7th Edition of Freedom Ride, India’s Biggest Cycling Event, Hyderabad

India’s biggest corporate cycling extravaganza Freedom Ride – 2015 held here in city today at Madhapur. Organised by The Atlanta Foundation (TAF), it was flagged off by Dr. Srinubabu Gedela, CEO of OMICS International, Jayesh Ranjan, IT Secretary, Bharani Kumar, Secretary, Cyberabad Security Council.

Children of five schools—Siddiquenagar School, Anjaiah nagar School, Gachibowli Primary and High School and CNN Tanda School , which The Atlata Foundation has adopted have joined in hoisting the national flag.

The Ride was organised to raise charities for United Way of Hyderabad.

More than 5000 cycling enthusiasts participated. Highlight was a 76 years old auto driver Mohd Haneef, who participated for the third time. I participated and rode bicycle for 10kms, 67kms and 100kms too, announced Mohd Haneef from Banjara Hills.

I participate because cycling is good for health, he said.

Cyient, OMICs International, Dr. Reddy Labs, Green Park, Bank of America, Broad Ridge, Deloitte, HSBC, Wells Fargo and about 12 companies nominated 100 plus participants to participate in the Freedom Ride.

Corporate Executives from GE, Deloitte, Amazon, CA Technologies, Wipro, Novotel, Novartis, Invesco, Karvy, InRhythm, Polycom, Zen Q, Progress Software, Suther land, Pega, TEK Systmes, Avasa, Marigold have also participated. Riders from nearly 100 top corporate houses participated in the event.

The rides include The 68 km Signature Ride of Freedom Ride – 2015 which is conceptualized to coincide with the 68 years of India’s Independence.

The other rides inlcude Joy Ride – a shorter distance of 5 km and Corporate Relay Ride for cyclists to ride together as a team.

We have this year introduced Malli Mastan Babu Trophy for Freedom Ride Champion in honour of World’s Fastest 7 Summiteer. This trophy goes to the professional riders who ride signature rides.

This year 50 professionals from all over India have come to participate in 68 kms signature ride informed Deenanath Harapanahalli, Founder & CEO of TAF. A total of Rs 68,000/- worth prizes will be given to the Winner and Participants.

This prize amount coincides with the 68years of India’s Independence.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Srinubabu Gedela, CEO of OMICS said, “Cycling is one of the easiest ways to exercise. You can ride it almost anywhere, anytime of the year without spending much money. It builds strength and muscle tone.

It builds stamina. It is a good stress buster, improves cardio-vascular fitness.

It eats up lot of calories. It improves heart health”

“I am happy to see that more women for getting into bicycle riding either for fitness or fun. It is a welcome sign. I am one of the many women participants today. I enjoyed doing it.

In a world where more and more women are participating in athletic competition, why does cycling remain such a male-dominated sport? You must create an inviting environment for more women to take cycling” said, Nirmala, one of the participants of the Freedom Ride 2015.

A young participant, Priyanka observed that “another way to create an inviting environment is to organize a women-only group ride centered around teaching new cyclists about safety and the basic skills needed to ride alongside others on the road”.

The event was supported by ITE & C Dept, Govt of Telangana; HYSEA, NASSCOM, Cyberabad Security Council, TEDx, OMICS International, while the Healthcare Partner is MaxCure, the Nutrition Partner of the event is Zealeo, supported by Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC), Telangana State ITE&C department, Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC), Pega Systems.