My weekends are getting busier and more interesting. On Sundays I go for a long ride with my Life is a Cycle buddies. Ours is a band of crazy and avid cyclists who not just cycle for the thrill of cycling, but to engage in silly banter, gorge on the various lip-smacking street food and sip on the milky roadside chai that awakens ones spirits, all while engaging in this fun sport and fitness regime.

It’s fun to be on the roads in the wee hours of a Sunday mornings, when most of the world is deep in slumber, oblivious to the adrenaline rush that waking up early can provide. I guess only fitness enthusiasts would know the true meaning of not sleeping late even on weekend mornings. We wake up at 4 A.M. so that we can leave at 4:30 A.M. for our destination, which usually is Delhi. The idea is to do a long distance ride. But if you were to ask me I would prefer riding within Gurgaon, just to avoid the traffic that we encounter en route Delhi. But once we get to Delhi the stunning greenery of South Delhi just uplifts our soul and makes those traffic woes seem trivial. Though the idea to leave early morning is to avoid traffic and be back before the sun peaks to a sweltering high.

 

 

 

 

Last Sunday we went to India Gate. This Sunday it was a ride to the awe-inspiring Sanjay Van, close to Qutub Minar. This dense, little forested area is every nature lovers paradise. Probably undiscovered by many like me. Sanay Van at 5:45 AM has such a calming effect. But the avid roadies wanted to clock a longer distance so they left for Nehru park, while four of us remained and cycled through the dense thicket, to reach an open green area. One could see the Qutub Minar and one other monument from there, right behind the lush, sprawling greenery. Surely a sigh to behold, but our cameras couldn’t grab it due to the distance.

 

 

 

After reveling in the serenity and beauty of Sanjay Van we cycled a few more kilometers to reach our breakfast destination-Matthews, a roadside dhaba, next to Tamil Nadu Sangam. This little shack offers the most sumptuous Pongal (rice khichdi), Idli, Vadas and Dosas. And the filter coffee, is just bliss in a stainless steel glass. After we were done gorging on these, we head back to Gurugram. The sun was overhead, but we keep at it. My cycle had a little hitch again yesterday, so it slowed down my speed. But who cared as the next pit stop was by the Coconut wala who serves the very replenishing coconut water that refreshes us and pushes us to pedal back to the cosy confines of our home. I reached home at 9 AM, to find the DH and 9 year-old at the breakfast table. After glugging some fresh fruit juice, I pop in a few salamis too. I’ve earned the calories I tell myself smugly.

 

 

 

 

My body is aching, but an ache that is gratifying as the muscles have been properly worked out. Though this times its way better than the last few times. It’s about getting used to it I guess. Anyways, the pain calls for a deep-tissue massage. I head out for one, and return home re-invigorated. Polish off lunch and catch some sleep. Ah! I so love Sundays. The 19 year-old arrives from college. We sit and catch up on her first week at college as a second year student. It’s been an arduous week, but she is ready to take on the world. I whip up her comfort food. Make butter garlic prawns for the first time, some crunchy fruit veggie salad and a banana walnut cake. We blow a candle off the cake, as the 9 year old sings, “Happy Life to You”.

 

 

 

Yes we are celebrating life. Life is a cycle. A cycle of journeys, a cycle of experiences, a cycle of moments-sometimes precious, sometimes bitter or sweet, a cycle of revelations, a cycle of things to be grateful for. We all know what goes around, comes around. So in this cycle of life, let’s spread love, happiness and cheer and continue to cherish these little moments of wonder and be grateful to them. After all, life is a cycle.

 

 

 

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