“Small victories can sometimes have a lasting impact on our personality. I experienced this firsthand in 2018 when I was introduced to a WhatsApp group where cycling enthusiasts were open to new members and even provided free bicycles to ride in. Their aim was to rekindle the hobby and promote fitness amongst various age groups.

Now, though I grew up an active kid, the transition to adulthood ensured that all physical activities came to a standstill. So with a lingering excitement to try it out again, I got up at 4 AM on a Sunday and reached the nodal point in Annanagar. We rode Twenty kilometers at a stretch and were eventually deadbeat, but the happiness made it all worth it!

Unfortunately, though, the joy felt short-lived when safety concerns came in the way subsequently. I couldn’t make it the following weeks that early from Ambattur with no one to accompany. From the team’s side, seeing a new member who was so involved in the activity, suddenly not be able to attend the sessions got them concerned. So after hearing me out, one of the volunteers ensured to escort me from my house even if it meant riding another 50 kilometres. And from there all of us completed a round trip of over 140 kilometers on the same Sunday. Shocking right? By the end, it felt like I had conquered the entire world!

You see, with just a single session previously, I started experiencing immense body-pain before I could even cross the 50-kilometer mark. But to my surprise, the other members, who were professional cyclists were extremely optimistic and never gave up on me. With their effort, I knew I had to keep going until I completed what I thought was impossible.

And that incident did prove to be a huge wake-up call, especially for the other facets in my life. It unlocked a new level of potential within and helped me face my fears, one after another. The following week itself, I dared to enter an Amusement park for the first time in my life and try out all the scariest rides. Now that might be just a small example, but it’s a reminder to myself to keep pushing beyond any comfort zones. The best view, after all, comes after the toughest climb doesn’t it?”

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