Hyderabad’s pregnant woman completes 600 km cycling challenge in just 38 hours

Hyderabad: At 36, Hyderabad's Swetha Krishnan pedalled her way into randonneuring history by completing a gruelling 600 km brevet in just 38 hours—two hours ahead of the official 40-hour cut-off. What makes the feat remarkable? She did it in her first trimester of pregnancy.
A seasoned long-distance cyclist and member of Hyderabad Cycling Revolution, Swetha had already conquered multiple 300–400 km brevets. But this was her first 600 km — an elite milestone in endurance cycling that now crowns her a "Super Randonneur."

The route took her from Hyderabad to a remote village in Ananthapur district via Shamshabad, cutting across harsh terrain and challenging weather. "The first 100 km were a breeze, but the 200–300 km stretch nearly broke me. The heat was brutal and unrelenting," she said. Yet, she powered through, riding the first 100 km non-stop and keeping breaks short and strategic.
"To beat the heat and fatigue, I took short breaks every 40–50 km for hydration, sipping on natural fluids like lemon water, coconut water, electrolytes to stay energised. Just one 40-minute lunch break; the rest were 10–15 minutes stops," she added.
A former HR professional and mother of a five-year-old, Swetha juggles more than just miles. "Balancing pregnancy, motherhood, and endurance cycling isn't easy. But passion keeps me going. Pregnancy isn't an illness — with the right mindset and medical advice, women can do extraordinary things."
Her ride has stirred more than admiration — it's sparked conversations. "There are a few stereotypes around what pregnant women can or can't do. This ride was my way of saying: we are capable of more than we're told."
With steely resolve and a quiet smile, she sums it up: "Every kilometre reminded me — I'm stronger than I think." She's already eyeing her next challenge.