105 Days on Two Wheels: Affandi Jamaludin’s Ride to the Arctic Circle and Back

From Southeast Asia to the edge of the frozen north, this is the story of a Malaysian rider who chose the long way home.

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If you’ve ever dreamed of just riding, really riding, until the road runs out, you might want to pull up a seat for this one. Affandi Jamaludin, a name now etched into the logs of Malaysian long-distance riding, didn’t just dream it. He lived it.

Over the course of 105 days, he and his riding brothers rode from the humid streets of Kuala Lumpur to the frozen edge of the Arctic Circle in Russia, before turning around and riding every kilometre back home. No shipping bikes. No long pauses. Just ride, refuel, repeat.

Well, in the world of long-distance motorcycling, many talk about endurance. Few truly live it. What makes Affandi’s journey remarkable isn’t just the distance, but the way it was done. Fully committed, on two wheels, through every border, every weather shift, and every challenge that came with it.

Where It All Began

The spark didn’t actually strike on the open road. It traces back to 2023, during an expedition to Tibet with the ATM Kembara Riding Group, led by road captain Aziz. Even for a seasoned rider who had already tackled the massive trek from Kuala Lumpur to Paris and back, this journey ignited a fresh vision. “That journey opened my eyes,” Affandi recalled. It wasn’t about Tibet anymore. It was about everything in between like the weather, the smell, the rain, the changing landscape,” he recalled.

On a motorcycle, Affandi, who rides BMW R 1200 GS “Triple Black”, believes you don’t just travel through places, you absorb them. “On a bike, you feel everything. You experience the journey with all your senses. That’s something you can’t get inside a car or a 4×4,” he said. “It’s 360 degrees, all the time.”

What started as a 90-day plan slowly evolved as routes were studied and borders mapped. The Pamir Highway alone demanded more time and flexibility. 15 extra days were added. Affandi explained, “We sat down and said, okay, this is going to be 105 days. So Aziz asked everyone honestly, are you okay with that? And everyone agreed with a big smile.”

That moment marked the shift from idea to commitment. The ride was no longer a dream. It was a promise, to themselves and to the road ahead.

Comfort or Adventure: Life on the Road with 12 Riders

Once the journey was underway, Affandi noticed something interesting happening within the group. Not conflict, but contrast. A natural difference in riding styles began to emerge, something he now jokes about openly.

“There are tourist riders, and there are adventure riders,” he said with a laugh. “Tourist riders are like people on flight packages. Everything is arranged like hotels, food, timing. They want comfort.”

Adventure riders somehow see things differently. “They’re okay with one-star hotels. Sometimes they camp. Sometimes there’s no hotel at all. They take river water, cook rice, and they call that a real adventure.”

Still, Affandi is quick to make one thing clear that there is no right or wrong way to ride. “As long as you are happy, comfortable, and enjoying the journey, that’s what matters. Different styles don’t mean one is better than the other,” he said. 

This expedition became a blend of both worlds. In China and Mongolia, regulations required the group to move together under a local agent. “In China, you cannot go alone. Everything is controlled like where you sleep, where you eat, even where you refuel,” Affandi explained. “But once we reached Russia, we were free again.”

Travelling with 12 riders meant discipline was essential. Riders had to reach checkpoints on the same day and confirm their safety upon arrival. “When you reach the hotel, you send a message. That’s how we know everyone is okay and safe, even if you feel like you’re riding alone, deep down you’re never really alone,” he added. 

Adding to the beautiful story, Affandi also shared that the road captain Aziz played a unique role. Often riding ahead, he would stop for scenery, photos, or drone footage. “Aziz is different,” Affandi said. “He stops when he sees something beautiful. If you follow him, you see things you’d otherwise miss.”

Others preferred to stick strictly to schedule, and that was fine too. “That’s long-distance riding,” Affandi reflected. “You must be yourself. Don’t try to be someone else’s rider.”

The Arctic Decision: When the Road Gets Cold and the Choice Gets Real

One of the most defining moments of the expedition came in Russia. After reaching St. Petersburg, the group faced a difficult question, should they continue riding to the Arctic Circle?

Affandi recalled, “Aziz, the pack leader and Amirul, went ahead with the route and update us with news it was -5 to -10°C, raining heavily, with no sun. They told us straight, so it tough.”

With more than two months of riding still ahead, the group had to decide. “Some of us thought, is this worth it?” Affandi said honestly. “We still had a long way to go.”

In the end, some of the riders continued to the Arctic Circle and some other stayed back, spending time in St. Petersburg and Moscow. There was no pressure, no disappointment.

“Those who went said it was insane but unforgettable,” Affandi said. “Those who stayed enjoyed the culture and the city. No one was wrong.” For him, that moment defined the true meaning of adventure. “Adventure is about choosing your own path. Not everyone has to do the same thing to feel fulfilled.”

The Ride Home: Family, Faith, and the Meaning of 105 Days

The journey home tested everyone in new ways. Central Asia, the Pamir Highway once again, visa complications, and long days on the saddle pushed riders physically and mentally. Still, they rode on. “We rode from home and returned home in 105 days, non-stop,” Affandi said with pride. “Not many Malaysian riders have done this.”

Behind the journey, however, was something rarely seen, the family support. “We’re not airline crew,” Affandi reflected. “We have families. We need permission from our wives and children to go.”

One moment stayed with him deeply. While riding through Kazakhstan, feeling exhausted and emotional, he called home. “I sounded sad,” he admitted. “I told my wife, ‘I hope I succeed.’” But her response changed everything. “She said, ‘You started this journey, so finish it. That will make you strong.’”

To stay connected, Affandi recorded birthday wishes, anniversary messages, even songs for his wife while on the road. Affandi said, “If you don’t have support like that, it’s very difficult to continue.”

Faith also played a role. Despite riding through regions many considered dangerous, fear never dominated. “I felt protected. Blessings from Allah, blessings from the people around me,” he added. 

What’s Next? 

Though he stays discreet about specifics, Affandi confirms that the wheels are already turning for another major journey. “I can’t tell you yet, but we are planning for next year. There’s another three-month trip in the works. No matter what, I’ll return to KL. It’s still in progress.”

For him, the cycle continues: dream, plan, ride, return, repeat. And with each journey, it’s not just about the places he reaches, but the people he rides with, the family that rides in spirit beside him, and the meticulous preparation that turns an ambitious idea into a road to life.

Affandi’s Last Words

As he reflected on the map of their journey, Affandi shared: “Only today, as I look back at the map of our journey, I truly realise what we accomplished in 105 days. Alhamdulillah, I am incredibly proud of what we achieved. It was insane, some riders did it with stop-and-start journeys, others shipped their bikes back. But we rode from home and returned home in 105 days, non-stop.” 

“Not many Malaysian riders have done this, but we achieved it together. A huge thank you to our Road Captain, Aziz ATM Kembara Asia Travel & Tour, for leading us throughout this journey, and thank you to all my riding brothers for every moment we shared along the way. Without all of you, this dream might never have become a reality. Alhamdulillah.” 

For Affandi Jamaludin and his brothers, this was more than a ride, it was a testament to endurance, brotherhood, and the unyielding spirit of the adventure rider.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/affandi.jamaludin

This article is based on an interview with Affandi Jamaludin, transcribed from an audio recording. Edited for clarity and narrative flow.