Anuradha Palnitkar has made history as the first Indian American woman to complete an unsupported transcontinental bicycle ride across the United States, covering 3,168 miles in 52 days.
Anuradha Palnitkar has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first woman of Indian descent to complete an unsupported, unpowered transcontinental bicycle ride across the United States. Over the course of 52 days, she covered an impressive distance of 3,168 miles without the aid of a support vehicle.
At 54 years old, Palnitkar embarked on this challenging journey alongside fellow Indian Americans Jai Rawat, 57, and Samir Palnitkar, 58. Together, the trio cycled more than 5,100 kilometers and ascended over 100,000 feet as they traversed the country from the West Coast to the East Coast.
The expedition commenced at 6 a.m. Pacific time on August 1, 2026, at Santa Monica Beach in Los Angeles, California. After 52 days of cycling, they reached their destination at the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., at noon Eastern time on September 21.
Throughout their journey, the cyclists relied solely on their unpowered bicycles, averaging approximately 65 miles per day while crossing 14 states. Their route included California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.
A significant portion of their expedition followed Historic Route 66, the iconic highway established in 1926. Starting in Santa Monica, the cyclists passed through notable locations such as the Grand Canyon region, Flagstaff, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Amarillo, and Tulsa before reaching St. Louis, Missouri.
From St. Louis, they continued eastward toward Indianapolis, Columbus, Pittsburgh, and finally Washington, D.C. This journey provided the cyclists with a unique perspective on America’s diverse geography, history, and communities. Along Route 66, they encountered towns that played pivotal roles in the development of Middle America during the 20th century.
The expedition was not without its challenges. The cyclists faced extreme heat warnings for several weeks, with temperatures soaring as high as 119 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 49 degrees Celsius). They navigated the shoulders of interstates and highways, often contending with large trucks passing at speeds exceeding 75 mph. In some areas, the roads lacked shoulders entirely, and they also had to ride through thunderstorms in New Mexico before encountering colder conditions as they approached the East Coast.
Mechanical issues, aggressive dogs, and cycling accidents added to the difficulties they faced. The trio had to make repairs to their bicycles and recover from accidents while maintaining their focus on reaching Washington, D.C.
The landscape they traversed varied dramatically, encompassing mountain passes, deserts, valleys, forests, plains, rolling hills, parks, historic towns, bicycle trails, frontage roads, highways, and interstates. They enjoyed breathtaking mountain views across California, Arizona, and New Mexico, before crossing the expansive plains of Texas and Oklahoma. In Missouri, they navigated the rolling hills of the Ozarks, followed by the vast cornfields of Illinois and Indiana.
Their journey continued through Ohio’s bicycle trails, the Appalachian Plateau in West Virginia, and the Great Allegheny Passage near Pittsburgh, a roughly 150-mile bicycle trail. They also rode along the W&OD Trail in Virginia.
During their expedition, the cyclists crossed two major continental divides. In New Mexico, they reached the Continental Divide at an elevation of 7,881 feet, and in Pennsylvania, they crossed the Eastern Continental Divide at 2,392 feet.
For Palnitkar and Samir, the journey was about more than just completing a long-distance cycling challenge. They expressed that riding across the country allowed them to experience America’s varied terrains, cultural diversity, and rich history in a unique way. “We felt an exhilarating sense of freedom as we cycled through the endless landscapes, witnessing countless sunrises,” they shared.
Rawat noted the warmth and hospitality they encountered in small towns along their route. “People engaged with us, offered free coffee as they learned about our cross-country ride, and shop owners shared stories about their historic artifact collections. We gained valuable insights into how the towns of Middle America contributed to the country’s growth,” he said.
This expedition also marked another significant achievement for the trio. Rawat and Samir became the first graduates of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to complete an unsupported, unpowered bicycle ride across America. Rawat, a serial entrepreneur with 33 years of business experience, has founded multiple companies, including Zinrelo, Obongo, and Mojo Networks, which were acquired by Scaleworks, AOL, and Arista, respectively. He holds a BTech in Computer Science from IIT Kanpur and a master’s degree in Computer Science from Iowa State University.
Palnitkar, a dietitian by profession, has an extensive background in nutrition and education. She earned her undergraduate degree in dietetics from Delhi University and a master’s degree in Nutritional Science from San Jose State University. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she has completed three full marathons and numerous half marathons, along with a 63-mile walk from Pune to Mahabaleshwar.
Samir, with 34 years of business experience, has also founded multiple companies, including Zinrelo, Obongo, and Mojo Networks. He holds a BTech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kanpur, along with a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from San Jose State University.
Their latest expedition took their previous cycling experience to new heights, culminating in a remarkable achievement as three Indian Americans cycled over 3,000 miles across the United States without a support vehicle, concluding their journey at the iconic Washington Monument in the nation’s capital. This accomplishment not only highlights their endurance but also celebrates their cultural heritage and the spirit of adventure.
According to The American Bazaar, Palnitkar’s journey stands as a testament to resilience and determination, inspiring others to pursue their own adventures.