Patrick “Vroom Old Man” Cornell completes an extraordinary endurance feat while raising $150,000 USD for a worthy cause.
At a glance
Patrick “Vroom Old Man” Cornell rode 201,901 miles (324,928 km) in 12 months aboard a 2025 Indian Pursuit. The achievement earned him four records recognized by Atlas World Records and raised $150,000 USD for the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation.
Covering more than 324,000 kilometres by motorcycle in just 12 months sounds almost unimaginable. Yet that is exactly what Patrick “Vroom Old Man” Cornell accomplished aboard his 2025 Indian Pursuit.
Behind those impressive numbers was an even greater mission: raising awareness of myotonic dystrophy and collecting funds to support the people and families affected by this rare genetic disorder.
Four world records
During his journey, Patrick Cornell set the following records:
- Most consecutive days riding at least 1,000 miles (1,609 km) on a motorcycle;
- Longest consecutive period averaging at least 1,000 miles (1,609 km) per day on a motorcycle;
- Greatest documented distance ridden on a motorcycle in a single country before returning home;
- Greatest documented distance ridden on a motorcycle over 12 consecutive months.
His 2025 Indian Pursuit, affectionately named “Pappy,” endured thousands of hours on the road, changing weather conditions and a wide variety of terrain.
A deeply personal cause
Cornell’s mission was deeply personal, as several members of his wife’s family, including all four of her sisters, are affected by myotonic dystrophy.
This rare genetic disorder primarily affects the muscles, but it can also have an impact on several other functions of the body.
“Ride for someone else, not just for yourself.”
– Patrick Cornell
Every day on the road gave him another opportunity to talk about the disorder, raise public awareness and collect funds for the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation.
To date, his initiative has raised $150,000 USD. His ultimate goal is now to reach $200,000.
An impressive display of reliability
A journey of this magnitude is also a demanding test of endurance for any motorcycle. Despite covering hundreds of thousands of kilometres, the Indian Pursuit reportedly required relatively few major repairs.
During the journey, Cornell replaced the stator and changed the fuel filters five times. He also went through 16 rear tires and 12 front tires, along with numerous oil changes.
Even more impressive, the original clutch, clutch cable, drive belt and starter remained in place throughout the entire journey. According to Indian Motorcycle, the PowerPlus 112 engine and transmission never experienced a single issue.
Cornell explained that, above all, he needed a motorcycle he could trust completely. The reliability of his Pursuit allowed him to focus on the road and, more importantly, on the reason behind his journey.
A goal that kept growing
The project was initially launched as part of Indian Motorcycle’s 125th anniversary. Cornell’s original goal was to ride 125,000 miles (just over 201,000 km) in 125 days while raising $125,000.
When the fundraising lagged behind the mileage, he decided to extend the journey. He eventually reached 146,000 miles (approximately 234,964 km) in 146 days, despite suffering a broken collarbone along the way.
Cornell continued riding until he reached 201,901 miles. The figure is a subtle nod to 1901, the year Indian Motorcycle was founded.
His extraordinary journey is officially scheduled to end in October. For Patrick Cornell, the records and the distance travelled are a tremendous source of pride, but what matters most is having raised awareness of myotonic dystrophy and helped support the families living with the disorder.
Frequently asked questions about Patrick Cornell’s ride
How far did Patrick Cornell ride in one year?
He rode 201,901 miles, or 324,928 km, in 12 months on roads across the United States and Canada.
How many world records did he set?
Patrick Cornell set four records recognized by Atlas World Records, all related to motorcycle endurance and distance.
What motorcycle did Patrick Cornell ride?
He completed the challenge aboard a 2025 Indian Pursuit powered by the PowerPlus 112 engine. The motorcycle was nicknamed “Pappy.”
What repairs were needed during the challenge?
The stator was replaced, the fuel filters were changed five times and numerous oil changes were completed. Cornell also used 16 rear tires and 12 front tires. According to Indian Motorcycle, the engine and transmission experienced no issues.
Why did Patrick Cornell undertake the challenge?
He wanted to raise awareness of myotonic dystrophy and collect funds for families affected by the disorder, which has affected several members of his wife’s family.
Sources and references
Primary source: Indian Motorcycle press release, September 2, 2026.
Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation: Patrick Cornell’s ride and mission
