For almost 4 exhausting days, a gaggle of devoted cyclists pedaled all the best way from Bulgarian capital Sofia with one objective in thoughts: reaching their beloved vacation spot Istanbul.
Battling fatigue and enduring excessive climate circumstances, they pushed themselves to the restrict. As they lastly pedaled into Istanbul’s iconic Sultanahmet Square, their hearts raced with pleasure.
The sight of the majestic minarets of the Blue Mosque left them in awe, marking the triumphant finish of their unbelievable journey.
There are some ways to assist individuals and make the world higher. Some journey to distant corners of the globe to offer therapeutic and care to the sick, others select to pedal for days and canopy numerous kilometers alongside difficult and rugged roads.
Founded a decade in the past, the London-based Hope and Knowledge (H&Ok) Cycle Club, together with its devoted members, has remodeled their love for biking right into a significant endeavor, collaborating with a number of charitable organizations to make a constructive impression around the globe.
“The club started 10 years ago with a group of brothers. Just six or seven people who just wanted to do something for charity and enjoy cycling as well,” Shamsul Abdin, the membership’s co-founder, advised Anadolu.
Comprising of primarily Bangladeshi-origin riders, alongside people from India, Pakistan and Türkiye, the membership boasts a gaggle of individuals from many age teams, spanning from 17 to 58.
“We enjoy cycling and it’s something that we do on every Saturday, whether it’s hot, cold, rain outside, and it’s just our way of doing something for humanity,” Abdin mentioned.
H&Ok Cycle Club has three foremost events-National Ride, Three Cities, and Hijrah Ride.
The National Ride can happen between any two cities within the UK, the Three Cities occasion covers locations in Europe, whereas the Hijrah Ride runs from Mecca and Medina, two of Islam’s holiest websites positioned in Saudi Arabia.
To elevate funds, riders additionally arrange their very own pages or attain out to pals and households for donations.
DREAM DESTINATION: ISTANBUL
Last 12 months, the Three Cities journey spanned from Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina to Nis in Serbia, coming to an finish in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital.
“Our idea was to start from London and to finish in Istanbul,” Abdin mentioned.
This 12 months, the group launched into their journey on Aug. 27, beginning in Sofia and progressing to Plovdiv earlier than reaching their long-awaited vacation spot, the bustling metropolis of Istanbul, within the early hours of Aug. 30.
“Now, where we are in Istanbul is what we’ve been dreaming about cycling,” Abdin mentioned, with a radiant smile adorning his face.
“Istanbul was chosen because of its vibrant history and because of the fact that most of our cyclists are Muslims. We have an emotional attachment to Istanbul. We have an attachment to Türkiye as well,” he added.
“We’ve been to many cities, over a course of 10 years, we have cycled through 52 European cities. I will be honest, there is no other European city like Istanbul. And the fact it’s a gateway to Asia makes it a very unique city as it sits on two continents.”
He mentioned the journey to Istanbul marks the tip of the membership’s 10-year Three Cities undertaking.
The closing leg of their extraordinary journey had 29 devoted riders who coated almost 400 miles over three intense days.
They managed to lift a staggering £115,000 ($145,000), enabling them to assemble over 75 everlasting three-bedroom properties for Syrian households residing in refugee camps.
FOR A NOBLE CAUSE
Mohamed Hajat, a membership member, defined what motivated the group to maintain shifting via the difficult occasions they confronted on the journey.
“When you think about the causes you’re raising money for that’s what really helps because when you’re struggling, you’ve done 90 miles or 120 miles, your body is shaking, your muscles are hurting … you think about what you’re trying to do … to help people change their lives,” he mentioned.
Soifur Rahman, one other bicycle owner, mentioned the members really feel “blessed to have helped many different people in many countries.”
He mentioned the membership’s in depth philanthropic efforts embody sponsoring Rohingya orphans, funding coronary heart surgical procedures for youngsters in several nations and supporting maternal clinics and medical camps.
Abdin identified that “there’s always people in need out there, especially in the Muslim world.”
“So what we decided to do was do use something that we enjoy, which is cycling, and to give something back to humanity. And it worked out brilliantly,” he mentioned.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
