PATIALA: Endurance cyclist and practising advocate Kanwar Gurpreet Singh Gill, well known as Kanwar Gill, made history by becoming the first rider from North India and only the third in the country to earn the prestigious International Super Randonneur (SR) title. The achievement followed his completion of the 40th SR series, highlighting his status among India’s most accomplished long-distance cyclists.Once an athlete and boxer in schooldays, Gill, now 45, who practises law at the Patiala district courts, began his cycling career at the age of 37. He has since established a record unmatched in Punjab and rare at the national level. His major accomplishments include completing 1,200 km LRM rides twice, 1,000 km LRM rides twice, conducting the first-ever Delhi–Mumbai (G2G) tandem ride in India, conquering the Manali–Leh route in just three days, and participating in the Paris–Brest–Paris (PBP) event—a 1,240-km race often referred to as the Mini Olympics of Cycling—in 2019 and finishing in 2023. Additionally, Gill accumulated over 175 brevets and 30 marathons, completed the first-ever Delhi–Kathmandu (C2C) tandem ride in India, achieved the first-ever five-day SR Series on tandem, and secured five SR titles on tandem, the highest in India.Last year, Gill qualified for the demanding Randonneurs 10,000 medal, which required completing an extraordinary combination of endurance rides: twice each of 200, 300, 400, 600, 1,000, and 1,200 km rides, as well as a 600-km brevet with over 8,000 metres of elevation and a 360-km flèche completed within 24 hours—all within four years.Gill, the first Punjabi to receive both R-5000 and R-10,000 medals, stated, “During Covid year, I had to halt my passion but later again picked the pace. I was a best athlete and best boxer during completion of my school days but could not participate in National level athletics due to my exams and later I did not get platform to continue with sports. After nearly a gap of two decades, at the age of 37, I started with cycling to loose my weight but this endurance cycling sports turned into my passion”He shared his dedication: “I get up at 4 am every day, and I haven’t taken breaks for years. My wife has always supported me so I could focus on cycling while she takes care of our children. I have remained on natural died only.”Gill is widely credited with pioneering tandem cycling in India. His series of firsts has inspired numerous cyclists across the country to undertake ultra-endurance challenges.Having secured the International SR title, Gill is preparing for his next challenge: a solo ride spanning the length of India—from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.“My next goal is to complete the Kashmir–Kanyakumari ride. I want to keep proving that age is no barrier when you have passion. I had already completed the Delhi – Bombay ride and Delhi – Kathmandu ride but I am keen about my next challenge to complete Kashmir – Kanyakumari ride,” he said.Gill completed his schooling at Punjab Public School, Nabha, and balances his rigorous training schedule with his professional life as an advocate. His story demonstrates discipline, resilience, and the belief that it is never too late to pursue extraordinary dreams.
