Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 18: Gadchiroli to Nagbhid (76 kms)

✪ Interactions in Armori and Brahmapuri
✪ Second last day of the expedition!
✪ Vainganga river and forests
✪ 10th October- Mental health day
✪ Nagpur calling and waiting!
✪ Completed 1341 kms in 17 days

Hello. 17th day of the expedition, 10th October 2022. Cycle expedition was complete long ago, but writing is taking much longer time! But the experiences are so unique that I cannot restrain myself. 10th October is the mental health day. Theme for this cycle expedition was talking to people about mental health, mental and physical health and fitness. Also I visited some organizations and groups working for this cause on my route that had started from Sindhudurg, Maharashtra and was now coming to end near Nagpur via Goa, Karnataka and Telangana. The inspiration for my this tour was my interactions with special children in Nagpur. After meeting them I had decided to use cycle for discussing this subject with the people. Any way. I had proper rest in Gadchiroli. Now just two more days are remaining!

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 13: Warangal to Bhupalpally (73 kms)

✪ Riding in remote Telangana
✪ Area of mines and forests
✪ Pristine nature!
✪ Bhupalpally- not far from Maharashtra and Chhattigarh border
✪ Completed 988 kms in 12 days
✪ Dussehara celebrations in Bhupalpally
✪ Beginning of most exciting phase of the expedition

Hello all. 12th day of the expedition, 5th October 2022. Today is Dusshera and I will reach Bhupalpally, my final halt in Telangana. It is a small district headquarter located near the borders of Maharashtra, Telangana and Chhattisgarh. On early morning of 5th October, my host for the last day Shri. Sudheerji rode with me till border of Warangal town. Such a senior person riding with me was an inspiration! Another cyclist from Warangal Bandi Venu ji could not come as he had gone for another ride, but he had told another cyclist to meet me. So I interacted with him also and rode with him for some distance. He then directed me way towards Parkal and left. Now this historic city Warangal is left behind and I am entering a remote but beautiful lush green landscape! The highway is still the same. But as Bhupalpally comes near, it may change. I will find out soon!

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 2: Kudal to Bicholim (72 kms)

2: Kudal to Bicholim (72 kms)

✪ Flag off by Kudal cyclists!
✪ Marvelous nature and rains
✪ Interactions with school and SAHAJ Trust in Banda
✪ My name is Anthony..... Mai Cycle pe akela hun!
✪ Glimpses of Goa!
✪ Interactions with Saint Gadgebaba Old Age home, Shanti Kutir Old Age Home and Rotarians
✪ Legal rights of mental patients
✪ Meeting and dialogue significant

Hello all. Sharing joy of solo cycling in 4 states completed some time ago with you through this article. I had good rest on the night of 23rd September in Kudal. Got up early and was ready for the first day ride! Cyclists of Kudal- Rupesh Teli, Gajanan Kandalgaonkar, Amitji and others came sharply at 6:30 am to see me off. Family members of Dr. Damale also wished me and then I left! In any expedition, first three days are slightly tough. But I am so used to it that I am not feeling much anxiety. Started pedaling in fresh morning times. There is dense fog and visibility is poor! But seeing fog was good as it indicates that rain is away. Had some conversation with the cyclists accompanying me. They accompanied me till 10 kms and left by wishing me well. And also they had given me dry fruit and chikki before that!

(My experiences about trekking, cycling, running, meditation and sky watching etc. can be read on my blog.)

Slowly the Sun started to emerge out of the flog. What a road this is! It is Konkan! Road is slightly plain at the moment. Villages here are quite unique! There are many villages which form surnames of persons. For example, Tendola village is in this region only. And you must be knowing Sachin Tendulkar! Even in Karnataka there are villages which are surnames themselves! For example, there was one village I saw nearby on map. Its name was Telagi! Such fun. Slowly the fog got scattered and it was sunlight all over. Today's distance is very small. Around half way, I am meeting a school and SAHAJ Trust in Banda. Now I am seeing clouds formed at some distance.

Interactions with the school and SAHAJ Trust in Banda

I had got contact number of Meenakshi madam of SAHAJ Trust. This trust works only for mental health. When they came to know that I am cycling for this very cause, they were very happy. They mainly work in Sawantwadi and nearby areas. SAHAJ is a acronym of words which mean Rich and smiling world, their vision. They talk with the people about mental health, conduct workshops on this and work through counseling and self- help groups. Meenakshi madam is working on this issue since many years. Initially her family members opposed her when she took "this" subject for her work. But now her family members support her. Today also in villages persons with autism or slow learners are rejected. SAHAJ Trust talks to them and provide help to them. Meenakshi madam has planned my interactions with one school in Banda. Here students have made posters about mental health! In brief, I informed them about my ride and mission. Talked about physical and mental fitness. Told them importance of playing any sport of one's liking and also having sweat everyday. I answered their questions about my cycling. It was a programme of one hour and then I left Banda.