Women's week: Noida's pedal pusher
Welcome To CitySpidey

Location

Women's week: Noida's pedal pusher

Fitness is everything. Reena Bajaj, a resident of Sector 39, Noida, learnt it the hard way, but now she is inspiring women across the city to make fitness a way of life.

Women's week: Noida's pedal pusher

Reena Bajaj was 33 and touching 96 kg. She didn't feel fit. Every day she thought she would do something about it, but never got around to doing anything. Walking was boring; and she never liked jogging.

The one day it struck her — why didn’t she go cycling?

This was in 2014. Since then she has successfully participated in a number of challenging cycle races across India. The 2016 Desert 500, the challenging cycling circuit from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer, is one of them. She took away the first-runner-up trophy in the 250-km women’s category.  

And she is no mood to stop.

In our countdown to the Women’s Day, City Spidey caught up with her as one of Noida’s most inspirational women.

What is the most important part of your routine? Tell us about your training and how much you spent on the track?

Training. You have to have a certain discipline. I leave home at 5 am sharp every day and cycle for about 40 km to 50 km. This I follow five days a week without fail.

How many tournaments have you participated in till now?

Nine so far. I am proud to have won six gold medals and three silver ones.

Did you have a personal coach to train you?

No, but I did meet Pramod Sharma, general secretary of Delhi Cycling Association, on one of my visits to the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex. He gave me some of the best training tips I’ve ever had. He guided me a lot in my initial days as a cyclist.

From where do you draw your inspiration?

I was actually jolted into action. I was only 28 when I suffered from an attack of partial paralysis. My son was just 50 days old and doctors told me I could recover only 30 per cent movement in my paralysed limbs. That was the first time I realised the importance of fitness. But thanks to natural therapy, I made a complete recovery. I received my second jolt when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I survived this too because it was still in its initial stages. But by then I had realised I would have to take my health more seriously. That was when I chose cycling. 

Do you aspire to be a professional cyclist?

I am a freelance HR consultant, but if I get an opportunity to take up cycling professionally, I would love to. Right now, I cycle because it’s a fun way to stay fit and lose weight. I was 96 kg when I started cycling; now I am 68.  

Do you have any more tournaments lined up?

Not immediately. But I do have a long-term goal. I want my name to be part of the Guinness Book of World Records. I also want to win a Padma Shri to make my son proud.