Mangaluru: The longest journey by motorcycle in a single country is 38,239 km (23761 miles) and was achieved by Manikandan Manjunathan from Vellore, Tamilnadu, who rode throughout India from 9 November 2014 to 15 February 2015. Manigandan rode through India on a Royal Enfield Classic 500. Manikandan has finally achieved his target of travelling the longest distance in a Country leading to Guinness World Record. After 86 days of traversing throughout the Terrains of India, Manikandan finally reached home at Tiptur on 15th February 2015. The longest journey by motorcycle in a single country was 35,511 km, and Manikandan broke that limit while travelling midway from Balotra in Rajasthan towards Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
Recalling the earlier story that I had done on Manigandan, when he had stopped in Mangaluru in November 2014-Riding his Royal Enfield Classic 500 motorbike, Manikandan Manjunathan from Vellore, Tamilnadu whose only aim to make his dream come true by beating the current Guinness Record held by a Chinese biker, had made a pit-stop in Mangaluru on Wednesday 19 November night – The current record as of date where the longest journey by motorcycle in a single country is 35,511 km (22,065.47 miles) and was achieved by Zhang Ying Fa (China), who rode throughout China from 1 August 2013 to 14 March 2014.
The Flag off event to break the existing Guinness World Record was organized by the Islamiah College, Vaniyambadi in Tamilnadu on 9 November 2014, where Manjunathan started his “Longest Journey by Motorcycle in a single Country”, and after completing his 11th day he has so far covered 5500 kms reaching Mangaluru. Manjunathan had left Bangalore on 19th November 2014, en-route Mysore-Madikeri, and had reached Mangalore at 8.20 pm, where he was welcomed by local riders from the different motorcycling clubs of City, namely the Revlimiters, Dark Viperz, Xbhpians and the Mangalore Jawa & Yezdi Motorcycle Club, at Padil junction. From there, he was escorted to a popular Restaurant, where others joined in, including yours truly for a typical delicious Mangalorean cuisine.
It was quite a coincidence that while the Guinness World Records 2015 officially declared Manikandan Manjunathan as the record holder for “Longest Journey by Motorcycle in a single Country”, the Management of his old College, Islamiah College, Vaniyambadi, honored him with a cup appreciating his efforts on the occasion of 96th Sports Day celebrations. Speaking to Manikandan over the phone, who is presently employed in Bengaluru, he said, ” I am immensely happy that I have fulfilled my dreams by entering into the Guinness Book of world Records. I am grateful to my parents, family members, well-wishers, bikers of various organizations, my biker friends in Mangaluru and other who had supported and encouraged me in this journey”.
When I asked him what next venture he will be planning, he replied, ” I want to be the “Fastest Rider on the motorcycle in the World”- the present record is held by a South African bike rider with 3240kms covered in 24 hours. My intention is to beat that record and be a world record holder- since this venture is kind of expensive, for the reason I need to have a new and better motorbike. If some company is ready to sponsor my venture/journey, I will surely go forward with my next venture”.
Team Mangalorean congratulates Manikandan Manjunathan for his achievement in entering into the Guinness Book of World Records- we wish him more luck and success in his future ventures/endeavours.
Also read the following article:
Mangaluru: Biker Attempting for Guinness World Records makes Pit Stop in City