You & me

Born and raised in Lahore, Moin Khan is a travel enthusiast, biker and an adventurer. He has a passion to explore Pakistan and beyond. Moin travelled from San Francisco to Lahore on his Honda 600cc sports bike in 2011 following his passion. The journey of Moin Khan was acknowledged and went viral - showing the videos of the unexplored areas of northern Pakistan on his bike. Khan got the attention of international media like too. BBC, NBC, Al-Jazeera all gave him coverage. They served as an inspiration for a lot of people who always had wanted to explore Pakistan but they were not ready to take the challenge. The interactive videos also show the willingness of locals and want more people to travel and come in those areas. After spending six years in San Francisco, California Khan has moved back to Pakistan. Khan wants to portray a softer image of Pakistan through all his journeys and he has given lectures as a speaker in various parts of the world. “I travel for a living. I invite people from around the world to come see Pakistan with me. Motorcycle, jeeps and cars whatever we can get our hands on. My agenda is to introduce our amazing country to the world,” says an excited Khan. In an exclusive interview with You! Moin shares his likes & dislikes with our readers:

 

 What motivated you to travel from San Francisco to Lahore on a bike? Did you get any special training?

The constant bad news out of Pakistan use to bother me a lot while I was in university in San Francisco. So in a bid to show to the world a softer image of our country I decided to ride my motorcycle around the world from SF to Lahore, to let the world know that we are also peace loving nation. It was magical. I didn’t get any special training. I have been in love with motorcycles for a very long time and so my passion for two wheels helped me get over obstacles that I met during my journey. It took me six months, from 10th July 2011 to 31 December 2011, to ride from San Francisco to Lahore (40, 000 Km).

 Your favourite international labels...

North Face, REI, Columbia. 

 Your favourite photographer...

Mobeen Ansari is amazing. 

 What do you usually wear in daily life?

Jeans and a t-shirt for casual wear.

What is one product you cannot do without?

Garnier Men PowerWhite.

 Your essential kit, when you are on a journey on a bike...

The most important thing when you are on a big journey is a ‘smile’. A smile can go a long way.

 Your idea of romance...

Washing my motorcycle after a long day in the mountains hahaha!

 One thing you like best about yourself...

I don’t panic when I am in trouble. I don’t stress out when I can’t find a place to sleep while I am on the road travelling. I don’t grumble when I don’t find food for few days. I enjoy living rough on the road and taking it one day at a time. I love it when I am lost, when I have absolutely no idea what city, or country I am in. Getting lost makes me happy.

 Which designer’s clothes you would always love to wear?

I am not into designer clothing.

 You like girls who are...

I like girls who aren’t too girlie! 

 Your most irritating habit:

I am not a morning person; I really want to change that.

 You don’t like people who are...

Self obsessed on how they look and what they are wearing. 

 You always feel happy in the company of...

My father. He is actually the chillest guy I know. 

 You are afraid of...

Stability. Permanency. Being at one place for too long. 

 Happiness is...

Being alone in the wild.

 Your most valuable possession

My parents.

 What’s your favourite restaurant?

I love Afghani, Irani and Thai food. So all the Afghani, Irani and Thai restaurants I guess. 

 Your all time favourite movie...

‘Into the Wild’

 Are you shopaholic?

I hate shopping unless I shop for motorcycle parts.

 What bores you the most...

Food. 

 When feeling low you prefer:

Talking to my father, he can make a tricky situation amazing in 10 seconds.

 You are crazy about...

It keeps changing, nowadays it is dirtbikes. If I could go back, I would race dirtbikes full time.

  Among your friends you are known as...

MK Mas

 Are you a social person or a loner?

Pretty social, hate being alone unless I am on a motorcycle, travelling. Even then I try my best to find locals to hang out with.

 How do you like to spend your Sundays?

On a motocross track - racing my dirtbike.

 What’s your favourite breakfast food?

I don’t like breakfasts. Straight to lunch every day. 

 Your fitness regimen...

I try to run four times a week and have been hitting the gym too.

 The best gift you have ever received?

When I crashed in Romania at 200kmph head on in a car. My bike was totally damaged. People from five different countries started sending my motorcycle parts. Exhaust manifold from Bulgaria, Front brake system from Poland, Radiator from Romania and 2 big boxes of parts from California. The world helped me fix my bike up and because of them I was able to finish my ride to Pakistan from San Francisco.

  The best thing that’s been said about me

There hasn’t been much said about me. Maybe You! could finally say something cool!

 What would be your advice to someone who is thinking of training to be a professional biker?

You can do it. Just have to put in 10,000 hours, that’s all. Wear a helmet please. 

 What do you like most about your job?

I get to do what I love to do. It’s the best feeling in the world I tell you. 

 If I weren’t doing what I’m doing today, I would...

Be racing motorcycles internationally; maybe running a race school in Pakistan; maybe driving an ambulance for Edhi sahab, that was my dream job growing up.