From Kashmir to Kaniyakumari in 8 days: Kashmiri cyclist completes record-breaking ride
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From Kashmir to Kaniyakumari in 8 days: Kashmiri cyclist completes record-breaking ride

As he removed his helmet, Adil Teli learnt that he had broken the previous record held by 18-year-old, Om Hitendra Mahajan, a resident of Nashik in Maharashtra, who completed the challenge in 8 days 7 hours 38 minutes from 13- 21 November 2020.

Post by on Tuesday, March 30, 2021

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A Kashmiri endurance athlete has broken the record for travelling from Kashmir to Kaniyakumari by bike, in 8 days one hour and 37 minutes after he set off.

As he removed his helmet, Adil Teli learnt that he had broken the previous record held by 18-year-old, Om Hitendra Mahajan, a resident of Nashik in Maharashtra, who completed the challenge in 8 days 7 hours 38 minutes from 13- 21 November 2020.

Adil started his journey from Srinagar, Lal Chowk clock tower at 7:00AM on March 23, and reached Kanyakumari at 9:00AM on March 30, 2021 overcoming many obstacles in my way for breaking the record. He rode on his bike for 21 hours per day, covered an average distance of 400 Km on average and slept for only two hours.

Rising Kashmir’s Correspondent Yaqoob Ali spoke to Adil Teli, 23, hailing from central Kashmir’s Budgam district who peddled nearly 3650 Km on bicycle.

 

 

Adil’s expedition:

Traveling across the country is not as easy as it seems to be, there are many challenges, joys and several difficulties, one needs to bear lot of pain and face many challenges of weather and nature. Owing to inclement weather conditions, mountainous range and frequent landslides on Srinagar- Jammu national highway, it was the toughest phase as the rain started pouring from day one soon after Div.Com Kashmir Pandurang. K Pole flagged off my journey. Then the hot weather in southern part of India was another challenge, as it was difficult to ride there, but I never gave up.

 

Never say die attitude:

At times, it seemed to me that I should give up my dream of making a record, owing to cuts beneath the seat post in my groin, and swelling in knees with enormous pains, but my dream for accomplishing and registering name in Guinness Book of World records kept pushing me harder towards my goal.

 

 

Average travel per day:

My travelling started this journey from Srinagar, Lal Chowk clock tower at 7:00AM on March 23, reached Kanyakumari at 9:00AM on March 30, 2021.

I rode 20 to 21 hours per day, covered an average distance of 400 Km on average and slept for only two hours. The remaining one hours plus was for getting refreshed. There were instances when I felt low and questioned myself why I should complete it? I was motivated by a very supportive crew.

 

Cycling Career:

 I started my career when I was just in my teens, since then, I have been representing Jammu and Kashmir in various national level championships. I have played one junior national and five senior national level championships from 2015 to 2018 so far. Similarly, I have represented Kashmir University at all India University Championships for three years from 2015 to 2018.

 

Motivation:

Since my childhood, I always wanted to do something different, as cycling being my passion, I saw many people around the world making and breaking records, I realized when they can , I can too and decided to break the record of Om Hitendra Mahajan this year after I got acceptance from Guinness book of world records.

Srinagar – Leh journey in my life was a turning point, which boosted me to go for more and I started aiming for the World Record. But it’s not an easy task to set a world record, as it needs dedication, passion, stamina and a proper guidance and training. I was very much passionate about my dream. The only thing in my mind was – Chase a dream of setting world record and beat the unbeatable.

 

Preparation for expedition:

 

To break the Guinness record, I had been working hard for the past six months in the state of Punjab.

 

Education:

I did my schooling from Government Boys Higher Secondary School Magam, and graduated from Kashmir University, and am currently pursuing bachelors’ degree in physical education from Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjab.

 

Previous achievements:

I have completed 440 Kms journey in 26 hours and 30 minutes last. Beside this record, I also have covered different altitude passes like Zoji La (3528 mts), Namik La (3700 mts), Fatu La (4108 mts).

In the process, the highest BPM was recorded by 206 and average speed remained 20 with maximum was 72. With this, I have broken the previous records set by three groups in the year 2014, 2015 and 2018.

 

Obstacles:

Lack of proper infrastructure and coaches are the big hindrances in flourishing cycling talent in the valley. We have been practicing cycling without coaches for a decade. There is lack of support from the government towards cycling, they should support and promote cycling along with other sports, so that this sports can flourish in valley. We are being sponsored by private firms/entrepreneurs/individuals.

 

Credit for success:

I would like to thank Allah who bestowed me with such a potential and kept me steadfast, then to my sponsors, Abraq Agro for providing me all necessary equipment and kits and without their support I could not have made this, to my parents, crew members and the people of Kashmir who kept praying for my success.

 

Future plans:

I will be working on for representing country at international platforms, and JK at national.

 

 

Message to youth:

My message to my fellow youth in valley is that they should refrain in getting trapped in drug addiction and other bad habits, rather must take part in sports as sports not only makes one physically fit but also mentally strong to meet the practical challenges of the world.

 

 

 Journey Route:

 

Lal Chowk-Sanant Nagar-NH-44_Qazigund New Tunnel Banihal

 

Ramban Nashri tunnel Udhumpur Dhar road Samba

 

Lakhanpur Pathankot Damtal Jalandhar Ludhiana

 

Sirhind Delhi Palwal Agra Gwalior Jhansi Lalitpur

 

Sagar Nagpur Adilabad Hyderabad Gutti Kurnool

 

Anantapur Chikballapur Bangalore Salem Dindigul

 

Madurai Kanyakumari