World Bicycle Day: ‘Infinity Ride’ – a unique initiate to encourage para cyclists

Every year on June 3rd, World Bicycle Day is held to emphasise the importance of cycling legacy and its major role in keeping our body and the environment healthy. Cycling is a multifaceted workout that can be done by people of all ages, has several health advantages, reduces illnesses, and promotes long-term development.

The world of cycling brought to us a unique initiative last November through “Infinity Ride 2020”, it is a project by India’s first para cyclist- Aditya Mehta who with his foundation- Aditya Mehta Foundation and Border Security Force (BSF) organized the entire thing.

India's first para cyclist Aditya Mehta, Asian Para-Cycling Championship bronze medal winner Harinder Singh, and Asian Games Track Cycling bronze medalistGurlal Singh, India’s only female para cyclist Tanya Daga, together with the other Indian para-cyclists, started their ride from Kashmir to Kanyakumari as part of the "Infinity Ride 2020"— a ride aimed at raising awareness and reaching out to para talents from across the country.

The Infinity ride seeks to find and nurture developing parasport talent across India, so they may compete at the highest levels and represent India on the international scene.

Aditya Mehta Foundation sees scouting and training these talents from the ground up, producing a plethora of champions while also providing the world-class facilities required for para-sport athletes to flourish in a variety of sports.

Since its start in 2013, the Aditya Mehta Foundation has been working diligently with individuals with disabilities and is now backed by Asia's first Infinity Para Sports Academy and Rehabilitation Centre, which opened last year in Hyderabad.

The sixth edition of the Infinity Ride, which began on November 19th in Srinagar, saw bikers communicate with different NGOs, specialschools, and workers of an inclusive café chain to explain and empower people about para sports and how it has improved their lives through virtual meetings.

After passing through 36 cities throughout India, bikers arrived at the iconic Vivekananda Rock Memorial, where they were greeted by members of the Defence and Central Armed Police Forces.

Aditya Mehta expressed, “We hope our awareness ride will encourage people to join and support our mission to find India's best para sporting talents. We are glad that people have shown unconditional love towards us in our long journey. My aim is to groom champions so that they can play for India and become heroes."