By KT Leong
As we speak, a score of riders from 8 different countries are cycling through a route, 786km long, taking them from Phuket to Hua Hin and onwards to Bangkok. It’s an epic journey filled with the fun of friends and the excitement of exploration, but it’s also filled with hardship, as they traverse through uneven terrain under our region’s signature intense weather conditions.
But for the A Week of Laughter, aka AWOL Riders, the hardships are worth it, if it means helping others. Because this trek isn’t just about personal physical challenges, but also raising funds for charity as well as doing random acts of kindness along the way.
Founded in 2016 by Ernest Balasingam and a few others, Ernest had been riding for charity since 2010. As his circle of charitable cyclists grew, AWOL Riders was born as an alternative group of international yet like-minded cyclists, to do their part in helping out with the world while having some laughs along the way. This charitable tour through Thailand is AWOL Rider’s 5th tour, only missing out on the Covid years.
Everyone on the tour has their reasons for taking on this difficult trek. For Ernest himself, this tour is an opportunity to raise funds for both Yayasan Ipoh and Noah’s Ark. Yayasan Ipoh offers post medical care, such as hydrotherapy and physiotherapy, for those who cannot afford it. As well as other services to help the B40 group. While Noah’s Ark is near and dear to the hearts of all animal lovers.
But he’s not the only one from Ipoh who is riding for a good cause. Tan Ju Lin is embarking on her first tour of Thailand with AWOL Riders. Cycling started out as just an exercise for her in 2018, but has now evolved into an international adventure. But like Ernest, she’s not just riding for the fun and challenge, but is raising funds for the Perak Palliative Care Society. Anyone who has had a loved one at death’s door, can appreciate the importance of palliative care.
It isn’t just about raising funds though, as the AWOL Riders also perform random acts of kindness while on their trek. For instance, they were able to provide a school in the KhaoLak area with some notebooks, thanks to cooperation with Fugro Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd. And by notebooks, I mean the computers, not the little paper pads!
If you would like to support the AWOL Riders and their charity, you can check out their Facebook at AWOL Riders. Alternately, here are some ways you can donate directly to some of the charities that they are riding for.
For the Perak Palliative Care Society (PPCS), you can either donate directly to PPCS by online bank transfer or use Touch and Go Wallet. Please indicate TJL4PPCS in the payment reference. Details in the image below.
For Yayasan Ipoh, you can use Internet banking,cheque or ATM cash deposit at either
CIMB
Account Name: Yayasan Ipoh Bagi Orang Kurang Upaya Perak
Account Number: 80-0504634-2
or
HONG LEONG BANK
Account Name: Yayasan Ipoh Bagi Orang Kurang Upaya Perak
Account Number: 23-1010-20711
Kindly e-mail or fax your bank transaction to Yayasan Ipoh. Details on this link.
Donations to Noah’s Ark can be done to:
Persatuan Penyalamat Haiwan Terbiar Bathera Noah Ipoh Perak
Bank: CIMB
Account No. 80-0488594-1
Details on this link.
Thank you for a great article. Riding such a Tour takes great perseverance & discipline. Because of logistical concerns & safety the rides start at 8am (9am Malaysian time). To move 20 people over 100km daily is a challenge and riders safety is paramount. Special shout out must go to Ant Tours Thailand which is led by Jittidej Sakda Fahro Lapinee & Suebsakul Rattanapoom who have been part of our tour since the inception. Some of the daily challenges riders face is keeping the will to ride especially after a hard ride the day before or picking themselves up to continue after a fall or crash. In normal circumstances riding 100km would take about 3 1/2 hours it would take up to 6 hours or more as it is dealing with riders with different abilities and that would take us past mid-day or more depending on the distance. Upon reaching the hotel, riders need to do their laundry to prepare themselves for the next day and this is repeated over 7 days. To the first timers it’s a surreal experience like no other. To the initiated it’s an addiction and that is why we have many loyal and dedicated riders who wait for this week once a year. See you all in 49 weeks – Ernest Balasingam