One More Lap Around the World

One hundred and twenty-four days or less, that’s what it’ll take for Vedangi Kulkarni to break the Women’s around-the-world cycling record. The 25-year-old adventurer is no stranger to big bikepacking challenges, but this could be her toughest ride yet. 

Who is Vedangi Kulkarni?

Vedangi’s modest and humble attitude underpins every one of her adventures; in her own words, “I’ve never been a natural at anything”, yet at age 20, she became the youngest woman to cycle around the globe. Away from this record, Vedangi has tackled some awe-inspiring challenges, and whilst not all of them are undertaken on two wheels, the bike continues to be her preferred adventure partner. Very soon after completing her first circumnavigation, when most people would not want to throw a leg over a saddle for a long time, she ended up virtually throwing herself off a mountain by way of the infamous Megavalanche, the world’s toughest mass-start downhill race.

Let’s crunch those numbers.

To recognise this attempt as an official Guinness World Record, Vedangi must ride a route of at least 29,000 kilometres (18,000 miles) and pass at least two antipodal points (these are two points that line up through the earth’s centre). Vedangi will almost certainly go further, but more on that later. The Around the World record differs slightly from most ultra-distance FKTs (Fastest Know Times). Generally, in the world of ultra-distance cycling, supported and unsupported records are treated as very different challenges. Guinness, however, doesn’t distinguish between the two. True to form, Vedangi aims to ride unsupported, making the challenge even harder. To beat Jenny Graham’s staggering record of 124 days and 11 hours, Vedangi will have to average over 300 kilometres a day, a mammoth ask. But if anyone can beat it, it’s going to be her.

The motivation to break a World Record.

Born in India (the starting point of this attempt), Vendagi faces extra barriers that perhaps other riders don’t. Her circumnavigation won’t be the fastest route, and the main reason for this lies with visas. Her Indian passport doesn’t allow her to travel to many different countries. Not one to let things get in her way, we sense that Vedangi sees this as an opportunity, not a blocker. It’s a chance to prove anyone can do anything. There may be a record on the line here, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about experiencing the world, challenging herself and breaking down barriers. 

What to take when riding around the world. 

This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for: let’s talk tech. We’re honoured to have Vedangi on as an R&D rider. This means we provide bags, kit, and support. In return, Vedangi offers valuable real-world testing and feedback. Let’s break down the setup for you. 

Good Luck Vedangi!

At the time of writing, Vedgani has just embarked on her journey across Australia. It’s Vedangi’s everlasting positive attitude, ability to inspire, and infectious smile that makes this record attempt stand out. You can follow every pedal stroke here. To read more about Vedangi’s epic achievements, head over to our R&D Division page. Fingers crossed for an endless tailwind.