Kashmir’s ace cyclist AdilTeli is all set for yet another Guinness World Record in the Leh-Manali attempt.
Secretary Tourism Kashmir Sarmad Hafeez flagged off him for the expedition at TRC ground, Srinagar on Friday morning.
Adil, the World Guinness record holder from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in 2020, is attempting to break ‘Leh to Manali’ previous record of 35 hours 32 minutes 22 seconds, achieved by Bharat Pannu on 11 October 2020.
At times cyclists have complained of breathlessness during their journeys on the Leh-Manali- route, known for its high mountain passes and windy roads.
In 2020, Adil, who hails from the Narbal area in central Kashmir’s Budgam district broke the previous Guinness World record of Om Mahajan by pedaling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in 8 days 1 hour 37 minutes.
“I am grateful to Almighty as this is my second Guinness World record attempt which is starting from Leh and finishing at Manali covering a distance of 475 km,” Adil told Rising Kashmir.
24-yr old cyclist said though the number 475 km seems very small, but toughness of the road with high altitude terrains makes the expedition difficult, consisting of five passes, and to pedal through those five passes is not easy, the highest pass shall be approximate 5300 meters above sea level and rest four passes are above 4000 meters.
“Though the road is not easy, with lots of disturbances and obstacles, but by the grace of the Almighty I am ready for all these challenges. I have prepared for the event, have spent 45 days already in Ladakh, and have acclimatized the atmosphere already there,” he said.
He added that every rider who attempted the expedition used to come four to five days in advance to Ladakh, but I spent 45 days in Ladakh and have ridden Khardung la pass (road) five to six times.
“I am confident that in this attempt I would break the old record with a good margin and make another record to my name,” he said.
In 2019, Teli completed another cycling journey of 440 km from Srinagar to Leh covering the distance in 26 hours and 30 minutes.
Secretary Tourism, J&K Sarmad Hafeez said that Adil is full of excitement, and adventure and congratulated him for his previous Guinness world record.
“He has made a record already from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and now is going to attempt to break the previous Leh-Manali record,” he said.
“It is a great inspiration for all of us, we must congratulate and support him, as we are already aware that Jammu and Kashmir have produced champion cyclists, who have excelled in the sport and have made us proud,” he said.
‘’Various areas in Kashmir, as well as the Jammu division, are suitable for mountain biking and cycling. It is great that the tourism department is here to support Adil in his endeavours,” he said.
“We wish him the best of luck as he is doing something which is very challenging, in fact, you don’t even realize it is more than 450 km. So far the previous old record was 35 hours and he is going to attempt that record in about 30 hours,” he said, adding it is a great inspiration for all cyclists in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. G. N. Yatoo Director of Tourism Kashmir welcomed Adil and congratulated his parents for raising, training, and encouraging him in such endeavours.
