KUALA TERENGGANU: A Terengganu-born lecturer ended his world solo cycling tour after he completed his 22,000km journey within 16 months.
Sofian Mohd, 55, who is also a lecturer and General Studies Department head at Kuching Polytechnic, Sarawak arrived at SMK Tengku Bariah, at about 11am yesterday.
He was greeted by State Youth, Sports and Human Resource Committee chairman Datuk Rozi Mamat, Kuala Terengganu parliamentary constituency development officer Datuk Mohd Sabri Alwi and over 500 students and alumni of the school.
The father of two children who hails from Kampung Telaga Daing, Seberang Takir, near here began his journey on July 29 last year.
Recounting his experience, Sofian said he was grateful to be able to complete his mission which was also aimed at promoting Malaysia and Terengganu in conjunction with the Visit Terengganu Year 2017.
“When I arrived at Pengkalan Kubor, Kelantan on Thursday, I felt very relieved as I was no longer need to worry about my safety. When I was in other countries, I was always thinking about my safety as I was all alone.
“Alhamdulillah, my mission in which I was only accompanied by a bicycle carrying a load of more than 80kg had run smoothly...I brought along all the equipment needed including a pot for cooking and bike repair tools.”
Sofian said solo cycling was not easy because he had to deal with the four-season weather and different terrains including mountains and deserts.
“Throughout my journey, I read a lot and able to see the way of life of Muslims in the countries which I visited.
“I also had a glimpsed of the Quran during the time of Caliph Uthman, visit the tomb of Imam al-Bukhari in Uzbekistan and the memorial of Prophet Ayub.”
The cycling tour went through 22 countries including Thailand, Laos, China, Kazakhtan, Uzbekistan, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Brunei. --BERNAMA