Breaking Boundaries: A Journey Across India

If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, we recommend checking it out first to get the full journey of Ravinder Nandanoori and the Hyderabad Cyclist Group (HCG).

If you’ve been wondering about the latest adventures of Ravinder Nandanoori and his Hyderabad Cyclist Group (HCG), we’re here to end the suspense. Over the past three years, HCG has accomplished feats that most new cyclists can only dream of.

Cycling the Length of India: A Record-Breaking Feat

Ravinder and his team made history by completing the iconic Kashmir to Kanyakumari (K2K) journey three times with 40 cyclists, proving that where there’s a will, there’s a way. The team was composed of passionate riders who had overcome various challenges posed by HCG during the pandemic.

In their first K2K expedition in 2021, the Indian Army played a crucial role in supporting them. How did they secure this support? As they say, when you truly desire something, the universe conspires to make it happen. Among the 13 cyclists, one female rider had a significant role in this—her husband, serving in the army, helped the group achieve their goal.

That year, turbulence in Jammu & Kashmir due to Article 370 created uncertainty, and they were advised to start from Jammu. However, Ravinder believed that beginning in Srinagar was vital to preserving the essence of the journey. Taking a leap of faith, the group embarked on their adventure and proved that determination conquers all.

In 2022, their expedition saw another strong supporter—Brigadier Jaideep—who provided food and accommodation for three days, ensuring a smooth journey. Ravinder notes that while individuals have completed this route, very few groups have attempted and succeeded in such a demanding challenge.

Managing a large group on a long and grueling expedition is no easy task. Unlike casual tours, HCG’s expedition followed a rigorous schedule—waking up at 5 AM, warming up, and ensuring they reached every checkpoint on time. Their discipline led them to complete the journey in just 22 days.

The 2023 journey brought even greater achievements. This time, Ravinder received a call from the Indian Army, inviting them to start a cycling expedition from Kargil. HCG became the first cycling team to cross the Zojila Pass, a monumental feat. Starting at the Kargil War Memorial, they undertook the challenging 75 km uphill ride to Zojila Pass before descending to Srinagar in extreme temperatures of -12°C to -14°C. This victory has fueled Ravinder’s ambition to establish an academy for K2K riders, pushing them towards even grander expeditions. HCG is gearing up for yet another K2K journey in 2025!

Ravinder’s Dream: From a Vision to a Movement

Ravinder’s unwavering passion for cycling has gained widespread recognition. A cyclist from Pune reached out to express admiration and even requested an HCG jersey to wear in his city. Reflecting on this moment, Ravinder humbly stated, “What else do I need?”

Rashtrapati Nilayam Cyclothon

His influence extended beyond cycling enthusiasts—Rashtrapati Bhavan itself invited him for a collaboration, which resulted in a massive event. Whether leading a 1,000-person cycling event at Rashtrapati Bhavan or celebrating World Cycling Day with another 1,000 participants, Ravinder’s mission is gaining momentum like never before.

Pedaling for a Cause: Promoting Cycling Across India

Determined to make cycling more than just a sport, Ravinder marked India’s 75th Independence Day with a grand cycling initiative, just as he had on Republic Day. A staggering 400 riders—ranging from young children to 78-year-olds—set out to complete a 120 km ride. The event was a phenomenal success.

But success hasn’t made Ravinder complacent—it has only fueled his drive further. He has now made it a tradition to donate bicycles every June 3rd. His latest goal? To donate 500 bicycles by 2025, giving underprivileged children access to cycling and education. His generosity doesn’t stop at bicycles—he has also provided school shoes to children in remote Telangana villages, helping them stay motivated and excel in academics. This is passion in action. What do you think?

The People Who Keep HCG Rolling

Building and leading a cycling community like HCG has been anything but easy. Challenges, setbacks, and struggles have been part of the journey. But as they say, you don’t need a crowd—just the right people who believe in your vision.

Several key individuals have played a pivotal role in HCG’s success. One such individual is Krishna Chaitanya, who first approached Ravinder in 2019. Krishna has always been instrumental in providing structure and organization to HCG. Engaging in numerous brainstorming sessions with Ravinder, he played a vital role in shaping the cycling challenges that HCG introduced to promote cycling awareness. His insights and strategic thinking have been invaluable in guiding HCG’s direction.

Left: Krishna Chaitanya Right: Harshin Lalpet

Another significant contributor is Mr. Harshin Lalpet, who has been an integral part of HCG since its inception in 2017. Like Krishna Chaitanya, Harshin played a key role in designing concepts, brainstorming sessions, and structured planning that helped shape the group. In fact, the first-ever HCG logo was designed by Harshin to showcase his dedication to the community. His contributions have been instrumental in setting a solid foundation for HCG, and his continuous support remains invaluable to this day.

Sri Marri Laxman Reddy Garu has been another strong supporter, continuously encouraging cycling and its promotion in Hyderabad. His backing has been invaluable to HCG’s growth.

Sri Marri Laxman Reddy

Another key supporter of HCG has been Prabhakar Rao, fondly known as Tinku. He has always been a strong pillar of support, standing by HCG through every challenge. His constant encouragement and belief in the community’s vision have been invaluable in driving HCG forward. Whether it was guidance, motivation, or simply being there when needed, Tinku’s unwavering support has made a significant impact on HCG’s journey.

Tinku

Along with him, Bheem Singh, Praveen Gadila, and Jakkula Krishna Yadav from HCG Dundigal riders have been unwavering in their financial and moral support since 2021. Their constant reassurance—“We are here for you, don’t worry about funds”—has been a source of motivation for HCG’s journey.

HCG Dundigal riders: Bheem Singh, Praveen Gadila, and Jakkula Krishna Yadav

Beyond financial aid, Sridhar Malupudi has been a steadfast moral supporter, ensuring that the vision of HCG remains strong despite challenges.

Sridhar Mallipudi

A truly inspiring member of HCG is Mr. Prasad Waddepally, whose journey in endurance cycling is nothing short of extraordinary. When he first met Ravinder at Necklace Road, he was riding a simple MTB bike and expressed his keen interest in joining HCG. His passion for cycling was evident from the beginning, and over time, his craze for endurance cycling grew intensely. Recognizing his potential, Ravinder encouraged him to upgrade to a road bike, and from that moment on, there was no looking back.

Prasad Waddepally

Prasad quickly became a cycling sensation and an ambassador for HCG, proudly wearing the prestigious HCG jersey wherever he rode. His dedication led him to become the first man in India to complete 100 days of 100 km rides consecutively. Not stopping there, he went on to achieve an even more remarkable feat—200 days of 100 km rides, setting an inspiring benchmark in the Indian cycling community. His consistency from 2018 to 2021 made him a role model for many cyclists, and to this day, people follow in his footsteps. Prasad has tirelessly promoted cycling in every nook and corner of Hyderabad, making him an indispensable asset to HCG and earning nationwide recognition for his achievements.

Recognizing the Young Champions of HCG

HCG has always been a community driven by passionate individuals, and some of our strongest supporters have been the young lot who joined us at a very early age. One such inspiring member is Jayant Juneja, who became a part of HCG while he was still in the 9th standard. His dedication to cycling and the community led him to complete the Kashmir to Kanyakumari (K2K) ride in 2021 alongside me. From the moment he joined, Jayant has been an unwavering pillar of support for HCG, helping to promote cycling and community-driven initiatives.

From Left: Jayant Juneja, Hrithik Melvani, Bhavesh Jaishwal, and Josh Haleb James

Apart from Jayant, we also have Hrithik Melvani, Bhavesh Jaishwal, and Josh Haleb James, who have played a crucial role in supporting HCG. These boys joined HCG when they were in the 9th standard, and their enthusiasm and commitment have helped strengthen the community’s presence. Their contributions, especially in spreading awareness about cycling, have been invaluable in our journey.

Mission 1000: Pedaling Towards a Brighter Future

One of the most heartfelt initiatives that HCG has undertaken is the cycle donation drive for underprivileged children. What started as a small effort in 2023 has now grown into a full-fledged mission. Our first step was to donate 30 cycles to a school in Siripura, Sangareddy District. The overwhelming support from the community helped us exceed our target, and by World Bicycle Day 2023, we successfully donated 32 cycles.

Since then, our impact has only grown. By the end of 2024, we proudly reached a milestone of donating 122 cycles to underprivileged students across multiple schools in Hyderabad and its outskirts. Most of these cycles have been donated to government schools, particularly benefiting underprivileged girls, ensuring they can access better educational opportunities.

Key Supporters Behind Mission 1000

This initiative would not have been possible without the incredible support of individuals and organizations who stepped forward to contribute.

• Prudhvi Cycling Studio and Dr. Cycle—two renowned cycling stores—played a key role in supporting our cycle donation drive in 2023 and 2024. Mr. Prudhvi (Prudhvi Cycling Studio) and Mr. Kalyan (Dr. Cycle) have generously helped us with cycle sponsorships, ensuring that we could extend our reach to more children in need. Their contribution has been instrumental in the success of this initiative.
  • 
    

    Dr. Cycle Store

• Mr. Devarajan, a dedicated member of HCG, has made a remarkable contribution by sponsoring 25 cycles in 2024 alone. His generosity and commitment to this cause have significantly strengthened our mission to empower young students through mobility.
  

  Devarajan

• Apart from organizations, many individuals have come forward to contribute to this noble cause. Their selfless donations and encouragement have played a crucial role in helping us achieve this milestone.

The Road Ahead: Mission 1000

But we are not stopping here. Our vision for 2025 is ambitious yet deeply meaningful—we aim to donate 1,000 cycles under Mission 1000.

With the unwavering support of our group members, kind-hearted individuals, and potential contributions from corporate sponsors, we are determined to make this vision a reality. The goal is to reach more schools and empower children from rural and marginalized backgrounds by giving them the means to access education more easily.

Together, we can pedal towards a brighter future—one cycle at a time!

Beyond Bicycles: Supporting Children’s Basic Needs

While visiting the Siripura Government School, we noticed something heartbreaking—many students came to school barefoot, without even a pair of slippers or shoes. This insight led us to expand our mission beyond cycle donations. In response, HCG stepped up and donated 500 pairs of school shoes to the children of Siripura.

The impact was immediate and profound. Just a few months after the donation, the school reported an increase in attendance and a remarkable pass percentage of 98.03%. These numbers reflect more than just statistics—they highlight how small acts of kindness can bring about significant change. When children feel valued and supported, their motivation to learn and grow increases.

A Commitment to Empowering the Next Generation

Looking ahead, we want to continue making a difference, not just by donating cycles but by addressing other essential needs of underprivileged school children. Whether it’s ensuring they have proper footwear, school supplies, or the necessities required for a dignified learning experience, HCG is committed to creating a lasting impact.

As we move forward with Mission 1000 and beyond, we remain grateful to our incredible HCG family. Their contributions—whether through time, resources, or financial support—continue to drive this movement forward. We believe that together, we can empower children with the tools they need to chase their dreams and pedal towards a brighter future.

Expanding HCG: A Community on the Rise

Ravinder always envisioned taking HCG beyond a single group and into different corners of Hyderabad. His dream was to create regional HCG communities—HCG North, South, East, and West—to make cycling more inclusive and accessible. Though expansion had been a challenge, 2024 turned out to be a game-changer.

David Paul took the lead in realizing this dream by establishing HCG West Spinners, ensuring that cyclists from the western part of Hyderabad became an integral part of HCG’s mission. His leadership and dedication have been crucial in making HCG’s expansion a reality.

David Paul

While many have contributed to HCG’s success, the names mentioned here represent just a fraction of those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Their passion and unwavering commitment have helped HCG thrive, and with their continued support, the future looks even brighter.

What’s Next for HCG?

Looking ahead, Ravinder envisions HCG achieving a Guinness World Record, elevating cycling to a global platform as a major sport.

During our conversation, he frequently emphasized the need to organize inter-city and inter-state cycling events to inspire riders from across the country. His advice? Keep following your passion, stay committed, and success will follow. Your dream will only get bigger and better with time.

So, are you ready to embrace the cycle of change like Ravinder did?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Stay Inspired with Us!
Love what you see? Let’s stay connected! Follow us on social media for daily doses of inspiring stories and exciting updates:
🌟 Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

Have a story to tell? We Believe in the Power of Your Journey.
Every story has the potential to inspire the world, and yours is no exception. Whether it’s a life-changing experience, a remarkable challenge, or a moment of triumph, we’re here to bring it to life. Share your story with us, and together, we’ll craft something extraordinary that resonates far and wide.

👉 Don’t wait—send us your journey today and let’s make it unforgettable!