Sightseeing on two wheels: From Columbia to India

Sightseeing on two wheels: From Columbia to India

MUNISH DHIMAN  11th Oct 2014

Cyclist Juan Jacob Ceron Velez from Columbia passion for cycling gradually turned into a missionary zeal to travel across the globe. The bicycle inspired 27-year-old Colombian Juan Jacob Ceron Velez enough to quit his job as a Qualitative Analyst in a reputed Columbian bank and pursue his passion. During his maiden visit to India, Juan chose Chandigarh to be one of his halts. He shared his experiences in a lively chat with Guardian 20. After pedalling his way through countries like Venezuela, Argentina, France, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Sweden, Norway, China, Chile, Cambodia, Thailand and Ecuador, Velez landed on Indian soil. During his two-week stay in India, he rode through some of the most tortuous terrains of the country, including those in snow-bound Leh-Ladakh, Khardung la, Mandi, Manali and Palampur in Himachal Pradesh, before participating in the 10th MTB Himalaya Bicycle Challenge, where he bagged fourth position in the championship. Though impressed by the composite cultural heritage of India, its traditions and spiritual beliefs, Velez has no good memories about the actual cycling. He rues, "I would never like to cycle on the roads in India, even if someone offers to pay me a fortune to do so! Road users here, especially the lorry drivers, are reckless and rowdy and they don't care two hoots for the cyclists. I have had the worst cycling experience in India. People are not passionate about cycling and hence pay scant respect to the cyclists." “I have come to realise that true happiness for me means pedalling a bicycle, meeting new people and visiting new places. It also feels good to know that people get inspired by me to lead a healthy life.  This is no ordinary bicycle that Velez rides. Priced at 5500 Euros, it is an 11-gear mean machine made of tough titanium and carbon fibre. Juan beams as he talks about his relationship with his bicycle that took years to blossom. "We comprehend each other's language of love. I can feel when it needs service, repair or replacement of a dead part. It feels the same way as I do. It never parted ways during my cycling ordeals through the godforsaken hilly tracks and terrains, rain or no rain. Puerile as it may sound, except for one or two countries, there is not even a single store in any country of the world where this machine can be repaired. What to talk of repairing, even mending of its tubeless tyres is a hard nut to crack here." Vele feels the people of India are always in a tearing hurry. He says, "During my stay here I met and interacted with a cross-section of people. Random interactions with them afforded me an opportunity to observe people more closely. They seemed to have developed a kind of habit to do it fast, be it eating, working, riding, driving and doing other chores. This undue haste has probably become a part and parcel of their life where they come to realise that life is synonymous with speed." Meeting new people infuses a powerful doze of fresh energy in him and pushes him to chart out new goals and accomplish them with a dogged determination and drive. While sharing his views on people of the country, he says, "India is one of those few countries where almost everyone respects tourists. At least I was lucky enough to have met the best ones during my journey. They try to help you despite the language barrier. In fact, they offer you the best they can. They are spiritually very enlightened souls and understand the value of human life and liberation of the soul." In 2013, Velez started his epic journey and has, since then, kept his promise to explore new places. After accomplishing this mission, he has plans to travel across the world on foot, besides launching a bicycle company. He concludes, "I have come to realise that true happiness for me means pedalling a bicycle, meeting new people and visiting new places. It also feels good to know that people get inspired by me to lead a healthy life. That's why I am keen on starting a company that will motivate people to visit places on bicycles and assist them in their journey so that they may enjoy a healthy and joyful ride of a lifetime." http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/sightseeing-on-two-wheels-from-columbia-to-india