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12- Batu Caves and Elephant Sanctuary
After an early wake up call, the team left to visit the famous ‘Batu caves’ situated about 45 min drive from Kuala Lumpur. It clearly is an amazing place ; you can see the giant golden buddah (some 80 metres high) there next to the moutain in which are the caves. Unless you see this, it is very hard to visualize that amazing landmark. By the time Paul and I arrived in front of the main entrance of the car park, we must have been asked for over 30min by tourists for photos next to our bikes.
It is a very uplifting time to get the support from people from all nationalities and their words of support definitely is a plus ! Anyway, back to those caves… unless you are ready for some serious fitness action, you won’t be able to access the entrance. So, we all got to climb over 300 steps, very steep to finally reach the top of the mountain and enter into the centre of those caves. Once again, the experience is just fantastic ; it is one of those moments when words can’t quite translate the emotions. Batu caves are a huge area naturally built in the centre of a mountain in which you ‘ll find peace and harmony to relax and feel the energy. A must to see…
We then got back on the road to the elephant sanctuary. I always wanted to see some elephants from close up. They are those giant animals, placid and elegant that seem to be very relaxed. That place is just a perfect getaway to explore with a family and enjoy a bath with them !
You read it correct, by the time I realized it, I was in a river riding an elephant who quite gently threw me in the water so I could start washing him with a strong brush. Now, that is some crazy experience – simply close your eyes and try to use your imagination : a river, 1 massive elephant on his side and yourself there rubbing his side and ears !
That experience confirmed that elephants are very genle and placid. We needed to get going back to Kuala Lumpur to collect our most waited visas to enter Saudi Arabia. This moment was very special, travelling to Saudi can be difficult as you can not enter the country unless a sponsor ease the visa application procedure. It took us over 3 months, but in the end the Saudis have been very helpfull !
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11- Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Melaka
I was looking forward to our hospital visits. The paediatric nephrologist at the Children Hospital in Kuala Lumpur and I have been in contact for a long while now. 9 .30am – a bikers escort composed of fathers children that also are patients of the hospital guided Paul and I to our meeting.
I was amazed at the effort the hospital did to greet us ; a large part of the staff was there on arrival, it was a very emotional moment. Short after, we were invited to the conference room in order to discuss about WorldRiderZ work in progress (GRN) and the hospital’s needs.
Escorted by doctors, nurses and security staff of the hospital, we got introduced to patients from both children and adults wards. Those moments are difficult to live as a father of a baby boy having decreased kidney function but also are showing the challenges this disease is for a life time for patients. I met extraordinary people that have suffered for so long and still carry a smile during a dialysis treatment ! Those 1 on 1’s are to me an emotional moment that gives me even more desire to fulfill what we have initiated since the last 14 months !
HUMIDE… I think I have never ridden under such weather condition ! It really was our 1st test for the team, traffic in Malaysia can be as stressfull as some capital cities during peak hour. Add to this extremely hot temperature and a large dose of humidity and you’ll get a good understanding of today’s great achievement !
K.L is definitely a busy city ; lots of cars, plenty of action in the streets and many areas to visit. It was good to leave the city and explore the inland starting with a good morning ride to Melaka, the historical city of Malaysia. I liked the numerous shops and the variety. But getting there was a challenge. Riding on these roads can be very dangerous ; locals have the habit to overtake so close to you that you are lucky there is no crash !
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10- Sydney to Kuala Lumpur
An early start at Sydney airport on Sunday, destination Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia ! What an experience organized by our partner Malaysia Airlines spending quality time in their golden lounge then boarding first to business. That definitely is helping us to arrive fresh and relaxed, ready to start our busy schedule in Malaysia.
3am… our KTM’s are cleared – Paul and I did our very first kms on overseas soil ! What a feeling riding with australian number plates in Asia. It’s very early in the morning but it’s already almost 35 degrees outside and about 90% humidity. It’ll be challenging to ride in the middle of the day when the temperature will reach its peak.
1st stop for the night is at our hotel partner – Traders Hotel – right in the heart of the CBD of Kuala Lumpur. The hotel is fantastic, direct views on the famous Petronas towers. The team had a short sleep, waking up early so we could get started with our plan for the day : visits of the local area, organizing our stay in K.L. and finalizing details before our hospital visits and press conferences.
My first impression is that locals are not used to see ‘big’ motorbikes. I think just about every car, taxi driver, pedestrian or shop owner has been staring at us riding in the city centre. We met with the local tourist police that ended up escorting us for a large part of the afternoon, clearing the busy roads for us and making the experience just amazing !
We also got a good idea of how interested asian people are when it comes to foreigners in travelling in their country for a cause ; overwhelming ! I can’t wait for tomorrow… a special day ahead starting with a group of fathers, also passionate riders who will pick us up from our hotel and escort us to K.L Children’s Hospital for our interview with the local doctors and patients.
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9- Motorbikes departure for Kuala Lumpur
It was always going to be a ‘special day’ when we will be sending the bikes overseas. Australia being surrounded by sea, it is unusual to take with you 2 wheels across a border. At Gibson Freight, we pushed the 990’s in the custom built crates. These guys have been very helpful and when I say very, I mean it! They did a awesome work to prepare all documents and coordinate with MASkargo timing for departure.
Soon after, we were granted the access on tarmac and Paul and I had the unique opportunity to visit the inside of a 747 400 series being Maskargo plane escorted by the General Manager himself and the ground crew! Now, this was a special moment. Those planes can fit 29 cars or even 50 horses in the belly area… When you stand up inside them, the thing is just gigantic!
The day was glorious, once more a clear blue sky, perfect flying conditions. In about 8 hours from Sydney, the bikes will land to Kuala Lumpur for the first leg of our world trip. It really is impressive to feel that support given from all our partners and individuals to make WorldRiderZ an easier journey. Let’s see how things will unveil overseas now. This is the start of a long, challenging and fantastic adventure!
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8- Port Macquarie to Sydney
A real jewel in NSW. I know everyone has different tastes, but having said that Port Macquarie has it all; stunning beach, great walking tracks, spectacular views and good climate. What else do you want!?!
After a long night working on the filming and progress of our hospital visits, Paul and I started the day by a run on the main beach followed by a swim. The water is so hot! About 20 degrees at 9am. Not bad for winter is it? We wanted to spend the first hour visiting that place and get a feel for it. All positive, I definitely will take my family there for a city escape and enjoy looking at Ilhan running around on those beach.
We had a long journey ahead of us on the road so we didn’t spent much time visiting and got back early enough on the road. It was 1 of these days where we needed to burn some kms to reach our next stop. Not a lot to talk about; the ride was quite difficult as we experienced a strong easterly wind, gusty and blowing about 70kms/hr. Doesn’t help much when you are riding on 2 wheels!
It was also weird the drastic change of weather and temperature when we past the hunter region heading toward Sydney. We left Port Macquarie on a sunny day, temperature reaching 25 degrees but by the time we arrived to Sydney, we got caught in a storm, lots of rain and quite cold. Seems like a ‘déjà vu’… from departure day!
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7- Byron Bay via Coffs Harbour to Port Macquarie
Always interesting to stop in Byron bay for a night! Firstly, we decided to stay at a local backpacker and make the most of our night after a few very long days on the road. After a good BBQ we headed to town for a drink at a local bar. I totally forgot we were in Byron on a Saturday night… what an atmosphere, all restaurants and pubs were packed. Live bands, lots of people and a warm night. What else better could we hope for?
A few hours later, we went back to our place for a few hours sleep as we decided to wake up really early; that way we will be assured not to miss the legendary sunrise at the lighthouse facing the ocean!
A short sleep but well worth every minute of that spectacular sunrise. 5.30am, we were ready to capture the moment the sun was rising over the sea on a clear blue sky. An hour later, we were back on the road ready for a glorious day in NSW.
By lunch time, we stopped over in Coffs Harbor and stepped out from our bikes to experience a run on the outdoor bobsleigh run in town. I discovered another side of Paul’s sporty spirit wanting to win the race over safety no matter what…! Not!
Coffs harbour has a great little town centre and a beautiful jetty with friendly people. We enjoyed a nice coffee there facing the beach, a nice Sunday afternoon with kids and parents around. The team is enjoying that moment, a good quality time before heading down the road for the last stretch for the day… Port Macquarie, some 23 hours ride away.
We’ve reached our destination by sunset. Perfect timing to arrive and visit that town. What a town! I have heard about it, but never been there in all those years living in Australia. What a mistake!!!
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6- Brisbane via Gold Coast to Byron Bay
A great break at Glen’s grand-parents that are leaving just outside Brisbane city. There is something so special that older generations bring to us… Knowledge, food and warmth!
I was looking forward to that ride to Gold Coast. I have done it several times by car, it was kind of weird to do it this time on a bike. Ah, well I just love the feeling of being on my bike every morning, travelling through amazing sceneries.
Gold Coast being a short stroll from Brisbane, we had time to stop there and check out the new ‘hot spots’. It was busy there, very busy for a winter day – but how good is winter up there about 28 degrees!
I forgot how Gold Coast has so many activities for families and sports addicts. I look forward to take my family there and experience those great theme parks. We stopped by for a coffee break in the main street and I ended up meeting with the “Mermaid Meters”! … some might think that after living in Australia for over 10 years, I would have heard about them but I didn’t. I won’t explain any further for now, sure the series will unveil what those mermaids are!
Our next destination: Byron Bay via the coast. Now, that’s some great riding roads. Bring it on!
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5- Toowoomba to Brisbane
A sunny day, about 20C at 7am… what a nice way to start the day with a ‘Team breakfast”. Funny enough, since we’ve departed in our journey, it’s been go-go-go and go! But, by the time that thought crossed my mind, we had to rush to be on the ABC Queensland radio interview at 8.15am. Luckily, the station was close by our motel in town.
Radio interviews are fun! You’ve got plenty of time to explain your story, have a great time with the host and make fun of Paul on air… or was it him making fun of me? Anyway, we kept going on our great KTM’s to be in time for our hospital visit in Brisbane. I was looking forward to that visit as firstly, I find Brisbane very nice as a big city and full of hot spots.
The Matter hospital is a very impressive location, enormous and ready to take a good care of patients in need. Dominic, our local doctor showed us around and gave us a tour inside the laboratory. I was impressed just by looking at this secured section of the hospital. The research team is definitely in another world. It made me realize how precious and important this is for our future generations, to protect their jobs, their ongoing work and dedication to research.
The visit ended with a special boy: Jordan a little man of 10 years old waiting for a kidney transplant. He is unwell, has written a book for other kids that are in pain named: “Be Brave”. That book got even published by the hospital! What a lesson of strength and life from Jordan. I hope he’ll get a match soon…
The afternoon was quite emotional and we needed to take some time off from the bikes, the cause, the ride and enjoy Brisbane. Before I knew it, I found myself rock climbing in the middle of Brisbane city at sunset! What an experience.
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4- Roma to Toowoomba
What a town! A big thank you to the visitor centre that organised for us to stay overnight a guided tour of the town the next morning from the local pub! This town is definitely a great outback location.
We met with ‘Rusty’ a local policeman, who’s also a KTM owner and dedicated rider. He’s escorted us out of town the following day– what a feeling to see this highway patrol car, lights on our bikes behind Paul and I! Let’s not forget that I think it was the 1st time I saw a policeman helping someone pushing a car parked on the side of the road, not because it broke down but because it ran out of petrol… yep, our production car!
Roma is a place that has plenty to offer for a short break when travelling in the outback. I was impressed by the generosity of its people. We were definitely feeling the support from the country people. They took the time to show us around, to introduce us to their friends and we felt they have done anything to accommodate us. What a great experience we’ve had there.
A special thanks to Rusty, Daniel and Eva.
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3- Lightning Ridge
Surprising… would be the word of the day! It started with serious rain falls in Lightning Ridge, then we had the local newspaper sending their journalist to write an article. A while later we got on the road heading off towards Roma, some 400kms away.
We stopped for petrol at Hebel and ended up being welcomed by the owner of the local pub /petrol station for a chat and drinks. This great country people are just so amazing and generous. They donated us petrol for our bikes and production 4WD as a gesture of support to the cause. This is the kind of people that show the world how humanity and help matters for the community!
It’s great to see the team on the road. We are settling now in a ‘routine’ which is an great feeling after 14 months of preps.
Back on the road, the team travelled across some of those very long dead straight country roads to finally reach Roma for the night. Another stop, which will bring lots of surprises tomorrow as the local Police force will escort us out of town!
The WorldRiderZ Team, Roma, NSW, Australia.
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2- Oberon to Dubbo
What a feel to be surrounded by our sponsors, friends and family on departure! I can hardly realize we’re getting on the road to Paris… 1st day of riding with a cold and wet start. It felt good to reach the mountains and had a break Tim’s farm.
Beautiful sceneries and caves, the team is back on the road to get to Dubbo and run our 1st country hospital visit.
Sunny weather, not cloud in the sky and we’re now in for a big day in town with a couple of interviews with regional broadcasters for their night news.
Stay tuned for more regular updates.
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1- WorldRiderZ on the Road
During that first day, the idea was to rally Oberon and visit the Jenolan Caves before riding deeper inland towards Dubbo.
The first Sydney to Paris edition of WorldRiderZ started at 7 am with Stephane and Paul arriving in their awesome custom made KTM bikes and their “Tiger” look . The team was welcomed by the hospital team, sponsors, supporters and media, and after an hour or so of celebration, breakfast, preparation and a great song from our dear John Hanson who delighted us with “Destiny’s Road”, the RiderZ hit the road.
On our arrival at Oberon, NSW, we have been welcomed by the members of the Oberon Rotary club who kindly prepared food and drinks for everyone, a big thank you for that.
After a quick lunch break, the team prepared the next day of adventure and shooting locations, to finally be invited by our dear friend and sponsor Tim Fussell and his wife Kerry. We had a great time for dinner and a suprise birthday celebration before everyone went to sleep, exhausted.
The guys are OK, the bikes are OK, the weather is awesome (but cold), so far, so good…
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