HBC's 'Solidarity Cycle Ride'

Shri KT Rama Rao & others join the HBC's 'Solidarity Cycle Ride' to wish Aditya a succesful ride on world's highest motorable road - Manali to Khardung La!

> Aditya Mehta, a physically challenged cyclist won several luarels for the country & HBC
> Mr. Somesh Kumar, Mr. DV Manohar, and Actor Nara Rohit were present on the occasion

Hyderabad, July 6th, 2014: Hyderabad Bicycling Club's (HBC) ’Solidarity Cycle Ride’ was flagged off by Chief Guest Shri K. T. Rama Rao, Hon'ble Minister for IT & Panchayat Raj, Government of Telangana at Necklace Road Bike Station on Sunday morning. The 'Solidarity Cycle Ride' was hosted as a gesture of moral support to HBC's Icon, Aditya Mehta, the physically challenged (above knee amputee) cyclist, as he begins one more arduous and adventurous cycling expedition from Manali, Himachal Pradesh to Khardung La in Jammu &Kashmir. Others present on the occasion to boost the spirit of this serial cyclist adventurer were Mr. Somesh Kumar, Commissioner, GHMC; Mr. DV Manohar, Board Member, World Cycling Alliance, Brussels and Actor Nara Rohit.

Aditya Mehta is setting out on this grueling voyage with the objective of raising awareness about the challenges faced by the differently abled and also to motivate them to aim higher. The ride itself is most challenging, as it is one of the highest motorable roads in the world at 18,379 feet above sea level.

Aditya Mehta despite his disability has brought laurels to the country and HBC. He won two Silver* Medals for India at the Hero Para Asian Cycling Championship in New Delhi. He is featured in The Limca books of world records (2013 edition) for the fastest lOOkms with an artificial limb. He undertook the grueling Kashmir to Kanayakumari cycle ride in 36 days (including 4 rest days) covering a total distance of 3800kms. Aditya was part of the HBC contingent which successfully completed London to Paris cycle challenge of 520Kms in 4 days in May, 2013. He also rode from Hyderabad to Bangalore in 2012. He was featured again in 2014 in Limca Book of World records.

Physically challenged athletes in India have tremendous potential and can bring laurels to the country if provided with the right support, it is to emphasise this, that I am undertaking such adventurous bicycle rides, says Aditya.

While wishing Aditya a memorable ride, Mr Manohar said that this Icon of HBC is a inspiration to many Indians. Aditya's commendable effort should hopefully motivate more youth to take to Bicycling this year, says Mr Manohar.

About Hyderabad Bicycling Club: HBC emerged as the World's largest Cycling Club on Meetup overtaking the Denver Front Range Cycling Club, USA to achieve this unique distinction. HBC has grown six times in the last two years to reach the present membership strength of over 5300 members. HBC’s first of its kind Bike Stations at Gachibowli and Necklace Road have transformed the Twin Cities, resulting in more and more people taking to cycling.

HBC tied up with GHMC, Hyderabad Metro Rail, APIIC and the Police to promote "Cycle to Work" initiative in a big way in Cyberabad area to substantially reduce vehicular pollution and traffic congestion there. To make "Cycle to Work" safe as well as comfortable, HBC along with its allies is in the process of creating all the required Infrastructure such as exclusive cycling tracks criss crossing Cyberabad, Bike Stations at MMTS, Metro Stations and other requisite places where geared bicycles would be available for the usage of the commuters,
HBC I* Assodaie Member of European Cyclists Federation and Founder Member of World Cycling Alliance, the apex body I or Cycling in the World. Mr I) V Manohar, Chairman of HBC is on the Board of World Cycling Alliance, Brussels,