Roshni Sharma: First Female Solo Biker Completed Kanyakumari to Kashmir

"I felt fearless and there is nothing in this world that women can't achieve", tells Roshni Sharma. The first solo female successfully completed riding from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. I came to know about her through Facebook where I saw herself posing on adventure bikes under the sunny sky. Immediately, I was awestruck to see her presence on the bike and that she knows what she does. She went on the long-distance solo ride in India for nothing but herself, to become fearless and make the most of the opportunity to explore the world.

Roshni is about to attain the age of 16 and waiting for her parents to buy her a motorbike in Uttar Pradesh, India. The place where she born and raised by her loving parents who were supportive of her thirst for adventure and interests in motorbikes. She got her first bike and from there on there is no stopping her. Her parents didn't think twice to buy the Indian girl a new motorbike. Roshni Sharma was just fond of all sorts of adventure including biking, hiking, cycling, and whatnot.

Travel gave her the wings to be more on her own and embrace the freedom it offers and the opportunity that she loves to explore the world. She got into a well-earning job in Bangalore and almost every weekend she goes on hiking, and cycling adventures. This little quest for adventure didn't stop right there but only grew even bigger. One of her biker buddies suggested riding Kanyakumari to Kashmir, she was so thrilled and got into the idea of doing it when she came to know that no woman has previously completed this epic feat of adventure.

Riding solo as a woman in India, as well as riding such a long distance to the complete length of India is no easy task. She was so passionate and did the right thing by getting herself the needed support and mentorship from Mr. Kaleem, a biker and a retired army officer. He with his knowledge and experience over the years guided Roshni for the mother of all Indian road trips.

On a fine morning in June 2014, at her age of just 26, she was flagged off to embark on this daunting, most cruel, and challenging solo road trip of her lifetime. With the emotions rolling deep she accelerated on her way to the top. And, also it was equally thrilling to think about the experiences she is going to have on her 10 days trip across India. There is the fear also that presents in herself and was haunting her for the initial days. Later on, with the loving public people, all that she met during her travel was so generous and incredibly overjoyed to see a woman riding solo.

Though it was a well-planned journey, there were instances of unexpected challenges that came on the road. All those incredibly humble, and loving souls she met on the road, and their encouragement and motivating words she went ahead overcoming the difficulties one after the another. After accomplishing this huge, she began pushing the boundaries of another woman by organizing bike ride adventures. Recently she completed riding across Europe on her bike. Her next quest for great adventure is to ride solo across the USA. You may follow her on social media platforms and she is most active on Facebook.

Being a woman, it is not easy to face all the societal pressure, gender stereotypes and to go on an adventure like this. But, people like Roshni Sharma are great examples of how one should follow their passion and stand firm against the odds. If you are passionate about something, then find people of similar interests and network with them. Then, there on you can either do it with them or you may go solo and conquer everything your interests.

Roshni Sharma is clearly an example of #FearTheRoutine and does what her heart says. It is for us to learn and live life with pride of doing what gives us the maximum satisfaction. Ending this blog with a lovely quote from the movie Om Shanti Om, which Roshni shared in one another blog when they asked about her advice/tips to other women who wishes to kickstart a similar adventure.

"kehte hai agar kisi cheez ko puri shiddat se chaho to puri kaynath use tumse milane me lag jati hai" which means "It is said that if you want something with full devotion, then it takes the whole work to match it with you."

Author Note: This blog has not written by communicated with the biker Roshni Sharma rather it was written by learnings from the blog posts written about her adventures.