A young man from Chitradurga in Karnataka is going on an international cycling tour with his pet dog.
Sudharshan Doddamallajjar Thippeswamy who calls himself ‘Sudharshan Sanchari’, or ‘Cycling Nomad’, is on a tour to South Africa, after visiting some countries in Asia.
He has been cycling around south-east Asia for four years now covering nearly 60,000 kilometres. But this trip is different as Bhairava, a trained indigenous breed mongrel, is riding with him. Realising Sudharshan’s love of dogs, a friend loaned his trained pet to ride along with him.
His expedition to Cape Town in South Africa is expected to take around 780 days. He plans to take Bhairava across countries that allow cross-border travel of pets. Otherwise, he has a plan to send the pet back to friends who will take care of the animal till he comes back.
Sudharshan is excited about the current trip, which started at Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu a few days ago. He came to Belagavi on October 13 on his way to Goa. He shared his excitement with members of various cycling clubs in Belagavi. He screened the documentary Sri Lanka The Forgotten Heaven, shot by him during his trip to the island nation. He spoke in detail about his trip to Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. He patiently answered questions about the challenges he faced.
He sought assistance in rebuilding the government-aided high school he went to in Kariyammana Halli near Hanumanahatti village in Chitradurga district. He set up a foundation to raise funds for his village school. He has set a target of raising ₹1 crore, and has managed to raise around ₹1.5 lakh so far.
Venugram cycling club member Raju Nayak, marathoners like Raghuram Nidavanda and Niranjan Patil, interacted with him and assured support.
“Like several other adventures and explorers, I aim at being a social impact traveller. The more time I spend on the road, I feel like this is a journey of discovery,” he told The Hindu. “A few years ago, I was consumed by communal thoughts. I would lecture my friends about right-wing ideology. If I had not taken up this cycling trip, I would have become another Puneeth Kerehalli or Chaktravarthy Sulibele. But that did not happen. Now that I have visited several cities and nations, I am beginning to realise that there are good people and bad people in all faith groups. My view of Muslims changed completely when I visited some Islamic countries, and Indian cities like Hyderabad. Now, I am beginning to see things in a new light,” he said.
Sudharshan left school after class 10 and began to work as a salesman. He lost his job during the covid lockdown and felt betrayed after his employer did not give any severance pay. He stuck a poster on his back, saying his company had betrayed him and began a journey from Chitradurga to Hyderabad in Telangana. He stayed in Hyderabad for a week, and then found out that the company had changed its mind. They settled his arrears.
“I realised that I was a changed man too. It was then that I decided to cycle around the world.”
An interesting difference between him and other similar adventurers is that he is thrifty. He completed a multi-nation trip within a few thousand rupees. “The most important thing is that I do not need petrol. It is my calories that fuel my passion. I set up tent on empty spaces or roadside bays. I cook simple dishes for me and Bhairava. On the way, I make acquaintances and friends.”
He carries a butane gas powered stove. A typical dish consists of rice and eggs, and vegetables he picks up on the way.
He does not seek, but accepts donations.
A bicycle manufacturer from Sri Lanka donated a roadie bike. He has used all-terrain bikes, roadies, and racers during his journeys. He has learnt to manage with minimal maintenance and keeps a tool box with him. He regularly makes videos and reels to post on social media. Some of them have monetised and are yielding regular income.
Published – October 15, 2025 12:45 pm IST
