In this candid and raw Tough Girl Podcast EXTRA episode, we reconnect with the unstoppable Vedangi Kulkarni — the youngest woman to have cycled around the world, who's recently returned from doing it again.

Now based in Inverness, Scotland, Vedangi opens up about her second attempt at cycling around the globe — this time not just for the journey, but in pursuit of a Guinness World Record.

From racing Lael Wilcox to navigating border delays, funding pressures, and the relentless physical and mental toll of riding across five continents, Vedangi doesn't hold back.

This conversation is about pushing limits, embracing failures, and finding strength when things don't go to plan.

Highlights from the episode include:

Breaking a record in the Himalayas (Manali–Leh Highway) in 2023
Preparing to cycle the world again in 2024 — and finding sponsorship, gear, and coaching
Struggles of travelling on an Indian passport and the challenge of visa logistics
Being delayed at borders, detained, and ultimately forced to return to the UK mid-ride due to visa expiry
Restarting in 2025, finishing the ride under the blazing Indian summer sun
Dealing with the post-expedition blues and finding her footing again

Vedangi's story is one of resilience, honesty, and fierce determination. Despite knowing she wouldn't get the world record, she kept going — driven by passion, grit, and the belief that stories worth telling are born from adversity.

Now, she's looking ahead to her next expedition, ramping up her YouTube and Substack presence, and continuing to speak openly about the realities of life as a woman of colour in adventure sport.

Heads-up: This episode includes some strong language.

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Show notes

Who is Vedangi
From India but currently based in Inverness, Scotland
The Adventure Shed
Coming back from her 2nd ride around the world
Speaking to Vedangi in Sep 22, 2020 - Vedangi Kulkarni - The youngest woman to have circumnavigated the world on bicycle.
Tough Girl Extra Oct 27, 2022 - Vedangi Kulkarni - Adventurer and endurance athlete moving into mountain biking and crossing Svalbard.
The focus of this episode - what Vedangi has been up to over the past couple of years
Deciding to cycle around the world again
2023 - visiting the Himalayas and going after a point to point record. GWR for being the fastest women to cycle the Manali-leh Highway
Getting her win
June 2023 - starting to be vocal about her goals in 2024
Getting the sponsorship and funding in place
Needing £20k
Working with Canyon Bikes
Speaking to the bike experts
Getting a gravel bike and specking it like a road bike
Being an Ambassador for RAB
Working with Tailfin - and having custom build gear
3D printed mounts
Struggling to get sponsorship from Indian companies
Getting only 1 Indian Sponsor at the last moment
Training and working with Jon Fearne from E3 Coaching
Following a training plan and putting in the best effort with it
Applying for visas and planning the route with an Indian passport
The challenges of getting to the start line
Racing against Lael Wilcox (who was attempting the same record at the same time)
"Why do I think I can do this? I don't stand a chance"
Mental blocks and challenges
The challenges of travelling on a weaker passport
Having no room for errors - everything needs to go to plan
Why it wasn't a level playing field
Speaking with Lael before heading off - women supporting women
Knowing that she wasn't going to get the record and keeping on going
Having a good story to tell
Dealing with setbacks and failures and keeping on going
The route and how it was slightly different to the first time
Starting on the East Coast of India
Riding across Mongolia and then on to Australia
Challenges with border crossings and getting detained and delayed
Needing to fly back to the UK on Christmas Eve due to UK visa regulations
Needing to stay in the UK for 2 months
Getting back to India in March 2025 to finish the ride
The challenges of the heat - going from Scottish winter to an Indian Summer
Feeling satisfied once the ride was finally done.
Adventure blues after the ride
Planning her next record attempt and expedition.
Wanting to push her limits further
Why health isn't guaranteed
One precious life and you've got to get out there and live it
Balancing everything that's going on
How to connect with Vedangi on social media
Kickstarting her YouTube again
Getting more active on Substack
Final words of advice for women who want to push on through their barriers
Embracing failure and not letting it dim your light - it's not always going to go to plan
Be motivated to try your best
The journalling process and how it can help mentally with self-esteem

Social Media

Website: vedangi.info

Instagram: @thisisvedangi

LinkedIn: Vedangi Kulkarni

Twitter: @thisisvedangi

Facebook: @wheelsandwords

YouTube: @thisisvedangi

Link to donate me a small amount: [Buy Me A Coffee]

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