How is the life of a semi-professional cyclist in India?

Cycling is a budding sport in India, but its growth is hindered by a lack of races/events, inadequate training roads, and the high cost of bicycles and maintenance. The expense of cycling equipment is particularly prohibitive, surpassing that of motorcycles. Consequently, many aspiring cyclists, especially financially constrained younger individuals, turn to sponsorship and crowdfunding for support. While the future of cycling in India may appear bleak, there are still passionate individuals who persevere despite the challenges.

During my all-India cycling tour, I had the privilege of meeting Ashish Borkar, a remarkable semi-professional cyclist from Maharashtra. Ashish has not only won multiple local events but also secured a place in the prestigious Limca Book of World Records. Despite facing financial constraints in the past, he managed to excel in various races. One of his recent accomplishments was completing a grueling 3651 km journey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari as part of a four-member team, astonishingly achieving this feat in just 6 days and 13 hours. I had the opportunity to visit Ashish, stay at his house, and learn about the challenges that talented individuals face in pursuing cycling due to its substantial financial demands.

Sometimes all you need is an opportunity to unlock your potential

24-year old Ashish Shubash Borkar, hails from a middle-class family, and faced early challenges in his journey. His father works in construction, while his mother sells fruits on the streets, and his younger brother pursues photography. From the time he was in his 9th grade, Ashish took up multiple odd jobs to contribute to the family’s income. He sold lemon juice on the streets, worked as a delivery boy for a cell phone shop, and served as a customer attendant in another mobile shop. However, his education took a backseat as he struggled to clear his 10th grade exams leading him to drop education for four years while juggling these responsibilities.

Fortune took a surprising turn when Ashish secured a job at Bike Studio, a cycle store located in Rajapet, Amravati. It was there that he acquired skills in bike servicing and crossed paths with his mentor, Manoj Jade sir. Manoj insisted that Ashish should invest in a single-speed bike named ARK, which was priced at 6,000 rupees. Hindered by financial constraints, Ashish initially declined the offer. Eventually, with some financial support from Manoj sir, he managed to obtain the bike that would shape his cycling career.

Ashish’s first race experience was the RV Warda race, covering a distance of 30 km. Remarkably, he emerged victorious, claiming the first prize and earning a cash reward of 11,000 rupees. He also participated in a race in Kamgoan, spanning 20 km, where geared cycle entries were permitted. Despite the competition, Ashish triumphed once again, securing the first prize and a cash prize of 7,000 rupees. In a short period, he managed to accumulate over 30,000 rupees, surpassing the value of his initial bike purchase fivefold.

However, the true breakthrough in Ashish’s cycling journey arrived when he shattered a Limca Book of Records achievement. He conquered an extremely challenging 700 m climb, a feat most people wouldn’t even complete while seated, completing it in an astonishing time of 1 minute and 4 seconds. This remarkable achievement surpassed the previous record by over a minute, propelling Ashish into the spotlight and garnering support from numerous individuals within the cycling community who wanted to contribute to his cycling career.

In the midst of his cycling pursuits, Ashish also managed to clear his 10th and 12th grade exams and subsequently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program (BA), which he currently pursues.

The cycling career

Recognizing his cycling talent, Ashish was invited to participate in the challenging Kashmir to Kanyakumari race, covering a remarkable distance of 3,651 km as part of a four-member team. Individually, the expenses for such an event would have exceeded 2.5 lakh rupees, but Ashish was fortunate to receive full sponsorship for the race. Furthermore, the cycling community in Amaravati, known as the Amaravati Cycling Association (ACA), generously gifted him a road bike, along with all the necessary gear, including pedals and shoes.

In addition to his cycling achievements, Ashish and his mentor, Manoj Jade, were invited to serve as support crew for various rides and races. Moreover, they were provided with an opportunity to establish their own cycle repair store. Five months ago, they successfully set up Gajanand Cycle Store, where Ashish now works alongside Manoj Jade.

Ashish acknowledges the financial limitations that prevent him from participating in major races like the Race Across America and similar high-cost events. His current plan is to focus on local races and gradually earn sponsorships for larger races in the future. Meanwhile, he finds joy in working at the cycle store, as his passion for cycling remains strong. Ashish also expresses gratitude for the connections he has made through cycling, having the opportunity to meet and interact with accomplished individuals from various professional backgrounds, an experience for which he is incredibly thankful.

The individual

Ashish’s mindset intrigued me as he acknowledged that he wouldn’t build a career in cycle racing, yet continued to participate simply because he derived joy from the sport. I was compelled to delve into the thoughts of someone whom many would perceive as facing challenges in pursuing a sport with limited prospects for success.

Justifictions

Ashish firmly stated that he cycles purely because he finds joy in cycling, without any desire for competition. He emphasized that work is necessary to make a living and acknowledged the importance of separating life into three essential aspects: work, family, and passions. Cycling is a genuine passion for him, and as long as he can explore new places through cycling, he will continue to pursue it. He shared his experiences of riding to various locations in Karnataka and expressed his enjoyment of long rides to nearby destinations during weekends.

Validations

While Ashish’s work is primarily aimed at supporting his family, he expressed a profound personal validation regarding cycling. He passionately declared, “When I cycle, I feel like I am living for myself”.

Complaints

Among the various aspects Ashish shared, his complaint stood out as particularly unexpected and intriguing. He expressed a constant fear of unintentionally causing any kind of trouble or inconvenience to others. He cited an example where if a friend refrains from speaking to him for two days, he immediately begins to worry and overthink, questioning if it could be his fault that his friend is not communicating. Ashish genuinely expressed, “I just wish that nobody gets troubled by me.” This complaint reveals his sincere concern for maintaining harmonious relationships and his strong desire to avoid being a source of inconvenience or distress to those around him.

Materialism

Curious about Ashish’s aspirations, I inquired about his plans if he were to come into a substantial sum of money. He responded that he would invest in a modest house and a small business, utilizing the remaining funds to help those in dire need. Reflecting on his childhood, he fondly recalled plucking fruits from the forest and selling them at the temple for a few rupees. Currently working at a cycle store, he expressed contentment with his earnings, highlighting that he lives in a simple shed house and finds immense happiness and satisfaction in his circumstances.

As our conversation drew to a close, I asked Ashish if he had any message he would like to share with the world. He reaffirmed his belief by stating, “Be happy with what you have, yet continue to do your best in every aspect of life.” Ashish’s words resonated deeply, revealing a level of maturity beyond his appearance and age. It served as a valuable lesson for me personally, as I have often questioned whether a chosen path would provide a sustainable living, rather than considering if I would truly enjoy it and find contentment. Ashish’s perspective reminded me of the importance of finding fulfillment and satisfaction in the present moment, while striving to give our best in all endeavors

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