Raj on his new Bullet outside his eatery. (Sanjoy Chattopadhyaya)

Rajendra Prasad Pal, aka Raj, of Raj’s Spanish Café is all set to ride his Royal Enfield Bullet Classic to London, drawing inspiration from the many adventurous tourists who drop in at his popular Sudder Street food stop during their stay in Calcutta.

The 38-year-old entrepreneur has more than adventure on his mind though. “I dream of building a hospital on the outskirts that will provide free medical care to some patients. Medical care has become so expensive and it is very difficult for those outside the city to access good medical facilities. I am undertaking this journey to raise funds for the project,” says Raj.

He has been to Spain before, but not on a motorcycle. “I always wanted to do something like this. I told myself that it’s now or never.”

The idea came to him after interacting with many westerners who had undertaken similar journeys. Once he had made up his mind, he started finding out what modifications he needed to make to his new two-wheeler for the tough ride, scheduled for May. “I have chalked out the route very carefully. I think it will take me approximately two months to complete the journey. I want to start in May because not many tourists come to India then and business will be slack at the café,” says Raj.

The permissions for the journey, which will take him through Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, France and Spain, are yet to be obtained.

“I think I will need Rs 2 lakh for my trip. This is excluding the money for paperwork. I am investing some money myself and my friends are also contributing,” adds Raj.

His customers from various nations are his pillars of strength. “They are helping me with everything, from know-how and tips to creating a website where details of the journey will be uploaded and where people can donate for the cause. They are also busy raising funds for me in their respective countries.”

He is confident of his ability to be on the road for days and maintain his motorbike, but food could pose some problems. “I am a vegetarian. But I am not fussy about food. I can live on bread and fruits,” says Raj.

His biggest challenge, he feels, is to be taken seriously. “I am a lone man. Nobody knows me. If I went to corporate houses or companies asking for funds to build my hospital, no one would take me seriously. I hope the bike journey will help to get me and my cause noticed,” he says.

Raj hopes to be in London during the Olympics, which starts in end-July, and use the event to further his cause. “One of the regulars at Spanish Café, who has travelled through many countries on a bicycle, told me: ‘Raj, either do it, or don’t do it. But don’t try.’ I will follow his advice,” he says.