Fifteen bikers from a top Canadian motorcycle club completed their first-ever tour across the GCC yesterday, riding through Bahrain over the weekend.
Spreading a message of unity, diversity and mental health awareness across the Gulf, the Sikh Motorcycle Club Canada (SMCC) concluded the 12-day biking trip, with stops in the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.
“We have been planning this trip since November last year, and our club always likes to ride in support of a cause – this time, we raised awareness around mental health and the importance of talking about these issues,” one of the key organisers Amandeep Singh Garcha told the GDN, during an interview on the sidelines of the crew’s stop in Bahrain on Friday evening.
“In the past we have also raised funds for the Red Cross, Khalsa Aid, British Columbia Cancer Society and more, however with this one we are focusing on awareness.”
The SMCC has previously done rides in the US, Mexico, India, Europe, Turkey and Pakistan, with the GCC being one of the few remaining regions they had not covered until this trip.
The Canadian group – all aged between 29 and 56 – started their ride from Dubai on December 17, where they rented motorbikes from a local dealership, along with a supply truck to carry their bags, although it later came to carry any motorcycles that they needed to get repaired.
“On the first day, we got a flat on one of our bikes and fixed it in Ras Al Khaimah. But several hours later, it broke down again and we had to stop once more to get it fixed,” Mr Garcha added.
“Later in Saudi Arabia, one of our bikes got stuck and the front wheel was damaged, so we had to put it on the truck, but all in all, these were just small challenges for us – overall, the trip was fantastic.”
In addition to Mr Garcha, other SMCC members on the trip were Amandeep Singh Dhillon, Arshjot Singh Dhillon, Bhupinder Singh Thandi, Charnjit Singh Dhadda, Gurpreet Singh Tung, Gurvinder Singh Mangat, Harnek Singh Benipal, Jasmeet Pal Singh, Jaspal Singh Dhillon, Jatinder Singh Chauhan, Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal, Pravjit Singh Takhar, Rachhpal Singh Dhaliwal and Sukhvir Singh Mlait.
Comprised of members of the Sikh faith, the crew has also been making stops at Sikh temples, better known as gurudwaras, along the way. Stops have included the Guru Nanak Darbar in Ras Al Khaimah and the Gurudwara Singh Sabha in Muscat.
“Of course, there is a difference compared to North America, where the gurudwaras have a much older history on the continent, however, in the GCC, there is a lot of pride and support in the growing community which has been working hard wherever they end up,” Mr Garcha added.
When asked about some of the challenges around helmets that turban-wearing Sikhs have faced around the world, Mr Garcha noted that throughout the trip, they did not face any difficulty, adding that the Singh Motorcycle Club in Dubai traditionally rode in the UAE’s National Day parade, so there was a lot of love and acceptance amongst local authorities for turban-donning motorcyclists.
After starting in Dubai, the group rode to Oman on December 21, Abu Dhabi on December 23, Saudi Arabia on December 24, Kuwait on December 25, Bahrain on December 27, Qatar on December 28, before returning to their starting point.
Although their stop in Bahrain was short, the crew used the time to recharge and visit local landmarks including the World Trade Centre and the community Sikh temple.
Wherever they have been stopping, they have given pins for the ‘Gulf Ride’ as well as shirts to anyone who has helped them along the way.
With the ride now concluded, Mr Garcha and the SMCC are going to celebrate New Year’s in the UAE, before dispersing, some headed back home to Canada, with others travelling on to India, Pakistan and Europe.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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