Armed with a dream, a Long Haul Trucker and 60kg of luggage strapped to his back, Jacky Hong embarked on a journey to cycle from Kuala Lumpur to London in order to make it in time for the 2012 Olympics—leaving behind his wife and then newborn child.
The Chinese-Malaysian, who is a self-employed nutrition coach, set off on his 16,800 kilometre expedition on Feb 14 in Kuala Lumpur and arrived in London on the 26th July—the day before the 2012 Olympic Games opened.
Starting His Blog
Not many would understand Jacky’s decision to prioritise what could be seen as a childish dream over his family, and there was a worry about what his daughter might think of him once she is old enough for such things to matter.
After all, he left for his journey before she could even recognise his face. According to Hong, he “…want[ed] her to know nothing is impossible in the world as long as you give it your best shot.”
His anxiety about explaining his journey to his daughter was the cornerstone behind Jacky’s new blog, Moocycle.com.
Before Jacky even landed on using a blog as his platform, he thought long and hard about how to eternalise his 16-country journey and how he could best convey the story through words that would stand the test of time.
He also thought about his wife, who had given him unwavering support, and thought of this blog as a way for her to know that her support was not in vain.
And he has a lot to make up to her. After all, he left for his journey on the 14th of February—Valentine’s Day.
His blog chronicles the nitty and gritty of most of his trip, with focus on Hong’s photography throughout.
Hong manages to capture vibrant snapshots of the locales, almost transporting the viewers straight into the scene.
Even though a picture already says a thousand words, Hong still likes to tell a story with every photo he uploads, capturing both his lowest points and a charming examples of the local culture.
For those among the readers who cycle, or perhaps even those who might consider attempting a daredevil cross-country cycle themselves, Moocycle is also filled with tips and tricks on how to get by with just a backpack, a tour bike and sheer willpower, interlaced among the chronicles of his journey.
There is an art behind the exertion and Jacky is not loathe to part with his wisdom.
In fact his latest post is, “Tips To Travel Light – Part 2“, in which he talks about learning and adapting in figuring out how to travel light, as well as the three travel things that are crucial for any aspiring cyclist such as he.
There can’t possibly be many individuals on this earth who would consider putting in the exertion that Hong did for his extreme journey, so perhaps there is something to be had for even those of us who aren’t Hong’s then-infant child.
The trip was also for a good cause.
Hong aimed to raise at least US$56,000 for the MAA MediCare Kidney Fund, an initiative by a Malaysian charity organisation which provides financial assistance to kidney cancer patients who are too poor to pay for vital dialysis treatment.
Hong’s trip enjoyed the sponsorship of many big names such as goBudgetStay.com, Khcycle (Malaysia), Eco Green Global Tech, and five other companies, and all the funds raised went directly to the MAA-MediCare kidney charity fund.
Hong enjoys connecting with others and believes that it’s the real reason to travel.
This is why the cyclist chose the mode of transportation that would bring him closer to the locals. He thought that flying would only bring him from one airport to another, a very distant view of each country.
Cycling allowed him to immerse himself in the culture of the country that he was in, from the most remote of countrysides to the dense culture of the busy cities.
Hong still considers his 2012 trek through the nations as a dream that he achieved, and maybe through his story, we can too find the courage to live out ours. They do say that you only live once.
Image Credit: Jacky Hong on Moocycle.com
