Who am I: My name is Prakash Ranjan, I work for an IT company for a CPG client as a Technical Architect. I was in Kolkata until July 2019 and have moved to NCR (Greater Noida West) in August 2019.
Why I chose cycling: Although I am not obese / thin, I am not athletic or fit either. I have never been much active in any sports / athletics or anything similar ever. Around mid-2018 after I hit mid-thirties, I felt like I must take care of myself and do something before it’s too late. I wanted to be involved in anything which I could to as per my convenient time, could be done solo, and at a time which does not eat up my family / work time. Few years back I had tried to learn skating / skateboarding few times as an adult and have failed miserably. I decided that I will go for cycling with an idea that I will do it alternate days and around 20Kms.
My Bike: First step was to get a bike, I did some research and with so many options at many price points in different category (to be honest I did not even know about different types like MTB or Road Bike or Hybrid etc) and after enough confusion, I decided to buy cheapest bike available with gear at Decathlon. It was a hybrid with 6 speed shift, B’Twin Riverside 100. I wanted to give it a try and see if its something I could do then upgrade if I really wish to.
Initial Days: I started riding solo, 10-20 Kms per day, twice / thrice a week, in early mornings on empty roads of Newtown, Kolkata with a goal to average out 10 Kms per day in long run. Around a month later I attempted to do a 50Kms solo and realized that I could do it well with average speed of >20Kms/h. After 2 months of riding solo, one fine morning, I met an excellent cycle enthusiast Suraj Kumar Verma who had earned his SR back in 2016. He introduced me to some fellow cyclist in Kolkata and an excellent community known as CNG (Cycle Network Grow) headed by Ashish Bajaj. In following months, I did ride with Suraj and few members of CNG occasionally as we as solo in and around Kolkata. It was in March 2019 when I attempted to do a 100Kms and Suraj was of great help and support for it.
Unplanned Break: Moving from Kolkata to NCR (Greater Noida West) was few months away and it brought lot of work with it. Slowly, my cycling came down because of all the family / work / move commitments as well as because of humid summers of Kolkata. It eventually came to absolute zero in July and Aug 2019. I moved to Greater Noida West and I started picking up again from September 2019 but was very much infrequent till end of 2019.
Active Again: After bone-chilling cold spell NCR has seen in centuries it was time for new year resolutions and although I do not believe in resolutions, I told myself I need to get moving, no excuses. On 3rd Jan 2020, I started a solo ride from home and met #GNWCC members Vishal T, Ajay and Bhuwan Jee for the first time on my way near Gaur City Mall. What a lucky day it was, I got much needed motivation and support to be active again. Since then I have not been on solo ride. Jan 2020 has been my most active month with 31H active time, 4 Half-Centuries, and 1 Century rides, taking my month’s total to 652Kms. My sincere thanks to everyone who shared a ride with me and specially Vishal T with whom I have shared most of my 652Kms this month. Thank You!
Looking Ahead: After having met great co-riders from #GNWCC, feeling energized and motivated after a active month I am looking at keeping this pace in coming months. After 5000Kms with a minimum of 5 centuries on my B’Twin Riverside 100, I wish to think about an upgrade of my bike, may be to a Road / Gravel. I am neutral to the idea of participating in BRM / long distance / multiple day’s events. It may or may not happen in my cycling journey. I am also interested in learning swimming and jogging / running. Yes, I said learning. My goal is to be active and cruise not race.
Wow Prakash, well narrated! Thanks for mentioning my name, though i just ride along nothing much. Keep on going!