Borneo Blowpipe Run (BPR) – 1300KM Endurance Ride Challenge

The Borneo Blowpipe Run (BPR) is an approximately 1300KM endurance ride challenge from Kuching, Sarawak to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah or vice versa which needs to be completed within the same calendar date in 24 hours.

Just like the Iron Butt ride, it can be exhausting and requires one to stay focused especially attempting it in Borneo!

The Founder

borneo blowpipe run ride

BPR was founded by multi-talented proud Sarawakian, Alex Stmrock Wong in 2011. He is best known for his impressive accomplishments in various fields including the 1998 world cup jet ski champion, motorcycling enthusiast and business entrepreneur.

Alex first got the idea of BPR on his scooter tour from Kuching city to Tawau and he is also the first person to complete Blowpipe Run.

Alex Wong from Kuching Sarawak
Alex Stmrock Wong poses with his BMW Motorcycle. Image courtesy of Alex Stmrock Wong

What Is Blowpipe?

The blowpipe is a traditional weapon which is commonly used for hunting and is known to the people of Borneo, which is why Alex came up with the name.

Dyak man demonstrating the blowpipe
A Dayak man demonstrating the blowpipe. Credit: Wellcome CollectionCC BY

Challenges You May Face

  • Approximately 1300 km Ride within 24 hours.
  • Bad road conditions.
  • Unpredictable weather conditions.
  • 9 immigration checkpoints post with limited time.
  • Limited Petrol/Gas stations.
  • Getting lost.

Why Would Someone Do a Blowpipe Run?

You might be wondering why would someone go through the hassle of planning routes, gearing up, and riding/driving over thousands of kilometres in a very short period. Well, It’s all down to personal satisfaction that one has completed the challenge and acknowledgement from fellow peers.

The Blowpipe Run Rules & Regulation

  1. A rider may start from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu or Kota Kinabalu to Kuching.
  2. The ride must start and end at Cats Statue in Kuching or Marlin Statue in Kota Kinabalu.
  3. A photo of the rider with their bike, taken at the start and at the end is required, as well as a few supplementary photos along the route, showing known landmarks or name signage and the time when photos were taken. This serves to verify the run as well as allows friends and motorcycle enthusiasts to share the excitement and coordinate a welcome at various points along the route.
  4. The run must be completed within the same calendar date and not just within 24 hours. To further clarify, a run that crosses midnight will not be valid.
  5. Any motorcycle/three-wheelers or trike/car of any engine size may be used.
  6. A passenger is not allowed, as it will enable splitting of tasks and time-saving, such as the payment for fuel and the purchase of refreshments by the passenger whilst mechanical preparation is undertaken by the rider.
  7. Riders are not encouraged to ride recklessly. Please exercise extreme caution and courtesy during the attempt.
  8. Rider’s attempt data will be recorded on Facebook on the Borneo Motorcycle Group page.
  9. Riders are advised to use Google Maps Location Sharing or Whatsapp Location Sharing so other group members & fellow riders can track & monitor their whereabouts.
  10. With the effective year of 2016, riders who declared/started as a group must finish it as a group. If one of them is DNF or DNQ, all riders will also be considered as DNF or DNQ.
  11. The rules for solo rides require 2 riders or more to depart 10mins apart. This is to ensure group assistance advantages are not accorded to solo riders.
  12. The rules for group rides where 2 or more bikes are from different categories shall be in accordance with the bike with the highest cc in the group. An example is given, 650cc & 125cc bikes will be considered as BPR Open, and 500cc & 250cc bikes will be considered as BPR2.

Blowpipe Run Categories

  • BR1: Moto GP/1000cc +
  • BR2: Moto 2/600cc and below
  • BR3: Moto 3/250cc and below
  • BR Cub: Cub Prix/125cc and below
  • BR W3: Any three-wheeler (custom/production)
  • BR W4: Car

Note: The above categories are newly updated by the BPR Committee

How To Start a Blow Pipe Run?

  • Join Borneo Motorcycle Group on Facebook.
  • Abide by the BPR rules and regulations as per above.
  • Start either from Kuching, Sarawak (Cats Statue ) or Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Marlin Statue).
  • Post an announcement in the Facebook Group in the format below:
  • ‼️Blowpipe Run Announcement‼️
    • Rider: Chris (Add more riders’ names if you’re in a group).
    • Machine: Benelli TRK 502
    • Category: BR 2
    • Country: Malaysia
    • Date: 1st January 2020
    • Direction: Kuching (Cat Statue) to Kota Kinabalu (Merlin Statue).
    • ETD: 0100 (AM)
    • CC: (Tag the BPR committee member ) – Alex Stmrock Wong, Malinda Nataniel, ZaiBrunei PH Ahmad, Shahroll Hajuan & Aki Anis.
  • Take a photo when you’re at the starting point with the time stamp on your photo and post your updates (with pictures along the routes) in the comment box of the post you created.
  • Once you completed the ride, take a photo again at the endpoint with the time stamp and post your update in the comment box of the post you created.
cat statue kuching
Cat Statue in Kuching, Sarawak
marlin statute kota kinabalu
Marlin Statue in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Borneo Blowpipe Run Information Map

Below is the route from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu and vice versa with details such as refuel points etc. The map also consists of detour options to bypass routes to avoid heavy traffic in main cities. Click on the Google map below which was created by Azrul Azmil Perali .

Borneo blowpipe run info map

Brunei Border Crossing

To complete a BPR, you’ll go through Brunei and you will need to pass 9 checkpoints in total which requires stamping your passport and scanning the QR code (Only on the Brunei side). This is because Brunei is separated into two parts by the Sarawak district of Limbang. (The locals call the separation as Brunei Besar and Brunei Kecil). Read more here on the detailed steps on how you can cross in and out of Brunei which was based on my Borneo solo ride.

Brunei border crossing

How Can I Get BlowPipe Run Patch?

blowpipe run patch
Gold Blowpipe Run Patch

The patch will be given by a BPR committee member to every graduate who completed the run. Please note the Gold patch era will come to an end and be replaced by the silver patch once the Sultan of Brunei declares Temburong Bridge is officially open. More details here.

Shipping Car/Motorcycle To Sabah Or Sarawak

If you’re from Peninsular Malaysia, you can ship your vehicle via RoRo to Sabah or Sarawak. More information about this can be found here.

Conclusion

After years of riding on roads, I can tell you most of them do not care about you on the road! Don’t ride/drive fast, follow the rules and if you’re tired, take REST. If you can’t complete the challenge, you can always do it at the other time. Remember, extreme fatigue attacks a rider’s/driver’s mental ability and muscular coordination, which can be fatal.

Have you done this challenge? Share with me your experience.

Disclaimer: This article is merely to share information and if there are any discrepancies, you should always refer to Borneo Motorcycle Group. You might be also interested in reading about best motorcycle routes in Malaysia.

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