First Woman Solo Cyclist Travelled West to East India, Creates World Record

Age is just a number and  mother of two proves it. The 45-year-old cycled 4000 kilometres by herself in just 14 days from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh.

Pune-based Preeti Maske began her ride from Koteshwar Temple on the western border with Pakistan on November 1 and cycled her way through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, expedition’s chief crew Ghanshyam Raghuwanshi told PTI on Monday.

By midnight on November 14, Maske had travelled 3995 kilometres in 13 days, 19 hours, and 12 minutes to get to Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh, close to the Chinese border. She encountered several hurdles along the journey, especially in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, where she gained a total of 15,679 m in elevation.

First Woman Solo Cyclist Travelled West to East

She became the first female solo cyclist to travel from West to East in under 14 days. To cope with his illness and sadness, Maske started cycling five years prior. The World Ultra Cycling Association and Guinness World Records have received the documentation, proof, and time stamp photos and accepted them. Raghuwanshi stated, "They will handle the situation and grant the certificate as soon as possible."

Due to poor digital network challenges in the rural districts of Arunachal Pradesh, it took time to communicate the information to the media. It caused a delay in finishing the necessary paperwork with WUCA-GWR. Five people in a car were driving behind Maske. With a total height rise of 15,679 m, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh gave her several obstacles.

Since there was a strong headwind coming from Darbhanga in Bihar, cycling was difficult in these dangerous locations. The path is hazardous after Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh due to height, terrible roads, rocks, and construction activities, she told PTI.

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Additionally, during the evening and night time, the temperature in Arunachal Pradesh dropped to 2-3 degrees Celsius. "This made riding challenging, and did not have warm clothes. We missed the direction and had to take a longer journey in the dark because there was no network and abandoned roads," Maske added.

The Border Roads Organization provided her with the navigational and logistical assistance she needed to finish the trek. In the first ten days, Maske rode for an average of 19 hours across roughly 350 miles. "It was difficult to manage sleep loss throughout a nonstop, nonstop journey. I rode my bike continuously for 19 hours, and occasionally even longer. I was kept awake by coffee, she said.

Near the Assam-Arunachal border, Maske experienced a terrible cramp in her legs. It seemed like she might have to cancel the remaining portions of the trip, but thanks to massage, stretching exercises, and rest, Raghuwanshi said. She set out on the adventure to support and promote organ donation for the RebirthThrust.org organisation.