Hailing from a hospitality background, restaurant manager Somnath Banerjee started his love affair with cycling when he was just 15 years old. Along with his friends, Somnath packed his bags, left a note for his family, and cycled from his hometown in Chandipur (Odisha) to Calcutta. It was a journey that sparked the wanderlust in Somnath and the sense of freedom that comes with moving across the world on two wheels. As he grew older, cycling became more than just a mode of transport for him.
In today’s fast-paced world, where stress and sedentary lifestyles lead to numerous health issues, Somnath believes that everyone should engage in some form of physical activity. For him, that activity is a combination of cycling, trekking, swimming and rock climbing. Cycling, in particular, has been a constant in his life. It has taken him to places he never thought he would go to and introduced him to people he would have never met otherwise. Unlike driving or flying, cycling allows him to experience the world at a human pace.
Somnath’s love for adventure has led him to undertake several long-distance rides across India and beyond on his motorbike. One of his most memorable rides was from Calcutta to Kanyakumari on his trusty Bullet. But while these rides were thrilling, turns out that motorbikes didn’t quite offer the connection to the world that he craved. That’s when he turned to cycling as his primary mode of travel. His first significant cycling adventure was from Calcutta to Dhaka, a 500km journey that he completed in seven days. The ride was gruelling, but it was also deeply fulfilling. It was on this ride that he truly understood the phrase, “Cycling doesn’t add days to my life, I do it to add life to my days.” The journey earned him a spot in the India Book of Records, but more importantly, it solidified his love for cycling as a way to explore the world.
But with the adventures of cycling, Somanth also had his share of challenges on the road — flat tyres, unexpected weather and even a few encounters with street dogs. But each challenge has made him stronger and more determined to continue his special journey. From learning to prepare meticulously, packing only what he needs and leaving behind the unnecessary weight that can slow him down, to learning to appreciate the small things like a warm meal, a comfortable bed and the beauty of a sunrise after a long night of cycling.
After Dhaka, Somnath ventured to Thailand. One of the most memorable moments from that trip was his cycle ride under a full moon night in Koh Samui. It was late and Somanth had missed the last ferry to the island. With no hotel booked and the night quickly falling, he set off on his cycle, guided only by the moonlight and a sense of adventure.
Somanth’s next adventure is a cycling trip to Singapore in November, where he plans to visit the INA monument and explore the country’s history and culture. After that, in 2025, he plans on embarking on an ambitious plan: a cycling trip through Europe, covering Switzerland, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. His ultimate goal is to take a picture with his cycle in front of the Eiffel Tower. We wish Somnath all the very best for his upcoming tours on his pedal-driven ride.
