A photo of Sievituo Solo taken during his journey on a bamboo cycle across Europe.
Naga Cyclist Sievituo Solo on his journey across 24 countries
Morung Express News
Kohima | March 16
A night alone in the wild amidst thunderstorms and wildlife, landing up in a billionaire’s home in Switzerland, sharing rides with a Korean Scooterist , relishing Naga food in Croatia, stranger’s kindness and the curiosity of Balkan kids—these were the memoirs of Sievituo Solo’s journey on a Bamboo cycle to Europe and USA.
Riding on his self-made Bamboo cycle, Solo travelled for 210 days in 24 countries covering a distance of 13,000 km from May 2016 to January 2017.
On January 21, Solo returned to Kohima, and has since continued his work at Project 72 hours. Sharing his experiences on his fourth expedition on March 16 at Dream Café, Solo said, “The whole point of the journey was to bring back something and educate and share the knowledge with our people.” His first three expeditions with Ruokuo Kire began with a tour of Nagaland in 2011, followed by South Asia and India in 2013, and South East Asia in 2014-15.
The bamboo cycle, which he learned to build from Manipur, was redesigned and restructured by Richard Belho and together with the team of Project 72 they built the bike. To undertake the journey, Solo partnered with Zynorique, Dream Corp, NBRC, IDBI bank, Project 72 hours and the Government of Nagaland which helped him in obtaining his visa. The people in Europe, they could not believe that the cycle was made of bamboo, says Solo who mentions that the first impression for him in his journey was the revelation that the world outside was hardly aware of Nagaland and Nagas.
“We Nagas take so much pride in our hospitality, but in actuality our hospitality is just’ another’ hospitality. The hospitality outside is so real and different,” said Solo, while narrating how strangers just welcomed him in their homes, and offered food, lodging, essentials and some even offered money. On things he witnessed during his journey, Solo said: “People respect their government, they take care of public properties and people definitely do not waste time on candy crush.”
In his lone expedition, Solo also mentioned how on occasions he experienced fear especially the time when he was off road in Croatia, and landed up in the wild with no human in sight except for wild animals. In his next expedition, Solo plans to travel through Africa. “After experiencing all these, now I am more open to places where I can learn new things. Africa is the hub of innovations at the moment. Learn, experience life and share these experiences,” he says.
