Dr. Meera Valankar from Bangalore and Robert Kingsly from Chennai became the first Tandem Riders To Cover to Kanyakumari to Kashmir Route (K2K).Sharing her experience on Tandem Cycle ride from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Dr Meera said, “On October 10, 2020, we started our first Tandem ride from Kanyakumari to Kashmir (K2K). Robert Kingsly from Chennai and myself, we covered a distance of 3849 km in 18 days. We received huge support from the people, including army personnel. On October 28, we reached Srinagar after crossing 13 states. K2K ride was very important for us and we were the first team to complete K2K”.

When many cycling events got cancelled due to the pandemic, we decided to do one on their own. For Meera, , it was the uniqueness of this expedition that gave her the kick. “I am up for anything if it’s a first-of-a-kind. This was the first time anyone did tandem cycling, covering this route and distance.”

Meera adds, “The popular ride K2K is generally from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.” But Robert (39) and Meera reversed the route — they cycled from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. “It happened so because our flight to Kashmir got cancelled. But eventually, we did a tougher expedition. Because we had to do all the elevation towards the end of our ride,” says Meera.

The duo says they were touched by how members from various cycling groups took care of them at different locations. “Some let us stay with them without any apprehension even during this time of COVID-19. The people we came across along the way would take down our contact details and call back a few days later to check if we were safe.” says Meera.

I am up for anything if it’s a first-of-a-kind. This was the first time anyone did tandem cycling, covering this route and distance.