Pedaling Down Memory Lane
Cycling has been an integral part of my life, weaving in and out of various phases. From learning to ride as a young boy to commuting to work as an adult, cycling has been a constant companion, providing a sense of freedom and joy.
Here, I'll take you on a journey down memory lane, sharing my nostalgic experiences and memories associated with cycling.
I am the youngest in my family. My oldest brother purchased a bicycle in 1960 to commute to Manasa Gangotri for his master's degree. After completing his education, he moved to Pune (later Delhi), and the bicycle remained idle for a few years. My second oldest brother then used the same bicycle to attend engineering college. During his free time, he would often lend the bicycle to my third older brother, who would take it for a ride. This way, a single bicycle served the needs of many.
During my pre-university education between 1972-1974 at Sharada Vilas College in Mysore, I had a friend named Sethuram who would visit my home daily, as it fell on his route to college. Notably, our PU college was conveniently situated less than 500 meters from my residence.
After our Second PU exams, I spent my summer vacation visiting Sethuram, who was staying then in the Saraswati Puram area of Mysore. At his home, I noticed an unused lady's bicycle, which I thought would be ideal for learning to ride, given its design without a bar between the handle and seat. In contrast, the bicycle at my home had a bar, making it difficult for me to ride due to my height at the time. Although Sethuram didn't know how to ride either, we decided to learn together. We would take the bicycle to the Maharaja College grounds, about a kilometre away from his home, and practice riding. Within a month, I was able to learn how to ride a bicycle.
I pursued my Bachelor of Commerce education in Bangalore. During this period, my bicycle-riding skills were almost forgotten. Having only learned to ride a lady's bicycle, I felt hesitant to ride one during my college days. Instead, I would walk to meet my friends, many of whom lived within a radius of one to one and a half kilometers, both in Bangalore and Mysore.
After appearing for my final year Bachelor of Commerce exam in Bangalore, I returned to Mysore in the first week of April 1977 to stay with my parents. Our bicycle, which had been unused in Mysore since my brothers had left, was revived. My brother had, in fact, upgraded to a Jawa motorcycle. I decided to get the bicycle repaired, including replacing the old tyres with new ones.
My friend Sethuram was still residing in Saraswathipuram. He had secured a job at the Southern Railways in Mysore. As his father, a railway employee, had passed away while in service, Sethuram had joined the railways, availing the job offered to him and discontinuing his studies. I would often ride my brother's bicycle to visit him at his home.
I still remember that the license requirement for bicycles had been abolished in the 1960s. However, the license plate remained attached to my brother's bicycle as a mark of authenticity. One incident still vivid in my memory is when I was riding my brother's bicycle on the wrong side of a one-way street in front of the police station. The police stopped me, removed the valve cap, and cautioned me. I must admit that, at the time, I was unaware of the traffic rules.
I did use my revived bicycle for a few months until I joined Corporation Bank on November 28, 1977 in Ranibennur town. Since the town was small, and most places were walkable, I didn't need to use a bicycle anymore. Two-wheelers like Luna mopeds had gained popularity, but I didn't purchase one due to my fear of riding at faster speeds. Owning a Bajaj Chetak, Lambretta, or Jawa motorcycle was the dream of many young people at that time.
While I would regularly visit Mysore on festive occasions, I would ride my bicycle to meet my only remaining friend, Sethuram, as all my other friends had relocated from Mysore for work.
Three years had passed, and I was transferred to Bangalore, where I worked for approximately 14 months. I purchased a bicycle to commute the short distance of 3 km to the bank. However, following my promotion to officers grade and subsequent transfer to Mumbai, I donated the bicycle to my nephew.
The bicycle purchased by my oldest brother was eventually donated to a student from the local college. I had a 25 year hiatus from cycling which ended when I opted for VRS in 2007. I then made a permanent move to Mysore, where I resumed cycling, using my younger daughter's bicycle.
Later, when our bicycle was stolen in October 2023, I purchased another one and continue to use it for my daily commute.
And... still going strong!
As I pedal through the streets today, I am reminded of the simple joys of cycling. This mode of transportation not only connects me to my surroundings but also to my past. Through my cycling experiences, I have learned valuable lessons about perseverance and the importance of living in the moment. Moreover, as I am unaware of driving, cycling has given me an opportunity to lead a simpler life too. Reflecting on my journey, I am grateful to God for blessing me with good health, enabling me to continue cycling and cherish the memories it has given me.
Let me know the nostalgic essence of your cycling experiences to join me on a journey down memory lane.
suresh hulikunti
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