What a wonderful Sunday morning we have all had.
I have to be the first one to admit that waking up at 5.30am did make me wonder for once, 'WHY??!!!', but the thought of meeting you all was too tempting :)
CAT HarmeshInder, CAT Reema, CAT Aman, CAT Amanat and I reached the assembly point by 7.40am. We were soon joined in by CAT Vineet, and another Supreet along with LaDawn. Rohit called and from his voice it sounded had just woken up! CAT Reeta nearly chickened out of the event but set herself from home. CAT AR 'tele-reported' as he was running a little behind schedule too. CAT Sanjeev arrived quietly and CAT Davinder came with the florescent jackets for all of us, saving us having to queue up again at the jackets counter in the holding area. CAT Sandy marked her absence on the phone due to fever. Surprises of all surprises, CAT Rajpal was LATE!
As previously agreed, we waited till 8.05am and then proceeded towards the holding area. But not before we encountered a guy who was sitting on the handle and biking in reverse! Watch the photos to believe me. Sun was shining but we were still under the soothing shade of trees.Holding Area was well organised affair. There was no chaos and no rush of people trampling over each other. Pint sized CAT Aman was our main concern since he was riding his new adult size bike! However confusion reigned high for a few minutes when the organisers told us to start off with another segment. After a few minutes of dilly-dallying, we were told to pedal off at 8.45am and there was no looking back after that.
It was amazing to see how the new ones who had come to the fold a few minutes ago, automatically became the very being of each other. CAT Sanjeev was looking over both the kids from the holding area itself. CAT Reema had met CAT Sanjeev for the first time, but hit it off straight away. Two no-frills CATS! CAT Rajpal and CAT Davinder took charge of CAT Aman to ensure he does not get knocked over by anyone even by mistake. CAT AR we found just after the Golf club and CAT Savneet managed to find me thanks to the CATS T-shirt and cap i was wearing. CAT HarmeshInder, our new pretty Supreet and LaDawn would stop every so often to allow me to catch up with them. It was camaraderie all over again.
Three charming friends with salt n pepper hair/beard met us on the way who were all too happy to say hello, 'We are all under 17!!' City kids ignored us but the slum kids were merrily cheering us over. Water stations had been set up after a few kilometers. Marshalls were keeping an eye on the bikers and the roads were kept free of traffic by the Traffic Police. Cyclists ruled the roost on the roads this morning. Ambulances were stationed visibly at all major intersections. It was as if no one could help us more. It was fun time with new friends in our own city, but fun came with the paddle power!
By the time we headed towards the IT park, the sun was beating upon our brows and the path was uphill. As much as wanted to pedal away swiftly from the harsh sun, we could not do it quickly enough! DT Cinema intersection was the half way point and also the time when we could turn our back towards the unforgiving sun. At this juncture, it was sad to come across a bunch of mid-teen boys running on hormones, who were indulging in a spot of eve-teasing. I was quite tempted to report them to the police officers stationed on the way, but rightly or wrongly, I chose not to. Would it really have mattered to either the police or the boys? Would the police have reported the matter to their parents? Could any action be taken against the boys given they were so young? What impact this reporting would have on these boys? Would they learn their lessons or just become even more persistent pests? I was really saddened by the unhealthy development in these boys. This is a picture of our Cit Beautiful, which is extremely ugly and unbearable. I don't know if this mindset would ever change, if at all.
Anyway, let's get back to our cyclothon. CAT Amanat was way ahead of the game by now but hats off to CAT Sanjeev and CAT Reema who made sure our kitten does not become a lost lamb in the woods. CAT Davinder offered almonds and Tang flavoured water to the ones around him when the energy levels were going down. CAT Rajpal ensured that no harm came to CAT Aman. CAT Vineet was nowhere to be seen. CAT Savneet was last seen pedalling with CAT AR. We were only a few kilometers short of the finishing line by now. We were getting there, meowing all the way.
CAT Vineet touched the finishing line at 9.30am, followed by CAT Amanat, CAT Reema and CAT Sanjeev at 9.45am. The rest of the gang clocked in soon after, but not before witnessing a little accident half a kilometer short of the finishing line. A boy around 10years of age had fallen off his bike and had suffered a cut above his left ear. Though it was a little frightening to see a little splattered on the road but the kid was promptly given first aid by the marshalls. I requested for an ambulance which arrived within minutes and took the boy to the hospital. Little incidents like these do make you could your lucky stars. You automatically become grateful for being part of a group, in which everyone takes pride in each other and we all look out for each other. That kid was unknown to us, but we all stopped. He could easily have been our own CAT Aman or CAT Ansh. That's the least we could do as human beings.
With gratitude deep in our hearts, we touched the finishing line at 9.55am.
THANKS for being there for each other CATS.
Let's try to become a better human being.
CAT Supreet
