Congratulation to Dr Manisha Waghmare, Dr Ashvini Ganpatye, Jyoti Paranjpe, and Rama Karmarkar for setting a new record from Thiba Palace, Ratnagiri to Ellora Caves, Chhatrapati,Sambhaji, Nagar – under these categories: Unsupported, women 4x-team, 50-59, standard upright bike
Dr Manisha Waghmare
Eye surgeon, doing private practice since last 20 yrs.
Yoga teacher, runner and cyclist
Triple SR in one audax year, 1000 and 1200 LRM finisher, Goa Ironman, GWR India East to West unsupported on Tandem.
We, Dr Ashwini, Rama karmarkar belongs to Police Department, senior cyclist Jyoti tai Paranjpe are strong cyclist from Chiplun, Maharashtra, India decided to form team of 4 and do ride together on occasion of Police Raising day Maharashtra to spread awareness regarding women safety. As this yr 65 years completed for raising day so tried to cover more than 650 km on hybrid bikes that too totally unsupported. Team named as Team Tejaswini and decided to celebrate start of new year by doing this ride. When whole world was celebrating new year, we were busy in our bike packing and getting ready for next day ride.
Actual Ride
We were lucky enough to get Flag off from Superintendent of Police Ratnagiri district with police band for this unique raising day ride.
First day was very rolling terrain as on main highway construction work was going on, we had some bike issues of one rider that we solved from local bike shops.
Also, I had one accident as car 🚘 hit me from behind in foggy early morning on second day only, had injured my right hand and right knee with blunt trauma, after getting recovered from this still completed whole ride with painful knee as I am doctor was taking medication 💊 by own.
Faced traffic of Mumbai near thane, from thane to Igatpuri climbed 3 ghats and lastly biggest Kasara ghat was challenging.
Though our planning was to reach on Tuesday we delayed by one day and reached Ellora caves on Wednesday but it was Gods planning as Ellora caves are closed on Tuesday.
We all 4 enjoyed our ride together as we are friends here and every year do such kind of rides since last 3 years, But this was unique with purpose, also we had given lectures and had communications with local public and schools.
Dr Manisha Waghmare
Hello, myself Dr Ashvini, a practicing doctor and a mother of two. I started cycling as a part of my fitness program. Initially it was just fun rides with my husband Tejanand who is also a fitness freak. After successfully finishing a flag ride of 72 km on 26 Jan 2021 I developed an interest in long distance cycling. Tejanand and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at Goa with Chiplun to Goa unsupported cycle tour. Then I did Thane to statue of unity and return tour with my friend Dhanashree, Pandharpur cycle wari, leisure Goa trip with my friends and Pune to Ayodhya cycle trip with three of my friends. Meanwhile I also completed my SR series. For the last year my focus was on improving my running and I did marathons, relay Iron Man at Goa. This running practice gave me the confidence for our proposed Thiba palace to Ellora caves ride though my cycling volume was quite low in 2025.
Actual Ride
While most of the world was nursing a hangover on first January 2026, we four girls set out for our journey. The start was made memorable by the flag off given by superintendent of police Ratnagiri as a one of our friend Rama Karmakar belongs to police department. Though we are from Konkan and are accustomed to the climbs but this time the weight of our bags made it slight difficult and we had to drag our day 1 ride post sunset. Then afterwards we faced challenges like tyre issues, unexpected climbs, ghats etc. This changed our schedule and instead of Tuesday we reached Ellora caves on Wednesday. But as I believe everything happens for a reason, the Ellora caves are closed on tuesdays for maintenance. We enjoyed the ride a lot. We had fun, clicked so many photos,did shopping. The cherry on top was the warm welcome by the commissioner of police Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. I will be cherishing these moments forever and looking forward to many such trips with my friends.
Dr Ashvini Tejanand Ganpatye.
Myself Mrs. Jyoti Paranjape, age 61 now retired. I Was working in Bakers Yeast manufacturing industry as Quality Control Manager.
Three Years back when I was looking for some sort of exercise I turned towards cycling. I found this very interesting. During this period, I did one BRM of 200km. But I was very much interested in touring. So eventually I did two small group tours to Pandharpur 230kms each (temple of lord Vishnu). Then a fun ride to scenic Goa (300km). In Oct 2024, I did cycle of 1450 km from Pune city to Ayodhya the birthplace of lord Shriram. And this year we planned for WUCA ride
Actual ride
My first self-supported ride. We were given flag off from superintendent of police Ratnagiri as one of our team members was police personnel so this tour was a pride for police department also. We started from Thiba Palace (Ratnagiri). Day one was full of elevations so it was challenging. But we enjoyed as route was very scenic. Ultimately day was quite long.
Next day we travelled on National highway 66 and was having heavy traffic. overall, we crossed 4 districts in Maharashtra state. From the third day of the event I got used to with my heavy loaded cycle and got my confidence back.
We went through very beautiful country side, grape gardens, sugar cane and wheat fields and very famous shopping hub for traditional Maharashtrian sarees.
Even though I was quite senior to rest of team they never made me feel different resulting in very good team. We all supported each other throughout the ride.
For me this was very unique and endurance testing ride which gave me lots of confidence to prove that age is just a number.
Thank you all.
I, Mrs Rama Prasad Karmarkar, a proud mother, dedicated police personnel, serving in Maharashtra Police since 26 August 2000 & works as a Crime Writer.
Practicing yoga and physical fitness since the age of 6, represented Maharashtra in Rope Mallakhamb at the national “Bhartiyam” program held in Delhi in 1989 and 1990. To maintain fitness and professional readiness, actively pursues yoga, exercise, marathon running, swimming, mountaineering, and cycling, demonstrating self-discipline and resilience.
Balancing the responsibilities of a mother and the duties of a police officer, this journey was a true test of endurance, discipline, and mental strength. I have climbed more than 50 forts, and in 2019, successfully scaled Mount Kalsubai, Maharashtra’s highest peak, along with my son. Achieved notable performance in Powerlifting at the national level in 2020-2022. & honored “Navdurga’ Award from Ratnagiri District for remarkable performance in Powerlifting by News Channel 18 IBN-Lokmat at the national level.
Chaturang Pratishthan recognized me for my noteworthy contribution during the Chiplun floods & was interviewed and presented with a certificate of appreciation for my brave service – for rescuing three people during the 21 July 2021 floods at night
From 21 September to 4 October 2024, I participated in the Pune-to- Ayodhya Cycle Ride as one of four women riders, becoming the first woman to complete the journey. Believing that blood donation is the noblest donation, i have donated blood over 25 times so far.
Actual Ride
Incredible adventure to kick off 2026! I started an unsupported cycle ride from Thiba Palace, Ratnaqiri to Ellora Caves, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar with the goal of setting a WUCA (World Ultra cycling Association) record.Unsupported ride is no joke – we carry everything you need, depend on our own resources, and face all the challenges head-on. Going from the Konkan coast to Ellora means tackling varied terrains, weather changes, and lots of elevation.
Serving the nation in uniform requires courage, discipline, and determination – and we carried those same values into every kilometre of this endurance ride Through coastal winds, rolling hills, and historic trails, our pedals told a story of strength, unity, and breaking boundaries.
This ride was not just a test of physical endurance but also a message: women in uniform can lead, inspire, and achieve remarkable milestones both on duty and on the road. This ride was not just a test of physical endurance but also a message, women in uniform can lead, inspire, and achieve remarkable milestones both on duty and on the road.
This ride specially signifies tights bonds between Maharashtra Police & Civilians trying to eliminate any misconceptions and fear we have around Police.