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To Ireland by Bike Last updated 05 Aug 2003 Back to D'Singapore Scene
The New Paper - 13 Feb 2003 Singaporean
to ride away from $3,000-a-month job By Zaihan Mohd Yusof
And it's to go motorcycle riding. Mr Dalbir Singh is heading to Ireland from Singapore by motorbike. He has spent a year planning for it. Said Mr Dalbir Singh: 'It's a feel-good thing. Every person has something adventurous that they want to do. But we end up working instead of realising it. ''I hope to inspire people to go for it. After all, we only live life once.' It's not a cheap dream though. And with little sponsorship, the 29-year-old had to fork out all of his life's savings to realise it. In all, he has spent $25,000. That got him old army boots instead of proper riding boots and a 13-year-old motorcycle. The former bar manager of an Irish pub said: 'I'll have to make do with what I have. If I worry about the things that I don't possess, this trip will never materialise. ''I've been dreaming about doing something like this for 10 years.' The journey will start in early March and will cover 20 countries over a distance of 25,000km. His route will take him north from the lush jungles of Myanmar to the arid deserts of Iran. Mr Dalbir Singh said most of the rugged terrain will be in Asia. Closer to Europe, he will get to travel on paved roads and bask in the brightly-lit cities. He thinks it will take him between four and six months to complete the ride. Depending on road conditions, he intends to ride about six hours a day. And when he gets to Ireland, he is hoping to raise enough funds to ride on to South Africa. Meanwhile, his impending trip will be challenging. MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES SAY NO Most insurance companies will not cover him because they require the rider to be accompanied by a support vehicle at all times. Travel visas are another issue which is very complex, he said. Some countries give out visas freely, while others have restrictions, he said. Going solo is also not going to be easy. 'Nobody is going to look after my bike if I have to go to the toilet or eat. I'll have to make friends. This stresses me out because if the bike's stolen, it's the end of the journey,' he said. A local fashion design company, Ishq, gave Mr Dalbir Singh a 'substantial amount of cash' for his expenses. Meanwhile, a close buddy, Briton Chris Johnson-Polley, 36, manages the marketing aspect of the $25,000 trip. Mr Johnson-Polley said he was willing to help because he 'admires people who are prepared to take that giant step into realising a passion.' They are still looking for sponsors and on Thursday, Mr Dalbir Singh hopes to meet potential sponsors at a launch at Penny Black at Boat Quay at 6.30pm.
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WHILE some people are struggling to find
work, Mr Dalbir Singh Jhol is leaving a job which pays
him $3,000 a month.