WHO SAYS RETIRED LIFE CAN’T BE ADVENTUROUS?

For our new section, Outlook Money Retirement Chronicles, we will talk to seniors to understand how they carved their journey to retirement and how successful they were. We start with chronicling the journey of retired Delhi University professor Sunil Kumar, who embraced adventure in his 60s and turned around his financial life post retirement

- Versha Jain

Sunil Kumar, 71, may come across as just another gentleman in the neighbourhood spending his retirement years in comfort.

But don't let that gentle charm beguile you. He is an adventurer by heart and his lifestyle is anything but sedentary. In fact, he leads a very active lifestyle, taking part in marathon cycling events and treks.

It all began in 2016 when at the age of 63 he was cajoled by his daughter and son-in-law, both active cyclists, to take up cycling as a hobby. They also gifted him one, and a few years later, in 2019, just before retiring as an associate professor from Delhi University, he decided to take up cycling as a serious hobby.

“I told them I can't do it. I was hesitant. When they gifted me a cycle, I had two options—ride it or hang clothes on it. I chose cycling. I started cycling in my society first, and when my stamina improved, I went to other places,” says Sunil.

Now, Sunil, who originally hails from Nainital, has three cycles— Road, Mountain, and Hybrid bike versions. Besides cycling, he is also into trekking now. And it’s serious business not a casual sport. His accolades include the Super Randonneur (SR) honour for long-distance cycling, which is given to individuals for cycling 200, 300, 400, and 600 km, and more, by Audax India, affiliated to French Cycling Club Audax France, and high-altitude treks to Adi Kailash, Om Parvat and Everest Base Camp.

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