Malappuram ∙ An ordinary bicycle. Clothes and other essential items are kept in a temporary box made of wire at the back. ‘Kerala to Saudi Arabia, Solo Cycle Trip’ is written outside. The first thing everyone who sees it asks the same thing. Can you reach Saudi with this bicycle? But in the reply of CH Shafiq, a small-time driver from Kasaragod, there was a double bell of confidence. ‘It’s not the vehicle, it’s the desire in our mind’.
This 35-year-old left home two days ago with the dream of Madinah in his mind. Panakkad Sadikhali came to Malappuram to seek their blessings. We will depart from here this morning to the destination of Madinah. Business is business, but Shafiq’s love is with travel. He has traveled all over India in a car with his friends. When I wanted to travel again, Madinah came to my mind. The holy city where the tomb of Prophet Muhammad is located. It was decided to make the journey by bicycle considering the cost and other factors.
For one and a half months, he traveled long distances on a bicycle and practiced. 50 km per day. Has cycled up to About seven thousand km to Medina. The plan is to complete it in 8 months. A solar panel and a small stove are part of the luggage. They will also sell rings to earn money for travel expenses. Ajmer is the destination. Then the plan is to reach Saudi through Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait. The support provided by his wife Umaira and sons Basim, Swalih and Bismul Hadi is a great source of energy. Shafiq’s dream is to travel to as many countries as possible.