Hop on to a bicycle and ride your way to weight loss and fitness
Lucknow: When Prabhat Ranjan looked in the mirror at 110 kg, he barely recognised himself. Once a school-level cyclist, the demands of work had long taken him off the saddle. But at 33, alongside his wife Amrita Ranjan, he returned to cycling — and to himself.
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Over time, he lost 35 kg and participated in global events like the Paris-Brest-Paris race. Life dealt him a heavy blow when his wife passed away during a cycling ride, yet the same cycle that brought pain also became his path to healing.
"I saw myself in the mirror and realised it wasn't me. After 15 years, I returned to cycling, and it changed my life. I even lost my wife while cycling, but it gave me fitness, fame and emotional strength," said Ranjan, while explaining the benefits of cycling on the eve of World Bicycle Day.
Sandeep Joshi, 55, began pedalling after struggling with ulcerative colitis and high blood pressure. What started as a health decision soon became a daily escape and therapy, as he now rides 50-60 km a day.
"It controlled my BP, weight and heart issues. Cycling is my biggest stress reliever," said Joshi.
Lucknow-based fashion designer Mili Malhotra turned to cycling after arthritis and thyroid complications began affecting her mobility and mood. Watching her mother struggle post-knee surgery, she vowed to write a different story for herself. "My mother was treated like a burden after surgery. I didn't want that. Cycling helped with joint pain and menopause mood swings," she said
Deepali, 52, a former runner, had to give up running due to arthritis. Advised to try cycling, she has been riding for five years now, regaining mobility and reducing pain. Cancer survivor Satyam Pandey, 22, found mental and physical recovery through cycling after relapse of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (CHL) in 2020. "It's been a lifesaver. Now all my reports are clear," said Pandey
Pratima Awasthi, 56, credits cycling for improving both her stamina and mental strength, while 54-year-old Debu Debnath overcame severe knee pain through consistent riding.
For theatre artist Bhushan Agarwal, daily rides became the cure for long-term stomach issues. "Cycling helped me recover completely," he said. Shailesh Singh, a bank officer, was suffering from cervical spondylosis and obesity. At 108 kg, he was advised to wear a neck collar indefinitely. He took up cycling with support from the Avengers Cycling Group. Within months, he lost 17 kg and regained his health.
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