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Adventure Loving Student
Goes For New Record
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."
For more info, go to http://www.umarfaruk.com
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