25,000 KM, One Bicycle , and a Journey That Changed Lives – Pranali Chikte
At just 21 years old, Pranali Chikte set out on a bold solo cycling journey across India, covering over 25,000 kilometers. With a deep passion for the environment , Health and a belief in the power of connection, she pedaled through villages, cities, forests, and mountains, spreading awareness about sustainability and learning from the people she met along the way. Pranali’s journey isn’t just about distance—it’s about opening paths for others, especially young people, to explore, question, and grow. In this story, she shares how one such spark was lit in a fellow traveller, Shubham.
From Village Paths to Life’s Lessons: Shubham’s Cycling Story
This is the story of a young youth named Shubham. Both of us studied at the same college, but he was my junior. We never met because I graduated before he joined. After graduating, I set out on my solo cycling journey, traveling across different parts of India to spread awareness about the environment and sustainability.
Shubham came to know about my journey only after I had already left college. Moved by my travels, he got in touch with me. Coming from a humble farmer background, Shubham was someone who had grown up close to the land and already had a sense of connection with the environment. He had a deep desire to travel across Maharashtra on a bicycle, visiting different places and learning along the way. However, he didn’t have anyone to go with.
When we spoke on the phone, he already search me on social media and saw my journey videos, after sharing I got a sense of his curiosity and genuine interest. He felt we shared similar ideas and that we could both learn from exchanging thoughts and experiences. Later, during a program in Chandrapur, we met in person for the first time. Shubham invited me to his village, and together, we conducted a session with schoolchildren there. I was touched by his eagerness to learn and grow, even though he lacked support at home. He had a strong will to explore and step out of the limitations around him.
I began to reflect on how, even today, there are still many societal restrictions for girls especially when it comes to stepping outside alone or embarking on a journey. Compared to that, it is often easier for boys to take a cycle and leave home. Despite this, I was glad to see that Shubham, a young man from a rural area, was thinking deeply, asking questions, and wanting to understand life beyond his immediate surroundings. It sparked a sense of hope in me.
Encouraged by our conversations and meeting, Shubham set out on his own cycling journey. Hearing about my travels sparked something in him, and he chose to explore the historical forts built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj across Maharashtra. One by one, he cycled to these historical sites, learning not just about the past, but also about himself, about people, and about the land he belongs to.
During his travel, he would often call me and share what he was experiencing, what challenges he faced, and what lessons he was learning. Shubham received some practical tips, what to carry on a cycle trip, how to stay safe, and how to engage with people along the way. But not everything was laid out for him. The idea was to leave space for his own reflections, to let him discover his purpose on the road. With gentle encouragement to seek his own answers, he found his path, and made it his own.
Seeing someone like Shubham, I began to realize that there must be many more young people around us who feel the same way, who wish to explore, who want to become travellers, but don’t know how to start. The bicycle became a medium for connection, not just with nature, but also with people and communities. It allowed us to travel with little or no money, to see the beauty of our state, and to understand the environmental and social issues up close. This way of traveling created a shift, not just in how we move, but in how we think.
For Shubham, the journey didn’t just stay personal. As he continued, he began to understand that many youths, especially from rural backgrounds, want to break out of their own boundaries and experience something new. He started sharing his story, his learnings, and his journey with others. Through this, he became a guide himself, helping others see that learning doesn’t only happen within the walls of a classroom. Real education often happens outside on the roads, in villages, among people, and in nature.
He realized that the world itself is a school, and every interaction, every village, every person has something to teach. He learned that knowledge is not limited to textbooks, and wisdom often comes through lived experiences. Inspired by this, we also started thinking of working together to help more people experience the same kind of transformation.
Today, Shubham is not only traveling and learning but also encouraging others to do the same. What began as a personal journey has gradually grown into something larger, connecting people with their roots, their environment, and a deeper sense of self. For many young people, especially in rural areas, Shubham’s path shows that it’s possible to dream, travel, learn, and grow, even with limited resources.
What I love about this story is how it shows that big changes can start with something as simple as a bicycle. One journey can open minds, bring people together, and help us learn more about ourselves. Shubham’s journey isn’t just about him; it’s something many can relate to and be inspired by. It shows that when someone steps out of their comfort zone and starts exploring, they grow, and they also help others grow. Definitely he gates many different experiences.
His story is a reminder that real learning and change can happen out in the world, and that young people, no matter where they come from, can help build a more caring and connected society.
Today, Shubham is pursuing his Master’s in Social Work (MSW). He still dreams of more cycling journeys to understand how India’s education and environmental systems are truly rooted. We stay connected and continue sharing our experiences with each other as we both grow.
This story reminds us:
– Even a simple cycle can start a revolution in someone’s life.
– It’s not about how far you go—it’s about how deeply you grow.
– Let’s keep riding, learning, and building a world where journeys create change.
“Pedal with purpose and happiness, and the path will unfold.”
Learn more about Pranali’s work in a documentary that was made about her and her journey:
