Exploring the Real India - A Solo Cycling Journey of 5000+ Km

 Exploring the Real India – A Solo Cycling Journey of 5000+ KM

-By Nilesh Kakde

In 2013, I took a bold step — a break from my corporate life. At the time, I didn't know that this pause would redefine my journey in life. I found myself volunteering with an NGO in the mystical North East of India. It wasn’t just a change of scenery — it was a transformation.

As I wandered through the misty hills of Meghalaya, the wild expanse of the Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, and the sacred island of Majuli in Assam, I encountered something profound — the beating heart of India. Not in its cities, but in its untouched villages, its ancient tribal rituals, and in the quiet dignity of its people. I was deeply moved by the richness of the land, and especially by the indigenous communities like the Mishing tribe. A silent promise was born in me then — one day, I would return, not as a tourist, but as a seeker. I would explore the real India.

The Calling:

Over the years, the desire to reconnect with India’s rural soul only grew stronger. Since 2015, I’ve been trekking through the Sahyadri ranges and occasionally venturing into the Himalayas. These treks took me to remote villages, where I shared meals with locals, sat beside fires under starry skies, and heard stories that never made it to books. But something was still missing.

Then, in January 2024, during a casual road trip to Ganpatipule, I met a young German couple cycling across India. We exchanged stories, but it was their simplicity, spirit of exploration, and sheer grit that left me awestruck. That night, as the waves crashed on the Konkan coast, a question echoed within me — “What if I explored India on a cycle?”

From Thought to Action:

That spark ignited a fire. I began watching solo cyclist travelogues on YouTube, devouring their stories of resilience, adventure, and the kindness of strangers. Each video brought me closer to a decision. One quiet night in August 2024, I stopped thinking and simply decided: It’s time.

The very next day, I resigned from my job. I didn’t make a grand announcement — just told a few close friends. I wasn’t looking for applause; I was preparing for something far deeper — a spiritual, cultural, and physical journey around Bharat.

I started researching minimal gear, slowly building up what I needed — a reliable touring cycle, basic camping essentials, and above all, the mindset of a long-distance rider. I didn’t want a fixed itinerary. I only had one rule: Follow the coast. Let the journey flow organically.

The Journey Begins:

And so, on the morning of 2nd October 2024, at exactly 6:00 AM, I stood at the Gateway of India, Mumbai — the symbolic starting point of my Bharat Parikrama. A few close friends came to see me off, and with their blessings, I began pedaling into the unknown.

My route took me north along the western coastline:

Mumbai → Vasai → Virar → Vajreshwari → Kelwa → Palghar → Dahanu → Daman → Valsad → Surat → Bharuch → Statue of Unity → Vadodara → Bhavnagar → Diu → Somnath → Gir → Porbandar → Dwarka → Jamnagar → Bhuj → Kutch → Dholavira → Modhera → Patan → Palanpur → Mount Abu → Udaipur → Chittorgarh → Kumbhalgarh → Ajmer → Jaipur → Delhi - Panipat- Kurukshetra- Chandigarh → Ambala → Nangal → Una → Amb → Dharamshala → McLeodganj

Each day brought its own stories.

From riding through fishing villages and ancient forts to being offered food by strangers, from resting in ashrams to exploring salt pans of Gujarat under a blazing sun — I discovered a different rhythm of life. I met farmers, monks, tribal elders, children, and fellow travelers. Some places welcomed me with warmth and stories, others tested my patience and strength.

The ride was not about speed — it was about depth. I wasn’t chasing distance; I was collecting experiences.

Why This Journey?

I’m often asked why I chose this journey. My answer is simple:

To connect with the soul of India — its tribes, its remote communities, its cultural heartbeat. I wanted to move at a human pace, not behind a windshield. I wanted to listen to folk songs, sleep under temple eaves, eat from roadside dhabas, and witness India’s unfiltered beauty.

This wasn’t a race. It was a pilgrimage — of mind, body, and spirit.

The Road Ahead:

This journey of over 5000 km is not just about geography. It’s about discovering myself — and the India that textbooks never taught us about.

If this blog reaches you, and if it stirs even a small desire to explore, to pause, to step out — I hope you follow that call. Because sometimes, the road isn’t just a path… it’s a mirror.