Pune Footballer Transforms into Cyclist, Aims to Set Record as Fastest Woman to Cycle Around the Globe
Pune Footballer Transforms into Cyclist, Aims to Set Record as Fastest Woman to Cycle Around the Globe
Pune, June 9,: Vedangi Kulkarni, a former player of the Pune FC women’s team, is gearing up to embark on a monumental journey to become the fastest woman to cycle around the world. The 25-year-old, hailing from Pimpri-Chinchwad, will kick off her ambitious expedition from India’s east coast in early July.
Kulkarni’s route spans across 29,000 kilometers and includes traversing through countries such as Mongolia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Oman. Her journey will culminate as she returns to India through Gujarat and proceeds southward to Kanyakumari, before completing the loop back to her starting point on the east coast.
Preparation for this unprecedented feat has been intensive. “I needed to secure seven visas, which was a lengthy process. During the journey, I plan to cycle between 270 to 300 kilometers daily, so rigorous physical training has been crucial,” shared Kulkarni, emphasizing her daily routine of yoga, meditation, and extended outdoor rides.
In addition to physical readiness, meticulous planning was vital. “I had to ensure my equipment was lightweight and efficient, and anticipate which bike parts might require replacement along the way,” she explained, detailing her strategy of shipping supplies ahead to different countries to facilitate maintenance.
A passionate storyteller, Kulkarni intends to document her global cycling odyssey, leveraging her social media presence and prior on-screen experience to secure sponsorships for equipment. “Storytelling is at the heart of what I do. My freelance writing and video campaigns have been instrumental in gaining support,” she affirmed.
Kulkarni’s journey marks a significant shift from her earlier ambitions in sports, having initially aimed for an international coaching license in football goalkeeping. Her record-setting achievement in 2023 as the fastest woman to cycle the Manali-Leh highway redirected her focus towards cycling, culminating in this around-the-world endeavor.
Reflecting on her unconventional path into sports, Kulkarni recalled her entry into cycling in 2015, with her inaugural ride across the Himalayas at the age of 17. Beyond cycling, she has also completed a challenging east-to-west traverse of Svalbard on skis.
As she prepares to embark on her global expedition, Kulkarni remains focused on the journey ahead. “I’m eager to embrace the challenges and experiences that await,” she concluded, highlighting her anticipation for the forthcoming adventure.
