Celebrating Nangal’s cycling spirit

In the late 80s and 90s, Nangal was more than a town, it was a rhythm on wheels. Not of chrome and roaring engines, but of sturdy bicycles gliding through the crisp morning air. At dawn, the streets would come alive with students in neat uniforms pedalling to school, workers making their way to factories like NFL and BBMB, and morning shoppers balancing baskets of vegetables on their cycles’ front carriers. The gentle ring of a bicycle bell was as common and comforting as a neighbour’s greeting.

Those rides were never just about reaching a destination. They were about a way of life — moments of connection, health, and freedom. You could smell the wet earth after a rainfall, wave to a friend mid-ride, or pause to feel the Satluj breeze on your face. The bicycle was a companion, a symbol of resilience, and a bridge between people and their surroundings.

As times changed and motorbikes and cars took over, that collective spirit of cycling slowly faded. Yet, the memory of those simpler times continues to linger. I was born and raised in Bhabour Sahib, a beautiful village near Nangal, and though life later took me to Dubai, my heart has always stayed connected to my hometown. I visit often, carrying with me the nostalgia of those childhood rides and the belief that Nangal’s cycling spirit should not be lost.

It was this feeling that inspired me to start Nangal by Cycle (NBC), a community initiative to revive the cycling culture and promote health, fitness, and social awareness. NBC is based in Nangal and brings together villagers, students, professionals, and families who ride not only for fitness but also for causes, from anti-drug awareness to heritage rides.

For me, NBC is more than an organization, it is my way of honouring the town that shaped me. Because Nangal’s story is not just about cycles of the past; it is about the journeys we continue to take, together, on wheels that connect us to each other and to the place we call home.

Rohit Garg, Dubai