Pune-Based Endurance Cyclist Aashish Joshi Completes 1001 Miles Miglia Italia
Pune, 12 September 2024: Aashish Joshi, an endurance cyclist from Pune, recently completed the 1001 Miglia Italia cycling event, covering a distance of 1001 miles (1600 km). Joshi was the only cyclist from Pune among 12 participants from India. Despite facing challenging terrains, long climbs, steep gradients, descents, mishaps, and reroutes, he completed the distance in 142 hours. The event’s allotted time was 134 hours, with six participants finishing within the time limit and three, including Joshi, finishing outside of it.
The 1001 Miglia, a prestigious endurance cycling event requiring immense physical stamina, was conceptualized by Fermo Rigamonti. Over the past decade, six editions of the event have taken place, attracting international cyclists from more than five continents. The race’s elevation gain of 16,000 meters is its most significant challenge. This year, approximately 700 cyclists participated from 16 to 22 August.
Aashish Joshi, a 50-year-old interior designer by profession and an endurance cyclist by passion, described the event as one of the most extreme cycling challenges. “It’s all about crossing the finish line without external support, testing your willpower, endurance, and emotional strength to the limit,” said Joshi. He noted the added difficulties of sparse resources like food, water, and cycle repair services due to the holiday season, which left many towns and villages deserted. Harsh weather conditions, including cold rains, chilly night temperatures, hot daytime highs of 36 degrees, and limited network connectivity in mountainous areas, further complicated his journey, forcing him to reroute multiple times.
The event organizers awarded Aashish Joshi a medal in recognition of his endurance and resilience in completing the grueling distance.
Joshi has previously participated in other significant long-distance cycling events, including the London-Edinburgh-London (1535 km) event in 2013, 2017, and 2022, successfully completing the distance within the time limit in 2017. He has also participated in the 1235 km Paris-Brest-Paris cycling event.
