Against All Odds: Call it wheel power, this footballer-turned-cycler from Pune is looking to become fastest woman to cycle around globe

She has also been working to optimise her set-up. “I had to ensure everything was as light and efficient as possible. Plus, I had to figure out what parts of my bike might go through wear and tear and need to be changed. So I have been sending stuff ahead to different countries, so I can change the parts and sort it out on my own,” said Kulkarni.

Kulkarni also plans to film this journey as she is, first and foremost, a storyteller. She uses social media to document her life, and that presence, along with some on-screen work, helped her get Europe-based sponsors for bikes and gear.

“Storytelling is a big part of my job. A lot of my work is freelance-based writing. The key for me is to document things as they are happening. I also do a lot of on-screen work, video campaigns, the launch of a new bike or kit or equipment, which helps in getting sponsorship,” said Kulkarni.

Originally, Kulkarni planned to obtain an international coaching licence as a football goalkeeper and start a goalkeeper-specific training business in India. However, in 2023, when she set the Guinness World Record for being the fastest woman to cycle through the Manali-Leh highway, she became more focused on cycling. She decided to embark on an around-the-world expedition.

She said she had not developed an interest in sports until her late teens. While in Pune, Kulkarni played for the Pune FC women’s team. She began cycling around 2015 and completed her first bike ride in 2016, cycling across the Himalayas at 17. In addition to cycling, she also completed an east-to-west crossing of Svalbard on skis.

About what she looks forward to at this point, Kulkarni said, “