Taking an impossible bike ride

At 37, Palestinian IT entrepreneur Wissam Al Jayyoussi has set his mind on achieving what most might call ‘impossible’. Jayyoussi plans to embark on a 132-day solo trip from Dubai to Singapore on his motor bike covering more than 60,000km across 22 countries and all this for a good cause. All proceeds collected from sponsors will be donated to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF). The tentative date for the ride has been scheduled for April 20.

It started with Wissam and a few friends sending out mass e-mails to collect funds for destitute women and children in Palestine. Driven by the need to work towards a cause, Jayyoussi’s first ‘attempt at impossible’ was when he climbed the Purmori Mountain on the Nepal-Tibet border. He raised money to sponsor the education of 14 women in Palestine. “It wasn’t about the money.

The reason why I take up such daring treks is to raise awareness,” he said. In 2009, Jayyoussi travelled from Dubai to London by road, covering 36 countries. He raised $140,000 during the trip with help from several NGOs.

For his trip to Singapore, Jayyoussi will be riding a BMW-1200 Adventure-Enduro bike. “The bike is custom-made for off-road trips,” he explained.

“The roads are going to be extremely bad and the journey will be exhausting. I plan to ride 10-12 hours per day. For my last trip, on three occasions I had to ride for 24 hours to keep up with the schedule.”

Jayyoussi bought the bike for Dh80,000 and spent an additional Dh50,000 on modifications. He started riding 14 years back and now owns six bikes.

Modifications on the BMW include a new suspension, clutch, additional zenon lights, protection for the gas tanks and airflow sensors and engine protection as well. At least 60 additional parts were added to the bike. Also, the bike has been put through six months of endurance riding in the rough terrain roads from the UAE to Salalah in Oman. “I have been trying to push the bike as much as possible. I feel confident that I can make the trip,” he said.

Apart from modifications on his bike, Wissam has been doing strenuous strength training on his legs, back and shoulders.

The trip expenses and requirements are being handled solely by Wissam to ensure that all cooperate sponsorships goes towards the Paediatric Cancer Centre. Funds will be utilised to equip the centre with medical equipment and critical supplies, as well as cater to the maintenance of the facility on an ongoing basis.

Jayyoussi will be carrying tents and cooking equipment and plans to live on foods like rice and pasta which is easy to carry. He will document the trip on digital cameras positioned on his helmet and on the bike.

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