Of late, lots of my friends and classmates all over the world were uploading their riding data through Strava on Facebook. I was observing it with interest. As I was never a sports person since childhood, I thought cycling is not possible for me especially starting at this age!

Me and my cousin were into swimming regularly for the past 2-3 years. He bought one bicycle and I tried it out. After his assurance that cycling is possible for me, I thought I will get one to ferry me to and fro to the swimming pool, about 1-2 kms per day!

After I got it, I went on my own for 4-5 kms rides initially. Then started going with the MbC group as I gained some confidence. Luckily for me, the MbC Gang Wars was started at that time. After participating in it, I realized that doing 20 kms per day is not at all difficult. It boosted my skills and confidence quite a lot.

Now regular participation in the group rides, I have completed my first 1000 Kms and Cycling has attained more priority than Swimming. Still prefer to swim daily mornings after cycling to relax my muscles. My backache and the ‘tired’ feeling after a stressful day are a thing of the past, and am now encouraging my friends and colleagues of all age groups to take up this excellent sport to improve our health.

Contrary to popular belief that cycling is bad for knees, we have noted that it strengthens the leg muscles and is beneficial to the knee. In addition, it is supposed to bring down blood pressure and gives better sugar control to diabetic patients, also increases the ‘good’ cholesterol, HDL.