With just a sleeping bag, three liters of water, some food, clothing, a small camera, and a tent fastened to his bicycle, Clifin Francis has spent the past four months cycling to Russia for the World Cup.
The freelance mathematics teacher from the Southern Indian state of Kerala said it was his dream to bring together his life's passions of traveling, cycling and football with his ambition of going to Russia for the World Cup.
Before he could embark on his mammoth 4,600 kilometer journey though, he needed to persuade his family and friends who had objected to it.
Despite his love for bike riding and travel, after four months on the road, he was pleased to reach his destination and join in the World Cup festivities.
“Currently I am in Saint Petersburg. Here like you know everyone is happy to like you know they are hosting the World Cup and the fans you can see all around from the world here watching matches and after the celebrations has also life,” he said.
“Even I found Moscow is much better than Saint Petersburg where on streets you could find lot of fans and some bars are occupied by some country like that. And after match celebrations are pretty nice in Moscow. I came here to enjoy the festival mood and I am having a good time here."
Source: Facebook/clifin francis
“That’s one of the reasons [why] I chose a freelance job as a maths teacher because I will get time to travel. For six months I work really hard and save money and [for the other] six months I travel,” he said.
“This time I thought of combining my two passions of cycling and football which is a perfect blend and I started planning the trip for five months."
At first Mr Francis planned to travel all the way from Kerala to Russia, but had to change tactics when he discovered how hard it was to get a visa for Pakistan. He then decided to take an alternate route and flew to Dubai first. There he bought a bicycle and traveled to Iran by ship, which he says was his first ever sea trip. Upon his arrival in Iran, he commenced his 4,600 kilometer-long journey by bicycle.
Clifin in Iran Source: Facebook/clifin francis
“When I reached Iran, I found I have a total different picture of Iran. The people were really friendly to me and they were really nice. It is one of the safest places I have ever been, I would say. I had a beautiful experience there," he said.
"Most of the days I slept inside the mosque in Iran.
“People there did not even bother to ask if I am a Christian or Muslim and invited me to sleep inside the mosques which is the safest place to spend the nights.
“They even invited me to weddings and to dine with them.”
Clifin Francis being treated by the people he met in Iran Source: Facebook/clifin francis
When asked about the risk factors involved in cycling alone in strange places with varied weather conditions, Mr Francis said that he was prepared to face any situation.
Mr Francis started his trip with the dream of meeting the Argentinean football star Lionel Messi in person. However, that aspect, still remains a dream.
Source: Facebook/clifin francis
Even though most of the leading teams like Portugal, Spain, Brazil and his own team, Argentina, have been kicked out of the World Cup, Mr Francis said it hasn't dampened his joy of being at the World Cup watching the beautiful game.
While people in Australia often choose to go travelling at a younger age, Indian culture priorities education and family life.
He hopes his own impressive feat will inspire more people in his culture to take up cycling or go travelling.
