ABHISHEK Kumar Sharma is one man with a bike and a big ambition.
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The 30-year-old Indian-born ecologist has been travelling the world by bike since 2014 with the aim to spread awareness of climate change and world peace.
During his travels, he will visit more than 90 countries and ride over 95,000 kilometres. He stopped off at Horsham on Monday as part of the tour, taking in a tour of the Grains Innovation Park.
Mr Sharma said he hoped his ambitious ride would promote positive messages.
“I’m an ecologist, so this is a symbolic ride for raising awareness climate change. It’s also a symbolic friendship tour between Australia and India,” he said.
“Everyday has been a new adventure and a new situation, meeting new people and having new circumstances. I have been learning everyday about ways to create a sustainable environment.”
Australia is the fourth continent Mr Sharma has visited on his journey after travelling to Asia, North America and Europe.
Although he only arrived in Adelaide on September 11, but said Australia was his favourite country so far.
“I went through South Australia and travelled through to Bordertown, Nhill and now to Horsham,” he said. “Next I will travel to Ararat, Ballarat and then on to Melbourne. Then I’ll head to Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and maybe Townsville.”
He will then travel to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, south-east Asia and South America.
“I will finish the ride back home in India in 2020, so I have about 26 months left,” he said.
Each day he rides between 80 and 100 kilometeres.
“It depends on the weather situation; that has been the biggest challenge,” he said.
With no plans of where he will eat or sleep each day, Mr Sharma has relied on the kindness of strangers to get by.
“Finding people to help me is also a challenge. I have no sponsors for this tour, so I’m just getting support from the people,” he said.
“People have been so generous all over the world and willing to help me out on the journey.”
To learn more about his journey, head to www.abhishekkumarsharma.com.