Pedalling Pune8217;s salute to Kargil

The expedition from Pune to Kargil will take 28 days, with the duo planning to touch the heights around September 12 or 13. 8220;We plan to cover 135 to 140 km per day, travelling from 6 am to 4 pm. every day. Permission has been taken from the Army base at Jammu, to proceed to Kargil.8221; En route, the two will halt at Nashik, Dhule, Indore, Guna, Gwalior, Agra, Bharatpur, Jaipur, Bheror, Delhi, Karnal, Kathua, Jammu, Udhampur, Srinagar and Drass.

The duo have taken an engraved message and a flag with them, which they will present to the Army Commander. They will salute the soldiers the country lost during the Kargil conflict on behalf of the city of Pune.

Waghmare and Joshi are fitness experts 8211; Waghmare teaches at the hotel8217;s health club and Joshi is a freelance outdoor fitness expert 8211; who have earlier also undertaken such expeditions. Last year they undertook a trip to Gangotri, so the high-altitude terrain is not a deterrent. In the current expedition, the highest point they will touch is 15,000 metres.

Waghmare and Joshi are equipped with two pairs of track suits, caps, a sleeping bag, two sweaters and wind-sheeter, water bottles, one extra tube and one extra tire, besides a first-aid medical kit. 8220;We are sure people will help us on the way too,8221; they say. Armed with this survival gear and loads of optimism, they are more than ready to face the trails of the expedition.