KARACHI: The poster of a big red heart taking off by flapping its long white wings, the beating heart as it appears on an ECG and bicycle riders of all genders and ages brought out hundreds of riders to the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Sports Complex. Out on a Sunday, that also at 6am, they displayed much more courage and spirit than the Docs on Wheels slogan ‘Thoree see himmat’ urges them to show.

They were like a sea of red, as per the dress code for participants, trying out the bikes that had been rented out for them by the organisers of the ‘World Heart Day Ride’, which arrived for them on five trucks.

Anum Annie Subhani, a fourth year student from the School of Nursing, did not take much time to select a bicycle for herself.

“I’m basically looking for thinnest of wheels as they are also faster,” she told Dawn as she checked her bike.

Perhaps underestimating the enthusiasm, the organisers had ordered 195 bicycles, which fell short of the requirement as some participants who were a bit slow to grab a bike were left without one.

That would also include Murad Bana, a manager at AKUH, who looked too chill as he said, “Oh there are plenty of bicycles. I’ll pick one for myself soon.”

When the cyclists were off, he had to be one of those happily seeing them off and heading off to the swimming pool side to be content with the breakfast prepared for the cyclists after their return.

Of course, the rented bikes were only for those who did not have their own bicycles with them. Many had also brought their personal bicycles with them.

The ride took the riders, which also included some other riding clubs such as Eco Riders, from the Sports Complex ground to Stadium Road, Karsaz, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Rashid Minhas Road, Dalmia Road and back. If they got confused, they were to follow the riders in the neon green jerseys, the organisers. Besides, there were police mobiles to also help the riders all along the way.

The main person behind Docs on Wheels, Dr Saulat Fatmi, who also happens to be a cardiothoracic surgeon at AKUH, applauded all the participants of this very special annual ride, for promoting heart-healthy activities such as cycling.

“Heart disease is the biggest killer in our country even though 80 per cent of heart diseases are preventable,” he said, while urging people to invest in their health too while investing their time in making money.

“You have to have time for yourself. You should set priorities for yourself,” said the doctor who also celebrates his birthday on World Heart Day.

Abdullah bin Faisal, a third year medical student at AKU, proudly claimed to be a mentee of Dr Fatmi. “He is the most energetic doctor here. He keeps motivating all of us,” he said, adding that he was there after a year’s gap only because of him. “I intend to keep cycling now,” he smiled.

Plastic surgeon Dr Safdar Ali, who designed the World Heart Day Ride poster, was big another motivator being there with his better half, Hina, 13-year-old daughter, Sara Bakhtawar, nine-year-old son, Ayaan Ali, and three-year-old toddler, Mohammad Ibrahim, who even though could not ride a bicycle yet, was there in his little ride-on toy car.

Still, no one could claim to be the biggest motivator for heart-healthy activities, particularly cycling, than 71-year-old general surgeon Dr Irfan Daudi, who had cycled to the event on his personal bicycle from DHA Phase-5.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2024