SEREMBAN: A group of cycling enthusiasts travelled over 550 kilometres from Kuala Perlis to Seremban to share their love for Moulton bicycles.
Priced at up to RM120,000 each, these English-made bikes are a rare sight, making today's leisurely ride in Seremban town a unique platform for enthusiasts to connect.
Ku Abd Aziz Ku Sulong, 62, estimated that less than 200 individuals in Malaysia own these rare bicycles.
"Moulton is not just a type of bicycle; it's a brand itself, founded by Alex Moulton, the designer of the suspension system for the Mini Cooper car.
Moulton bicycles are renowned for their geometric frame, small wheels, and front and rear suspension," he explained during the gathering.
Approximately 35 owners of these unique bicycles gathered in Seremban, embarking on a 15 km ride around Seremban town, concluding their journey at Cendol Songkok Tinggi near Kampung Jiboi.
Ku Abd Aziz highlighted that besides their relatively high cost, Moulton bicycles are not commonly sold in regular bike shops and usually need to be ordered or purchased directly from England, contributing to their rarity in Malaysia.
"When I heard about a ride organised by friends in Seremban, I didn't miss the opportunity to join and share the joy of riding Moulton while getting to know more owners in the country," he expressed.
The ride organiser, Abdul Rahman SM Salleh, 58, said that participants came from various states, including Johor, Melaka, Selangor, Pahang, and even as far as Perlis.
He explained that community rides for Moulton owners were a regular occurrence in previous years, but the past three to four years saw a decline in such events.
The movement control order (MCO) and the relatively fewer Moulton owners compared to other bike types posed challenges in organising such gatherings.
Swofinty Yik, 45, from Shah Alam, Selangor, shared insights into the uniqueness of Moulton bikes.
With prices ranging from RM10,000 to RM120,000, these bikes are known for their distinctive design and held the record for the world's fastest bicycle, recorded in 1986.
Despite their small size, Moulton bicycles offer a ride similar to larger bikes.
Yik emphasised the ruggedness of these bikes, citing examples that have been in use for over 30 years and collectors owning models from as far back as 1964 that are still in good condition.