In a remarkable story of endurance, companionship, and self-discovery, Sudharshana Doddamallajjar Thippeswamy — fondly known as ‘Sudharshan Sanchari’ or the ‘Cycling Nomad’ — is on an extraordinary international bicycle expedition with his pet dog, Bhairava.
The 28-year-old adventurer from Chitradurga, Karnataka, has already pedaled through several Southeast Asian nations, covering nearly 60,000 kilometers over the last four years. Now, he is embarking on his most ambitious expedition yet — a 780-day journey to Cape Town, South Africa.
What makes this trip even more special is that Bhairava, a trained indigenous mongrel, is traveling alongside him in a small trolley attached to the bicycle. “Bhairava is my travel partner and a constant source of courage,” says Sudharshan. The dog was loaned to him by a friend who recognized Sudharshan’s deep affection for animals.
He plans to take Bhairava through all countries that permit cross-border travel of pets. If certain borders restrict animal entry, he has arranged for friends to temporarily take care of Bhairava until he returns.
Sudharshan began his latest journey from Kanyakumari a few days ago and reached Belagavi recently, where he spent a day interacting with members of the city’s cycling community before heading towards Goa. During his halt, he met cyclists from various local clubs, including the Venugram Cycling Club, and screened his self-shot documentary, “Sri Lanka: The Forgotten Heaven,” which chronicles his travels in the island nation.
He captivated the audience with tales of his experiences across Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, and patiently answered questions about the challenges faced on the road.
Beyond adventure, Sudharshan’s journey carries a noble mission. He has launched a foundation to rebuild the Government Aided High School in Kariyammana Halli, near his village Hanumanahatti in Chitradurga district — the very school he once attended. With a target of ₹1 crore, the foundation has already raised around ₹1.5 lakh. Local runners and cyclists, including Raju Nayak, Raghuram Nidavanda, and Niranjan Patil, pledged their support to his cause.
For Sudharshan, this odyssey is more than physical endurance — it’s a journey of transformation. “Like other explorers, I began as an adventure traveler, but this has become a path of self-discovery,” he told The Hindu. “A few years ago, I was deeply influenced by divisive ideologies. If not for this journey, I might have ended up like right-wing activists. But travel changed me. I’ve met people of all faiths, and now I know kindness and cruelty exist in every community. My outlook, especially towards Muslims, changed completely after visiting Islamic countries and cities like Hyderabad.”
Sudharshan’s life took a turn after hardship. Having dropped out after Class 10, he worked as a salesman until the pandemic cost him his job. Feeling betrayed after being denied severance pay, he started cycling from Chitradurga to Hyderabad with a poster on his back condemning his employer’s actions. The gesture caught attention — the company eventually cleared his dues. “That journey made me realize I had changed. I decided then — my road was the world itself.”
Unlike most globe-trotters, Sudharshan travels on a shoestring budget. “I don’t need petrol — my calories fuel my journey,” he laughs. He camps on open grounds or roadside bays, cooks simple meals for himself and Bhairava using a butane stove, and survives on rice, eggs, and locally sourced vegetables.
Though he never solicits donations, he graciously accepts help. A Sri Lankan bicycle company once gifted him a road bike, and he now alternates between all-terrain and racing cycles. He has mastered basic repair skills and carries a compact toolkit at all times.
A storyteller at heart, Sudharshan documents his adventures through videos and reels on social media, some of which have begun generating modest income — helping him sustain his incredible voyage.
As Sudharshan pedals onward toward Africa, with Bhairava trotting faithfully behind, his journey stands as a moving testament to how travel can not only take one across borders — but also beyond prejudice, pain, and personal limits.