Update (03-Jul-06):

Santosh Iyer from Dallas TX writes:

I happened to bump into Avijit today morning. He was asking me directions. At that point i was perplexed as to who would be asking directions in US riding a bicycle. But having a conversation with him, it dawned on me who i was standing with and talking to.He is no less than a celebrity. That day i spent two more hrs with him talking about his experiences while riding throughout the world.He is an immense source of inspiration to anyone and everyone. The odds of meeting such a person in your entire life is amlost nill

Update (12-Apr-06):

Ram from OR writes:

He just gave a talk at HP Corvallis,OR. He is really amazing. He is very pleasant and modest. May God be with him!

Update (11-Apr-06):

Craig from Salem writes:

He’s in Salem Oregon tonight, planning to be in Corvallis before noon tomorrow. My friend is trying to organize a lunch for him tomorrow.

Update (28-Mar-06):

Alfonso from Kent writes:

I just had dinner with him in the city of Kent, Wa. A little before midnight we celebrated his 1st anniversary on the road (March, 28th)… Really nice person, inspiring and calmed, very focused. He leaves Seattle tomorrow morning (the 29th) on his way to Portland after cheking in at the Seattle Police Station at 8:00am as requirement by Record Guinness to keep track of his journey.

Swati Sircar adds:

FYI - He just left Seattle on his way to Portland.

Original story:

This guy takes it to the most extreme level. Avijit Chakraborty, 35 year old cyclist from Kolkata has so far traveled 38 countries covering 36,000 km in last 10 months. His target is to travel through 62 countries and cover over 64,000 km in a span of two years and enter the Guinness Book of Records.

He travels approximately 150 km each day and mostly sleeps at police stations, places of worship or his own tent.

Chakraborty had earlier completed a world tour covering 54 countries and 65,000 km on bicycle and later entered the Guinness World Record for crossing the Arctic Circle twice on bicycle in the year 1998.

He is carrying the message of pollution free environment and delivers lectures in schools and gatherings on the way. He meets students, government representatives and common members of the public.

All the best to Avijit.

“Every night when I am thinking I cannot do this, then I meet people and I get inspiration to go farther,”

References: Hindustan Times, Mumbai, Feb 10 | Routard.com (French) | The Rapid city journal | Sify | London Free Press | Biddenham (image)

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