JOHOR BARU: The recently concluded 11th Johor Baru Arts Festival (JBAF) held from Sept 5 to Oct 4 added another feather to its cap with the successful completion of a grueling 43-day solo cycling ride throughout East and West Malaysia to spread awareness about JBAF.
Solo cyclist Sahid Selamat, 51, a member from the Happy Riders cycling community in Johor Baru, was flagged off from Bukit Timbalan here on Aug 21 for a targeted 44-day journey but he pushed himself to complete 4,437km in 43 days.
On Oct 3, Sahid arrived at Dataran Bandaraya to a rousing welcome from Johor Baru City Council chief whip Datuk YahyaJaafar, Johor police chief Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff, JBAF organisers, the public and Happy Riders supporters.
He is also a Customs officer who is attached to the Customs department here in the Sultan Iskandar Building.
Accompanied by his family, Sahid joined the group including VIPs gathered there to play several percussion instruments with the Tugu Drum Circle, one of the events in the JBAF calendar, before he posed for photos with his fans and supporters.
As the drumming reached a crescendo, the stage backdrop at Dataran Bandaraya screened a video clip of Sahid’s flag-off at Bukit Timbalan on Aug 21 and a welcome home message to him.
The spirit of camaraderie was palpable as Sahid’s supporters swarmed around him to congratulate, quiz and commend him for
successfully completing his solo ride.
On Aug 22, Sahid took a flight from here to Tawau where he rode through East Malaysia in 22 days.
He paced himself to ride up to 120km a day on his Araya bicycle.
Even though some roads were narrow and dangerous, his was pleased that his bicycle never failed him.
From Tawau, Sahid rode through towns like Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Rawas, Brunei, Miri, Sandakan, Telupid, Ranau, Kundasang, Kota Kinabalu, Beauford, Bintulu, Sibu, Sri Aman and Serian before leaving for Johor Baru from Kuching.
On Sept 12, he continued his solo ride from here to Benut then up to Perlis and back in the next 21 days to complete his journey.
“The most challenging part of my journey was the hilly terrain between Telupid and Ranau, which was compounded by a downpour,” said Sahid who went on to describe the challenges he experienced when he rode from 6.30am to 8pm that day.
However, he said the weather was hot and it rained only three times throughout his 43-day journey.
“As a cyclist, I’m exposed to many dangers but my bicycle’s side mirror was very helpful as it gave me a good view, especially of trucks that were usually laden with timber or oil palm fruits,” he said.
“Words cannot express the deep satisfaction I feel with the safe and successful completion of this solo ride.”
Deeply tanned and weighing just 65kg, the wiry father of two, who hails from Batu Pahat, said he ate very small meals but drank plenty of isotonic drinks throughout his journey.
“I just want to thank the JBAF organisers, Araya, my family and the Customs department, for their support and encouragement,” Sahid said.
Smiling and clad in a JBAF T-shirt, Sahid said that because people were curious about the print on his T-shirt, he had the opportunity to tell them about JBAF.
He was proud to be able to spread the message of arts and culture here to others nationwide during his solo ride.
Sahid, who has also ridden through Southern Thailand and Bali, Indonesia, is looking forward to a new riding challenge, but as a committed civil servant, he was back to work as usual the following Monday.