Lost In Translation And Navigation: French Men Cycling To Nepal Take Google Maps Shortcut, What Happens Next Will SHOCK You

When Brian Jacques Gilbert and Sebastian Francois Gabriel packed their cycles for an adventurous ride from Delhi to Nepal, little did they know their biggest twist wouldn’t be the Himalayan climb but a late-night detour courtesy of Google Maps. The app, known for its precision (and occasional pranks), directed the French duo through a "shortcut" that took them deep into the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district.

Their plan seemed straightforward—cycle through Tanakpur to Kathmandu. But as night fell, their trusted navigator betrayed them, leading them to Churaili Dam instead of the Nepalese border. Lost, exhausted, and unable to decipher the eeriness of the deserted roads, they pedaled on until they encountered some bewildered villagers at 11 PM.

The sight of two foreigners on bicycles in the middle of nowhere sparked a mix of curiosity and concern among the locals. With no common language to bridge the gap, the villagers did what any sensible community would do—they escorted the travelers to the nearest police outpost in Churaili.

“At first, we couldn’t make sense of their situation because we couldn’t understand their language,” said a police official. “But once we pieced it together, we realized it was a classic case of ‘Google Maps gone rogue.’”

Senior officer Anurag Arya, upon hearing about the incident, stepped in to help. Instead of leaving the tourists stranded, he arranged for their stay at the village headman’s house—a gesture that exemplifies Indian hospitality. For one night, Gilbert and Gabriel swapped their European comforts for a rustic experience in rural India.

 #UPPCares pic.twitter.com/b6VXwELHvr — UP POLICE (@Uppolice) January 24, 2025

By morning, the police ensured the tourists were fed, rested, and armed with proper directions to continue their journey. "This time, no shortcuts," quipped one of the officers, sending them off with a laugh and a roadmap that wouldn’t lead to another midnight misadventure.

The French cyclists had flown into Delhi on January 7, full of excitement for their cross-border cycling expedition. Though they surely hadn’t expected to land in a remote village en route, they now have a memorable tale of Indian kindness—and a reminder to double-check Google Maps.

So, the next time your navigator suggests a "shortcut," take a moment to ask yourself: destination or detour? Safe travels, adventurers!

 

(With PTI inputs)