Ryohei Oguchi, a 30-year-old Japanese cyclist on a world tour, stormed the Sunday Times office bowing at every turn and saying: “Sri Lanka is a nice country.”

Ryohei Oguchi. In Sri Lanka as part of a world cycling tour. Pic by Sanka Vidanagama

Oguchi is just four days in Sri Lanka and is already fascinated by the friendliness of the people here. He said that he started his marathon world trip on a bicycle from Japan in 2008 and his trip has taken him to countries such as Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, China, Tibet, Nepal, India, Bangladesh and now Sri Lanka.

Counting his experiences he said that he had a nasty experience in India where his equipment was robbed while cooking by the road side. According to Oguchi his sponsor in Japan had made amends and he is continuing on his adventurous journey.

He said that he is riding a Giant bicycle which is an adaptation of a Mountain and Road Bike, which can easily take in mountains and the flat roads with ease. He is a keen football player and plans to take in a game or two whilst in Sri Lanka.

He hopes to be in Sri Lanka for about a fortnight and plans to take in the breathtaking scenery in the Hill Country provided the rains do not clash with his plans.