Delhi By Cycle

Saturday morning was the most exciting part of my dad’s stay. I had arranged for us to take part in a cycle tour of Delhi that began at 630 in the morning. We woke up early and went to the predetermined meeting point in Old Delhi, where we met our guide, Shashi, and the Indian family who were also part of our group. After going through some basic safety rules, we were off!

At first, it was terrifying. The tour took us through the dirty, windy streets of Old Delhi, where we had to dodge rickshaws, motorcycles, pedestrians and the occasional cow. Despite the overwhelming beginning of the journey, the ride became quite fun. The streets of New Delhi in particular are quite different at 7 am. With very little traffic, we were able to enjoy the colonial architecture and appreciate the beauty of Delhi. My favorite part of the ride was the stretch down Raj Path, a road that connects the President’s House to India Gate. It is flat, line with trees, and overall ideal for a bike ride.

We finished with an Indian breakfast at a local restaurant and then took a rickshaw back to the hotel, where we opted for a midmorning nap.

Our great guide Shashi

My Dad and I in Connaught Place; usually the road behind us is jampacked with cars but at 7 am it was deserted

An impressive view of India Gate at the end of the Raj Path. The stones of the gate are inscribed with the names of Indians who lost their lives in World War II