I celebrated Independence Day 2016 by cycling 20 km. early in the morning. Nothing remarkable in itself because I did that with 144 cyclists who had all participated in the Independence Day cycle ride organised by Everest Cycling Culture, Navi Mumbai. However, I stood out in the crowd because I was the only woman rider wearing a 2-year-old toddler on my back, in a baby carrier.
Before you freak out at the picture and worry that what I did was a dangerous stunt, please calm down and breathe. I have been cycling since I was 4-years-old. I have been babywearing since my daughter was 7 months old. I have been doing both together for quite some time now. I know it looks dangerous, and many people won't approve or recommend it, but hear me out, please.
I wouldn't call myself a fitness freak, but I do practice yoga and doing Zumba. I practiced yoga throughout my pregnancy. After the birth of my daughter, I was in bad shape. And I don't mean that I was fat, but I had no stamina or flexibility. Slowly, I started yoga again and guess what, my daughter gave me company! She would crawl around me while I did the Vrksasana, climb over my back when I did Vakrasana, and army crawl under my while I planked! Soon she was copying me doing the Surya Namaskar. We have had such amazing memories when I wore her and did Zumba! So it felt only natural for her to accompany me when I decided to start cycling again.
I first rode my cycle to get the feel of it and to make sure I still had a sense of balance. Then I wore her and rode a short distance. Luckily, my daughter is communicative and understands instructions. Every time we start a ride, I tell her 'Don't wiggle or move. If you want my attention, say excuse me; do not grab me', and she follows that! Because she knows, if she wants to ride, she has to follow the rules. Nowadays, she tells me the 'rules' with a grin. The moment we mount the bike, she says 'Whoa, I am enjoying this' and I know we'll do it all right.
I only ride on roads or footpaths where there's thin or no traffic. I prefer riding in parks and walking paths and I keep the pace slow to medium. Every 10 minutes or so, I ask my daughter if she's comfortable and wants to stop.
I hadn't realised that what I do is novel until people started approaching us for pictures. I have received appreciative glances, thumbs ups and many smiles from people who see us enjoying our bike ride. I have had mothers come up and say how wonderful they find the whole idea and wish they could do something like that. My answer to them -- if you want to and are confident about it, please go ahead!
Many people also ask me why I carry my child when cycling. I do so to set an example that fitness is important, physical exercise is important, especially for a mother whose body has undergone the strenuous process of carrying and birthing a child. I need to show her that exercising should be a part of your routine, just like eating and sleeping. And most importantly, I show her that exercising should be fun. 'Enjoying is the whole point,' I tell her when we cycle. She has had a tricycle at home that she barely touches, but she actually pedalled and rode a training cycle at the Independence Day ride at Everest cycling culture! This shows me that we are going in the right direction. I was glad to see a dad babywearing and cycling at the Independence Day ride.
I will continue to cycle with her and am getting a cycle seat (one with buckles and harness) to use when it gets too much to carry her. I recommend every mom out there to start exercising, kids in tow and make it a party. It is one thing that your child will forever thank you for.
If you have questions, comments or feedback, so share in the comments
Image source: Everest Cycling Culture Co.
