Vaibhav Rajamani makes a successful bid to enter the Guinness World Records riding the cycle no-hands for 151kms at Porvorim.
Photo Credits: Narayan Pissurlenkar
The 21-year-old Goan youth, Vaibhav Rajamani who dreamt big of entering into the Guinness World Records by cycling 150 km without touching the handlebars at a ground in Porvorim, could make a successful attempt on December 17-18. The attempt, started at 5.30 pm on December 17 continued for 7 hours, 18 minutes and 13 seconds to complete 151.3 km cycling without touching the handlebars. The feat was completed at 12.50 am, way earlier than the stipulated time. In his unofficial practice sessions Rajamani had earlier broken the past record four times – by covering 131 km, 150 km, 140 km and 131 km, again.
“It was a very exciting feat, and I am happy I could achieve it. I loved every part of it. It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment and I had fun,” exclaimed Rajamani who performed in front of a 100 plus onlookers who continued to be with him, cheering him up at every round. Those who did not know that an attempt to enter the Guinness Book was being done on the Porvorim ground also stopped and stayed back till it got over.
No sooner did Rajamani complete the feat which was before time, and ascend from his bike, those who were present on the ground surrounded him to cheer, expressing their happiness that the feat was successful. “Initially, when I completed 70 km, I wanted to pee. I was drinking water and electral to keep myself hydrated, and felt like peeing, but even though I tried to relieve myself I couldn’t, and then I decided to complete the entire feat without peeing. My pace was 20-21 km per hour initially but later it went up to 25-26 per hour,” recalls Rajamani.
A total of eight cameras (six CCTV cameras and two video cameras) were recording the feat. The entire recording went smooth and full footage could be covered without any hindrance. Rajamani’s parents, relatives and friends were present the entire night on the ground. “We are very proud of our son,” said his mother Geeta Rajamani, adding, “We are happy that he could achieve his dream goal, and the way he cycled was really amazing. He continued practicing on the Campal ground in Panaji and then Porvorim. Few years ago his father went there without informing him, and watched him practice at Campal ground. At that point of time, we were not taking it very seriously, but when his father watched him secretly, he was assured that Vaibhav could make it to the Guinness Book. He wanted to break the Guinness record on April 4 this year but it didn’t happen. So he chose December 17.”
The recording of this feat would be sent to the office of the Guinness Book of World Records. The eight-hour attempt has to be cut in many parts, of 1 GB each, before uploading on the Guinness website. The photographic evidence, witnesses’ testimony has to be sent. The process would require a few days. Rajamani, who had filed his application with the Guinness in December 2022, stated that it was approved in January 2023, after which he began rigorous practice. “Choosing winter when the weather is cool, I zeroed on December 17,” quips Rajamani who ultimately accomplished his goal, paving his way to be in the Guinness Book.
