all walks of life.
It was such a well-organized event. Everyday newspaper advertisements lured people to register with 1500 Rupees as registration charges of pro cyclists- MTB cyclists (27 KM) or road bikes (55 km) for competitive races, later discounted by 10 percent and for green riders it was 500 Rupees with t-shirt and assured goodies. The journey of training for the cyclothon was more fun and crazy than anything we had ever done. This time it was competitive unlike friendly rides that we all had picked up during COVID times. There were teams from all over India; from Uttrakhand, Rajasthan, Gujrat, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Cycling Federation of India. It was magnanimous. Cyclists from these cities contacted us here in Noida for accommodation, road query and practice. We had a promo ride every week 4 weeks prior to the race. Beautiful arrangements with ride marshals, route plans, amazing goodies and refreshments were made for us each time. This itself made us feel how important, challenging and exhilarating the event had to be. Then finally a week before the event, the route of the race was revealed. Crazy riders went for route recce and practice. 25 riders from the 7XCC group also participated in the craze. Can’t forget the BIB expo they arranged for Jersey chip and T shirt collection. More than 1500 cyclists came to collect these and we had body fat checkups. An amazing display of cycling gears and health supplements was done at the BIB expo. It was a beautiful surprise and amazingly well organized so as to bring together so many cyclists. We developed a beautiful bond among cyclists through all these activities prior to the event itself. Cyclists from all cities arriving, getting their cycles assembled, last minute confusions and a few realizing their registration was for road cycle whereas they had brought a MTB sending them running to rent Cycles and all the fuss around it.
Then came the race day. All alarms set, all cycling gears set with only cyclists on the roads. GIP mall to Iskon Mandir Flyover was blocked by authorities for cycling. 4 races lined up one after another. Tyres screeching on the road, beautiful weather and clouds marked the beginning for the big cyclothon. Celebrated guests RJ and Dhol marked the beginning of the race. Beautiful race, awesome josh, prize ceremony, live telecast of the event and amazing refreshments marked the end of the event that began with a bang and left us all accelerated with our cycling powers.
