It’s Monday morning and I decide
to go for a short ride after seeing off my son to school. I try to go for these
short rides on the days I’m not out running and its usually that time of the day
when I see guys on their cycles heading to work, maybe to the nearby mall or shopping centre or office .
They have to reach before the more privileged lot get to work in the same premises .
No, no they don’t ride to work to stay fit, or because they are trying to save the world or because they are environment friendly.
They are cycling to work merely because that cycle is the only means of transport they can afford. So many times, I ride past and overtake these guys on an uphill and then invariably I find them increasing their effort and overtaking me again. I don’t go past them because I’m a stronger rider. It’s merely because I ride a cycle with gears which makes it easier for me in those uphills while they ride those basic gear less black cycles(many of the newer ones I see have Bahubali and some number written on them these days, by the way 😊)) I smile and play this game all the time on these rides. Some days I compliment the older gentlemen for struggling on the uphills and not getting off their cycles and walking like some of their counterparts.
No, no they don’t ride to work to stay fit, or because they are trying to save the world or because they are environment friendly.
They are cycling to work merely because that cycle is the only means of transport they can afford. So many times, I ride past and overtake these guys on an uphill and then invariably I find them increasing their effort and overtaking me again. I don’t go past them because I’m a stronger rider. It’s merely because I ride a cycle with gears which makes it easier for me in those uphills while they ride those basic gear less black cycles(many of the newer ones I see have Bahubali and some number written on them these days, by the way 😊)) I smile and play this game all the time on these rides. Some days I compliment the older gentlemen for struggling on the uphills and not getting off their cycles and walking like some of their counterparts.
I don’t say nothing to the
younger ones. They take me as competition and push harder. So be it!
Two such encounters for today:)))
Today, I was exasperated on my
ride though. There was too much traffic, mostly school time traffic. I decided
to deviate from my usual route and it was a decision even worse. There were too
many people on the roads trying to get their kids to school on time .Finally,
when I had the traffic behind me and was just a few kilometers from home, a
young girl wearing a scarf covering her head and no helmet, slowed down her
scooty and started a conversation with me .
Girl-Didi, aap kab se cycle chala
rahe ho? Maine aapko us din bhi dekha tha.
(since when have you been cycling? I saw you the other day as well!)
Me-Shayad 2 saal se. Mein daudti hoon ,cycle
to kabhi kabhi chalati hoon!
(Maybe 2 years.I mostly run.I cycle once in a way!)
Girl-Main bhi daudti thi.Abhi
injured hoon.Doctor ne mana kiya hain. Knees me dard hain.Mujhe bhi cycle
chalana hain!
( I used to run too.Am injured now. Doctor's asked me not to run.My knees hurt.I want to cycle too!)
(So why don't you? Cycling is good for the knees!)
Girl -Abhi aap kab se chala rahe
ho?
(Since when are you riding today?)
Me-Ek ghanta bhi nahi hua-sirf
17km hue hain!
(Not even an hour.Have barely done 17kms)
Girl- Wow didi! 17km aur ek
ghanta bhi nahi hua?
(17 kms and not even an hour! Wow!)
What can I say? I smile some
more! I like her enthusiasm .
(Thanks didi! Nice talking to you!)
She’s ready to drive off.
Me: Helmet pehno helmet!
(Wear a helmet! Helmet!
Girl: Ok didi! Bye didi!
I smile to myself for a very
long time. Did I tell you the traffic bothered me during my ride today? By the
time I reached home to rush and get ready for work, it no longer mattered! I
was still smiling and thinking of my
encounter with that 20 something stranger girl.
Life is good!
