FORGED IN IRON — Our 2025 Sikh Century to the Yuba City Nagar Kirtan

Every November, Sikh Cycling Club comes together for one of the most meaningful traditions we hold: the Sikh Century to the Yuba City Nagar Kirtan, the largest Sikh gathering in the United States. What began as a simple idea in 2012 has evolved into a movement that brings riders from across California into a shared journey of history, discipline, and seva.

This year’s ride carried even deeper resonance. It was our largest group yet full of diversity and experiences.

Today, we’re proud to share:

👉 “Forged in Iron — The Sikh Century Ride to the Yuba City Nagar Kirtan”
Full film now live on YouTube


Honoring the Past

The ride begins long before our wheels turn.

It begins in 1912, when the first Gurdwara in the United States was established in Stockton by Sikh pioneers — farmers, laborers, and freedom seekers who carved out new lives with courage and conviction. Their spirit is the iron from which our journey is forged.

In 2012, a small group of riders organized by Jaskaran Singh Gill honored the 100-year anniversary of that Gurdwara by riding 100 miles (a “century” bike ride) to the Yuba City Nagar Kirtan.

In 2019, the seed that would eventually become Sikh Cycling Club was planted when several riders came together to revive that tradition with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.

By 2021, Sikh Cycling Club officially formed, committed to building a community grounded in identity, discipline, and Chardi Kala.


Telling the Story Differently This Year

We’ve captured this ride before, but this year called for a different approach.

Rather than making another ride vlog, our videos this year have leaned into a more documentary-style narrative, something more cinematic, more intentional, and more reflective of the distinctiveness of Sikh Cycling Club. These films aren’t just a record of the miles. It’s a story about the places we ride through, the community that carries us, and the legacy we honor with each turn of our pedals.


Riding in the Present

The 2025 ride captured everything we stand for:

  • Brotherhood and community
  • Training and discipline
  • The joy of being on the road together
  • The beauty of riding with purpose

From West Sacramento to Yuba City, our peloton moved as one, supporting each other, pushing each other, and carrying the stories of those who came before us.

Arriving at the Nagar Kirtan is always the moment that ties everything together.
Bikes leaning against fences.
Langar flowing.
Elders giving blessings.
Adults seeing new possibilities.
Kids watching in awe.
The entire sangat creating an atmosphere of warmth and gratitude.

This is why we ride.


Inspiring the Future

Our hope is that this film does more than document a tradition.
We want it to inspire future generations of Sikh riders — in California, across the U.S., and around the world — to carry our history forward with strength, purpose, and pride.

Forged in iron.
Rooted in history.
Riding into the future.


🎥 Watch the Full Film

“Forged in Iron — The Sikh Century Ride to the Yuba City Nagar Kirtan”
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/jS3VJVqrRWs

If the film resonates with you, please share it with friends, family, your Gurdwara, or anyone who may feel connected to the story we’re telling.


Join the Movement

Sikh Cycling Club is growing, and we’re just getting started.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, join our Strava club, and come ride with us.

From California to the world, this is Sikh Cycling Club.
Forged in iron. Ever-rising. Ever-riding.

Sikh Century to Yuba City is tomorrow! Read this today before the ride

Our annual Sikh Century Ride to the Yuba City Nagar Kirtan is tomorrow, November 1! It looks to be a perfect day for cycling and we’re excited to ride with you!

Here is a short checklist to keep in mind for tomorrow:

  • Please arrive on time to be ready to ride by 7:30 am. We usually park on the west side of the Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento. We’ll assemble in front of Nishan Sahib for pre-ride instructions, ardas and a photo. “Being ready to ride” means you’re on your bike and ready to go.
  • Make sure you have your tech and GPS all sorted out ahead of time. We won’t have a lot of ability to sort out tech issues. Out of respect for everyone, we are going to do our best to stay on schedule.
  • Our group pace will be between 17-19 mph. Some people will be faster and will likely leave the group, which is fine. The best experience is if we ride together. So, we hope most others can otherwise hold this group pace. We strongly encourage you to ride easier than you might for the ride into Yuba City so that you have energy for the ride back. Too often, people try to keep up with faster cyclists on this ride and end up running out of steam — either not finishing the ride, or ending up dropped. Ride easy the first half so you have energy in the second half.
  • Bring two water bottles with electrolyte solution, and “ride food” that you can eat while cycling. Don’t wait until rest stops to fuel and hydrate. You’ll want to hydrate about 16 oz per hour, and fuel at least 60g carbs per hour. Avoid anything with too much protein, fiber or fat.
  • Rest stops are at mile 15 (gas station) and mile 30 (Robbins convenience store). Yuba City is at mile 50. We’ll stop at the same two stops on the way back as needed. These will provide opportunities to re-fill bottles, purchase any needed food, and use restrooms (the Robbins stop has limited restroom availability, if at all). We will pass through Knights Landing closer to Yuba City which has some gas stations for another stop if needed.
  • At Yuba City, we will assemble for a group photo by the Nishan Sahib at the front of the Gurdwara. We will coordinate this in the moment. If you would like to go inside the Gurdwara, you certainly are encouraged to do so. Please ensure you have clothing you are comfortable to wear inside a Gurdwara — different sangats have different sensibilities around this and we want to be respectful. You may consider carrying a light pair of pants to put on when we get there. We will spend up to an hour at Yuba City before we ride back to West Sacramento.
  • A vehicle (“SAG” vehicle) will drive on the route for limited support — transportation of items or emergency needs. It is not an escort vehicle and it may not be able to be available on short notice for any needs. It’s limited purpose so make sure you are as self-dependent as possible.

Remember, you are not only representing Sikh Cycling Club, but also the Sikh community in general. We are ambassadors for our community on the road. Be a gracious cyclist and make sure safety is your number one priority at all times. The real value of this ride is when we ride together — there is strength and celebration in numbers.

Finally, RSVP and ride map is available here. Also, see our general participant guidelines for additional guidance. By participating in our ride, you acknowledge agreement with these guidelines.

We’re looking forward to seeing you bright and early tomorrow. Fateh!


Contact us or e-mail info@sikhcyclingclub.com if you have questions.

Sikh Cycling Club
Established in 2021 | Rooted in 2012
Riding from California to the World

Disclaimer:
By participating in Sikh Cycling Club rides, you acknowledge and agree that you are riding at your own risk. Sikh Cycling Club, its organizers, and affiliates assume no responsibility for any injuries, accidents, damages, or losses that may occur before, during, or after the ride.

All participants are responsible for ensuring their own safety, following traffic laws, wearing appropriate safety gear, and maintaining their bicycles in proper working condition. By joining this ride, you acknowledge that cycling carries inherent risks and agree to hold Sikh Cycling Club and its representatives harmless from any claims, liabilities, or damagesYour participation in our rides acknowledges your acceptance of our Participant Guidelines here.

Ride smart, ride safe, and respect the road and fellow riders.

Join the Sikh Century Ride to Yuba City on Nov. 1!

Each year, Sikh Cycling Club closes the season with something special: a ride that’s about more than miles.

The Sikh Century Ride is our annual pilgrimage to the Yuba City Nagar Kirtan, the largest Sikh festival in the United States. This is the event that in 2012 planted the seed that became Sikh Cycling Club. We continue the tradition today. Cyclists from across California and beyond join together in motion, spirit, and joy.

Starting from Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento, the route winds north through the heart of the Valley. We roll through farmland to join thousands gathered in Yuba City to celebrate the establishment of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scriptures, as our permanent Guru.

We ride 50 miles to the Yuba City Nagar Kirtan and then ride back to West Sacramento for a total of 100 miles on the day. If you aren’t up for a 100-mile ride, we have shorter route options that will enable you to join us. We have planned for rest stops at gas stations along the route.

This is not a race. It’s an invitation.

An invitation to test your endurance, connect with your roots, and experience the strength that comes from riding together. Whether it’s your first century or your tenth, you’ll feel what Chardi Kala truly means: that ever-rising optimism that carries us forward.

Ride Details

  • Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
  • Start/Finish: Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento, 2301 Evergreen Ave, West Sacramento, CA 95691
  • Meet: 7:00 AM  Roll Out: 7:30 AM
  • Distance: 100 miles (shorter options available)
  • RSVP on Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/820924/group_events/1922280

Why We Ride

Every Sikh Cycling Club ride carries intention. This one carries celebration of Sikh history and of our community, and gratitude for another year of safe miles, new friendships, and the chance to represent Sikhs in motion.


Contact us or e-mail info@sikhcyclingclub.com if you have questions.

Sikh Cycling Club
Established in 2021 | Rooted in 2012
Riding from California to the World

Disclaimer:
By participating in Sikh Cycling Club rides, you acknowledge and agree that you are riding at your own risk. Sikh Cycling Club, its organizers, and affiliates assume no responsibility for any injuries, accidents, damages, or losses that may occur before, during, or after the ride.

All participants are responsible for ensuring their own safety, following traffic laws, wearing appropriate safety gear, and maintaining their bicycles in proper working condition. By joining this ride, you acknowledge that cycling carries inherent risks and agree to hold Sikh Cycling Club and its representatives harmless from any claims, liabilities, or damagesYour participation in our rides acknowledges your acceptance of our Participant Guidelines here.

Ride smart, ride safe, and respect the road and fellow riders.

WATCH: Diwali on Mount Diablo 2025

Each October, we climb Mount Diablo in the spirit of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas. It’s a ride to commemorate the spirit of arriving to light from darkness, and finding liberation after struggle.

The final stretch of this mountain burns the legs and lungs. But at the top, the view opens like fireworks, and we remember what liberation truly means.

Guru Hargobind Ji didn’t walk free alone. He freed others with him. We carry that same spirit on this day. No one rides alone.

Sikh Cycling Club
Established in 2021 | Rooted in 2012
Riding from California to the World