Strive India 2025

WOW What an adventure! I will try my best to put this experience into words and pictures better than my poem can.

My experience in India was with mixed review. We arrived in DeLHI with a ton of pollution that really concerned me and impacted my sinuses and chest that I really disliked. The huge population, poverty and chaos didn’t bother me as much as the pollution. But, the experience of adventure, community, growth and giving far exceeded expectations. Every Strive Challenge I complete, I am left with an unbelievable amount of love and fulfillment in my heart for the experience and the people I met along the journey. The same is true once again and my heart is overflowing.

And even better that this grand adventure is for philanthropy benefitting Big Change. This organization was founded by Sam and Holly Branson with the mission to help young people thrive in education no matter what learning challenges they face everyone should be able to be passionate about learning.

A World Wonder, The Taj Mahal

Before Striving we were lucky to start our adventure at the Great Taj Mahal and see it’s beauty and grandness! It was huge and took 22 years to build.

THE STRIVE CHALLENGE: Bike 200 miles across Rural India

RIDE 1: [Karauli] The ride through Karauli was a 28 mile loop for a “warm up”. This was further than all my training rides except my last one where I hit 40miles on the peloton. The ride was smooth and fairly easy so that gave me confidence in my training. At the end of the ride we rode through a BUSY and hectic city and Sharmila and I were in between groups so didn’t see anyone. We got lost and found ourselves in a busy market which was wrong. Made for a fun side adventure but luckily 6minutes from the hotel. I was anxious for the next day!

RIDE 2: [to Ranthambhore] This was or longest day which ended up actually being 64 miles! It was a day that continued for what felt forever. The terrain continued to change which helped but by mile ~50 many people were starting to wear thin and the day was getting hot. Thank goodness for a massage train to help keep spirits up! We had one accident that our amazing photographer, Adam Slama, caught perfectly! Manu was upside down but popped right up without issue.

RIDE 3: [To Talabgaon] After a morning safari searching to Tigers we set off on a half day ride but had a decent climb. The safari will be documented separately as there are breathtaking photos.

On this day I nearly got trampled by a bull I rode by and then all of a sudden it was running next to me and about to take me out! A new game called Indian Frogger? Or Bull Frogger? lol.

This ride had a river crossing that I chose to get a ride across (didn’t want wet shoes for the following day!) but it was an hour’s worth of entertainment with a competition between everyone.

Ride 4: [To Dausa] Our second longest day but my favorite of all. The terrain kept changing and more lush between two mountains. We rode along fun rolling hills and the energy within the group felt electric and connected. And then it got. bit harder with some technical biking over large rocks and into sandy parts, back to rocks and hills. My hands tried so hard not to white knuckle the handle bars but everyone got through it without an accident!

Ride 5: [To Jaipur, the finish line!] This day was my least favorite. The gravel road was uncomfortably bumpy for so long and the scenery for most of it was boring. Richard also had an accident and dislocated his shoulder so he was sent to the hospital which put a damper on the day. He told us to “carry on” so we did. When we arrived to Raffles we entered a dreamy hotel with incredible service…. we arrived to luxury to kick off the celebrations!

We all crossed the finish line and rode 200 miles across vast indian rural terrain. What a trip!

Strivers are known for strength and kindness, but also knowing how to celebrate!! We arrived to Raffles and barely had enough time for a shower because the maharaja, the prince, was playing in the finals of a polo tournament so we bussed up and went to watch! It was my first polo match and we won! Sara Blakely presented the trophies to the team and we were able to join her on stage for a photo op.

Then we changed into our celebration attire to have dinner at the city palace with the prince! We were ecstatic that Richard was able to join us for a little bit of the celebration before heading back to London for a surgery. the palace was exquisite with beautiful rooms and treasures.