Cycling The Globe

Distance: 122.42 km
Ridetime: 05:19:06
Average: 23.0 km/h
Total distance: 7150 km

I spent my last day on the road in India thinking about all the fantastic experiences I have had during the last two months. This place is something special.

Entering Calcutta was much easier than I had expected. Not any different from cycling into other Indian cities. Even crossing the Howrah Bridge wasn’t much of an issue. I didn’t see other cyclists and the guy in the ticket office looked a bit skeptical. Eventually he let me through without a ticket. In other countries, crossing bridges on bicycle is often problematic, but as someone told me a while ago: “India is the most free country in the world, everything is allowed here”.

Once over the bridge I was already in the center of Calcutta. I cycled through a large park where people played cricket and stopped in front of the Victoria Memorial for a well deserved cold drink.

In Calcutta I had been in contact with Mrinal, another radio friend. Mrinal had originally arranged a hotel room, but when he asked if I wanted to stay with his family I happily accepted. As I have said before, meeting new friends and being invited into their homes is the true highlight of the trip.

In Mrinal’s house I was introduced to his wife, son and daughter in law. Sharing an evening with such nice and welcoming people, I could not have wished for a better way to spend my final hours in India. Thank you very much for everything.

Tomorrow I will be flying to Thailand.