BENGALURU: As Alisha neared Nelamangala on Sunday evening after riding over 1,600 km in less than 22 hours, her body was aching, vision was getting blurred, clothes were drenched but her bike was still thundering. Both her target and dream were, however, now within reach.
Bengaluru girl Alisha Jebin (24), became only the second Indian woman to ride over 1,610 km under 24 hours - the primary criterion to qualify for an international bikers’ certification. She rode from Nelamangala to Pune and back. Though her aim was not just to qualify for the certification, but also to break the previous record set by Chennai girl Chithra Priya in December 2011.
After a ride during which it rained heavily for most of the time, she eventually romped home comfortably on Sunday night and covered 1,661 km in 21 hours and 58 minutes on her Royal Enfield 350. A warm and proud reception from her friends and family awaited her in Nelamangala. She is now eligible to apply for the Soresaddle certification to the Iron Butt Association, an international association of long-distance riders who term themselves the ‘world’s toughest riders.”
After her ride, Alisha, who works as a Support Engineer for the French bank Societe Generale, told Express, “I feel I was born with an iron butt, but I feel like my hands and shoulders will drop off. Though I was extremely confident of being able to achieve the target, I was a bit anxious in Pune where there was a bit of traffic.”
Kabeelan A, Alisha’s friend and a passionate rider himself, was involved in most of the arrangements. “She said she would stop at around 1 pm, but then changed her mind, and said she was still feeling full of energy. That was impressive.”
Alisha is a seasoned rider and has done many long distance trips with the bikers’ club-Ride Beyond Reason. “I would ride almost every weekend and when I read about Chithra, I also wanted to do this.”
The next step for Alisha is to apply for the certification, which comes with a badge reading ‘World’s toughest rider’.