KARACHI: As dawn broke on Sunday, one noticed several bicycles lined up at the Aga Khan University (AKU) Hospital’s Sports and Rehabilitation Centre.

There was also one restless soul there busy trying bicycles out ahead of the ‘Healthy Heart Bicycle Ride’ organised by Docs on Wheels.

“A bicycle is like a shoe, which should fit you just right,” Dr Aamir Jafarey from general surgery at the AKU informed Dawn as he pulled out another pair of wheels to get on and try.

The others who joined him were not that restless though. Several had brought their own cycles. Dr Saulat Fatmi, one of the founders of Docs on Wheels, said that the wheels parked there already were rented but those who were regular bikers, like himself, had their own bicycles for the ride.

About Doc on Wheels, he said that they are a group of enthusiastic doctors who started cycling over a year ago, which soon turned into a regular activity. “We would gather at 6.15am four times a week and cycle up to 18kms,” he said.

Some 150 medical students, consultants take part in a cycle ride from AKUH to DHA Phase 8

About the current ride, he said that they have arranged a cycle ride for some 150 AKU medical students and consultants for the AKU to DHA Phase 8 ride. “It is called the ‘Healthy Heart Bicycle Ride’ to create awareness of healthy activities such as cycling to prevent heart disease,” he said, adding that 99 per cent of all the riders were doctors, senior consultants and students at the AKU.

AKUH CEO Dr Shahid Shafi, himself a part of the first batch of students who passed out from the university in 1988, was glad to see so many medical students also taking part in the ride.

“I have only recently returned from Dallas after spending some 30 years there. And seeing all these students brings back memories. I am also here with them today to support heart health,” he said. “Heart diseases are on the rise and they affect everyone though they go under-recognised in women,” he added.

Enthusiastic students

Zainab Nadeem and Zainab Khan, both students of fifth year who wanted to be referred to as the ‘Dynamic Zainabs’, said that they were a healthy and very motivated duo. “I had dates for breakfast,” said Zainab Nadeem and Zainab Khan added to that with: “I had apples for breakfast.”

Meanwhile, Mohammed Musa Hamza, a first year student, said that he was there with 37 other first year students.

Dean of the AKU Medical College Dr Adil Haider said that he was quite used to cycling around Karachi.

“I used to cycle every day during the pandemic just to keep on going,” he said. “It is a very healthy exercise and once you get into the habit of doing it daily you don’t want to stop or miss a day,” he said.

Dr Dinaz Ghandhi and Sajida Bandukwala had arrived at the starting point at AKUH from their homes in DHA Phase-I and Zamzama, respectively, on their bikes. Already warmed up they were keen to start the ride. “The sun will be out soon, so we better be on our way,” said Dr Dinaz as they frowned at Dr A. Jafarey who was still trying out bicycles.

Dr Asad Ali said that he used to cycle every day before coming to hospital during the pandemic as there was less traffic on the roads then but now he cycles during the weekends.

Dr Rizwan Khan, Dr Haroon Tayyab, Dr Fazal Rahman and anaesthesiologist Dr Khalid Samad, all part of Docs on Wheels along with Dr S. Fatmi, also helped the other bikers move along smoothly in a group as they would also stop occasionally during the ride to control traffic even though there was police to keep the roads clear for them.

There was also a coach moving with the bikers for them to leave the race and get on in case they felt tired. “It’s a fun ride, so you can also do that,” Dr Fatmi reminded.

From AKU to Karsaz and then passing through Sharea Faisal, FTC, Kala Pul, Khayaban-i-Ittehad, the bikers finally reached their destination, the Creek Club in DHA Phase-8 where a scrumptious breakfast awaited them.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2021