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.
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