UCC 2025: The Complete Story

✨ A Year When Ordinary People Did Something Extraordinary

There’s a moment every cyclist experiences. It usually comes around dawn, when the city is still sleeping, and you’re the only one on the road. The legs are warm, the mind is clear, and for a moment, everything makes sense. In 2025, fifty-three people from Udaipur decided to chase that moment. Again and again. Day after day. Together.

This is not a story about records or competition. It’s a story about what happens when ordinary people commit to something bigger than themselves. It’s about a community that discovered that the only limits are the ones we accept.

🌅 The Beginning: A Simple Decision

January started like every year—with resolutions and hope. Forty-seven men and six women from different walks of life laced their shoes and hit the roads around Udaipur. Some were experienced cyclists who had ridden for years. Some were discovering what their bodies could do for the first time. Some had never ridden a hundred kilometers in their lives. None of them knew what would happen by December.

What began as individual journeys would become a collective story. Over the course of 365 days, these fifty-three riders would cover 138,049 kilometers together. They would climb 683,212 meters—equivalent to ascending Mount Everest 77 times. They would spend 8,192 hours in the saddle, completing 5,644 rides. These numbers sound impossible until you realize they represent something deeper: people who chose the bike, day after day, as a way of life.

🌍 The Pattern That Emerges

As the months passed, a pattern became clear. These weren’t people training for a single race or event. They were people who chose cycling as a philosophy. A software engineer would wake at five in the morning before work to ride. A teacher discovered that weekend rides were her meditation. A student learned that mountains could be conquered with patience and will. A business owner found freedom on the open road.

They didn’t compare themselves to each other constantly. They simply showed up. One person rode almost every single day of the year—320 days without missing. Not because they were forced, but because staying home felt wrong. Another person rode less frequently but rode farther—covering over twelve thousand kilometers across fewer than three hundred rides. Some rode fast, pushing past thirty kilometers per hour. Some rode slowly, savoring every moment. Some rode together in groups, finding strength in community. Some rode alone, finding peace in solitude.

But they all rode. And in that consistency, something beautiful emerged. By mid-year, the rides stopped being purely about personal fitness. They became about community. Riders started waiting for each other at intersections. Experienced cyclists mentored newcomers on technique and mental toughness. A group chat filled with route suggestions, encouragement, and celebration of small victories. When someone completed their first hundred-kilometer ride, the entire community erupted in celebration. When someone hit a low point and almost quit, messages of support arrived from people they barely knew. When the monsoons came and flooded the roads, they adapted—finding new routes, new times, new ways to keep riding.

This wasn’t a competitive environment where riders fought for position. It was a family with a shared passion. They celebrated each other’s achievements as if they were their own. They supported each other through setbacks. They believed in each other when individual doubt crept in.

🔥 The Turning Point: When Limits Disappeared

Around August, something shifted fundamentally. The riders weren’t just accumulating kilometers anymore. They were pushing boundaries that seemed impossible. Someone rode through the night. Then through two nights. Then attempted something legendary: five hundred kilometers in forty-eight hours.

This would mean riding from Udaipur to a neighboring city and back. Twenty to twenty-five hours in the saddle. Watching two sunrises. Pushing through pain, fatigue, and the voice in your head that screams “stop.” Eight riders decided to attempt this together. They brought support crews. They brought determination. They brought the kind of courage that only comes from knowing your community has your back.

And they did it. All eight completed the five-hundred-kilometer ride. That moment became a turning point for everyone. It showed that limits were mostly mental. If these eight could accomplish something that seemed impossible, what else was possible? Suddenly, the boundaries that riders had accepted became negotiable. Suddenly, the distance that seemed unachievable last month seemed worth trying.

🎯 The Final Quarter: Breaking Personal Records

As the year entered its final months, the energy intensified. Riders pushed harder, explored farther, climbed steeper. Some aimed for a specific number of kilometers—chasing that magical total that represented their commitment. Others chased century rides—those hundred-plus-kilometer journeys that never get old, that always feel like an accomplishment.

One rider set an audacious goal: complete 47 hundred-kilometer rides in a single year. One per week. That would mean riding not just far, but consistently far. Not once, but over and over. By year-end, that rider had achieved it. Another rider decided something even more ambitious: ride 298 times in a year. That meant riding multiple times on many days—a commitment that required restructuring life around cycling. Not as sacrifice, but as priority. They did it too.

In that final month, the community rode harder than any other month. They covered twelve thousand kilometers and climbed nearly sixty-five thousand meters of elevation. Not because someone told them to. Because they wanted to honor what the year had given them. Because they understood that the year was ending, and this was their chance to prove something to themselves.

📏 The Distance Kings

Praveen Saikhedkar didn’t wake up one day and decide to ride twelve thousand kilometers in a year. Instead, he made a simpler decision: every day, go as far as you can. Some days that meant fifty kilometers. Some days it meant one hundred. Some days it meant riding twice. By year-end, he had covered 12,419 kilometers—more ground than most people travel in a lifetime. What made Praveen remarkable wasn’t just the distance. It was that he rode with intention. He rode with others. He shared routes. He encouraged people who were struggling. He showed that distance isn’t about being fastest or fittest—it’s about being willing to spend time on the bike.

Sudhanshu Mathur followed close behind with 10,269 kilometers, and Jayant Gc Nanawati accumulated 10,087 kilometers across the year. What these distance leaders had in common was consistency. They didn’t have perfect days. They had persistent ones. Watching them ride taught everyone else something fundamental: you can go farther than you think, if you simply decide that going far matters to you.

⛰️ The Mountain Masters

Bhawani Pandiya has a different relationship with climbing than most cyclists. When others see a steep hill and think “I’ll go around it,” Bhawani sees it as an invitation. His year wasn’t about avoiding challenge. It was about seeking it out. He climbed 45,358 meters—equivalent to scaling Mount Everest 5.1 times. Every ride became an opportunity to climb higher, to feel the burn in the legs, to experience that moment at the top where the effort was worth every second.

But what made Bhawani special wasn’t his power alone. It was his character. He never let his strength become arrogance. He celebrated when others completed their first century ride. He offered tips to struggling climbers. He showed that being strong doesn’t mean leaving others behind—it means lifting them up.

Praveen Saikhedkar also dominated elevation numbers with 66,037 meters climbed. Dr. Sharad Iyengar added 56,024 meters. These weren’t riders who avoided hills. These were riders who sought them out, who found beauty in the struggle, who understood that climbing is where character is built.

🔄 The Consistency Kings

Dr. Sharad Iyengar has an exceptional record: he rode 320 times in a single year. Nearly every day. That’s not obsession, but simply part of his life. Like eating or sleeping. His methodical approach proves that showing up consistently is the secret to success.

Sharad Jain rode 303 days, nearly eighty-three percent of the year. Gaurav Raj Gurjar logged 298 rides with remarkable sustainability. These riders proved something important: frequency doesn’t require sacrifice. It requires priority. It requires waking up and deciding that the bike matters.

⚡ The Speed Demons

Jitendra Patel rides fast. Not recklessly, but with the kind of sustained speed that comes from strength and technique. He maintained an average of 31.55 kilometers per hour—impressive across multiple rides, not just a one-day record. When Jitendra passes you on a ride, you feel it. There’s power and grace combined.

But what made Jitendra a champion wasn’t his speed alone. It’s that he never let speed become a barrier to community. He rode with groups, adjusted to their pace, and then pushed his own limits on solo rides. Bhawani Pandiya followed at 25.87 km/h average, and Rishabh Jain maintained 24.09 km/h. These riders showed that being fast doesn’t mean leaving others behind. It means inviting them to rise to your level.

💯 The Century Masters

Jayant Gc Nanawati completed 47 hundred-kilometer rides in a single year. One per week. That’s not about having more time than everyone else. That’s about having a relationship with distance that most of us never develop. Every century ride is a journey. It takes planning, preparation, and mental strength. Jayant didn’t just complete them—he celebrated each one as a unique experience. He showed that mastery comes from repetition with intention, not repetition for its own sake.

Praveen Saikhedkar achieved 43 centuries, and Bhawani Pandiya completed 31. These weren’t riders chasing numbers mindlessly. These were riders who understood that the hundred-kilometer milestone represents a transformation. Each one was a test passed, a doubt overcome, a limit broken.

💪 What These Champions Teach

Notice what these riders have in common: they didn’t become champions by being the most talented. They became champions by being the most committed. Praveen didn’t wake up able to ride 12,419 kilometers. He woke up ready to ride farther today than yesterday. Bhawani didn’t arrive at his climbing ability overnight. He chose the hills, again and again, until they became part of his identity. Dr. Sharad didn’t find extra hours in the day. He decided cycling was important enough to reorganize his life around.

Here’s what’s most interesting: they weren’t competing against each other. Praveen celebrated when Bhawani hit a personal elevation record. Dr. Sharad cheered when Jayant completed his 40th century. Jitendra spent rides helping others find their pace. They were competing against their own limits. And by doing that, they lifted everyone around them. That’s what made them champions.

🦸‍♂️ The Super Riders: When Three Riders Changed Everything

There’s a moment in every cyclist’s journey when something shifts. You stop asking “Can I do this?” and start asking “What’s the biggest thing I can attempt?” Three riders in 2025 reached that moment. And they pushed through it.

Nitesh Tak. Bhawani Pandiya. Rajendra Sharma, these three accomplished something only a handful of cyclists ever achieve: they rode one hundred kilometers, then two hundred kilometers, then three hundred kilometers, then five hundred kilometers—all in a single year. This isn’t about being faster than others. It’s about being braver than your own doubts.

🔶 Nitesh Tak: The All-Rounder. Nitesh doesn’t have a signature strength. He has many. He rode 6,464 kilometers. He climbed 32,204 meters. He completed 108 rides. He finished 27 hundred-kilometer rides. He excelled at everything he attempted. When asked about his approach, Nitesh would probably say something simple: “I just try to do everything well.” That’s the all-rounder’s secret. Not specializing in one thing, but excelling at everything you attempt. His five-hundred-kilometer ride taught him something profound: limits are mostly stories we tell ourselves. Once you break through one limit, the next one seems easier. Nitesh also completed the Annual Challenge—meaning he achieved not just one or two impressive metrics, but all of them together. Distance. Elevation. Consistency. Centuries. All in harmony.

🔶 Bhawani Pandiya: The Complete Athlete. Bhawani is what happens when natural ability meets relentless ambition. He rode 7,792 kilometers. He climbed 45,358 meters. He completed 106 rides. He finished 31 hundred-kilometer rides. He’s fast. He’s strong. He’s willing to suffer in ways that would break most people. But what makes Bhawani special is this: he never used his abilities to isolate himself. He rode with groups. He mentored younger riders. He celebrated others’ victories as much as his own. When Bhawani completed his five-hundred-kilometer ride, the entire community felt like they had accomplished something too. Because in some way, they had. Bhawani also conquered the Annual Challenge, proving that excellence across all dimensions is possible.

🔶 Rajendra Sharma: The Endurance Master. Rajendra’s approach is different from Nitesh and Bhawani. He doesn’t chase volume. He chases purpose. He rode 5,629 kilometers. He climbed 40,637 meters. He completed 104 rides. He finished 17 hundred-kilometer rides. Every ride is intentional. Every kilometer is meaningful. Every climb is chosen. This doesn’t mean slow. It means thoughtful. Rajendra proved something important: you don’t need to ride more to ride better. You need to ride with intention. His five-hundred-kilometer ride came after months of preparation and patience. When he finally attempted it, he was ready—not just physically, but mentally. Rajendra also completed the Annual Challenge, demonstrating that quality and mastery can be achieved without obsession.

🏆 The Annual Challenge Heroes

Beyond these three Super Riders, thirteen other cyclists completed something remarkable: the Annual Challenge. This required mastering distance, elevation, consistency, and long rides—not just one, but all of them together. It meant 5,000+ kilometers. 25,000+ meters of climbing. 150+ rides. 16+ hundred-kilometer journeys. These thirteen people were the true multi-category champions.

✳️ Akbar Ali Bandookwala — A true century machine who achieved 30 centuries with 2,094 kilometers and 4,735 meters of elevation. His relentless pursuit of 100+ kilometer rides set a benchmark for endurance excellence throughout the club.

✳️ Bhawani Pandiya — The powerhouse who dominates every metric with sheer determination and strength. His 45,358 meters of elevation proves he doesn’t just ride hills—he conquers them with authority. Super Rider and Challenge Champion, Bhawani proved that excellence across all dimensions is possible.

✳️ Bhupesh Shrimali — A dedicated warrior who conquered the annual challenge with 5,815 kilometers and 41,918 meters of elevation across 120 rides. His unwavering focus and discipline earned him a place among UCC’s elite achievers.

✳️Dinesh Sharma — A driven cyclist who pushed boundaries with 4,375 kilometers and 21,754 meters of elevation across 108 rides in 2025. His presence in the elite circle inspires every member to reach for their personal best.

✳️ Dr. Sharad Iyengar — The consistency legend who rode 320 times in 2025 to secure 88% of all days on the bike. His 8,114 kilometers and 56,024 meters of elevation prove his methodical approach works. Every day brought dedication.

✳️ Gaurav Raj Gurjar — The consistency king who logged 298 rides across 6,219 kilometers and 42,125 meters of elevation. His relentless spirit and determination set the gold standard for what dedication truly means. Quality over quantity.

✳️ Jayant Gc Nanawati — The century machine who completed 47 hundred-kilometer rides in 2025—one per week. His 10,087 kilometers and 40,363 meters of elevation redefined what’s possible in ultra-distance cycling. Weekly centuries became his signature.

✳️ Nitesh Tak — The all-rounder who excelled across every metric, balancing 6,464 kilometers, 32,204 meters of elevation, and 27 centuries with remarkable precision. Super Rider and Challenge Champion, Nitesh showed that versatility is strength.

✳️ Praveen Saikhedkar — The absolute champion who claimed distance, elevation, and century titles simultaneously with 12,419 kilometers and 66,037 meters. His 43 centuries and dominance across all categories set a new benchmark for what peak performance looks like.

✳️ Rahul Jain — A committed rider who showed up consistently with 233 rides and 5,992 kilometers across 16,215 meters of elevation. His dedication demonstrates that persistence and passion are the foundations of athletic achievement.

✳️ Rajendra Sharma — The endurance master who proved that wisdom and methodical planning beat flashy intensity. His 104 rides and 17 centuries show that sustainable consistency is the true path to conquering extraordinary challenges. Super Rider and Challenge Champion.

✳️ Sharad Jain — Consistency meets distance with 9,913 kilometers across 303 rides and 36,294 meters of elevation. His 16 centuries proved that dedication and discipline compound into remarkable achievements. His steady approach earned respect across the club.

✳️ Sudhanshu Mathur — The distance warrior who pushed through to log 10,269 kilometers across 222 rides with 20 centuries and 45,005 meters of elevation in 2025. His relentless commitment inspires every member to embrace the journey.

These thirteen riders—nearly twenty-five percent of our entire membership—contributed over half of the club’s total achievements. This is what dedication looks like. This is what happens when commitment becomes identity. They didn’t just complete the challenge. They redefined what’s possible within a single year.

🎯 What the Five-Hundred-Kilometer Ride Means

A five-hundred-kilometer ride takes twenty to twenty-five hours. You’ll watch two sunrises. You’ll question everything you think you know about your body. You’ll discover that the legs can go farther than the mind believes possible. It’s not about speed. A five-hundred-kilometer ride at twenty kilometers per hour average is still a five-hundred-kilometer ride. It’s about will. It’s about saying “I’m going to keep pedaling, no matter what.” It’s about pushing past the point where quitting seems reasonable.

When three riders from Udaipur accomplished this in a single year, it changed something. It made the impossible feel possible. For everyone.

🌟 What 2025 Built

2025 wasn’t just a year of riding. It was a year of building something permanent. It was building a community where ambition is celebrated. Where struggle is supported. Where showing up matters more than crossing finish lines. It was proving that ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they commit to each other. By the time New Year’s Eve arrived, something magical had happened. These fifty-three people from Udaipur had accomplished something that extended far beyond kilometers and elevation. They had built a community out of common passion. They had discovered strength they didn’t know they had. They had supported each other through doubt and pain. They had created memories that would last a lifetime. They had become family.

🚀 Looking Ahead: Welcome to 2026

The Udaipur Cycling Club is starting fresh with a new group, new energy, and the same values. We’re not here to break your records. We’re here to help you break your limits. We’re not here to judge your pace. We’re here to celebrate your progress. We’re not here to make you a champion. We’re here to help you become the best version of yourself.

If 2025 showed what’s possible, 2026 is about expanding that possibility for everyone. Whether you rode five hundred kilometers or fifty, whether you completed centuries or are working toward your first hundred, whether you rode three hundred days or three—you were part of something sacred. The roads that used to be empty in the early morning now have cyclists. The hills that once seemed unconquerable now have footprints. The person who never thought they could ride one hundred kilometers has done it multiple times. The community that started as strangers with a shared interest has become something sacred.

💙 A Final Word

2025 was unforgettable because fifty-three people decided to make it so. Not all of them rode twelve thousand kilometers. But all of them showed up. Not all of them became Super Riders. But all of them became part of a community that mattered. Not all of them will remember the exact dates or distances. But all of them will remember the sunrise rides, the group celebrations, the moment when they pushed harder than they thought possible.

That’s what 2025 really was. It was a year when ordinary cyclists became extraordinary. Not through talent, but through commitment. It was proof that community isn’t built on competition—it’s built on showing up for each other, week after week, month after month.

See you on the roads in 2026.

Ride on.
— Professor & Team UCC 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️

📊 2025 Complete Leaderboards

👩‍🚴 Women’s Category Leaders