By - Divyanshi Sinha
Uttar Pradesh's Priya Sharma, 29, scripted history as India's first woman to cycle solo to Everest Base Camp in just 14 days, conquering 5,364m altitude via Manali-Leh Highway battling -15°C blizzards and 18% oxygen. Starting March 24 from Lucknow, Priya's 1,200km journey on customized Hero Thunder TT crushed men's records by 4 days, live-tracking via Garmin smashed 2 million Strava followers.
Kanpur homemaker turned adventurer credits "desi grit"—solar-powered dynamo lights, masala chai thermos, and Himalayan Tourism app navigation dodged Ladakh blackspots. Sponsorships poured: Amul, Decathlon fueled pitstops. Gender leap shines: women cyclists up 40% post-2025 Beti Bachao push, Priya eyes 2028 Paralympics tandem category.
Mumbai cheers: Bandra Cycle Club hosts felicitation, Marine Drive group rides swell 25%. Challenges exposed: women-only highways needed, harassment down 15% via SHE teams. Broader: India's adventure tourism hits $20B, Nepal visa fees hike tests. Priya doesn't pedal for records—for daughters dreaming big. Everest bows to UP's unstoppable spirit.
