6 days ago
Pedalling against the odds: Rajkot's 62-year-old cycling inspiration
Rajkot: In an age where most long-distance cyclists rely on advanced geared bicycles to ease the strain of the road, 62-year-old Gajendrasinh Vaghela of Rajkot is rewriting the narrative—one pedal stroke at a time.
While geared cycles dominate the world of endurance cycling for their mechanical advantage, Vaghela sticks firmly to his trusted non-geared bicycle. Whether it's a daily errand or a multi-day expedition, his unwavering companion is a simple cycle, powered entirely by sheer will and strong legs.
Cycling has been a part of Vaghela's life since childhood, but retirement has only deepened his bond. Today, he rides 20 to 30 kilometers a day—not for medals or recognition, but to fetch groceries, visit friends and relatives, and stay active.
"I use a normal cycle and even compete with those who use geared cycles," he proudly says. "My legs are my power—like for cricketers, their bat is their power."
Since 2021, Vaghela has clocked an astonishing 30,000 km on his cycle, joining friends from his local cycling club on adventurous expeditions. He has pedalled to Mata no Madh in Kutch (330 km), completed the arduous Girnar Parikrama multiple times, and ridden from Junagadh to Porbandar (105 km) —all without the help of gears.
But his endurance isn't limited to the saddle. Vaghela has also participated in every Rajkot marathon since 2016, consistently demonstrating his fitness and determination.
Before retirement, he served in the legal department of a bank. Today, he finds joy in passing on his values to the next generation, teaching his grandchildren the importance of health and fitness—on two wheels, of course.
