Mumbai to Kundapur - A youngster's 10-day adventure on bicycle

Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, May 25: At a time youngsters of his age normally stay glued to office or home computers, televisions or cell phones, a boy hailing from Koteshwar in the outskirts of the town, resorted to something else. This adventurous youth covered nearly 900 km distance from Mumbai to Koteshwar on his bicycle.

Meet Ralph D’Mello, who works for Royal Bank of Scotland’s Mumbai branch. Ralph, who continues to pursue postgraduate education while working in the bank, always was interested in spending time on the seashore by laying a fishing line and waiting for the fish to fall to his bait.

During his sojourns to the seashore, he used to travel by bicycle. After the idea of travelling to his native place on bicycle struck to his mind, he prepared his bicycle for the long journey. Ralph could have chosen winter for the purpose, as it is easier to pedal the two-wheeler then, but he specifically chose summer, as it poses more challenges.

Ralph, son of Henry D’Mello and Cynthia D’Mello, who used to be residents of Koteshwar, now stays with family at CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai. Still, attraction towards his native place remains intact in him.

Ralph set out for his adventure at 6.30 am on May 13. He chose not to use the highway for his journey. He travelled through Borivli in Mumbai, Murudjanjeera, Harihareshwar, Harne, Valkeshwar, Ratnagiri, Sagri Marg, Deogarh, Vengurla, Karwar, Om Beach Gokarn and Kumta. After reaching Kumta, he had no choice but to opt to travel through the national highway. After covering a distance of about 845 km, he reached Koteshwar at 8.30 pm on Wednesday May 22.

Ralph said he had covered 120 km on the first day, but slowed down a bit thereafter, as he spent time on the beaches he came across. During every visit to the beaches, he went in search of angling points. He found attractive angling points in Om Beach and Ganapatipura. He plans to visit these places to keep alive his hobby of fishing during holidays.

Ralph knows in and out about repairing of bicycles, and carried puncture kit, four spare tubes, sleeping bag, hand pump, medical kit, portable charger, clothes, and drinking water can with him. However, his bicycle never gave him any problem during the ten-day journey.

“I am proud of my achievement. I plan to register more adventures in future. However, I need good support and encouragement for taking up such feats,” says Ralph.