04/07/2022
Did you know that seven cyclists from travelled the world — a total of 265,000 km — some 100 years ago?
These seven were part of three groups of cyclists: Adi Hakim, Jal Bapasola and Rustom Bhumgara, who explored between 1923 and 1928; Framroze Davar and his Austrian cycling mate, Gustav Sztavjanik (between 1924 and 1931); and Keki Kharas, Rustam Ghandhi and Rutton Shroff (between 1933 to 1942).
Writer Anoop Babani, who painstakingly dug out these stories and pictures, tells Hindustan Times, "The first group travelled extensively in the US, the second explored South America in considerable depth, the third group also travelled to Australia."
In fact, the most interesting pictures are the ones of Davar and Sztavjanik making their way into the Amazon forest, and to the tops of the Andes with their cycles – each weighing around 15 kilograms – on their backs!
