This is the craziest, bravest Serb in the world: You won't believe what he's trying to do!
- I'm a little anxious, but it's a good feeling, because in a few minutes, from this spot on Kalemegdan, I am going on a big adventure - said Dragan Sibalic moments before he went off on a big adventure
Today, Dragana Sibalic (32) from Kraljevo has embarked on a 20 000 kilometer trip from Belgrade to Tokyo, on his bicycle!
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He expects that the trip will last roughly six months, and plans on travelling through Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Siberia, and from there with a ferry to Japan!
He plans on staying in Japan for a month. He'll make use of his time in Japan by conquering the top of the mountain Fuji of 3, 776 meters where he will stick a Serbian flag. In addition, he will visit the big cities like Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki.
- Up until now, I've driven many short trips, but my wish is to drive for a long trip, which is why I decided to bike to Japan. At first, my plan was to bike to Vladivostok, but in the end I opted for Japon - says Sibalic.
Dragan will bike anywhere from 100-150 kilometers daily, which will all depend on the weather and how accessible the roads are. I won't be biking at night, that's when I'll be resting.
- I'll be sleeping in tents, because the distances between towns are large, and when I get caught in a city, I'll sleep in hotels. On my trip, I'll bring along a bunch of equipment, clothes; for hot and cold weather, my laptop and phone - adds Sibalic.
Dragan's first major tour was to Milan, in 2012. Then he passed 1, 563 kilometers. Last year, he went to Moscow and covered more than 7, 000 kilometers.
- The most important thing to me is that I go through Siberia and Mongolia during the summer, because winters there are harsh. I'm a little anxious, but it's a good feeling, because in a few minutes, from this spot on Kalemegdan, I am going on a big adventure - concludes Sibalic.
Dragan's friend, Ivan Djurovic (41) from Pozarevac will keep him company til Moscow.
-I decided to keep Dragan company til Moscow because I haven't driven in nearly six months, and it will be a good prelude and training when planning my next trip with my family, probably somewhere in the south, where it is warmer. Our goal is to get to Moscow by May 9th. We will do the round trip to Moscow, not through the Ukraine but through Romania, Hungary, Poland, the Baltic countries then Belarus and we will arrive in Russia - said Djurovic.
Given that Dragana is an avid supporter of Partizan, he carries their flag everywhere, and took this opportunity to take a picture with it before his trip, the symbol of Belgrade, the monument of a winner.
(Telegraf.co.uk / S. Kostic)