From Competitive Cycling to New Passions: Lessons Learned and Personal Growth

Back in the day, the idea of riding a bike for 100 km in hot and hilly terrain in South India, or racing in the mountains of the Himalayas, was thrilling. As a young adult, from the age of 21 to 27, I was deeply passionate about competitive and intense cycling, whether it was road biking or mountain biking. The rich experiences and memorable adventures from those years are etched in my mind. Yet, life is full of changes, and as time passed, I outgrew my earlier fascination with that level of intensity and embraced new hobbies.

The Intensities of Cycling

Forming an unbreakable bond with road biking, I joined the Georgia Tech cycling team, where each day entailed rigorous and exhilarating training to hone my skills and fortitude. A typical training ride often involved a 'pace line' where each shooter would focus intensely to ensure no accidents occurred. The distance and effort required were considerable; in some tours, each 100 km journey was a mountain of mentally and physically demanding tasks. But the most rewarding experience came from traversing the snow-covered roads of the Himalayas in 2013. The challenge of riding at an elevation of 17,000 feet demanded mental fortitude and determination, as the body often craved silence and solitude.

Pushing Physical and Mental Limits

During these experiences, I tested my physical and mental limits like never before. I learned to push my boundaries when I thought I had reached them. The image below shows me leading a group in the 'pace line' during a typical training ride:

In this image, I can be seen in the front with green glasses guiding my team, ensuring that each person's front wheel stays close to the rear wheel of the person in front, a strategy to save energy by minimizing wind resistance. We constantly rotated our positions on the line, with a 1–2 minute pull from each, which required immense focus and concentration.

Physical and Mental Challenges

Crashes and road-rash were part of the package; but each fall was an opportunity to build resilience. Learning how to get back up, even when miles away from civilization, underscored the importance of perseverance. Here is an image from a bike tour in the Himalayas, where you can spot me in a red jacket:

The image below reflects the 8-day bike tour I completed in the mountains of South India in 2014. Each day brought different trials, including 100 km rides through hot and hilly terrains:

Watching the Tour de France

But this passion wasn't just reserved for my trips and trips. I was also enamored with the Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana, and Giro d'Italia. I would meticulously watch each stage, analyzing tactics, strategies, and mental stamina. The grueling physical and mental aspects of competitive cycling enthralled me, bringing me closer to the incredible feats of these professional cyclists. Tour de France wasn't just a race; it was a scientific, psychological, and chronological journey.

Moving On to New Interests

However, as time progressed, my interests began to shift. This isn't to say I've lost my competitive spirit; I've merely transferred it to different activities. Cricket, table-tennis, and now, cycling, all have similar demands, yet they also bring different life lessons. While I am no longer actively involved in competitive road cycling, the sport still holds a special place in my heart. It taught me that even when the body cries out to quit, we must push through and conquer.

Recently, I've been reading Peter Sagan's autobiography, which triggered me to reflect on all these adventures. His stories are a reminder of what dedication and hard work can achieve and how pushing our boundaries can lead to incredible personal growth. Whatever hobby or passion you might be pursuing today, remember that it is okay to outgrow the intensity of something. The lessons learned and the growth experienced are invaluable.