Venky’s Limits & Beyond – The Pedal Bike Project

The North East India

There is a Place, Far Away, I Wanna Go there Some day,

There is a Place Faaar Away,
I Wanna be there Some Day

The beauty of the North East of India as simply "beautiful" would be an understatement.

Having already explored the main parts of India and gained some in-situ cycling experience, my body was all set, and the North East was just a fun ride before crossing the finish line.

Though the spirit and confidence remained the same, the true essence of “Limits and Beyond” was picturesque, with the next level of endurance to ride on the hills, hills, hills, and more hills. It requires consistent energy like a ROCK/WALL but I credit the nature from where I drew it. The NE ROCKS!!

However, this journey was no longer a pressure or a challenge. Every kilometer was filled with anticipation and excitement. Describing the beauty of the North East of India as simply “beautiful” would be an understatement.

One significant challenge I faced was the short days. By 4:45 pm, brightness evaded the landscape, adding a touch of anxiety to evening rides through the forest, where the possibility of encountering wild animals looms.

Featured in Chalsa times, West Bengal

Yet, amidst these challenges, the ride was nothing short of amazing. Mornings may have felt weak, but evenings were filled with high energy and wonder. From the towering mountains of Sikkim to the tranquil Assam Tea Estates, from finding shelter with NHPC scientists to the warm hospitality of Roshan in Tinsukia and Vivor in the Hills of Nagaland, every stop along the way added depth to my journey.

NE14 1 — Welcome to Arunachal. It is all uphill till Itanagar. I had to get an inner line permit at the checkpost

NE16 1 — With NHPC scientists in Gogamukh. Hats of to their efforts. These guys are the backbones for electricity in India

NE17 1 — Oh! This guy was annoying. He wants me to marry his daughter. Almost 45 minutes of torture before I cross Brahmaputra 9km long rail road bridge to Dibrugarh

NE19 1 — Goodnight sleep in the NHPC guest house, Dibrugarh

NE28 — Kids at Sivasagar. They all want to do a India on pedal bike project

NE29 — On the way to Sivasagar. A small village hotel in between paddy fields. I asked them some food and they instantly cooked and served hot samosa. The respect was unforgettable

NE30 — I slept in the wooden house. Luxury place in the middle of a Tea Estate, Golaghat. It was a full page story how I found this place.

NE31 — The manager and supervisor of the tea estate in Golaghat

NE32 — Railway crossing before entering Nagaland

NE33 — A Nepali YouTuber asked for a vlog in the Assam Nagaland Border

NE34 — A rich man, owner of one of the major Assam Tea manufacturers of India. I don’t remember his name. So many questions from him and he enjoyed talking to me.

NE35 — Young farmers of Sivasagar. Amazing people.

NE36 — Assam kids before I enter Nagaland

NE37 — 10 km before Dimapur. These guys want me to stay that night with them. Spent lot of time there in the petrol pump confabulating with them about the place.

Tinsukia Chapter

Mission accomplished

Roshan from Tinsukia has been a huge inspiration to me. The day I spent in Tinsukia is one of the most important days of my life. After watching his vlog about his round-trip ride from Tinsukia to Kedarnath and back, I knew I had to meet him at least once in my life. Roshan, thank you for giving me shelter. The time at your house was filled with peace, and I was incredibly happy that day. I am a great fan of yours. A full blog about Roshan will be coming soon.

Discover A Dream Destination

Welcome to Nagaland

Another incredible ride took me from Dimapur to Kohima—72 kilometers of relentless uphill cycling. Halfway through, Vivior stopped to ask about my journey and kindly offered me a ride in his car. I declined, and I think he appreciated that. When I finally arrived in Kohima, Vivior welcomed me into his home. We stay in touch regularly, and one day, I plan to visit him in Kohima with my family, and he will visit me as well.

Though I was tired, Vivor’s company rejuvenated my energy levels. Later that evening we went to the Hornbill festival in the Kisama village Nagaland.

NE39 — Discover a dream destination. I went to Nagaland on a cycle

NE79 — Vivor’s house is exactly 1 km from here right at the top of the hill.

NE40 — Mr Anton Shekoo. Just 10 minutes of talk, and we are still in contact regularly.

NE41 — Bike parked at the Kohima war cemetery. A World War II history, many of us didn’t know.

NE43 — Pineapple’s seller of Medziphema. Trust me these guys are sweeter than their Organic Pineapples.

NE46 — I had to make space for this much of love.

The final two days were extraordinary, especially the kids of Tripura, who made my finish absolutely satisfactory.

The Hornbill Festival was a celebration of culture and vibrancy, while life in a simple roadside tent in Maibong reminded me of the beauty of simplicity.

NE42 — It was a great war between the English and the Japanese. Too much of blood spilled for no reason.

NE44 — Lamding, Rains for the next 2 days.

NE47 — NHAI employees. These guys are from Haryana. A new 4 lane connectivity to Silchar will open by end of 2024.

NE51 — Kind of I want to stay for a couple of more hours here

NE52 — NHAI Employees encouraged me all the way in the forests and hills of Lower Assam

NE53 — Agin Signosis, from Notun Leikel. I lived in his house before Haflong.

NE54 — Lorry drivers have lot of questions and they want an instagram post with their vehicle in the background.

NE55 — 2 min discussion, and he said that No police will stop me till the end of my journey

NE56 — Indian Railways. They are everywhere, hills, rivers, valleys. Nothing can stop them to keep people take to destinations.

NE57 — With Bidhan in Silchar. I stayed at his home in Silchar.

NE81 — Rain and this is the condition when I arrived in Silchar.

NE58 — I had to get my bike water serviced. They gifted me a T-Shirt.

NE59 — This guy in the back said I can stay at his place that night before I enter Tripura. But he didn’t answer my call. Later it was all nonsesne

NE60 — So many people asked for photographs.

NE61 — Late arrival in Tripura. It was 6pm.

NE62 — I took only 2 breaks on the last day. It was a long push in the hills of Tripura. This is the stop 1

NE63 — This is the stop 2 for a quick drinking water break. Here I want to buy water bottle. They declined the payment and gave me food for my rest of the 100km Jpurney.

NE65 — Kids of Tripura. First time I encountered a strange behaviour. They asked my permission to touch my bike.

NE70 — Ujjayanta Palace Agartala. The end of my North East Journey

NE72 — Bibuthi garu, He works at Information and Cultural Affairs Office, Agartala.

NE74 — DTDC helped me to send the bike back to Siliguri

NE68 — Another journey concluded, yet, I want to do the North East once again.

To witness all of India in one lifetime? It’s an impossible dream, perhaps even across ten lifetimes.

Navigating dense forests, Elephant crossing zones, and Rhino National parks, I pressed on, by the support of the people of India. The endless river beds of Brahmaputra added a mesmerizing backdrop to my journey, a reminder of the vastness and diversity of our land.

The success of “Limits & Beyond” is not solely mine to claim; it belongs to the people of India who inspired and supported me at every step on the way. Their resilience and generosity to which I owe immense gratitude.

Start Date: November 17th, 2023, Siliguri, West Bengal
End Date: December 11th, 2023, Agartala, Tripura
Distance Covered: ~2400km

Venky’s Limits & Beyond is a huge success only because all these people existed in my life. SJ, Lucky, Sudheer, Prashanth, Srinath, Sriram, Rahul, Dhaval, Bhargu, Krishna, Dhruv, Sudhakar, Tim, Anurag, Bharath, Suri, and the people of India.

And Tripole Gears, the hydration bag actually became a part of my body for 104 days.
Special thanks to Force One Academy.

This journey heralds the true beginning of my life.
Stay tuned for more Adventures!

The North East will happen once again.

Best,
Venky

Venky’s Limits & Beyond – The Pedal Bike Project – Part 2

The North East India

There is a Place, Far Away, I Wanna Go there Some day,