Whereas work at home turned the order of the day for most individuals all over the world through the novel coronavirus pandemic, three males from Maharashtra logged-in for work whereas on a biking journey.

Bakcen George, Allwyn Joseph and Ratish Bhalerao determined to present an entire new dimension to the work-from-home idea throughout their month-long biking journey within the midst of the pandemic. They pedalled from Mumbai to Kanyakumari cycle, protecting a distance of 1,687 kilometres. For workplace work, the three professionals logged in from freeway dhabas and lodges.

Mates for greater than 20 years, they mentioned working from hand-crafted journey and journey fans like themselves really feel caught in a rut. So, as a substitute of being caught up in destructive ideas and feeling annoyed in such attempting instances, they determined to make ‘Working from Cycle’ a actuality. Though it had its share of challenges, the trio says ‘it was price it’.

Whereas weekdays have been hectic, weekends gave them extra time to discover and see round. (Supply: Ratish Bhalerao)

George (31) had made up his thoughts on going for his third long-distance biking journey in November. He later requested his two closest buddies in the event that they have been . However whereas George obtained loads of time for preparation, others agreed to affix in solely two days earlier than his journey began in late November, final yr. The group of buddies reached journey’s finish in December.

“It was price it for certain. We get pleasure from each sorts of holidays and holidays. Household holidays have their allure, however journey holidays are like a present to your self. Biking doesn’t really feel like a chore. It’s liberating and exhilarating,” George informed indianexpress.com in an emailed reply. Whereas he agreed that travelling a lot in warmth and rain was robust, he mentioned such challenges must be confronted and overcome even on common holidays.

Though most locations have been closed on account of Covid-19 restrictions, they mentioned the journey itself was very rewarding.

“The devices solely added to the load on our bicycles, which was the one draw back. Nevertheless, work gave us an excuse to cease by native dhabas, construct our personal makeshift workstations which was enjoyable in itself,” he added.

Explaining how they managed to finish the journey, Joseph mentioned, “Our solely objective was to succeed in the vacation spot. The thought was to take someday at a time. We’d usually begin as early as 4am and take a look at our greatest to succeed in a generally agreed vacation spot by 11am to start out our work.”

The 37-year-old skilled mentioned that they clocked 80 kms every day, on a median, with longer rides over the weekends. Including that it was a bit of taxing within the preliminary couple of days, he mentioned they quickly managed to familiarise themselves with the routine.

At break of day they began their journey to succeed in a cease by 11 am to start out their every day workplace work. (Supply: Ratish Bhalerao)

Though their schedule didn’t permit them to discover all the pieces round them as regular vacationers do, they mentioned that it was non-touristy stuff that captured their consideration and make the journey memorable.

“The perfect half was experiencing completely different life, speaking to locals and attempting their delicacies. The general expertise of using alongside lovely scenic routes was lovely and enriching,” Bhalerao mentioned. Equating biking to ‘meditating’, he added, “Though we have been biking, we obtained numerous time to spend with one another, to suppose and mirror about life on the whole.”

“Taking pit stops over grassy fields, mendacity on our backs, we’d stare on the skies above within the silence of nature. Dusty, sweaty however at peace. These are the moments we obtained again with us,” the 36-year-old added.

For his or her practically a month-long journey, they cycled by picturesque routes in Pune, Satara, Kolhapur, Belgaum, Hubali, Davanagere, Bengaluru, Salem, Madhuri and Tirunelveli.

The trio mentioned the pandemic truly supplied them with this distinctive alternative to journey whereas working. (Supply: Ratish Bhalerao)

The budget-travellers mentioned that they spent round Rs 25,000 every for the journey, with most of it going in the direction of lodging, which concerned staying at resorts for over 26 days.

Requested if the Covid scenario posed any challenges whereas travelling, George mentioned, “Other than a couple of resorts denying keep on account of Covid restrictions, we didn’t face another main downside as a result of pandemic.”

In actual fact, he mentioned the pandemic offered a possibility for them to chase this long-cherished objective whereas not compromising on workplace work.

Braving heavy rains and warmth, the three cycled greater than 1600km throughout their particular journey. (Supply: Ratish Bhalerao)

The end result of the journey was not only a pleasant expertise for the trio however even for his or her seniors and colleagues at work. “Our managers supported us, whereas telling us to verify work doesn’t get hampered. We revered that. Our co-workers have been overjoyed and excited for us. Once we accomplished our biking journey, they have been actually comfortable and proud,” Joseph added.

Though the journey was tedious, the group mentioned it was rewarding and enriching as effectively. They mentioned that with a correct mindset and even primary bicycles, an analogous feat may very well be completed by anybody prepared to embark on such a journey.