Cyclist attempts a rare feat; undertakes gruelling challenge

How would it be to ride solo on a bicycle from Kanyakumari all the way up to Ladakh, a distance of 3,840 kilometres?

This herculean task was taken up by Shameem, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Applications at Manipal Institute of Technology in Manipal University.

Shameem set out on the arduous journey on May 23, 2016. Bad weather and a bit of indisposition, however, dashed his aspiration. He fell 320 kilometres short of a dream finish, at Patseo in Himachal Pradesh on June 18, with four days of break in between.

“The going was good, very good, till I had to call it off, much to my dismay and deep disappointment,” stated Shameem.

The adventurous cyclist covered 3,520 kilometres in 23 days. He crossed 13 states and Union Territories, 53 districts, 52 cities and numerous townships. “I got to know a bit of the real India and met a lot of strange, yet lovely people,” expressed Shameem.

“I may not have been able to complete the expedition. But I can proudly say, I tried my best, achieved something and learnt a lot,” said Shameem. He said that he carried the message of “unity and humanity” to all.

Shameem was supported by the Manipal University, government  officials, private sectors, police department of different states and the Indian Railways. He also got the help of the Indian Army in the last leg of the expedition, particularly in the mountainous region.