KUALA TERENGGANU: With the growing emphasis on a healthy lifestyle, 100 men and women from a cycling group will ride 300km to celebrate Malaysia Day.
The members of the De Foldee Cycling Group (DFCG) in Kuala Lumpur will embark on a two-day sporting journey on Sept 16 and ride through Perak and Selangor.
The group is named such as they ride foldable bicycles that cost an average of RM10,000 each, with some amounting up to RM20,000.
DFCG chairman Freddoe Ng, 53, said that they would take the train from Kepong to Tanjung Malim at dawn on Saturday.
From there, Ng said they would flag-off from Tanjung Malim, Perak and make their way back to their base in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur.
“From Tanjung Malim, we will ride to Teluk Intan and Hutan Melintang in Perak where we will stop for the night.
“We will continue our journey the next day, down the coastal road to Sabak Bernam, Sekinchan, Kuala Selangor, Ijok and Sungai Buloh in Selangor before ending our journey in Kepong,” said Ng.
The DFCG members also actively took part in a similar tour, cycling 230km from Kuala Terengganu to Balok near Kuantan, Pahang in conjunction with Merdeka Day.
The tour also included members from the Pedalholic Cycling Club (PCC) in Kuala Lumpur and the Environment Cycling Club (ECC) in Malacca.
Ng said that their Malaysia Day tour would include 30 women.
Cheong Wei Ling, 48, said that she took to riding with DFCG three years ago to get some much-needed exercise.
“These cycling tours, apart from the weekly training, help me destress from my heavy work load.
“Sitting down in the office and working indoors puts the pressure on me and makes me unhealthy,” said Wei Ling.
She added that she was able also to make new friends and share their experiences on work and life.
“Besides, we get to see many interesting places in our country and help to promote cycling as a healthy and sporty way of life,” said Wei Ling.
Meanwhile, DFCG tour leader Herbert Hor, 57, said the group members practiced weekly at various venues, including at their Kepong base.
“Although we are basically using foldable bicycles, some of the members also have off-road mountain bikes, tour and hybrid versions,” he said adding that this was because the members also join other cycling groups
Hor added that the members communicated via Facebook and other social media means to keep track of events and forthcoming tours.
“We want to promote the cycling culture, especially among working professionals, many of whom lack exercise,” said Hor.