Despite the hot weather, notorious headwinds and annoying eve-teasers, three women from Hyderabad cycled from Bengaluru to Hyderabad to help raise money for para-athletes. And the clincher? There were people slowing down next to the riders and donating money even before they could get down from their cycles.
Eve-teasers and generous strangers
“It was an experience of a lifetime,” says 31-year-old Indira Pendudolu. Indira, along with her “cycling sister” Nivedita Ghosh, 39, and Neelima P., 28, were the only three women in the group. The ride took three and a half days to complete on August 15.
“There was a bunch of eve-teasers. But majority of the people were curious and would often ask us what we were doing. There were three-four people on bikes who slowed down and I told them how we were planning on raising funds for para-athletes so they could pursue their dreams of a sports career. And just like that they pulled out their wallets and handed me money while I was still on the bike riding. I was so touched by their generosity,” says Indira. “By the end of the event, I raised '1lakh, and most of it was through family, friends and corporates; but the contributions made while I was riding were amazing.”
570 km in three and a half days
The ride was flagged off from the Border Security Force campus at Yelahanka on August 12 at 4.30 am. “There were 30 jawans riding with us and also a lot of civilians. And even though we were only three women, we felt quite safe,” says Indira, a photographer and a designer by profession.
Nivedita is a dentist and Neelima works with a corporate company. “I wasn’t even sure that I would be able to take part, even though I work with the foundation (Aditya Mehta Foundation) that organised it. I only started cycling six months ago and if you look at me, you will think I can’t cycle for long distances because I am overweight.
“I cycle three times a week with Nivedita, we often go to Narsapur forest, which is 45 km from Hyderabad and is located in Medak. But this ride was 570 km long, so there was a lot of hesitation to participate,” says Indira, who changed her mind after being encouraged by her family and friends.
