Vedangi Kulkarni - Round the World (Again): Records, Setbacks & Resilience on Two Wheels

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 2023Preparing to cycle the world again in 2024 — and finding sponsorship, gear, and coachingStruggles of travelling on an Indian passport and the challenge of visa logisticsBeing delayed at borders, detained, and ultimately forced to return to the UK mid-ride due to visa expiryRestarting in 2025, finishing the ride under the blazing Indian summer sunDealing 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. New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries. Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Your support makes a difference. Thank you x Show notes Who is VedangiFrom 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 yearsDeciding to cycle around the world again2023 - 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 2024Getting 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 bikeBeing an Ambassador for RAB Working with Tailfin - and having custom build gear 3D printed mounts Struggling to get sponsorship from Indian companiesGetting only 1 Indian Sponsor at the last momentTraining and working with Jon Fearne from E3 Coaching Following a training plan and putting in the best effort with itApplying for visas and planning the route with an Indian passport The challenges of getting to the start lineRacing 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 challengesThe challenges of travelling on a weaker passport Having no room for errors - everything needs to go to planWhy it wasn’t a level playing field Speaking with Lael before heading off - women supporting womenKnowing that she wasn’t going to get the record and keeping on goingHaving a good story to tellDealing with setbacks and failures and keeping on going The route and how it was slightly different to the first timeStarting on the East Coast of IndiaRiding 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 SummerFeeling satisfied once the ride was finally done. Adventure blues after the ridePlanning her next record attempt and expedition. Wanting to push her limits furtherWhy health isn’t guaranteed One precious life and you’ve got to get out there and live itBalancing everything that’s going on How to connect with Vedangi on social media Kickstarting her YouTube againGetting more active on Substack Final words...