100 Days of Madness: How a Cycling Challenge Changed My Life

Introduction:
Life used to feel like a never-ending loop of 9-to-5 routines. Wake up, work, sleep, repeat. I kept thinking, There has to be more to life than this. And then, in 2017, I found my escape—my bicycle.

What started as a way to break the monotony turned into a passion that took me on cross-country rides to Amritsar, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Agra, and beyond. But nothing could have prepared me for the Bergamont Tour De100 2020—a 100-day cycling challenge that tested my limits, reshaped my mindset, and showed me what I was truly capable of.

The Challenge Begins

The Tour De100 wasn’t just a race; it was a 5-stage, 100-day grind designed to push riders to their absolute limits. Each stage had six challenges, and earning points was the only way to climb the leaderboard. The goal? To be an Event Finisher and earn that coveted medal by scoring at least 1,500 points.

Four of us from the Noida Extension Cycling Club (NECC) took on this madness together. We started with one thing in mind: No matter what, we’re finishing this.

The Journey: Blood, Sweat, and Paranthas

The first stage felt like a breeze. A 100 km endurance ride? Easy. But as the challenges progressed, so did the difficulty. By the second stage, we were tackling 125 km rides, and I watched my fellow riders achieve personal milestones. One of our female riders, whom I now call the Betty Skelton of our group (after the legendary aviator and auto racer), completed her maiden 145 km ride with her family cheering her on.

Then came winter. Fog, chilly winds, and rain became our constant companions. The 150 km ride to Garh Mukteshwar was one of the toughest. Dense fog and rain interrupted us repeatedly, but we kept going—fueled by tea, paranthas, and sheer determination.

One of my co-riders, Rahul, got a puncture mid-ride, but we didn’t let that stop us. We made it to Garh Ganga, took some stunning photos with the Ganges in the background, and rode back in a light drizzle. The videos our friend Abhinav shot of us riding through the fog, with epic music in the background, are memories I’ll cherish forever.

The Breaking Point

By the fourth stage, we were staring down a 175 km ride. Gaurav, Vijay, and I decided to kick off 2021 with a bang by attempting it on January 1st. But the universe had other plans. Dense fog forced us to abandon the ride within 30 minutes.

We tried again on January 2nd. It was freezing cold—I wore two pairs of socks and multiple layers, but the chill still bit through. Rain in Delhi nearly derailed us again, but we pushed through. I rode the last 30 km with a flat tire, stopping three times to pump air, but I refused to quit. And we did it.

The Final Push

The fifth stage was brutal. Extreme weather, daily rides, and a 200 km endurance ride loomed over us. By this point, I was exhausted—90 days of riding had taken their toll. But I wasn’t ready to give up.

On January 17th, I set out solo to tackle the 200 km ride. Fog threatened to ruin my plans again, but I decided to ride loops near home to hit the target. Once I got on the saddle, though, something shifted. I ended up riding to Greater Noida, then to Pari Chowk, and completed five loops of the Expressway.

At times, the headwind felt unbearable, and I wanted to quit. But this was my last gasp—my final push. After 9 grueling hours, I crossed the 200 km mark. The relief was indescribable.

The Finish Line

When the challenge ended, I looked back at what we’d accomplished:

• Total challenges completed: 30 out of 30
• Total points: 12,037
• Total distance: 4,349 km
• Endurance rides: 200 km, 175 km, 150 km, 125 km, and multiple 100 km rides
• Overall rank worldwide: 264
• Greater Noida rank: 2nd (out of 27 riders)
• Medal: Platinum

My co-riders also crushed it:

• Varun: 4,274 km, Platinum Medal
• Vijay: 2,257 km, Silver Medal
• Gaurav Mishra: 1,607 km, Bronze Medal

What This Challenge Taught Me

This challenge changed me. It made me a more consistent, disciplined, and passionate rider. It showed me the power of teamwork, perseverance, and pushing beyond what you think is possible.

Since then, I’ve ridden over 40,000 km, including a Golden Triangle dream ride (Delhi-Alwar-Jaipur-Agra-Delhi) in 2022. I’ve watched friends achieve incredible feats, and I’ve grown stronger with every pedal stroke.

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What’s Next?

The dream now is to ride from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. It’s a big goal, but if the Tour De100 taught me anything, it’s that no challenge is too great when you have the right mindset and a supportive team.

To anyone feeling stuck in life, I’ll leave you with this: Find your passion, embrace the madness, and never stop pushing forward.

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