Re-cycling Cycling

I remember that in the 1960s this was a very common sight in small towns in India: There would be a huge pit dug in the ground and somebody would be cycling inside it round and round. There would also be a signpost saying how many days he had been cycling for. The cyclist usually from a poor background would be doing this to raise money - for a family member or friend who was ill and couldn't pay hospital bills. Usually there would be a crowd encouraging his efforts. Sometimes, a friend would run alongside the cyclist as he did his rounds inside the pit, giving him a drink of water. I haven't seen this in a long time.