Before the Business Blueprint Ride 2026 began, 14-year-old Tawan was excited — but he was also a little nervous.
He had never ridden a bike for such a long distance before, and there was one question on his mind:
“Can I really do this?”
He wanted to challenge himself, experience something new and ride alongside the Business Blueprint riders. He soon discovered that the answer would come one kilometre at a time.
The first day brought plenty of hills, and they weren’t easy. Tawan remembers feeling tired and wondering whether he could make it over each one. But he kept going. When he finally reached the top, he felt proud of himself. What had seemed too difficult at the start was something he had managed to overcome.
He had never ridden a bike for such a long distance before, and there was one question on his mind:
“Can I really do this?”
He wanted to challenge himself, experience something new and ride alongside the Business Blueprint riders. He soon discovered that the answer would come one kilometre at a time.
The first day brought plenty of hills, and they weren’t easy. Tawan remembers feeling tired and wondering whether he could make it over each one. But he kept going. When he finally reached the top, he felt proud of himself. What had seemed too difficult at the start was something he had managed to overcome.
Throughout the ride, Tawan found plenty of support from the riders around him, especially Rudy Baptist, who rode alongside him. Their encouragement taught him about patience, teamwork and looking out for one another. Whenever he was tired or felt like giving up, hearing someone say “Keep going!” gave him the extra push he needed.
There was one moment when things became even harder. Tawan fell off his bike.
He was hurt and tired, but he got back up and continued riding until he reached the goal.
The first day wasn't easy.
For Tawan, that became one of the moments he was most proud of. He learned that sometimes we fall, but we can always get back up and keep trying — especially when we have people beside us.
There was one moment when things became even harder. Tawan fell off his bike.
He was hurt and tired, but he got back up and continued riding until he reached the goal.
The first day wasn't easy.
For Tawan, that became one of the moments he was most proud of. He learned that sometimes we fall, but we can always get back up and keep trying — especially when we have people beside us.
The journey also gave Tawan the chance to see new places, meet new people and experience more of the world around him. He saw how much effort the riders were putting into the ride and how generously they were giving their time to support the kids.
By the time the group approached the finish, Tawan had ridden more than 500 kilometres.
And when he finally arrived home and saw everyone waiting for him, he felt something even bigger than pride. He felt loved and supported, knowing there were people who cared about him and would always be there for him.
The ride left Tawan with a lesson he says he will carry with him:
“Life is like riding a bike. Sometimes the road is smooth, sometimes there are big hills, and sometimes we may fall. But the important thing is not to give up and to keep moving forward.”
By the time the group approached the finish, Tawan had ridden more than 500 kilometres.
And when he finally arrived home and saw everyone waiting for him, he felt something even bigger than pride. He felt loved and supported, knowing there were people who cared about him and would always be there for him.
The ride left Tawan with a lesson he says he will carry with him:
“Life is like riding a bike. Sometimes the road is smooth, sometimes there are big hills, and sometimes we may fall. But the important thing is not to give up and to keep moving forward.”
Looking ahead, Tawan hopes to become someone who is strong, kind and willing to help others, just as the riders helped him.
And his message to other kids is simple:
And his message to other kids is simple:
“Don’t be afraid to try something new. You might be able to do more than you think. Just don’t give up, and keep moving forward.”
