Rajasthan cyclist Nitin Saini completes Trans Am Bike Race in 28 days
Synopsis
A cyclist from Rajasthan has ridden across the United States — 3,500 miles, 11 states, 28 days — entirely unsupported, navigating sub-zero mountain passes and surviving on petrol station snacks. Nitin Saini's finish at the Lincoln Memorial is a rare Indian entry into the ultra-endurance cycling world, and a reminder of what solo sport at the extreme edge looks like.
Key Takeaways
Nitin Saini , a cyclist from Rajasthan , completed the Trans Am Bike Race on 5 July , finishing at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC .
He covered nearly 3,500 miles (approximately 5,630 km ) across 11 US states in 28 days , starting from Astoria, Oregon on 7 June .
The race is fully self-supported — no crew, no outside food or equipment assistance permitted.
Around 30 cyclists from across the world competed, including two from India .
Temperatures dropped to as low as 5 degrees Celsius ; Saini relied on convenience store food as a vegetarian on the road.
Rajasthan cyclist Nitin Saini has completed the gruelling Trans Am Bike Race, pedalling across the United States from the Pacific coast to Washington, DC in 28 days, finishing at the iconic Lincoln Memorial on 5 July. The feat makes him one of only two Indian riders to take part in this year's edition of one of the world's toughest unsupported cycling events.
The Route and the Race
Saini set off from Astoria, Oregon, on 7 June, covering nearly 3,500 miles (approximately 5,630 km) across 11 US states before reaching Washington. The Trans Am Bike Race drew around 30 cyclists from across the globe, including participants from the United States, Europe, and two from India. The race is entirely self-supported — riders carry their own equipment, arrange their own food and accommodation, and receive no assistance from support crews.
What Made It So Demanding
Saini said the race proved far more punishing than he had anticipated. 'When the Trans Am Bike Race started, on the second day itself I realised that this was something else,' he said, describing rapidly shifting weather, mountain climbs, heavy rain, gravel roads and long stretches without any settlements. Temperatures dropped as low as five degrees Celsius, and riders pushed through forests and unpaved tracks — conditions he described as unlike anything he had encountered before.
The logistical burden of an unsupported race added another layer of difficulty. Carrying only essential clothing, tools and supplies, Saini depended largely on petrol station convenience stores for sustenance. As a vegetarian, finding suitable meals was a persistent challenge; he relied on bread, cheese, nachos, chocolates and biscuits across long sections where no towns were in sight.
Rural America Through an Indian Cyclist's Eyes
Riding through remote parts of the country left a lasting impression on Saini. 'I have seen that America's geographical area is so vast,' he said, noting that on country roads he would often travel for kilometres without encountering another person. Small villages with only a handful of residents, he observed, offered a perspective that tourists visiting major cities rarely get.
Wearing his Indian jersey throughout the race, Saini said people in small American towns recognised India immediately. 'They know India very well,' he said, adding that many residents associated India with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and were eager to learn more about the country. He said those moments in remote America filled him with pride.
The Bigger Message
Reflecting on what drives him, Saini said cycling offers an unmatched way to understand a country beyond its famous landmarks. 'If you want to explore the world, there cannot be a better way than cycling,' he said. He also called on people to make health their foremost priority. The Trans Am Bike Race, held annually, follows a transcontinental route and demands sustained physical endurance, mental resilience and meticulous logistical planning — all without any outside support. Saini's completion of the course adds his name to a short list of Indian ultra-endurance cyclists to have finished the event.
Point of View
Which is dominated by cricket and, increasingly, marathon running. Saini's 28-day, 3,500-mile solo crossing — without a support crew, on a vegetarian diet pieced together from roadside stores — is precisely the kind of achievement that builds India's credibility in niche global sport. The absence of institutional backing also raises a pointed question: how many such athletes are self-funding feats of this scale while Indian sports bodies direct resources elsewhere?
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nitin Saini and what did he achieve?
Nitin Saini is a cyclist from Rajasthan who completed the Trans Am Bike Race in 2025, covering nearly 3,500 miles across 11 US states in 28 days without any external support. He finished at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, on 5 July.
What is the Trans Am Bike Race?
The Trans Am Bike Race is an annual self-supported ultra-endurance cycling event that follows a transcontinental route across the United States. Riders must carry their own equipment, arrange their own food and accommodation, and navigate independently — no support crews are permitted.
Where did the Trans Am Bike Race start and end?
The 2025 edition began in Astoria, Oregon, on the Pacific coast and ended at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. The route spans approximately 3,500 miles across 11 US states.
What challenges did Nitin Saini face during the race?
Saini encountered rapidly changing weather, mountain climbs, heavy rain, gravel roads, and temperatures as low as 5 degrees Celsius. As a vegetarian in rural America, he also struggled to find suitable food and often relied on bread, cheese, nachos, chocolates and biscuits from petrol station stores.
How many Indian cyclists participated in the Trans Am Bike Race this year?
Two Indian cyclists took part in the 2025 Trans Am Bike Race, which attracted around 30 riders in total from countries including the United States and several European nations.
