6-year-old boy cycling 120km around S’pore for charity, hopes to set record

S’pore boy cycling around Singapore to raise funds for charity that helps intellectually disabled

Update (3 June, 6.01pm): Ryan successfully completed his ride around Singapore in 14 hours on Saturday (1 June), setting off from home with his parents at 5.30am and returning at 7.30pm, reported Shin Min Daily News.

He cycled a total of 129km in nine hours and 43 minutes, setting a new record in the Singapore Book of Records for the youngest person to cycle around Singapore. He also raised about S$12,000 for charity.

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While most of us were reading comics, playing video games and preparing for primary school at the age of six, a six-year-old boy from Singapore is cycling to raise money for charity.

He plans to cycle a distance of 120km around Singapore to help people with disabilities.

In the process, he also hopes to set a record: Become the youngest kid to accomplish this feat.

Boy cycling for charity that helps the intellectually disabled

According to a fundraising page on Giving.sg, the boy named Ryan started his mission on Saturday (1 June).

He wants “to be the youngest kid to cycle 120km around Singapore”, the write-up says.

In doing so, he hopes to raise S$100 for every kilometre he covers, which will go to an organisation called SUN-DAC.

SUN-DAC runs Day Activity Centres (DACs) for the intellectually disabled. It aims to train them to live independently and integrate them into the community, providing respite for their caregivers, according to its website.

Boy started cycling at the age of four

Ryan’s father Benjamin Soon is an Associate Professor with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), reported 8world News.

He told the broadcaster that his son started riding bikes at the age of four.

Since then, the family of three has been cycling all over Singapore during the weekends.

Prof Soon was impressed by his son’s ability when the boy rode from Jurong East to his grandmother’s place in Bukit Panjang — a distance of 10km — before he turned five years old.

Boy has been training for cycling trip

Earlier this year, Ryan easily completed a 52km ride in East Coast Park, so his father jokingly challenged him to ride around the island.

Surprisingly, he accepted the challenge, he said.

His family thus started preparing him for the trip, conducting special training over the past few weeks that involved cycling more than 50km each time.

The longest trip the boy made was between Jurong East and Changi Airport.

Ryan will be accompanied by his father on the round-the-island ride, and it’s similar to his usual cycling route that includes places he’s familiar with, he said.

While the recent hot weather will make the challenge more difficult, they will take their time, enjoying the experience.

If they get tired, they will stop to buy drinks or eat ice cream, he added.

Current S’porean record holder set it at six years 10 months old

The current Singaporean record holder is Adiv Seth, according to the Singapore Book of Records.

At the age of six years and 10 months, he cycled 120.28 km around Singapore on 3 Nov 2022.

While Ryan, who is six years and seven months old, is aiming to break that record, he also wants to do it for a good cause and is thus urging people to donate to SUN-DAC.

He has already raised close to S$10,000. To donate, head to his Giving.sg page.

Also read: 5-year-old boy becomes youngest S’porean to conquer Everest Base Camp

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Featured images adapted from Giving.sg.