Arito masa sebelum start Kampar Majesty Ride, sempat di-interviu oleh reporter The Star.. ini le paper yang kuar cite to.. huhuhu
Discovering Kampar by bike
On your mark: Cyclists of all ages beginning their 55km journey through Kampar, Malim Nawar and Lawan Kuda after they were flagged off during the Kampar Majesty Ride 2013.
THE first Kampar Majesty Ride 2013 got off to a promising start when 139 cyclists from all around Malaysia took part in the 55km ride at the former tin mining town.
The weather was cool and pleasant when the cyclists were flagged off at the Grand Kampar Hotel on the morning of June 1.
The ride, organised by the Grand Kampar Hotel and Kampar Cycling Community, saw the cyclists embarking on a scenic journey through Kampar, Malim Nawar and Lawan Kuda.
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman student Lee Kao Meng, 26, said he joined the ride for a chance to mingle with other cyclists and to see Kampar in a different light.
“I got into cycling about a year ago because it was the main mode of transportation for many students studying here.
“After a while, it became more than a means of commuting and I started enjoying cycling, making friends and taking in the scenery during rides,” he said.
Counsellor Lari Cannon, 40, was excited at the prospect of taking part in the ride with her husband and nine-year-old son Bennett.
“I have heard many wonderful things about Kampar’s beautiful scenery and great food, so I jumped at the chance to join the ride when I heard of it from my neighbours in Shah Alam, who are also cycling enthusiasts.
“I hope to meet other cyclists and enjoy the ride with my family and neighbours, who are also part of the cycling club I am a member of,” she said.
Supervisor Ahmad Syukri Mohd Ghazman, 29, travelled from Ipoh with two of his friends in the wee hours of the morning to take part in the ride.
“I was amazed at how beautiful Kampar was during a previous cycling event I joined at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman.
“Thus, my friends and I decided to join the ride after reading about it online, as we wanted to experience Kampar’s charms while also indulging in our passion for cycling,” he said.
Grand Kampar Hotel executive director Hew Fen Yee said the hotel was proud to organise the ride, which was meant to promote Kampar as a tourism destination.
“As a Kampar-born, I have witnessed how Kampar prospered during the tin mining days and struggled when tin prices collapsed in 1980s.
“Now that it is booming again thanks to its status as an international education hub, we felt it was an appropriate time to further promote the town and show the public how it has grown over the years,” he said.
Hew said Kampar had immense potential as a biker’s haven and would continue to develop in that aspect in the years to come.
“The town and its surrounding villages are filled with natural beauty such as mountains and lakes, which make for great scenery when you are cycling past.
“I hope we can organise similar events in the future and attract more people to see and appreciate how Kampar has grown,” he said.
After the ride, cyclists were treated to a sumptuous lunch at the hotel and took part in a lucky draw, where 31 winners walked away with cycling accessories and the grand prize, a Daichi bicycle.
