Age: 38
City: Delhi, Mumbai
I am Kavita Jhingan, 38 years and originally from Delhi, but now a true Mumbaikar.
I took back to cycling bigtime since Dec 2015 after a long hiatus since childhood. My Reason for cycling came from my need to get back to life and do what I enjoy after going through a separation and divorce and the personal and professional challenges which came with it .
Originally, I got down into a state where staying alone in a new city, constant state of fatigue and sadness brought in a feeling of worthlessness almost leading to depression. The situation became serious when I had to seek psychological consultants and medicine to help me out.
Everyday became a struggle and I was slowly turning into a negatively depressed individual from a one happy go person that I was. Incidentally, I had two fractures on my left foot and multiple ligament tears. Could not walk or go to the gym to workout. Then out of the blue, two things happened – I met my dad’s group of Diabetics who after regular cycling not only managed to control their blood sugar levels but were able to keep sadness and complications at bay.
Secondly, my friend Maxson, who is an avid cyclist, asked me to try cycling as it will help me relieve my stress. He urged me to just give it a shot.
So, in all earnest, I went and picked up my Scott 670 Aspect and well after almost three decades rode back my brand new steed all the way from Carter’s road to my residence in Andheri West – that was 12 kms first ride which changed a lot of things in my life. I was excited in a very long time – almost a decade and was great to feel the nimbleness and independence on my cycle. I started to look forward to the next morning because I wanted to go cycling!!!
Life turned out and with each passing day I went back to the happy Kavita I was, not to forget the amazing friendships that I was able to forge and the awesome people I met in my journeys . I used to be an ace level zonal athlete and had stopped it, but with cycling I started practicing my long Jump and 100 m sprints all over again.
Cycling actually made me live all over again! When you are alone in a city everyday throws a challenge that tests your determination , persistence , character and will .Cycling gave me freedom and free spirit so I was able to let go of my past, bitterness and sadness associated with my divorce. I was able to see the practical view on life – When u are on cycle u have to be practical and self-aware, to let go and need to respect the rules that govern safety – As a result, today I am great friends with my ex-husband and his family.
Cycling taught me Acceptance – that things will go wrong in life like you can have a puncture or the chain will derail or you will have a fall and get hurt when you least expect. But the fact is that cycling teaches you to get up and cycle again – I was able to deal with the life crisis well , falling down and getting up again wiping tears and saying I will do this – challenges small or big as they come.
Cycling taught me to be Humble, to just smile at my achievements and failures and to remember that Over Confidence can ruin things – this happened in the recent BRM 200 August 13 2016, when I was recovering from a viral infection, but was confident, having done 100 kms in 4 and half hours earlier, so I though the available 13 and half hours would be an easy task. Alas, my ill-health caught on and god knows, the last few kms were a death wish. That day cycling taught me to respect and listen to your body, Know and Respect Your Limits. Fortunately, I completed BRM last moment with a minute left.
However difficult it is, just move on – do not stop and DONOT compare yourself with others. Most of the times, you will be alone in your journey, some will have better stamina, better riches but the real competition is with myself only. Most importantly life is great just the way it’s is and I am grateful!!
Cycling changed my life. And I was able to build my life from a scratch again . I am a better and a happy person today because ”I Am A Cyclist” and I am determined and strong and persistent to make this life of mine a beautiful experience no matter what !!!