On the 29th of August, the Noida Cycling Club organised a special ride from GIP mall in Noida to Khan Market in South Delhi. The club always comes up with different and unique concepts to popularise cycling. This time it named the event “Chai Pakoda Ride”, majorly because of the new concept of taking the riders for a bite.

The event began with nine NCC riders gathering outside the GIP mall in Noida at six in the morning. This group of nine included three new members who were eager to get their feet wet with the Noida Cycling Club for the first time. There were some other new joiners as well, who joined the group at Noida Gate, where the Noida Cycling Club organisers welcomed the newcomers to their first ride and marked the occasion by clicking some pictures with them. As the ride proceeded, the number of riders kept on increasing gradually, taking the number to 15. The organiser guided them every step of the way, asking everybody to follow him so that nobody forgot the route. At the Akshardham flyover, an unprecedented event took place as a new joiner realised that his bicycle’s tyre had got punctured, which led to his discontinuation. The coordinators helped him get an auto, so that he could safely reach home.

The energy each NCC rider carries is always fascinating for pedestrians. During this ride, there were a number of people who felt so inspired only by looking at NCC riders that they expressed their will to become a part of it, promising to join on the very next ride. This respect and admiration that NCC people find, helps inspires them to excel in the sport. At 7:20 am, the group reached Khan Market, where everybody got off their cycle and took some rest. The veterans took their time sharing their previous experiences with those who were taking their first ride. After some minutes, all the riders gathered at ‘Chai Valla’, where everybody drank tea and ate bread-pakoras. The hard work that the riders had put in during the journey made them savour the pakoras even more.

After spending some good 30 minutes at the ‘Chai Valla’, the riders turned their cycles backwards on the route. The break actually made everybody feel reenergised, as in no time the riders reached the Noida Gate, from where everybody dispersed and left for home.

After everybody went home, Mr Ramesh Rawat, a new joiner, voluntarily came to thank the organisers for the wonderful experience he had. He said, “It was always difficult for me to cycle for longer durations, but the atmosphere I found in this ride didn’t make me feel lazy, not even for a second. The way Steadfast Sports and the Noida Cycling Club have organised this ride is worth appreciating. The friendly behaviour of group members and admins is something that can be cherished for a long time. “