I started cycling as a part of my commute, back in 2017. I bought a simple but geared bicycle and travelled 7 kms to the office and 7 kms back. The idea was to burn some calories, save some
cash, save some traffic space, and reduce some pollution. It was a massive success. Not only was I consistent with it, but I also started taking it more seriously as a hobby. I started doing ‘Dilli Darshan’ in the mornings.
Within the next few years, I had already cycled from Manali to Ladakh, a few timed events of up to 600 km non-stop, and many weekend tours around NCR. I liked the idea of seeing the world around me without the noise of any engine. I could hear the dog bark, I waved to kids, sometimes pushed hard to ride fast and enjoyed hundreds of sunrise. I rode from dawn to dusk and from dusk to dawn with the sun and moon accompanying me.
But until now I was a long-distance/have-lots-of-fun type of cyclist. And then the pandemic happened and it hit me hard. As someone who needs nature to survive, I couldn’t manage all the anxiety and one day, I randomly decided to cycle (2500 km) to my favourite place in the country – Cherrapunji (located in Meghalaya). Even though this was just another fun ride for me, it gained me a lot of popularity in the NCR cycling community. Everyone knew the ‘Cherrapunji guy’ even if they didn’t know me. And this helped me set myself up for the next stage.
I got deeper into the cycling world and tried my hand at racing. I raced at Delhi State Championships in 2021 and right away fell in love with the thrill of speed. Since then I participated in a few races every now and then, and was just an average rider (I still am). But I enjoyed it a lot. I gave the State trials for UP in Kanpur in November last year; didn’t get selected for nationals though. This year, in March, HCL held one of the biggest cycling races in India. There were many categories, the main being ‘CFI professionals’. Some fast cycling friends were to take part in it. I got a message from UP Cycling Secretary asking me to share my license number if I’d like to take part. I didn’t have one. But as fate would have it, he, in turn, informed me that I was issued a license back in the Kanpur event itself, and it was with him.
Turns out I wasn’t selected for nationals but was good enough for the UP team. There are now only 2 licensed racers for India from G.B. Nagar district – Raju Shah and I.
I took part in the race, finished decently well and had fun. Though I didn’t win the race, I had already won the day I received my license. Hoping for you to also find something you enjoy well enough that progress is not the first thing you want.
by Nitish Srivastava (3181, Alok Vihar 1; 9711072737)
