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 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.  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 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]