Critical Mass Islamabad marks its 100th Ride... 'The Century Ride: Spirit on the Wheels' with more than 130 bicycling enthusiasts

- Posted on: may 06, 2013 | Comments

The crowd of around 130 bicycling enthusiasts from all walks of life, gathered at Faisal Mosque on Sunday (May 5, 2013) evening, truly echoed the main theme of Critical Mass Islamabad’s (CMI) mega “Century Ride: Spirit on the Wheels’.The highly spirited children, women, young people and men gathered to mark CMI’s 100^th ride, reiterated the group’s agenda of promoting and encouraging cycling as an environment friendly, healthy communal sport as well as an alternate mode of transportation. The Islamabad Traffic Police, joined hands in the initiative by providing assistance to the cyclists on the roads and all the busy intersections.

Critical Mass Islamabad marks its 100th Ride... 'The Century Ride: Spirit on the Wheels' with more than 130 bicycling enthusiasts

The ride started from the Shah Faisal Masjid (parking on the right side, next to the kiosk) and taking the route from Khayaban-e-Iqbal F-7, F-6, arrived at the haunted hill/ hot spot café in F-6. The 100^th ride cake was cut by the youngest members of the group which included 4 to 8 years old boys and girls. Women felt elated that they had a space where they could pursue such activities, without any social pressures and barriers. Some of the avid cyclists had postponed other important commitments to take part in the event. The event also gave an opportunity to raise awareness among automobile owners about rights of the cyclists, when the Islamabad Traffic Police, efficiently facilitated and made way for the bicyclists to pass through the busy roads.

Critical Mass, Islamabad (CMI) is a not for profit, volunteer based group of cycling enthusiasts that was initiated in 2009. The socially conscious group ensures that cyclists follow traffic rules, road safety procedures and respect gender and class diversity. The group has explored many routes ‘on-road’ and ‘off-road’ to give the riders an opportunity to explore the scenic beauty of Islamabad and its surroundings. Some of the routes explored includes the Shah Allah Ditta caves, Shahdrah village, Trail 6, Sangrial Village, Simly Dam, Khanpur Dam, Daman-e-Koh, Monal etc. Men, women and children belonging to all ages and walks of life are part of the CMI family. What initially started as a five to ten member group in 2009 has now grown to a mass of more than twothousand members, with at least fifteen to twenty members taking part in the weekly Sunday rides and up to a hundred in the mega rides, arranged every three months.

As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
January 2021