Manipal: SSS Shameem an assistant professor in the department of Computer Application, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal University has just completed the first leg of a passion he is pursuing since two years — solo cycle expedition which he calls “Bharat Bhraman: Ride-4-Pride”. He covered a distance of 1500 kilometers on a high-end cycle from Bengaluru to Koraput in Orissa. The lanky Shameem proudly says, “I completed it in nine days.”

“Eastern Ghats was a bit tough, otherwise I enjoyed the first leg and plan many more such solo rides. My aim is to see and know the diversity of our country and do whatever I can do, while I can do it. Going around the country on a bicycle gives me a great amount of satisfaction. Moreover, I’ll be a happy person when I have finished my entire journey and then sit and look back with pride over my achievements,” Shameem said.

“I began my journey from Bangalore on December 18, 2015 and reached Koraput on December 26, 2015 via Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Vishakapatnam and Salur. I have been preparing for this trip for the last two years. The next cycling trip will be again in December this year,” he said. Shameem spent his nights sleeping at railway stations, police stations and religious places, bus stops etc.

Shameem is also a marathon runner. He plans to alternate his cycling expeditions with running. So he is planning to do his running during summer months and cycling in December. Being ambitious, Shameem is keen to get into the Limca Book of Records with half marathon (21.1 kilometres) runs. Accordingly he has planned to run 111 half marathons in 70 days at a stretch and is working on achieving that. He calls it, “Bhaag-run Project”. He has sought details from Limca and is in touch with the athletic associations of Udupi and Mangaluru for assistance.