I met Dallan through work, and he mentioned that his dad, Frankie Cheah, is on the motorcycle ride of a lifetime with some old friends.
“Would you like to do a story about the motorcycle tour ride?”
That was the story behind the story, and when I heard that Frankie is a cancer survivor, his road trip involved riding up to ten hours a day in all kinds of weather on his old beat-up motorcycle.
A kapchai no less. 125cc of power on a road less traveled.
I was intrigued.
Frankie Cheah’s Motorcycle Ride of a Lifetime
Frankie Cheah’s infectious joy brightens up the interview as he shares his epic Motorcycle Ride – Penang to London journey.
Dory: How young is Frankie?
Dallan: Twenty. Fifty years ago.
The motorcycle tour ride is about the indomitable spirit of a man who refuses to give up.
The lads kept on pushing mile after mile after mile.
Their steely eyes focused on only one destination in sight.
Life on the Road for the Motorcycle Ride of a Lifetime
Fueling up on the go! Dining becomes an adventure during the epic Motorcycle Ride – from Penang to London.
The lads used Timothy’s little stove to make simple meals on the road.
They are not picky eaters, and a hot meal shared in the morning and evening was a time to relax and rest before the morning’s journey.
Jaw-dropping views unfold as the journey progresses. The scenery is simply breathtaking!
Navigating through challenging terrain. The road may be rough, but the adventure is worth it!
Braving all weather conditions on their small motorcycle ride. Every moment is an adventure!
Friendship and trust make every moment memorable. These lads cherish their bond on the road.
Downing Street, Penang to Downing Street, London
Distance between the two points on earth. 38,000KM.
Time log: Four months, 11 days, eight hours, and 45 minutes.
Dallan would update me periodically when he dropped by my office.
Sometimes, he would WhatsApp, and I followed the lads on their FB posts.
Dallan: This was a voyage by land fraught with many adventures, not to be recorded as mere miles covered or the RON of petrol they pumped.
Dory: Let’s wait until the lads return, and let me get the story.
Frankie got sick and had to be hospitalized in Turkey.
Dallan got his brother to accompany Frankie home.
They hospitalized him in Penang.
We waited for Frankie to heal. And the rest of the team will come home.
Pure jubilation! The moment of triumph as they arrive at Downing Street, London.
The Interview with the Motorbikers
Finally, Dallan set up the interview at a little mom-and-pop café called the #BigBeans in downtown Madras Lane, where I knew everyone would be comfortable chatting.
Walking to the café, I spied the roadside for parked superbikes; none was safe for a Kapchai.
The lads were in good spirits and chatted amiably and with plenty of laughs.
I don’t see any grandpa here but adventurers who lived to tell the tale.
Dory with the lads! Capt. BK Lim, Frankie Cheah, Eric Lim, and Timothy Wooi strike a pose.
Wonders never cease. I am humbled and bowled over by their achievement.
If there’s one thing I learned, this is it.
The lads show me that everything IS possible. Age is a case of mind over matter. Salute!
The story was featured in Malay Mail on 5 March 2016.
The lads have become what we used to call the old school centerfolds!
Yes, Dory is cheeky too!
A memorable journey immortalized! The Motorcycle Ride of a Lifetime featured in Malay Mail, March 5, 2016.
Update: Farewell, Eric Lim (Astro Boy)
Farewell, Eric Lim.
Now you get to see the galaxies with Astro Boy.
Eric passed on 2 August 2016
Updated 24 February 2022 by Timothy Wooi
Frankie contracted lung cancer and passed on on 23 February 2022.
The journey continues! Frankie Cheah and Eric Lim riding side by side on their motorcycle adventure.
Updated 29 April 2022 by Timothy Wooi
A piece of very sad and shocking news. With a very heavy heart, shocked and sad to learn that our Touraride Team Capt. Lim Bak Kau just passed on in his sleep and was only known this morning at home.
A cherished moment captured! Captain BK Lim’s favorite photo gracing his Facebook profile.
Updated 25 January 2020 by Timothy Wooi
“Five years ago, this little second-hand 125cc made it to London from Jitra, Malaysia.
They covered 24 Countries over a land distance of 18,290km in 4 months, 11 days, and 6.75 hours, calling the World’s highest and most dangerous motorway the Karakorum.
It is still in good service, running errands and being used as an everyday bike.
A Small Bike, a Big Dream
An Ultimate journey to ride to London started when BK Lim wanted to fulfill his dream of a lifetime, i.e.
‘To ride to London Downing Street from Downing Street, Penang on just a small cc Bike.
A couple heard of this and was interested in tagging along.
BK Lim invited me and a Biker to a planning meeting at Touratech.
Later, another Biker called two more of his close friends to join and tag along with Capt. BK.
The group grew from 8 to 9, with a very elderly Biker, Frankie Cheah, joining to support Capt. BK.
During the ride, three Bikers (the Biker and his two close friends) typically moved on together and only joined the Team when necessary.
In New Delhi, before leaving the AJANTA Hotel, Capt. BK briefed everyone on engaging a local Biker to guide them safely out of New Delhi to the NH1 highway.
He asked a firm question ‘Are you all still with the team?’
No one replied.
And the Ride That Made It All the Way to London
Upon reaching the NH1 Highway safely, the couple and the three bikers separated from the Team and rode off on their own ahead of us.
The four-member Team chose to remain with BK Lim as the Captain and continued the ride to Down Street London in full support of One for all and all for One.” – Timothy Wooi.
Conquering heights and defying limits! BK Lim, Eric Lim, Frankie Cheah, and Timothy Wooi atop the world’s highest road
Bikers BK Lim, Eric Lim, Frankie Cheah, and Timothy Wooi conquered the highest road in the World.
The 800-mile Karakoram Highway in Pakistan cuts through treacherous terrains known for avalanches, heavy snowfalls, and landslides.
The road is without a barrier on one side and a sheer rock wall on the other, making judgment challenging and an actual test of vehicle and stamina.
These Iron Horsemen lived their dreams and had an adventure of a lifetime!
We celebrate LIFE with them and are inspired.
Their motorcycle ride adventure is recorded on their Facebook Page, Touraride Downing St. Penang to London (Just for fun).
