>BattyBot at 23:29, 1 July 2021

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{{short description|Indian racing driver}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Orphan|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox racing driver
| name = Chithra Priya
| image = Chithra_Priya_at_Big_FM_92.7_Young_Achievers,_2011.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Chithra Priya at Big FM 92.7 Young Achievers Award Ceremony in 2011
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1984|03|30}}
| birth_place = [[Chennai]], [[India]]
| nationality = [[India]]n
| years active = 2005–present
}}

'''R. Chithra Priya''' (born 30 March 1984) is a female biker from [[Chennai, Tamil Nadu]].

== Early life ==
Chithra was taught motorcycle riding by her two brothers and she got her first bike in 2005. She participated in three novice motorcycle races<ref>{{cite web|title=Speed Run|url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Speed-Run-The-Official-INDIAN-DRAG-RACE/38995051993|accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref> in the 80 cc – 110 cc category.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rajendran|first1=Nuvena|title=Alisha Abdullah - Biker Girl's Thirst for Speed|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140511/sports-motor-sports/article/biker-girl’s-thirst-speed|publisher=Deccan Chronicle|accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=PRINCE|first1=FREDERICK|title=She’s shifted gears — and how|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/shes-shifted-gears-and-how/article6398463.ece|website=www.thehindu.com|publisher=www.thehindu.com|accessdate=19 January 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fredrick|first1=Prince|title=Fast track to fame|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/fast-track-to-fame/article2647248.ece|website=The Hindu|publisher=The Hindu|accessdate=9 February 2016}}</ref>

== Career ==
Though, Motorcycle racing is recognized as legitimate sport in India, Chithra had found it very difficult to fund her interest.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jayachander|first1=Neeti|title=Around the World on a Bike|url=http://femina.in/women/women-like-you/around-the-world-on-a-bike-945.html|website=Femina|accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mande|first1=Abhishek|title=India's ONLY female rider to cover 1600 km in 24 hrs|url=http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-achievers-chithra-priya-is-indias-only-female-rider-to-cover-1600-km-in-24-hrs/20130604.htm|website=Rediff.com|publisher=www.rediff.com|accessdate=22 April 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Team|first1=The Guide|title=Celebrate International Female Ride Day|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/celebrate-international-female-ride-day/16230169|website=Mid-Day.com|publisher=Mid-Day.com|accessdate=9 February 2016}}</ref>

She is the main board member of The Bikerni group along with Urvashi Patole, and Sheetal Bidaye.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ridetillidie.com/article/the-bikerni|title=The Bikerni - An All Female Motorcycle Club|author=Juie Merchant|date= 17 April 2015|accessdate=22 Jul 2017}}</ref>

Chithra Priya, along with the Bikerni, partnered with Vicki Gray,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://motoress.com/founder-motoress-vicki-gray/|title=VICKI GRAY Founder International Female Ride Day|website=MOTORESS}}</ref> the founder of International Female Ride Day© (IFRD), and founder and director of MOTORESS®<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://motoress.com/|title=MOTORESS}}</ref> to celebrate the 10th edition of [http://motoress.com/international-female-ride-day/ International Female Ride Day]© in India.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://motoress.com/international-female-ride-day/ifrd-2015-2016-2017/namaste-international-female-ride-day-founder-joins-india-for-ninth-edition/|title=Founder Joins Women in India}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Team|first1=The Guide|title=Celebrate International Female Ride Day|url=http://motoress.com/international-female-ride-day/16230169|website=Mid-Day.com|publisher=Mid-Day.com|accessdate=9 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Staff Reporter|title=International Female Ride Day is May 2|url=http://motoress.com/international-female-ride-day/ }}</ref>
She is interested in Nature Conservation and also volunteers with Greenpeace.

==Achievements==

In 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-achievers-chithra-priya-is-indias-only-female-rider-to-cover-1600-km-in-24-hrs/20130604.htm|title=Chithra Priya is India's ONLY female rider to cover 1600 km in 24 hrs|work=Rediff|access-date=2018-03-14}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==

* {{Twitter|schithrapriya1}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Priya, Chithra}}
[[Category:1984 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Motorsport people from Chennai]]
[[Category:Long-distance motorcycle riders]]
[[Category:Sportswomen from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Female motorcycle racers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian people]]

Chithra Priya - Revision history

>BattyBot at 23:29, 1 July 2021