Posthumous congratulations to Mohit Kohli (and his family) – Mohit was tragically struck down by a vehicle during his N-S South America Unsupported attempt. He is awarded posthumously a record from Cartagena (Colombia) -to- Lima (Peru). His record is for Unsupported Cartagena (Colombia) – Lima (Peru) – on a standard bike.
Rider’s Narrative Summary
South America N-S (Cartagena to Ushuaia – Solo – Self-Supported
🡪 Cartagena to Lima – Solo -Self-Supported
Rider: Mohit Kohli (35, India)
Start: 01/22/2025 1:56am in Cartagena (COL), Monumento Torre del Reloj
Mohit’s attempt to set the fastest crossing of South America was the culmination of a dream he had chased with unwavering determination. He had left behind a successful career as a sales director, dedicating himself fully to ultra-cycling. This wasn’t just about a record; it was about pushing human limits, exploring the world in its rawest form, and proving to himself that he was capable of something extraordinary. To be the fastest to cross this vast continent should have only been the beginning of more adventure – he dreamed of being the fastest of crossing all continents.
The Journey & Conditions. The conditions varied drastically along the way. From the humid depths of the Amazon to the scorching Peruvian deserts, every stretch of road presented new challenges. After starting in Cartagena, Mohit fought through heavy rains in Colombia and Ecuador, the brutal altitude of the Andes in Ecuador, the headwinds and the unrelenting sun and heat of the Peruvian coastline.
In the Amazon, he faced some of the hardest moments—completely cut off from any network, riding for hours without resupply points, battling fever and stomach problems while struggling up endless, steep hills on treacherous roads. But Mohit thrived in the face of adversity. He was always motivated by the stunning landscapes, and more than once, he recorded videos just to capture the beauty around him. One of his most special moments was on his way to Lima, riding along the cliffs of the Pacific. He filmed the sunset at Serpentin de Pasamayo, saying, “I consider myself so fortunate to be looking at this right now. There’s absolutely nowhere else I’d like to be.” Now, those words have even more meaning. I try to believe that right now, he’s nowhere else he’d like to be. He did what he loved until the end.
Mohit wasn’t just racing for a title—he was proving something to himself. His strategy was brutal: he pushed himself harder than ever before, sacrificing sleep to gain time. After Lima, his motivation skyrocketed. He rode through the entire night, then took short naps on benches during the day, determined to reach the finish as fast as humanly possible. The physical toll was immense, but he never wavered. Unfortunately, his Garmin never synced, so I never got the data until Chile.
Equipment & Nutrition. He carried only the essentials: a lightweight setup with a frame bag and saddle bag for his gear. He was obsessed with having the lightest set up possible. His bike was an unusual choice for an adventure like this – he rode with a Pinarello Dogma which he named Dirty Dogma after crossing the Andes in heavy rain and on dirt roads. His diet was as simple as it was relentless—whatever he could grab at gas stations and small village stores, energy-dense foods to fuel his non-stop riding. Hydration was a constant battle, especially in the extreme heat. Highlights have always been fresh coconut water, fresh juices and sugarcane juice which took him back to the hot summer days growing up in New Delhi.
The End. On the morning of February 12th, he set off after just two hours of sleep in the freezing cold of the desert at night. But the discomfort didn’t matter—he had one goal. We spoke on the phone, but the call got cut off when he lost service. When I couldn’t reach him anymore, I started checking his GPS tracker. I saw that he hadn’t moved for over an hour, stuck in the middle of the desert. I knew something was wrong.
At 8:30 am, a car ended what his body and mind never would have given up on. He had been run over from behind on a straight road, in broad daylight. No turns, no obstacles—just a cyclist giving everything he had, and a driver who failed to see him.
Mohit inspired every single person he met on his way. He was more than a cyclist—he was a dreamer, an explorer, an adventurer and an inspiration for all of us. He fought harder than anyone. He wanted to leave his mark on the world, and he did. Not just through his achievements, but through the passion he carried, the kindness he showed, and the love he gave. He thought us to live our dreams with joy and passion.
Having this world record will bring some peace to him, to me, and to his family. But more than anything, I hope his story raises awareness for respect towards cyclists. They are out there chasing dreams, just like Mohit was.
You left this world doing what you loved – chasing the horizon. But your journey is not over yet. Ride on, Mohit. Your spirit will live on in everyone who loves you and your story will be continued and told by all of them. I am grateful you shared this journey with me. It was special every step of the way and I will never forget it.
End: Lima (Peru), Av. Panamericana 1N & Ca. Sta. Mercedes (intersection)
on 02/05/2025 at 09:05 pm
Total elapsed time: 14:19:09 (dd:hh:mm)
Total Distance: 3747.83 km
Total Distance and elapsed time until “the end” of his journey: 5311.05 km in 21d 6h 34min