Off-late, woman are getting into motorcycles, with two females buying Harley-Davidson bikes making it into national news. Now Chithra Priya has gone to become the first Indian woman to complete the Saddlesore, which she did on her Honda CBR250R. Saddlesore is challenge of the Iron Butt Association, wherein the rider has to complete 1000 miles (1610 kms) in less than 24 hours. The 26-year old did this on the 25th of December, 2011 covering 1650 kms in 24 hours.
“Surprise was writ large on his face (the motorcyclists who gave her directions) when I asked him for directions to the highway. It was incredible for him that a woman would ride all alone through the night from Pune to Bangalore. The cold was biting into my body. I played my iPod and tried to numb the discomfort with music. However, things only began to get worse. My shoulders were uncooperative and my back ached considerably. A feeble voice urged me to give up.” – Chithra Priya said.
Chithra chose the Banaglore – Pune – Bangalore route to complete her Saddlesore. She was exhausted at the end of it, with burning eyes, dust filled jacket and a helmet filled with insects. The bike was given to her by Honda to complete this record, which she undertook when others were celebrating Christmas. Initially she had decided on the Chennai – Vizag – Chennai route but the six-lane conversion led her to opt for the Bangalore-Pune route, which she had never done before. She did lose her way once but received guidance from other motorcyclists and completed the Saddlesore with triumph.
Source – The Hindu