Hobby turns into passion for cycling

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 29

A few city-based people came together to form a group and started cycling. This hobby turned into their passion when they learnt many benefits of pedaling.

In June, 2017, Dr Pawan Dhingra, one of the members of the group, learnt about the international cycling club —Audax Club Parisian (ACP) — through social media and joined it immediately.

The ACP organises long distance and time bound endurance rides of 200 km, 300 km, 400 km, 600 km and 1000 km, besides 1200 km and 1,400 km, in all parts of the world through their local representatives.

Rides of 200 km, 300 km, 400 km and 600 km is called one series. Whosoever completes it is called super randonneur. Dr Dhingra has now completed four such type of series during the last six months, which comes to around 6,000 km.

Besides, he covered 1,000 km from Delhi to Wagha Border and back to Delhi in just 72 hours recently. Overall he has cycled 21,000 km in 2017, which includes 7,000 km from one series, rest of the distance being local daily routine rides.

Dr Dhingra’s next target is to cover 1,400 km from Delhi to Nepal and back to Delhi on January 26. In future his main aim is to go for 1,400 km Paris brest Paris international ride in 2019 and later on Race across America (RAAM), which covers a distance of 4,500 km.

“With cycling I have achieved endurance, stamina, confidence, besides good physical and mental fitness. Cycling is like meditation to me. With the motive of ‘Go green and live healthy’ I am motivating many people and societies for opting physical outdoor and indoor activities like cycling,” said Dr Dhingra.

“If cycling is promoted than pollution and traffic problems will also be solved,” he added.