R. Chithra Priya (born 30 March 1984) is a female biker from Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
| Chithra Priya | |
|---|---|
 Chithra Priya at Big FM 92.7 Young Achievers Award Ceremony in 2011 | |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Born | 30 March 1984 Chennai, India |
| Years active | 2005–present |
Early life
editChithra was taught motorcycle riding by her two brothers and she got her first bike in 2005. She participated in three novice motorcycle races[1] in the 80 cc – 110 cc category.[2][3] During one race, she was the only girl. She came in third place for that race, but won gold as a rider at the Speed Run. Chithra is also very passionate about longer endurance rides.[4]
Career
editThough, Motorcycle racing is recognized as legitimate sport in India, Chithra had found it very difficult to fund her interest.[5] Instead, she continues to pursue her passion in long distance riding.
She is the only Indian female motorbike rider to be Saddle Sore certified. This is an endurance riding certificate awarded by Iron Butt Association, when she rode 1,600 kilometers in 24 hours.[6] She has three Limca Book of Records on her name. The first one was awarded to the group she was a part of awarded to the group, Bikerni Association of Female Bikers India, for riding through Khardungala, the highest motor-able road in the world. The second was for being the first and only women to hold the International SaddleSore Record title, and the third for riding from Kanyakumari to Leh in 154 hours.[7]
She is the main board member of The Bikerni group along with Urvashi Patole, and Sheetal Bidaye.[8][9]
Chithra Priya, along with the Bikerni, partnered with Vicki Gray,[10] the founder of International Female Ride Day© (IFRD), and founder and director of MOTORESS®[11] to celebrate the 10th edition of International Female Ride Day© in India.[12] They organized a 10-day tour around Maharashtra and Gujarat. It was in sync with the worldwide action of International Female Ride Day© which brings awareness to women in motorcycling.[13][14] She is interested in Nature Conservation and also volunteers with Greenpeace.
Achievements
editIn 2011, she became the first Indian woman in history to have achieved the Saddle Sore certification by the Iron Butt Association by completing 1,650 km within 24 hours.[15][16]
References
edit- ^ "Speed Run". Facebook. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ^ Rajendran, Nuvena. "Alisha Abdullah - Biker Girl's Thirst for Speed". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ^ PRINCE, FREDERICK (11 September 2014). "She's shifted gears — and how". The Hindu. www.thehindu.com. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ Fredrick, Prince (21 November 2011). "Fast track to fame". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ^ Jayachander, Neeti. "Around the World on a Bike". Femina. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ^ Mande, Abhishek. "India's ONLY female rider to cover 1600 km in 24 hrs". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ^ Team, The Guide (22 May 2015). "Celebrate International Female Ride Day". Mid-Day.com. Mid-Day.com. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ^ Juie Merchant (17 April 2015). "The Bikerni - An All Female Motorcycle Club". Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
- ^ Arora, Rumani (10 March 2016). "7 Female Bike Riding Groups Making the Nation Proud". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
- ^ "VICKI GRAY Founder International Female Ride Day". MOTORESS.
- ^ "MOTORESS".
- ^ "Founder Joins Women in India".
- ^ Team, The Guide. "Celebrate International Female Ride Day". Mid-Day.com. Mid-Day.com. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ^ Staff Reporter. "International Female Ride Day is May 2".
- ^ "Chithra Priya is India's ONLY female rider to cover 1600 km in 24 hrs". Rediff. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ "Bengaluru girl rides over 1,600 km in less than 22 hours". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 13 January 2024.