Assam Man Ripunjoy Gogoi Completes London-Edinburgh-London Bicycling Event

London: 28-year-old computer engineer Ripunjoy Gogoi, hailing from Guwahati, Assam, achieved a milestone by successfully completing one of the most difficult cycle rides in the world.

The London-Edinburgh-London cycling event is deemed to be one of the most challenging cycling events in the world.

The participants are required to ascend an elevation of 14,000 meters which is more than the elevation of Mount Everest, thereby testing the endurance and grit of participants.

The 1500-km self-supported London-Edinburgh-London cycle ride across the UK came to the tracks after a two-year Covid-19 hiatus to witness overwhelming participation from 1,900 cyclists from across the world.

As many as 172 Indians took part in the competition, second only to British participants. Ripunjoy and Dhiraj Dutta represented the northeast at the event.

The 28-year-old happens to be an avid cyclist who has successfully completed many long-distance events in the past.

He is also a Super Randonneur, who has completed the CKB (Climb Ka Baap), a 1200-km brevet with a total elevation of over 14,500 metres.

The London-Edinburgh-London cycle ride, between the iconic capital cities of England and Scotland, is considered to be one of the most arduous cycling events in the UK.

The mental and physical resilience of the participants is put to test as they have to cover a total of 1500 km in 125 hours.

A total of 13 control points are there along the route, where the participants are provided with hot meals, drinks, showers and towels, dormitory beds and mechanical support.

Meanwhile, the first edition of this event was held back in 1989, when there were only 29 starters and 26 finishers, all British.

The distance was 1,300 km (810 mi), and the route included a stretch of the A68 road for that inaugural ride.

Finishers of that original event are sometimes referred to as the A68 Club. The inaugural ride did not start in London, but in Doncaster, the home town of the organiser. Riders headed north first to Edinburgh and back, then south to London and back.

Also read: Assam: 20-Year-Old Gangraped by 4 Youths In Graveyard, One Arrested

Also watch: