A couple of years ago, a 34-year-old biking enthusiast from Columbia Daniel Velandia decided he wanted to see and experience more of the world. He rode 60,000 km across 23 countries on his Pulsar 180 to finally reach Pune ? where the Pulsar is made.
?I have lived in Columbia all my life and therefore decided to do this trip. I wanted to come out of my country and experience new places. I had my own Pulsar but decided to approach the Bajaj dealer in Columbia Auteco to seek some support for spare parts. But they gave me a bike and decided to bear the expenses,? Velandia said.
Velandia began the trip in March 20, 2008 on his bike ?Elvira? finally reached Pune on Monday. It took him some 14 months to complete the trip. Along the way he passed through Argentina, South Africa, Bolivia, Botswana, Turkey, Tanzania, Middle East and Pakistan to finally arrive in India.
When Velandia started he barely took some chlorine tablets and some general medicines. Barring an instance in Bolivia where he ate some lamb meat and fell ill, the rest of the trip has been a smooth ride.
?I have seen some of the most amazing landscapes in South Africa. Cape Town was a blast. People were very friendly?, he said. ?Getting visas was a painful process. But there have been opportunities to meet some of the nicest people. One hears of a troubles and conflicts in Sudan. But my experience here has been good,? Velandia recollects.
In India, he made a trip to Varanasi and Hampi where he was fascinated by the details in the sculpture. ?India is a very complex country. You have some of the biggest treasures in the world. I love Indian food,? he said.
Velandia will be taken to the Chakan plant near Pune where the Pulsar is made. The Bajaj dealer in Columbia has gifted the Pulsar to him. He has written a blog describing his trip and hopes to see more of the world again.