RAAM 2024 solo finisher and Armed Forces Cup winner — 5,000 km from Oceanside to Atlantic City in 11d 23h. 3× Guinness World Record holder. First Indian to win an international ultra-cycling podium. From the Himalayas to the Race Across America to London–Edinburgh–London. Proof that it's never too late to start.
As a sport, cycling is a race, but in true sense it is a journey, where life not only shows you new places but also new people — some of which become friends for life.— Lt Col Bharat Pannu
My story
Born in Rohtak, Haryana and raised across India as an Army kid, cycling was always a part of life—but only as a recreational activity. Everything changed with a posting to Nashik in September 2016. A chance entry into randonneuring lit a fire that hadn’t been there before which redefined the course of his life. Within months, a leisure rider earned the coveted Super Randonneur title. Within a year, to win an ultra-race in India and finish an ultra-endurance event in Europe.
A graduate in Aeronautical Engineering and responsible for helicopter maintenance in Indian Army. This ingrained military discipline — the ability to operate under pressure, plan meticulously and push through physical and mental limits — translated directly into the demanding world of ultra-endurance cycling. In February 2018, he began training under renowned US-based ultra-endurance coach Tracy McKay. The partnership brought structure, science and purpose to his preparation, transforming raw determination into focused performance and expanding his belief in what could be achieved on two wheels.
Serving in the Army is a 24-hour commitment and every training session had to be carefully woven around military responsibilities. Early morning rides before PT, late evening workouts, long weekend rides, racing during leave and managing recovery amidst other commitments became the norm. Cycling was never a profession—it remained a deeply personal pursuit, driven largely through self-funding and perseverance rather than the infrastructure most competitive athletes take for granted. Behind every milestone stood the unwavering support of family, whose sacrifices and encouragement made the journey possible.
On the TEDx stage at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Lt Col Bharat Pannu brought the world of ultra-endurance cycling to an audience of thousands — sharing what 5,000 kilometers of relentless riding teaches you about the mind, the body and the will to keep going.
Every Guinness World Record, every podium and every finish line is the work of Team Pannu — the crew chiefs, navigators, mechanics, physiotherapists and nutritionists who plan the routes, run the round-the-clock support and keep the wheels turning. The first Indians to podium at the Virtual Race Across America, the team has powered record rides across India and the United States.
“Adventure is not the absence of fear — it is the courage to move forward despite it. Success lies not just in speed or strength, but in the ability to stay committed when your body breaks and only your mind carries you forward. I ride not for records alone, but to push the limits of what the human spirit can achieve — carrying with me the pride of the Indian Armed Forces.”— Lt Col Bharat Pannu
Race portfolio
LEL 2025Finisher
RAAM 2024Armed Forces Cup
Dunes Ultra2nd Place
Ultra SpiceWinner
India W–EGuinness WR
Golden QuadGuinness WR
Leh–ManaliGuinness WR
vRAAM3rd Overall
K2KWUCA WR
Ultra Spice 2019Winner · CR
Bliss in HillsFinisher
Race Around AustriaFirst Indians
Deccan Cliffhanger5th Place
Ultra Spice 2017Inaugural Winner
EverestingFinisher
Hoodoo 500Finisher
From the first ultra in 2017 — every race, every result
Recognition & honours
Three Guinness World Records, the Race Across America Armed Forces Cup, salutes from the Indian Army, an award instituted in his name — and a credential list that runs from the TEDx stage to a high-performance leadership programme with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation.
Watch
Endorsed by Gautam Gambhir, featured by the Indian Army, and documented from the road to the finish arch.
Coverage
National print, broadcast and digital outlets that covered the world records, race finishes and the Army officer behind them.
Giving back
Ultra-cycling is a vehicle for change. Bharat uses his platform to support environmental and community causes.
During RAAM 2019, Bharat partnered with the Forest Department Nashik and Samsonite South Asia to plant trees equal to the race distance. Schools, colleges, Nashik Police, and hundreds of citizens joined the drive.
5,000 trees plantedDuring Virtual RAAM 2020, Bharat raised funds for Punarjanmam Foundation Trust — which rehabilitates small-scale entrepreneurs whose livelihoods were destroyed by the pandemic, providing tools and essentials to restart.
₹59,449 raisedKnowledge
Race reports, training insights, and stories from the cycling community — written by Bharat and guest contributors.
To race long distances in India is to race in several countries at once — a freezing pass by morning, suffocating heat by night.
Somewhere around 1,750 km a race stops being about fitness. What carries you the rest of the way is the mind.
The only arithmetic that gets you across America: never ride 5,000 kilometres. Ride 25. Then ride 25 again.
There was no sporting background — not in school, not in college. Just a posting to Nashik in 2016, a road bike, and a question: how far can I go?
Guest essays · Shyam G Menon
Sports journalist and blogger Shyam G Menon — one of India’s most perceptive writers on endurance sport — has documented Bharat’s journey from first ultra-race to the RAAM finish arch.
The definitive long-read on how a self-described late starter became one of India’s most decorated ultra-cyclists.
Read →
A third-place finish at 4,086 km — and the first international ultra-cycling podium by an Indian.
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With the pandemic forcing RAAM indoors, Bharat would race his avatar across a digital America.
Read →
If India’s longest qualifier is 1,750 km and RAAM is nearly 4,800, does the gap matter?
Read →What they say
Bharat has a riding prowess evenly tempered with optimism, grace and power. Determination and coachability have been rewarded with world-class success.
His progression in the sport has been rapid and he has built a place for himself in the Indian Ultra-Cycling arena. A man who started with no sports credibility till 35.
Having started at the Ultra Spice in Jan 2017, he has swiftly built a strong resume of performing well at ultra-races. Gratifying to see his evolution through international events.
“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body. But rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming … WOW … What a ride!!!”— Mark Frost
Partners
The brands and organisations that back every kilometre.
Looking for a speaker who has literally ridden through the impossible? Bharat brings lessons in mental resilience, goal-setting, and comeback from the ultra-cycling world to your audience.
