Breaking all Sterotypes - Vamini Sethi riding a cycle all around Sri Lanka

Vamini Sethi

“Time will pass anyway. You can either spend it creating the life you want or spend it living the life you don't – the choice is yours”. This is what Vamini Sethi, a successful banker at a renowned international MNC in Gurgaon lives by. She is an avid mountain biker, a car rally driver, an enthusiastic trekker and keen wildlife photographer whose photographs have featured in National Geographic.

As described in her own words, Vamini is a ‘risk taker’. Her unbridled passion pushes her to overcome her fears and inhibitions. For someone who started mountain biking just four years ago, Vamini has indeed come a long way. From conquering India’s toughest multi-stage MTB race Hero MTB Himalaya last year to winning the 2-day XC UT MTB Shimla in 2013 and runner-up in 2014, she has been an inspiration for women wanting to enter the field.

Vamini feels that it is all too common for women’s dreams and aspirations to be forgotten while juggling between a career and family – and this is the stereotype that Vamini has taken a vow to break. Extremely passionate about the sport as she is, she wants to inspire women to follow their dreams while managing a career and a family.

To help Vamini realize this objective, Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA) conceived the idea of this ride along with Vamini. This ride across Sri Lanka supported by UT Bikes from 14th – 23rd June, 2015. This solo ride is being undertaken to inspire women to explore the extraordinary in them.

“Cycling in a foreign nation and unknown terrain is by no means an easy task’, It tests the best of riders. We congratulate Vamini for this courageous attempt. She has been an inspiration to women throughout and will inspire everyone once again,” said Anil Saunkhala, Press Secretary HASTPA.

“HASTPA has always supported the growth of the sport in India and We have nominated Ashish from HASTPA and he will be riding with Vamini as a technical support. Ashish is himself a well-known mountain biker and will be supporting her at each step in this courageous journey,” said Mohit Sood, President HASTPA.

“We want to promote the sport of mountain biking amongst women and Vamini is the perfect ambassador for that. She will be HASTPA’s brand ambassador for promoting riding amongst women in India. She has inspired in the past and she will inspire in the future. HASTPA promises to be with her at each step.”

The Ride will be supported by UT Bikes – The premium bike segment from Hero Cycles.

“UT Bikes has been supporting the growth of cycling in India and will be an integral part of this wonderful initiative. Testing of endurance, With a consistent approach, coming from a woman rider is what this Sri Lanka Ride is about. We will promote this amazing attempt as well as any such event in the future” Said Mr Gopal Krishnan, Business Head – UT Bikes.