Biker to embark on overland expedition across 38 countries

Mangaluru: Mangalorean biker Sharath Shiri, who has kept the passion for biking alive, is all set to embark on ‘The Great Overland Expedition’ across 38 countries on his two-wheeler.

The 60-year-old biker said that a flag off ceremony will be held at the CSI Shanthi Cathedral in Balmatta on Sunday. Sharath said it will be a two-wheeler ride across 38 nations to explore the world beyond borders on his Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650. He will cover deserts, mountains, coastlines and cultures, considering the journey realisation of a dream and to create awareness on health.

“It may take around 5-6 months to cover 35,000km to 40,000km on a bike. Nobody from India has so far covered 38 countries on a two-wheeler. At the age of 60, I'm attempting this Great Overland Expedition,” he claimed.

From Mangaluru, he will travel via Bengaluru and Hyderabad to reach Nepal covering north India states. Later, he will cover Tibet, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkiye, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Dubai, Oman before returning to India.

Sharath said he will also enter Afghanistan if his visa application gets cleared. While ending the expedition, he will ship the bike to India from Oman. During the expedition, he will tie the Indian flag and Tulunadu flag to the bike.

In 2024, Sharath had successfully embarked on an adventurous journey to Dubai, Muscat, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and back to Dubai on his bike.