Paracyclist Aditya Mehta finished a demanding journey and addressed the media at the BIG 92.7 FM office.
He rode from Delhi to Mumbai in order to raise awareness and funds for amputees with athletic aspirations, starting the journey from the capital on December 14th and made it to Mumbai on the 20th. This ride covered Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.
A silver medalist at the Asian para cycling championships, his journey was more challenging this time around as he covered the entire distance without his prosthetic leg.
The 32-year-old revealed that he developed a liking for the sport from a very early age. “From my early days, I was always interested in cycling. I used to have the best bicycle in school when I was in the 5th standard. The bikes were fully loaded with gears. People never really observed the quality of these bikes back then. Once I was done with school, I never really took up cycling as I was focused on my business”, he said.
But a devastating accident proved to be the catalyst in his decision to take up the sport once again. “Cycling taught me to push my body and my limits. I met various others like me who were in need for some kind of inspiration. Through these kinds of rides, we raise money and help a lot of people” he added.
Not many know that the para-athlete built his prosthetic leg by himself. “The cycling leg has been designed by me. I had to cut my foot in half. Initially it was very heavy. Before the Asian championships, I imported knee joints and other equipment from different countries and put this together. The fabricator is local, though”
His toughest ride yet? “It has to be Leh to Khardunga”. Manali to Khardunga La is the world's highest motorable road at 18380 feet, with the toughest conditions for athletes to fight against, but Mehta completed the ride successfully and entered the Limca Book of Records. Aditya accomplished this last year and hoisted Indian national flag at Khardunga La on August 15, 2014.
“I had a really time tough time. My nose used to bleed; I had cuts in my flesh while riding. I was away from civilization and didn’t have any phone connectivity. Riding solo for such a long time, I was going mad,” he concluded.
