On a record run, 17-year-old autistic boy and father pedal to Delhi

Pune: When 17-year-old Bharat Chavan, who is autistic, along with two others of the Bal Kalyan Sanstha made it to the Limca Book of Records in 2014 for swimming continuously for 13 hours and 12 minutes in the Sanstha's pool in the city, Chavan was already weaving the dreams of another record.

On May 12 this year, Bharat hopped on his bicycle and with his father Jaisinh in company, the duo started from their Aundh residence and covered 1,451km before stopping in Delhi.

"We faced a lot of ups and downs and sometimes had to go on riding even though we were very tired, he never faltered and his eyes were on his goal," said the proud father Jaisinh. Bharat has been recognized by the India Book of Records for his Kolhapur-Pune bicycle ride which took place in February and the father-son duo are again looking to set a new record in the Limca Book of Records for their recent trip.

The seeds for the half-nation bike tour were sown even before Bharat attempted the swimming record. "We just wish to build a dream for our child, as when you have problems in life, you should have some great things to look back on and feel good about oneself," said Jaisinh.

He further said they planned for the trip for two years and trained themselves by going on regular cycle trips to Nagar, Satara, Mulshi. "He cycles to his school in Deccan, which is 14 kms away everyday," Jaisinh said.

As part of the preparations, Bharat also fashioned a bicycle made by himself from scrap to carry their load tents and spares.

The trip was nothing short of a battle due to the scorching summer across the nation. "We cycled through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, to Delhi through Jaipur. Right from Nagar, there was scorching sun and I battled with the decision to let my child finish his sleep in the night, or ride in the danger of a sun stroke, which would also reduce his speed and energy," said Jaisinh.

He said people along their way were helpful and gave them food and shelter. "Some people at eateries refused to take any payment from us for the food when they came to know about our story and many people, especially in Rajasthan, offered a roof and some hot tea," he continued.

Crossing the lonely highway stretches were perhaps the most difficult for the speeding traffic and flat tyres which required one to venture into the town to search for a mechanic, he said. "My bike was carrying almost 24 kg of load, including drinking water, and hence the tubes and the tyres had to be changed almost nine times. We have rested under the open sky too, and often within villages there would be contradictions in terms of a welcome and shunning us even while we slept."

Jaisinh vividly remembers the times when during sudden rains, they had to sleep on the median in the middle of the highway, only to be woken up by mud from the ongoing vehicles, and when his son crossed the highway lugging his bike for the first time by himself.

But they endured it all, and within a few days of return, Jaisinh has a slight smile on his face which is set with determination as he talks about their next plans to sail around the world.

"Bharat will also be preparing for the 32-km swimming in the English Channel by taking part in the Dharamtar port to Gateway of India swim in November," he said.

Umesh Magar, director, Magarpatta City Development Company, will felicitate the father-son duo in Magarpatta on Monday. "All of us want to encourage them for their future endeavours and also wish to contribute to the cause financially. They had to face a lot of hardships, especially financial, for the Pune-Delhi trip and it is noble that through their achievements, thousands of such children can get motivated," he said.

Abhijeet Tambe, Bharat's swimming instructor who was also the official coach for the special children's Olympics team of India, shares it hasn't been an easy road working with special children. "They have a lot of energy but it takes time to get them to learn swimming and coordinate their movements properly. I only hope such a record will motivate other parents to recognize their child's potential," he said.