Man does things that can at times defy explanation. He sometimes runs 110 kilometres or cycles over 500 or more kilometres at a stretch. It is the urge to push oneself and the need for adventure that is inherent in man. Now a Goan recently cycled from Goa to Velankanni. A distance of 1,066 km. He did this to prove to himself that he was healthy and could handle the challenges thrown up by life. This challenge was undertaken by Siolim-based Albert Rodrigues. All of 46, he has spent his life driving a bus and a taxi and was in poor health. Six years ago, he decided to do something about it and started cycling. It was tough no doubt. He says his entire body would hurt and he would experience cramps. Since then he has reduced his weight and is now 82 kilograms.
Albert owns around six cycles and regularly uses a 21-gear cycle. He emphasises that all this was done to improve his health. In this pursuit after years of cycling, he decided to go on his first big adventure. He decided to do a route he had travelled on regularly in his car – from Goa to Velankanni. And it turned into quite an adventure.
When he set out on the ride, he carried two spare tyres with him and spare clothes all weighing 17 kilograms. At Chorla Ghat, he had to place the bike in a truck to travel 11 kms for which he paid Rs 500. The rest of the journey was spent pedalling. His body gave him no problems at all during the journey.
The first night he slept in a dargah in MK Hubli. The presence of a large number of mosquitoes meant sleeping was impossible. Frustrated, he got up and resumed cycling at night. He says, “I had a problem with mosquitoes during my stay right through Karnataka. This was right up to Bengaluru. In Bengaluru on Nice Road, cycles are not allowed. I had to use a rickshaw to get across the city. The traffic in that city is hellish. People had advised me against going through that place. I was told the driving was quite reckless, which could be dangerous for me."
One night, he slept in a farmer's house in his balcony. People had advised him against cycling at night in Tamil Nadu. There was a problem with drinking and driving and there were large stretches of the roads that were lonely. He had made arrangements to ensure he could cycle at night. He took six torches with him. He gave two torches to the farmer who refused to take any money for the bed and the dinner provided to him for the night.
During the journey, he celebrated his birthday. That day he slept in a hotel. He was supposed to reach Velankanni on his birthday but reached the next day. He stayed in the holy place for three days. He then travelled back to Nagapattinam by train and he then sent his bike back to Goa by train and he flew back to Goa from Chennai.
During his journey, he would be stopped repeatedly by young boys who would ask him who he was and where he was going. One of the boys gave him fruits to eat in Karnataka. The entire journey was a very positive experience. In Karnataka, he faced even bigger challenges when his tyre burst in Chitradurga at 10 pm. Later, when he was in Hosur, his tyre burst at 2 pm.
The entire journey was done in pretty hot conditions.He says, “Then after 30 minutes, I had to pour water on the tyre and paddle in dry heat.” He never felt he was in danger even when cycling at night. It was a fantastic experience.He is now presently planning a trip to Kanyakumari which he intends to do with his daughter, who is also an avid cyclist. He informs that she has cycled all over Goa. The day is not far when we will learn that the father and daughter have done it.
Long-distance cycling is undoubtedly gaining in popularity in Goa, and more and more people are taking up the challenge of the road. The thrill of battling with the climate and in the midst of nature and more importantly with oneself makes it a very interesting challenge.