Globetrotting cyclist visits M’luru for second time

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 23, 2018: A global cycling buff claiming to be 72-years old is  Armando Basile based in Germany; he arrived in our city of Mangaluru October 22, Monday, for the second time.

He has so far circled the globe complete 6 times and this is his seventh lap of globe. He said “I don’t use watch, computer nor mobile phone. and so  I have enough time to spend trotting around the world.”

Italy-born Basile lives in Germany when he is not pedalling across the world.   On his passion for cycling, he said “When I developed severe back pain in 1983, doctors advised me to go for sports activities and I took to cycling. Soon, I started liking cycling and have been cycling all around the world.  As part of globetrotting, I have visited India four times. I have several friends at Mohali and Amritsar”

“I lost my wife Jesilla 13 yeras ago in  2005. I have a girlfriend back in Germany. I get pension after retirement. I plan from Delhi, I will cycle Thailand on November 11. I have to pedal my way to Delhi in two weeks,” he said.

From Mangaluru, he will head to Mumbai. “I spend night at petrol bunks. As I have flight ticket, I can rest at airports as well. The journey gives me immense pleasure. As I have bank cards, I do not face any problem when it comes to daily expenses including food. I have now put 12 lakh kilometre under my wheels. I have been to 80 countries before reaching India. The temples in India are wonders. I have learnt enough Hindi to converse with people in India,” he said with a smile on his face.  The cycle is made hold stuff  for cooking, documents and clothes as well.