Cycling events have got their own charm and craze for the past year now. Numerous streets of Delhi-NCR have seen cyclothons and related events. However, there was one area still left to witness one, Malviya Nagar.
For the first time ever, Malviya Nagar experienced around 1200 cyclists on its roads. Children, amateurs, professionals, everyone rode to cheer the budding fitness enthusiast in himself/herself. This event was the brainchild of Dr. Nandini Sharma. When asked about the idea behind this, she had bunch of reasons and one can’t agree more. For the past year, people were caged in their homes, not only physically but also mentally. Children were stuck to screens, be it phones or laptops. Something had to be done about it. Not only was the physical health at stake, but mental health has its own importance and probably slightly more. As we were coming out of it, India celebrated its 75 years of Independence. Our Prime Minister Mr. Modi launched the “Swarnim Vijay Varsh”. Country witnessed numerous sporting events all around and how could the people of Malviya Nagar sit back. It was then no looking back for Dr. Nandini Sharma, a cyclothon had to be organised. “Its fun, its enjoyable, it follows all the covid norms”, quoted Dr. Sharma in a candid conversation with Chaitanya Arora. Every concerned department was taken in for inputs, be it the organisers, the ambulance, or the local police. An ambulance was escorted at the end of the group, while a police car became an instrument to safely draft behind. Amazing volunteers came ahead as ride martials on their fancy Royal Enfield bikes, geared up with their fascinating equipments. Bikers and cyclists set to take the roads with almost three escort vehicles for support, it was a sight to to look for.
What fun is cycling if there’s no childhood banter and memories on a cycle. When asked about it, she decided to keep those memories a secret with a smile on her face. Cycling memories aren’t memories if they don’t embarrass you a bit, be it an amateur or any professional around the corner.
For the roads and traffic at Malviya Nagar, it was a challenge to pull it off. But teamwork and dedication pulled it off in style. The Spoke Herd Community, which is group dedicated to cycling events, pulled the event in style. They were gracious enough to lend almost 50 bikes and helmets to the participants who didn’t have their own bikes. Same is the community which pulled off 3 events in 2 days, 2 of those events being simultaneous. Well in the end, if it makes you smile, it’s all worthy of the efforts.
