Senior citizens from Maharashtra embark on Himalayan cycling adventure in Uttarakhand

ALMORA: A group of seven intrepid senior citizens from Maharashtra have set out on an arduous mountainous journey, cycling their way from Dharchula to Panchachuli, a distance of 250 km traversing altitudes ranging from 9,000 ft to around 14,000 ft in the Kumaon Himalayas.

The youngest person in the group, which comprises a doctor, government official and agriculturist among others, is 58 while the eldest is 72.

"We wanted to prove that age is just a number and if one has the will, then it is possible to undertake a cycling expedition in the upper Himalayas even if one is a senior citizen," said Sanjay Sawant, a retired income tax official, who at 58, is the youngest in the group.

At 72, the eldest member, Shivaji Handal, said that after surviving a severe Covid-19 infection, he cycled at least 6,200 km to places like Tirupati and Kanyakumari for "good health". The resident of Sambhaji Nagar (earlier Aurangabad), pointed out that he has been riding a bicycle since the age of 25.

Others in the expedition are Vijay Bhal Singh, 62, who runs a garments business in Pune; Arun Nevse, 62, who retired as an agriculture officer; Rajesh Kamble, 66, a doctor; and Laxman Navale, 66, who retired as a trainer.
Satish Jadhav, the seventh member, said, "I used to work, without much break, as an administrative officer in the municipal corporation. I decided that it’s time I take my health more seriously and that’s why, I joined the expedition." Last year, the 66-year-old did a solo trip on his bicycle to Adi Kailash.

On Saturday, the team left for Dharchula. Bharat Sah, a member of Uttarakhand Cycling Association, who is acting as the team guide, said, "From Dharchula, we will travel to Narayan Swami Ashram. On Monday morning, we'll be on our way to Nagling and then to Dugato village. On Wednesday, we're planning to travel about 4-km from Nagling to Panchachuli Glacier."

Referring to the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer 'Uunchai' released last year, which was about a few senior citizens who decide to take a trek to the Everest Base Camp which then turns out to be a personal, emotional and spiritual journey for them, Handal, the seniormost rider, said, “We were quite inspired by the film. My message for today's youngsters is that don't get trapped in your mobile phones and laptops...go out in the open, and follow your passion."