Zahariz Chronicles 7,000 KM Solo Ride In Debut Book

By Nurhafizah Tan

KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 (Bernama) -- In the sweltering heat of 52 degrees Celsius, with his water nearly gone, Zahariz Khuzaimah arrived at what was supposed to be a rest stop—only to find it had been reduced to ruins.

These were some of the most harrowing moments Zahariz Khuzaimah faced while crossing the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang, China, during a 7,000-kilometre cycling expedition across three countries.

"On the paper map I was using at the time, there was a small town marked, but when I got there, it no longer existed—it had been destroyed.

"My water had run out, and the temperature reached 52 degrees (Celsius). I felt like I was close to death, but fortunately, I was rescued by Chinese soldiers," he told Bernama during the launch of his book Dengan Basikal Aku Merentas Benua Asia (With a Bicycle, I Crossed the Asian Continent) recently.

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That terrifying episode is one of the compelling chapters featured in his debut book, written over six months and based on his travel diary from around 15 years ago.

The 287-page book documents the first year of Zahariz’s journey in 2010, when he left his job as a lecturer to explore China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan armed with nothing but a bicycle and courage.

Zahariz, well-known for his vlogs and short documentaries on his adventures, said the book was written to provide more detailed stories that couldn't be fully shared through videos.

"Many people already know the general story from YouTube, but I couldn’t tell everything in the videos. In this book, I can share much more; through writing, readers can take their time and truly immerse themselves," he said.

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Beyond the physical and emotional trials, the book also captures heartwarming human stories—interactions with Muslim communities in rural China, a humorous moment when he was offered a marriage proposal by a local family, and the profound loneliness of being alone in a foreign land.

The holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Graphic Design, and 3D Animation from Wanganui School of Design, New Zealand, hopes to publish a second volume in the future.

He aims to share stories from over a decade of travel to remote parts of the world, including the Arctic regions covering Iceland, Scotland, Sweden, and Norway.

"I hope this book can inspire those who are searching for the meaning of life, or who have thought about breaking free from their routine and daring themselves to go where they never imagined," he said.

This limited edition book is priced at RM62 and can be purchased by contacting Zahariz through his social media platforms.

-- BERNAMA