A retired teacher has demonstrated the power of a strong spirit by embarking on a solo motorcycle tour to seven countries covering over 30,000km. Mohammad Lasim Deraman, 57, rode his Yamaha NMAX 155 scooter for nearly four years, starting from Kota Baru, Kelantan in December 2019, and crossing Thailand, Myanmar, India, Nepal, China, and Laos before returning home in June. His journey was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure of routes through the Himalayas due to heavy snow.
After riding for three months and reaching Mumbai, India, Mohammad Lasim decided to return to Malaysia to bring his wife along on the journey. However, the trip was postponed due to Covid-19. When the borders reopened in May 2022, he resumed the expedition in Mumbai but had to return to Malaysia again after less than a month because the Zojila Pass, which connects Ladakh and Kashmir, was closed to all vehicles. In April, he flew to New Delhi to continue the tour and finally arrived safely at the Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok border in Kelantan three days before Hari Raya Aidiladha.
Mohammad Lasim faced numerous challenges during the expedition, including scooter breakdowns, traversing rocky, muddy, narrow, and steep mountain paths in India and Nepal, and enduring extreme cold weather with temperatures as low as -20°C, which could cause acute mountain sickness (AMS). Despite these setbacks, he described unforgettable moments, such as riding through the treacherous Zojila Pass at an elevation of about 3,528m above sea level.
Mohammad Lasim, who worked as a special education teacher at SMK Kolombong in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, began going on motorcycle expeditions in 2008 and has visited various places worldwide, including Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and Africa. He believes that traveling on a motorcycle allows him to discover hidden treasures, make new friends, and gain unique experiences.
Avid traveler Azman Baharuddin commended Mohammad Lasim’s achievement, describing it as extraordinary. With over two decades of experience riding motorcycles abroad, including trips to the Holy Land for the umrah and Haj pilgrimage, Azman pointed out that riding a scooter over long distances presents greater challenges compared to regular motorcycles.
He highlighted that scooters are primarily popular for short rides in urban areas with heavy traffic due to their convenience, gearless nature, and comfort. However, they require regular maintenance to stay in good condition and may not be suitable for riding on unpaved or hilly paths due to their small wheels. Additionally, scooters have a higher risk of breaking down, and finding spare parts can be challenging in remote areas.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
