With Planet Earth in lockdown, our industry at a standstill and many of us in self-isolation or quarantine at home, or grounded, this is our blog for you – it’s a way to share stories within our community, to form solidarity and foster a sense of belonging.
Short essays on what we are each doing, how we are getting through this darkest hour in travel, how are we handling withdrawal symptoms from travel, what we intend to do with this down time, a word we want to focus on, a wish we have or simply, an important topic you want to share with your travel friends at this time.
WiT Community Blog: Simon Wong, co-founder, Singapore Sidecars
On March 12, Simon Wong, co-founder, Singapore Sidecars, embarked on a record-breaking journey from Singapore to Penang, in an effort to raise funds for Red Cross. Here he writes about the experience:
After our initial plans to travel to Nepal to support the Dolma Foundation were postponed, we had a new opportunity to support another cause. It was an easy decision to join the fight against Covid-19 by supporting our frontliners through Red Cross. (The fundraiser is still ongoing and you can donate here.)
We very much hope with public support in Singapore, where we’re fortunate to have a government that has planned extensively to deal with this scenario, we can continue to drive funds towards the Red Cross, in its fight against Covid-19.
Since returning from our 800km Island to Island: Singapore to Penang race, the WHO had declared the virus a global pandemic. In a matter of weeks, the spread shifted the epicentre of the virus from Asia to Europe and the USA. Medical staff are at increasing risk of dying or getting infected on the front lines, particularly in areas where medical equipment is in short supply. This needs our attention right this second.
The backstory to our record-breaking journey: In 2018, we travelled 800km to Penang in 72 hours in vintage sidecars. That meant riding from dawn to dusk every day, for three days straight. In 2020 we thought, “let’s beat that in the most spectacular way.” After bouncing the idea off the record books, the challenge to do it in 12 hours was born.
In the lead up to launch, we failed the initial road tests – we averaged 61km per hour, falling short of the 67km per hour we needed to get there in time. After two more rides, each lasting about four hours each way, and some modifications, we averaged 74km per hour. On the day itself, we had perfect weather, no strong winds, no breakdowns (which could have ended the attempt immediately), and averaged 86km per hour, arriving in a record time of nine hours and 20mins.
The most rewarding part was being part of a great team. We’d been on long rides before, we’d been riding sidecars together almost daily for two years by the point of the attempt. Each team member knows the idiosyncrasies of the next very well. We’re multi-ethnic and multi-national, and we make room for all the differences on the team, with everyone being able to handle multiple roles: from leading, planning, working pit stops, riding and co-riding.
Our latest team member was the versatile actor and host, Nikki Muller, who blended in perfectly. We’d worked on charity initiatives together over the last year, and share much in common in our approaches to serving the community. Heroes from previous rides such as ex-Army Medical Officer ‘Brother’ James took leave from work to join our cause. Sharing this intense journey with great friends while giving back is the greatest reward.
The interdependency on all moving parts is something I always marvel at, these journeys are often pictures that paint themselves quite organically, even at the planning stage.
We’re very grateful to have folks step forwards with funding from The Majurity Trust’s SG Strong scheme, the approval for which came in lightening-quick time, motor oil (Two Wheels 88), the loan of a suite of spare parts (Mah Motors), offers of accommodation to ensure the crew is well looked after upon arrival (Cheong Fatt Tze – The Blue Mansion, The Edison Hotel and SAVV Hotel).
Also, to our partner Yeoh Siew Hoon, who has always given a voice to our cause, and at WiT Indie 2020 in Penang, where Nikki and myself were able to share the crew’s story and highlight this all important cause that folks should donate to.
Ideas that arose out of discussions at WiT have led to plans to extend the “Island to Island” series to Island to Island: Singapore to Cempedak; Singapore to Koh Samui, and a Yunnan Tea Horse Trail exploring the origins of tea, on sidecars. We’re really looking forward to developing these after the world defeats the virus – which inevitably we will.
In Singapore, we’ve started a call for people to donate supplies, food and goodies that we can transport to frontliners, and we’re looking at getting buskers and entertainers to join us on these deliveries, like a “sidecar surprise” to boost morale!
Until then, I would say to others to step up and volunteer your time, your ideas, or just your hands, and get stuck in now. You could be dropping off food to frontline staff, you could be encouraging folks to simply donate – this is not something that happens to ‘someone else’ anymore. We are all affected and we must all take action.
Support Sidecar Singapore’s Red Cross $50,000 fundraising initiative, click here. If you would like to donate any food, supplies or get involved in other ways, please contact: [email protected] for more information.
