Visakhapatnam: The address on his bio-data reads: “None! Roaming on a bicycle since August, 14 2012, (Grew up in Virginia, USA).” Two-and-a-half years on and having covered 30,000 km, Mike Roy, 30, has crossed 14 countries and reached Vizag.
“I was working as a teacher in South Korea when I had a chance to host a cyclist who travelled thousands of kilometres. The stories he narrated inspired me and I wanted to do something that I never imagined before – cycle across borders,” he said.
“I have no specific reason to cycle. But since I always believed in no gas, no meat and no trash, I felt that cycling was the best way to send out a message. I use only the cycle to travel. I am a vegetarian and I do not use anything plastic.”
He has travelled to South Korea, China, Macau, Taiwan, Vietnam, Tibet, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, Bhutan and Nepal. He reached Vizag after cycling through Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha.
Mr Roy said, “India is a beautiful country with diverse cultures. The people are helpful. My ride from Bodh Gaya to Vizag was one of the best. Almost everyone gave me food, water and a place to stay.”
He is now headed for the Sadhana forest in Puducherry. “I will be working towards forest conservation,” he said.
Sharing his experience cycling in India, Mr Roy said, “India is such a beautiful country with diverse cultures. The people here are very helpful and my ride from Bodh Gaya to Vizag was one of the best. Almost everyone through the journey gave me food, water and even a place to stay. And, all of it for free. I’ve been to India even before, but this trip has got me closer to this country.”
He is heading for the Sadhana forest in Puducherry. “I will be working for a while towards forest conservation. My Indian visa is almost expiring, but I am looking at ways to extend it so I get more time to spend at the forest and help build nature,” adds Mike.
