From scaling the Himalayas, to cycling across South East Asia, Ramakant Mahadik and his friends are reshaping our ideas of ageing
The team on their way to Hanoi. Pics Courtesy/Ramakant Mahadik
As the summer climbs to troublesome temperatures, Ramakant Mahadik often packs his cycle into the local train to Karjat. The outskirts of Mumbai offer the 72-year-old a chance to cycle in peace. But unlike others who might spend an hour on their bike, Mahadik (right) opened 2026 with six other cyclists on a 3850-km-long expedition across four countries.
Cycling is his second love. Mahadik has been a mountaineer since 1982, and completed a Diploma Course in Mountaineering as an engineer. “My first winter expedition was to Gangotri in 1982,” he recalls. Soon, he would summit Bhagirathi in Kumaon, Suli Top in Uttarakhand, and later was a member on a civil expedition to Kanchenjunga in 1988.
Ramakant Mahadik
Having retired in 2012, Mahadik formed a group with cyclists from Mumbai and Panvel, many of them former mountaineers. Over the last decade, they have cycled their way through Maharashtra, on cross country trips from Mysore to Kashmir, and even to Leh.
Yet, when the thought of an international expedition across four countries came up in 2025, the group was stepping into new territory. “We had planned to cycle into Bangladesh, and cross over to Myanmar to start. But the geopolitical situation forced our hand,” shares Mahadik. So, the six-member team of Mahadik, Sanjay Katti (68), Dhananjay Madan (67), Raju Patil (59), Monish Chakravarti (55), and Sanjay Kumthekar (62) flew down to Bangkok in December, cycling up to Laos, turning south to Cambodia, and onward to Vietnam. The 62-day-long trip (including stopovers) came with challenges, but also learnings.
“You learn to adapt, work according to your limitations and needs.” the senior-most member of the group says.
Back home, Mahadik continues to enjoy his long trips on the cycle. Does he worry about his age getting in the way? “The only time I worried was after my angioplasty in 2015. But it prompted a shift in lifestyle, in my diet, and exercise. Now, I cycle almost every day,” he says.
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Bicycle bliss
Ramakant Mahadik offers handy advice to seniors
. Be aware of your health issues and build fitness
. Start with small circuits
. Balance can be an issue with many seniors. Ensure that you have help at hand
. Use cycling to destress and discover new ways to travel
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