Saneed P. P., now 24 and hailing from Kannur, Kerala, has entered cycling legend as the first human to cross India performing what every mountain biker knows as a wheelie — that delicate dance between skill, control, and the constant threat of landing flat on your back. That’s right. No front wheel. Just pure balance, grit, and a whole lot of madness.
For the uninitiated, a wheelie is a test of balance and nerve: you pull up on the bars, shift your weight just far enough back to keep the front in the air — but not so far that you flip like a stranded beetle. Some master it in a day; others chase it for a lifetime.
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From Kerala to the clouds
But to take the wheelie to the next level, you can go one step further — and take off the front wheel entirely. That’s when things get real. Because once you lose balance and pitch forward, it’s not a graceful recovery — it’s fork meets tarmac, and you’re flying over the bars. That’s exactly how Saneed chose to ride from Kanyakumari, the southern tip of India, all the way to Umling La in Ladakh — the world’s highest motorable pass at 5,799 metres above sea level.
The expedition took more than eight months of preparation and four months to complete. Both moral and technical support came from his brothers, Savad and Sajad, who even divided Saneed’s personal belongings between their backpacks to help him on his journey.
“Each morning, I started at six, covering around forty kilometres a day, battling fatigue, crosswinds, and pain in my neck and back,” explains the young rider who makes his living by stunt performances and motivational rides while working on social projects that promote road safety and mental strength among youth.
At one point, Saneed even had to seek medical attention after a strong gust of wind knocked him to the ground. He received professional care from doctors at a military base in Hanle — a region known around the world for its high altitude and perfect conditions for stargazing. What began as an unfortunate accident had a happy ending: Saneed got to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights that symbolises the victory of light over darkness, together with the soldiers stationed there.
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When physical and mechanical challenges struck
Apart from physical struggles, Saneed also experienced many technical issues. “Since I was cycling without a front wheel, maintaining balance and control was tough — sometimes parts would loosen or get damaged due to rough terrain. But I always carried basic tools with me and fixed things on my own whenever possible. Each problem taught me something new and made me stronger,” he wrote to me.
Nights in a tent turned colder as he climbed into the Himalayas
The challenge wasn’t just the climbing — it was also the climate. As Saneed made his way into the mountains, the temperatures kept dropping, and camping under the open sky became increasingly difficult. The coldest moments came along the Zojila Pass in Kashmir and in Drass, Ladakh — one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth. “Until then, I’d been sleeping in my tent near petrol stations or roadside dhabas — anywhere with a toilet,” he says. “But when the temperatures dropped, locals invited me into their homes. Wherever I went, people were kind and willing to help.”
The reaction that made him happiest was seeing people salute the national Indian flag Saneed carried throughout his ride. “Many came forward just to shake hands or take a picture — that genuine support and love motivated me more than anything,” the wheelie stuntman from Kerala shares with us.
Among his highlights? Seeing the Taj Mahal on one wheel. Watching the Milky Way blaze above the Himalayas. And proving that sometimes the craziest rides carry the clearest messages.
What comes next
Saneed admits that this journey completely changed his life. “Personally, it taught me patience, self-belief, and how powerful perseverance can be. Professionally, it opened doors — from media recognition to brand collaborations — and gave me a platform to share my story with others. It showed me that when you ride with passion and purpose, even impossible roads lead to beautiful places,” says the cyclist, whose skills eventually led him to a stuntman role in several Mollywood movies (shot by the Malayalam film industry based in Kerala).
“It was magical,” says Saneed, who still cherishes his love for one-wheeled cycling. “Riding is a part of who I am,” Saneed says while revealing his next big goal – a challenging ride from Kerala to Nepal, and no wonder that without a front wheel. Once again, Saneed believes that his efforts might inspire people to chase their dreams, no matter how crazy they sound. Sponsors interested? Just let Saneed know through his Instagram.
