Cyclothon Inspires Hyderabad Women Riders

Radha Valasareddy, an HR professional who began cycling at 47, has progressed from seven‑kilometre group rides to 50 and 100 km distances. She finished second in her age category during the inaugural Hyderabad edition. “Until then, cycling was largely a fitness activity. Suddenly, people were training for a race, setting targets and improving timings,” she said.

Allu Kumari, a 26‑year‑old Hyderabad Police officer, started cycling four years ago and has already secured two podium finishes at the Cyclothon. She also represented Telangana at the Police Nationals in Punjab this year, where she was the only woman from the state police department to participate.

According to Hyderabad Cycling Revolution (HCR) co‑founder Ravi Netha Sambari, registrations for this year’s event stand at around 2,100, compared with 2,000 last year. “When corporates organise events of this scale, they allow ordinary cyclists to experience competitive racing. It brings visibility to the sport and encourages regular participation,” he said.

The event features professional and amateur races alongside a non‑competitive Green Ride. The prize purse is ₹33.6 lakh. Prime Arena, Osman Nagar, will be the gathering point, with routes closed to traffic between 5 am and 10 am. The Cycling Federation of India is handling race arrangements, while the Telangana government, Cyberabad Police and civic bodies are assisting. Women account for 15 per cent of entrants.

Radha, who balances cycling with her HR job and family responsibilities, said she hopes more women will step out of their comfort zones. “Women of a certain age should try. When there is a will, there is a way.” Kumari echoed the sentiment: “I encourage colleagues and friends to take up cycling. Seeing more women participate will inspire others.”

While Kumari is aiming for another podium finish, Radha has a simpler goal: “To turn up, participate and finish the race. That itself is an achievement.”