RIDE FOR PEACE - MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL BIKE WEEK

3,000 Bikers to take part in Peace Convoy

3,000 Bikers to take part in Peace Convoy SOME 3,000 bikers are expected to participate in the inaugural Malaysia International Bike Week this weekend. The ride from Bukit Kayu Hitam to Sungai Petani is part of the Ride for Peace event that was first held in conjunction with Haadyai Bike Week two months ago. The bikers from Thailand, Malaysia, Singa-pore, Indonesia, among others, will assemble at Danok at noon tomorrow for registration. Jointly organised by the Tourism Ministry, Langkawi-based Royal Thai Consulate, Langka-wi Pirate Bikers Club, Kedah bikers clubs and Haadyai Bikers Club, the event is aimed at promoting regional peace. Honorary Royal Thai consul Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah said the Malaysia Bike Week 2007 was held in conjunction with Visit Ma-laysia 2007 and the 50th anniversary of Ma-laysia-Thailand diplomatic ties. He said the participants would be treated to a Danok Bikers Party. They will also be entertained with live bands on Friday night. “The convoy will start from the BP petrol station in Bukit Kayu Hitam at 8am on Satur-day. Among the highlights are the figure 50 bike formation at Cinta Sayang Golf Resort at 10.30am on Sunday to mark Malaysia’s 50th Independence Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .,............................. . . .The Star - September 6 2007

Freedom and Friendship

For enthusiasts, bikes are more than just a means of transportation. JOHN TIONG is caught up in the brotherhood during the recent Malaysia International Bike Week 2007

Ahmad and his winning Harley Davidson bike

A bike made with parts of an old Mini Austin

WHEN they are on the wheels, nothing can stop them. The great sense of freedom that riders get from their machines is one reason why they think nothing of spending huge sums of money to pursue the pastime. The other reason is the camaraderie they enjoy with like-minded friends.
It was not surprising then to see more than 2,000 bikers of all ages at the recent Malaysia International Bike Week 2007 Ride for Peace in Kedah.
One biker said: “A bike is different from cars as one can practically go anywhere with it. You can feel every stone on the road on a ride. The wind and sometimes, the rain, are challenges to test one’s patience and endurance.”
Another biker said he can actually “blow his problems away while on a bike” and that “riding on a bike is like diving as one has to control and manage oneself well.”
There is no age limit. Both the young and the young-at-heart derive equal enjoyment from biking.
Retired air force personnel Ang Kee Lam, 63, from Bukit Mertajam is one rider who cannot see himself slowing down. On his Honda Shadow, he has taken the road to Thailand, rode from Johor Baru to Penang and even joined in the Trans Borneo expedition in Sabah and Sarawak.
Naturally, joining the Malaysia International Bike Week was not a chance he would miss as the event saw riders zooming from Bukit Kayu Hitam near Jitra to Merbok in Sungai Petani on the first day and to Alor Setar Tower on the second.
Joining the Malaysians were Thais, Singaporeans, Indonesians and Bruneians as well as several Europeans who had come from Thailand to take the country routes from Jalan Sungai Lalang (to Merbok) and Jalan Sungai Layar (to Sungai Petani). Both routes passed through picturesque padi fields and hills including the famous Gunung Jerai.
As for the bikes, the most eye-catching were the Harley Davidson, Honda Goldwing, Honda ST, Honda Shadow, Suzuki GSXR1000 and Yamaha Royal Star.
They also came in many designs. The most striking were those converted using parts from old Austin Mini and Volkswagen and had long handle bars rising from their wheels.
Most of the serious riders were in their 40s, an age when many could afford these expensive bikes. One biker walked on crutches because of polio stricken legs but he completed the whole event, unperturbed by his disability or the distance. There was also a handful of women bikers from Thailand.
Many Malaysians took opportunity to show their patriotism and Jalur Gemilangs could be seen fluttering on many of the bikes. The Thais also stuck little Thai flags on their machines.
The return hour-long route to Alor Setar the next day via the North-South Highway gave bikers a different feel with flyovers, busy streets and commercial buildings.
One hilarious sight during the ride was a convoy of Vespas that trailed behind the big bikes as they moved at slower speeds. They looked like tadpoles with their round bulky lower compartment. And on both days, an ambulance followed the convoy on the roads that were closed for the ride.
Journey Into History
The Merbok Historical Park had an astounding collection of artifacts at the Lembah Bujang Archaeology Museum that gave the bikers a glimpse into pre-Islamic civilisation here from the 4th to the 14th centuries.
Who would have thought that merchants came here all the way from the Middle East and China to trade and to spread their religion during those days?
The museum showcases among other things, a plethora of statues of Hindu devas, buddhas and torn fragments of old temples, coins, jewellery as well as ancient pottery from as far as West Asia.
The temple sites around the Lembah Bujang Valley are clearly shown in maps. Unfortunately, there are no longer complete structures of the various temples which are older than Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. What’s left are the floorings and low walls. Repair works have been carried out including reconstruction of some walls.
The Merbok Historical Park is set amid lush greenery with a sparkling river that cascades over boulders. It was so relaxing to be there that many bikers sat on the ground chatting away. One was even spotted playing the harmonica.
Party Time
The next stop was the Carnival Water Theme Park that’s an affiliate of the Cinta Sayang Golf and Country Resort in Sungai Petani. It offers fun aquatic activities with coves, a bubble spa and water coaster rides for children and adults. There are also cabanas in a relaxing Balinese atmosphere.
What is biking without partying? At night, the vicinity became a party ground where a band played rock songs made popular by the Rainbow, Deep Purple, Guns N’ Roses and Iron Maiden. Another band from Langkawi serenaded the group, especially the Thais with Thai pop songs.
Many of the riders wore gleaming leather jackets, long pointed strapping boots, sunglasses, gloves, bangles and necklaces with fanciful pendants. Some even sported Bob Marley dreadlocks. A few donned Zorro-style masks while another covered his face with a mask bearing a skull image.
That night in Sungai Petani, the bikers were very much in their very own world.
Great Outing
The bike week was officially launched at the Carnival Water Theme Park by the director of Tourism Malaysia Kedah Ammar Abd Ghapar, the Royal Thai Consulate (Langkawi) Datuk Shazryl Eskay and the Cinta Sayang Golf and Country Resort CEO Yong Chee Fun.
Prizes were given out for the best Harley Davidson, best super bike, most innovative bike, best antique bike and best classic bike.
Chef Ahmad Shukri from Sungai Petani won the best bike award with a second-hand Harley Davidson that he bought in Puchong Perdana for RM130,000!
The next morning started with the bikers forming the number 50 to commemorate the 50th Independence Anniversary at Tapak Pesta Cinta Sayang before they took off to the Alor Setar Tower.
At 165.5m, the telecommunications tower is the 19th tallest tower in the world and second tallest in Malaysia. Built for Telekom Malaysia at a cost of RM40m, it is divided into the tower structure, podium, amphitheatre and a revolving restaurant. The observation area at the 88-metre level offers a splendid view of the city, including the green padi fields, mosques and a majestic palace.
On the ground level, games and dance performances were held before the closing ceremony during which each participant received a badge memento.
Alor Setar mayor Datuk Abdul Mukhti Abdullah was among those who bade farewell to the bikers.
The Malaysia International Bike Week was organised by Tourism Malaysia and the Royal Thai Consulate in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year as well as to mark the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relationships between the two countries.
..............................................................................New Straits Times - October 30th 2007