Former Nigerian squash champion Olubo, embarks on historic multi-continental ride for mental health awareness

By Maxwell Kumoye

Former Nigerian national squash champion Moses Olubo has embarked on a groundbreaking multi-continental motorcycle expedition aimed at raising global awareness about mental health while setting a unique world first.

The 1980s Nigerian squash champion is riding a Can-Am Spyder three-wheeled motorcycle from the United States to his hometown of Kaduna, Nigeria, under the campaign theme “ARideForLife.”

The ambitious journey is dedicated to his son, who is living with mental illness, and seeks to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health while encouraging open conversations and support for affected families.

Olubo’s expedition is believed to be the first attempt by any rider to cross the African continent from north to south on a Can-Am Spyder platform.

While similar overland adventures have been completed on
conventional two-wheeled motorcycles, none has been undertaken using the three-wheeled touring machine.

The remarkable journey began in the United States before taking him through the harsh winter conditions of Canada.

He then navigated Iceland’s famous Ring Road before shipping the motorcycle to Denmark to continue across mainland Europe.

Having successfully covered Western Europe’s extensive motorway network, Olubo is now heading towards southern Spain.

His route will then take him across the Strait of Gibraltar into Morocco, through the challenging landscapes of the Western Sahara and Mauritania, before continuing into West Africa and ultimately arriving in Kaduna, Nigeria.

For Olubo, however, the expedition is about much more than breaking records.

“This ride is a historic first for the vehicle, no one, whether white, Black or of any other race, has ever done this. But it’s true heartbeat is for my son and the ‘ARideForLife’ mission,” he said.

“Mental illness is a silent struggle that carries an immense, unfair stigma. By pushing through the harshest terrains on Earth, I want to show that no matter how difficult or daunting the road ahead seems, you keep moving forward. We are riding for life, for awareness and for hope.”

As Olubo continues his historic journey across continents, his mission is attracting attention not only for its adventurous nature but also for its powerful message of resilience, compassion and hope for millions of people and families affected by mental health challenges around the world.