The mother of two has created an ultra cycling world record by becoming the first woman to cycle solo from Leh to Manali in 55 hours 13 minutes.
Officials claimed that 45-year-old Preeti Maske, who hails from Pune, has met the requirements of Guinness World Records by covering a distance of 430 km.
She holds the record for the fastest female cyclist on the Golden Quadrilateral, covering a distance of 6,000 kilometres, he said.
Expressing happiness over her feat, Preeti said that age is no barrier in finding one’s passion.
Preeti said, ‘I started cycling at the age of 40 to overcome the disease. If I can overcome my fear then any woman can.
Preeti started the ride on 22nd June.
Officials said that Preeti was flagged off by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) from Leh at 6.30 am by Leh Chief Engineer BRO Brigadier Gaurav Karki.
At Manali he finished the ride on 24th June at 1:13 pm in the presence of Col. Shabarish Wachli, Commander, BRO.
Experts said the route was very difficult with an altitude of 8,000 metres. He said that the Guinness World Records had given him 60 hours to complete the challenge.
“Due to breathlessness on the high pass, I had to take oxygen twice on the way,” Preeti said.
Preeti holds many records in long distance cycling.
Her crew member Anand Kansal said, “Preeti had to cycle in harsh changing climate at all high altitude passes battling sun, strong winds, snowfall and cold.”
Kansal said this could not have been possible with the support of the BRO, which had deployed satellite phones and two auxiliary vehicles with medical aids.
(with PTI inputs)