77 year old Italian cyclist Janusz River told in Ulan Ude about his 13 year round the world route, during which he set three world records. He does not sleep in a bed, travels with almost no money, has never punctured a tire, and plans to keep riding until 90. In Russia River always lays flowers at memorials to those who fell in the Great Patriotic War, and his route through the country is to end in Volgograd for the 70th Victory anniversary.

«During 13 years of circumnavigating the globe, I set three world records,” says the 77-year-old cyclist quite seriously in an interview with journalists in Ulan-Ude. “First, for 13 years I have not slept in a bed, only on the floor or on the ground. And if it happens that I am put up in a hotel, I cannot fall asleep in a bed — I’m no longer used to it. Second, over all this time I have never had a tire burst. The Germans made me such rubber for the wheels that it can only be punctured with a knife. Stones and potholes on country roads mean nothing to it. Third, there is no bicycle traveler in the world older than me.”
River always travels with only three dollars (100 rubles) in his pocket. He often stops in small settlements and villages. As for food, the Italian bicycle tourist prefers fresh cottage cheese, sour cream, and milk. He often has lunch at the invitation of local authorities.
Along the way, Janusz River is always happy to meet with local journalists and never gives general press conferences; he speaks only individually, after arranging a meeting by phone in advance. By the way, Janusz also does not spend money on mobile service in Russia — the traveler is provided with it by the company Beeline.
At 77, the adventure lover does not complain about his health and does not recognize doctors — only folk healers. He has planned his bicycle tour until his 90th birthday. He not only is not afraid, but even dreams of dying somewhere on the road.
Wherever Janusz is in Russia, everywhere he lays flowers at monuments to those who fell in the Great Patriotic War. According to him, this is explained by the history of his personal life. When he was very small, his father and mother died in Poland during the German occupation.
Each time he travels across Russia in the warm season, and then goes to warm countries — until spring. His tour of Russia will continue (with breaks) for another two years, and will end in Volgograd (River himself calls it by its old name, Stalingrad) by the 70th anniversary of Victory — in 2015. During this time, he will cover about 16,000 kilometers.
Janusz River is now coming to us from Bratsk. On Saturday, October 19, he plans to arrive in Irkutsk, where he will stay until October 24.