Motorcycle
enthusiast and UB graduate student Umarfaruk Chhipa is trying
to get a Guiness World Book of Records entry by being the
fastest at circling the globe on a motorcycle. The Masters of
Computer Science student traveled alone on his Yamaha Virago
535-cc bike through 16 countries last fall, beginning in
Frankfurt and - via London - ending in Delhi. He is claiming
to be the fastest motorcyclist to make this trek, covering
5,637 km in 9 days - a claim the Guiness people are now
verifying.
"I did this trip for the thrill of the adventure, that's
why I didn't get any corporate sponsors.
I used my own money, about $25,000 so far," Umarfaruk
explained. When asked where he slept most of the time he
replied, "I didn't really sleep much, I just curled up on
the bike and took naps."
Apart from a major road accident in Turkey in which he was
injured - but continued to press on nonetheless - Umarfaruk
said his trip was enjoyable and satisfying, with many acts of
kindness extended to him throughout his journey.
"I would enter a country, buy a road map and decide the
route. That's adventure. When you deliberate over everything,
the thrill and spontaneity is lost," Umarfaruk said.
"As soon as I get more money saved, I will continue the
journey from Delhi, across Russia, into Alaska and across the
US. Perhaps in two years."
Motorcycle
enthusiast and UB graduate student Umarfaruk Chhipa is trying
to get a Guiness World Book of Records entry by being the
fastest at circling the globe on a motorcycle. The Masters of
Computer Science student traveled alone on his Yamaha Virago
535-cc bike through 16 countries last fall, beginning in
Frankfurt and - via London - ending in Delhi. He is claiming
to be the fastest motorcyclist to make this trek, covering
5,637 km in 9 days - a claim the Guiness people are now
verifying.
sponsors.
I used my own money, about $25,000 so far," Umarfaruk
explained. When asked where he slept most of the time he
replied, "I didn't really sleep much, I just curled up on
the bike and took naps."
