Dehradun :In an inspiring feat, seven women aged between 38-54 years undertook a motorcycle expedition to Mana pass, the highest motorable pass at a height of 18399 ft above sea level, on the India-China border in Uttarakhand.
Sponsored by a German firm DRIVOL and named “Being a Woman”, the expedition started from Dehradun on September 27 and concluded here last night after covering a distance of 1200 KMs.
Representing diverse backgrounds but bound together by a passion for riding mortorcycles, the women travelled through picturesque terrain to Nelang valley and Jhadung village before reaching Uttarkashi from where they went to Tilwara, Badrinath and finally to Mana Gaon which is the last village in the Indian territory on India-China border.
Beyond Mana gaon the team climbed up to the Mana pass with the support of Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the Indian Army, one of the members of the expedition team Bhavna Issar said.
“Each day was a new learning experience in multiple ways of being a person, being a team, discovering one’s capabilities and pushing the boundaries of the mind and the body,” she said summing up her experience.
Claiming this is for the first time a group of women bike riders have successfully completed an expedition to the Mana pass, Bhavna said they have applied for recognition by the Limca Book of Records.
The seven women are Sheetal Bidaye (39yrs, riding Hero Impulse 150cc, professional rider), Kanchan K Tamhankar (38yrs, riding Thunderbird 350cc, Software design strategist), Trupti Sarmalkar (49yrs, riding KTM Duke200, fitness expert), Shubhangi Manjrekar (39, riding Thunderbird 350cc, advertising professional), Shalaka Zad (38yrs, riding Royal Enfield Classic 350cc, interior designer), Bhavana Issar (41yrs, riding Thunderbird 500cc, business consultant) and Sneh Joshi (54yrs, riding Royal Enfield 350cc, Insurance agent).
Sponsored by DRIVOL, a leading German manufacturer of premium lubricating oils and greases and powered by the Bluechem group, the ride was organized and supported by The Vagabond, Where Eagles Dare and Sambhaavna group.
PTI