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In September 2002, I cycled solo from Bangkok to Singapore. It was a two week journey covering over 2000kms. The main purpose of the trip — to raise awareness and funds for the Breast Cancer Foundation (‘BCF’).

In the weeks and months following my return, I was constantly asked the same question: ‘What’s next?’

It weighed heavily on my mind but I felt that if I did another long distance bicycle ride, it probably wouldn’t have the same effect as the first one, especially if I wanted to raise funds for a charity. But hang on — did I really want to do it all over again? I mean, do a bike ride and raise money for charity again, especially in these economic times.

People often ask me what it was like to cycle all the way from Bangkok to Singapore. The first word that comes to mind is ‘painful’. It was both physically and mentally painful. However, I did achieve my goal of creating greater awareness of BCF through the ride. Apart from that, I had also set a goal for myself to raise S$10,000 through pledge cards. This goal was realised when the total amount raised was a little more than that.

What effect did this ‘fund raising’ bicycle ride have on me? It didn’t change my life drastically. Reflecting back, I realise the changes were more subtle. As the weeks and months passed, I got plenty of e-mails from friends and well wishers, many of whom I had never met before. One e-mail in particular, written by the husband of a cancer patient, spoke of how he and his wife were coming to terms with her having been diagnosed with breast cancer, and that because of an article he had read about my solo ride, they knew right away that they could turn to BCF for support. It was e-mails like his which made me realise that, what we all do, in our own capacity, inevitably impacts on the lives of others. As idealistic as it may sound, whatever little that we do, can make a difference in this world.

So I decided to be a ‘professional beggar’ again this year. The challenge was to organise something involving cycling that would be different from last year’s long distance endurance ride.

‘Cycling for Cancer’ is a 24-hour cyclethon where I will be pedalling on a stationary bicycle for 24 hours, in aid of the Children’s Cancer Foundation (‘CCF’). This has never been done before in Singapore and it will be my first public attempt at it. The event will take place from 11–12 October at the Youth Park. Apart from my cycling for 24 hours, there will also be a carnival with food and game stalls, celebrity appearances and band performances. There will also be other stationary bicycles placed there, so that the public will have a chance to join me in pedalling, although not for 24 hours!

We hope that you will visit the carnival, enjoy yourselves and at the same time, do your part for a good cause. See you there!

All proceeds from the carnival will be donated to CCF. For further information, kindly contact,

On the road from Nakhon Si Thammarat — about 50km from Hat Yai. Kids walking to school.

Taking a breather in front of Merdeka Square.

First day, just outside of bangkok, on the road to Phetchaburi.