3rd Year Special Annual Double Issue Vol 4 Issue 1 & 2 Jan - Apr 2 3rd Year Special Annual Double Issue Vol 4 Issue | Page 97

ADVENTURE & WILDLIFE
avoid the traffic between Satara to Pune (the
highway was under construction) and Pune to
Mumbai (it’s always clustered). him to come as I was sleep deprived and didn’t
want to risk riding home). Once he reached, we
had some quick snacks and left for Mumbai.
I took a chance of revving up my vehicle past 100
kmph. The engine didn’t rattle. Only thing to be
kept in mind – keep the speed constant. Lowering
the speed will cause the engine to rattle, gaining
speed again will take upto 2 mins. We reached Mumbai around 10.30 pm. I slept like
a log the next day with my body refusing to budge
even an inch.
I rode like my life depended on it and managed to
finish the challenge with 5 mins to spare. Luckily,
I got couple of bikers at the fuel station to sign
as witness to the completion of the ride, an ATM
to get the electronic time stamp and the fuel
station’s bill.
The sun was harsh, it was 12.55 pm. I took a break
at the fuel station, slept for about 30 mins. Started
for my further journey to Mumbai. At Pune, I took
a halt at one of my friend’s place who checked
my vehicle too. The battery had weakened, so he
gave me his bike’s battery. It was Sunday, so no
service centres nor any battery shops were open
where I could get it. I topped up the oil once again,
slept at my friend’s place for a while, waited for
my friend to come from Mumbai (I had requested
Vol 4 | Issue 2 |Mar - Apr 2019
The approvals went through and I received my
certificate after a year due to some technical
issues at their end.
So here I am, the 2nd woman to have completed
the Saddle Sore Challenge of Iron Butt
Association, USA – 1680 kms in less than 24
hours.
Route: Madurai-Kanyakumari-Salem-Bangalore-
Kolhapur-Satara.
I covered 3000 kms in about 72 hours including
tea, fuel and sleep breaks which amounts to about
9 hours.
It was a surprise to my mom and needless to
say, she was happy to see the certificate when it
arrived.
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