"Cycling Wonder: Pune's Preeti Maske Sets Guinness Record with 3,955 km Solo Journey."

Pune resident Preeti Maske, a 45-year-old mother of two, has achieved a remarkable feat by cycling 3,955 km in just 13 days, 19 hours, and 12 minutes, setting a new Guinness World Record. Starting her journey from the Indo-Pak border at Koteshwar, she successfully reached Kibitu in Arunachal Pradesh on the Indo-Tibetan border.

Maske's solo expedition traversed seven states, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh, covering challenging terrains with a total elevation gain of 15,679 meters. Over the first 10 days, she cycled nearly 350 km, maintaining an impressive average saddle time of 19 hours.

The grueling journey presented various challenges, such as sleep deprivation during continuous non-stop rides, with Maske cycling for up to 24 hours at a stretch. She attributed her ability to stay awake to coffee consumption. The route, particularly through Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, posed difficulties with heavy headwinds, treacherous roads with boulders, elevation changes, blasting, and ongoing construction work.

The World Ultra Cycling Association (USA) has accepted all necessary paperwork, evidence, and timestamped pictures for certification of Maske's Guinness World Record. The ride, initiated on November 1 from Koteshwar, the westernmost point of India, was flagged off by BSF Assistant Commandant N K Sharma.

Maske, who began cycling at the age of 40, aimed to raise awareness and support for organ donation through her expedition, partnering with the Pune-based NGO Rebirth Foundation. This isn't her first accomplishment in ultra-long-distance cycling, as she previously set records, including the 6,000-plus km Golden Quadrilateral in March 2021 and a 430 km Leh to Manali ride in 55 hours in June 2022.

Supported by a crew of five members, Maske faced challenges near the Arunachal border, including a severe leg cramp. However, with the assistance of massage, stretching exercises, and rest, she overcame the obstacle. Despite extremely cold temperatures and zero network coverage in Arunachal, the team successfully completed the expedition, thanks to the support of the Border Roads Organization.

Reference:

indianexpress.com