Katiravan in Nepal during his 2018 Asian journey. Photos: Katiravan Subarayan
Many people associate retirement with settling down to a quiet, more peaceful life at home.
Former maintenance manager and electrical chargeman Katiravan Subarayan, however, is taking a different approach. At age 61, after just one year of retirement, the man is about to embark on one of the greatest adventures of his life: a solo journey around the world by motorbike.
And it is more than just a frivolous sightseeing trip. The intrepid adventurer is planning his global travels for a good cause – to raise awareness and encourage efforts towards environmentalism and against global warming and climate change.
Katiravan is no stranger to great motorbike journeys. In 2018, he embarked on a 64-day solo trip through seven Asian countries, namely Thailand, Myanmar, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The trip, he said, had been one of the best experiences of his life, with one of his favourite memories being the planting of two neem trees in Mandi Dabwali at the Punjab-Haryana border in India.
“We have to do something about the Earth. Things are changing. We’re cutting the forests down and the icebergs are melting. We might still be alright, but if we continue what we are doing, our children are going to suffer.
Katiravan at Khardung La, one of the highest motorable roads in the world, in 2018.
“Someone has to open our eyes to what we are doing to the environment,” says Katiravan, who is married with three adult children.
“I’m doing this to raise awareness about the environment and global warming. This is the biggest trip I have ever done. I am a bit nervous, but with God’s blessings, I believe it can be done.”
Nature has always been close to Katiravan’s heart. Growing up in an estate in Bukit Asahan, Melaka, he was taught to love the environment from a young age.
“My father always told me the more trees you have, the more vegetables you have, and how (the colour) green is good for your eyes! He made me very passionate about planting trees, which do so much to help the planet and stop global warming. One tree can absorb up to one tonne of carbon dioxide throughout its lifetime,” Katiravan shares.
Katiravan will begin his journey on Jan 1 next year, setting off from a temple in Batu Caves, Selangor. He will ride to Singapore and later send his bike via sea freight to Indonesia. From there, he makes his way to Timor Leste, and then to Australia and New Zealand.
Katiravan with other bikers he met while travelling through Khardung La in 2018.
Katiravan will then travel to South Korea and Japan before biking through Russia, Mongolia and about 41 countries in Europe. After that, it’s off to Morocco and Canada, the United States, Alaska, Central America, South America, North Africa and the Middle East, and Central Asia before heading back to South-East Asia and home in Malaysia.
Katiravan will be biking through all the major land routes and sending his bike via air and sea freight when it’s time to cross the seas. The whole trip covers about 110,000-120,000km and is estimated to take a year and seven to eight months.
Officially, Katiravan plans to travel through about 106 countries. His final total, however, might be higher, depending on whether certain travel restrictions currently in place are lifted. For example, he will be able to visit the Philippines if the ferry service there from Sabah, currently unavailable, is resumed later.
The place he is most excited to see? Luxembourg, which he enjoyed visiting previously.
Katiravan will be riding a BMW R 1200cc GSA motorcycle he has named Parameswara. It is the same trusty steed that carried him through his Asian adventure.
The vehicle, which he bought in 2017, is equipped with a hand heater, placement for GPS devices, and auto-cruise functions. Its tubeless tyres have been imported from Germany, and its 30l tank is enough for about a 600km journey.
His helmet has also been equipped with speakers and microphone, allowing Katiravan to listen to his GPS, take phone calls, as well as listen to music. His motorcycle has also previously been tested and confirmed to be within carbon emission limits, ensuring an environmentally friendly journey.
Katiravan with a friend he made in Patsio, India during his 2018 journey.
Katiravan will be biking for about eight to nine hours a day, and then mostly resting during the night at hotels, hostels, guesthouses or whatever he can find. He also plans to camp in a tent in countries that allow it.
Wherever he goes, Katiravan will also be taking the Malaysian flag with him. He plans to speak about the environment with the people in every country he visits and raise awareness through events like tree-planting.
“I will be talking to the public, telling them whenever you have a marriage, have a newborn, pass your exam or buy a new house, celebrate by planting a new tree and taking care of it.”
Asked about challenges, Katiravan mentioned language barriers in foreign countries. He is also concerned about immigration requirements at border crossings, which can sometimes be complicated.
“I’ve made all the necessary preparations to make sure my wife is taken care of when I’m travelling. But sometimes, if you want to gain something, you have to leave something behind,” Katiravan reflects.
“Might things happen to me on my trip? Of course. I could fall sick, you never know what could happen. But you can’t expect everything to go positively. But you make whatever preparations you can, and have faith in the gods that things will go your way.”
Katiravan of course, is not doing this completely alone: he is supported by members of his motorbike club, Galaxy Bikers, who have put him in touch with various people to help him with his green talks abroad.
He is also seeking potential sponsors, as the whole journey is expected to cost about RM600,000.
Katiravan once had that amount, selling one of his properties to achieve this. Unfortunately, the poor economy and the weakened Malaysian ringgit resulted in a dip in his overall funds.
Katiravan is thus looking for people who might be interested in helping him spread his environmental message, and the name of Malaysia all around the world.
Meanwhile, there are only about two months to the start of his journey, and Katiravan is making all the necessary preparations.
He spends eight to nine hours a day researching routes and international connections, and engages in regular jogging and exercise to ensure he is in good health.
It’s certainly going to be a long and challenging ride, but Katiravan is excited about it. The most important thing in a journey like this, he says, is to be prepared as much as you can, and be confident you can make it.
“It won’t be easy, doing this on a motorcycle. You’re exposed to all the elements like the heat, the rain and the cold. But I want to show people that this can be done. If I can do this, at this age, then anyone can. And I hope to continue spreading my message all around the world to love our planet,” he says.
For more information about Katiravan and his journey, contact Arun at carunpj@yahoo.co.uk or call 012-268 4058.
