Wong (second left) and her cycling mates arriving at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly building in Kuching after a gruelling ride from Sibu.
WHEN the Covid-19 pandemic hit, social distancing became the buzzword. And when it came to outdoor activities, cycling was one which provided the best of both worlds – good exercise with proper social distancing.
It wasn’t just the men who were hooked. Many health-conscious women in Sibu also took up road cycling, which they believe will promote their wellbeing.
On weekends and public holidays, women in full cycling gear and road bikes can now be seen zooming along paved roads, some covering as much as 100km in one session.
Logistics operation manager Jolene Tan, 60, is one of those women who took to the aerobic exercise during the pandemic.
“In my opinion, the rise in popularity of cycling was mainly due to the MCO (movement control order) from 2020 to 2021 when most of the leisure and indoor sports and gyms were forced to close,” she said.
“The number of female cyclists have shot up tremendously after Covid-19 to about 100 now.”
When indoor activities were allowed subject to strict standard operating procedures (SOP) such as wearing face masks, many people jumped into outdoor activities instead.
Tan recalled that when a surgical specialist, Dr Clement Chen, organised outdoor cycling with compliance on social distancing, it got a lot of people interested.
“I started road cycling in October 2021 when the MCO was nearing its end.
“I stopped doing indoor exercise as wearing a mask made me feel like choking,” she said.
When the group became larger, Dr Chen named it Countryside Cycling Tour team.
Accountant Wong Chui Ling, 37, is an adventurous cyclist who once pushed herself to the limit in riding over 400km from Sibu to Kuching with a group of enthusiasts.
Wong riding in total concentration on the road.
That ride on a night in April this year was a great achievement for her. The group was split into two teams with the first team consisting of eight cyclists and two supporting cars departing at 4pm. The second team began their ride the next morning.
Wong challenged herself to do the night ride.
“We rode from 4pm to 7pm the next day. The total time we took was 27 hours but our riding time was 16 hours.
“In anticipation of the tough journey and challenging weather, we brought along energy drinks and food in our supporting cars which guided us the whole way,” recalled Wong.
She said the cyclists had to overcome many obstacles in the energy-sapping ride.
“It was very cold riding in the dark along the Pan Borneo Highway due to the strong wind and rain. Daytime was another challenge as we had to brave the hot sun,” she said.
The team took shelter at bus stops to shield themselves from the rain and heat.
“Along the way, we needed to be aware of the road condition, whether there were any potholes, rocks or sand, as well as the vehicles around us, stray dogs and bees.
“We had to carry our bikes when ascending and descending slopes. Some of us had punctured tyres. When this happened, the whole team helped to replace the tyre before continuing with our ride,” said Wong.
Wong got into cycling with the encouragement of a friend in September 2020.
Ting (centre) with her cycling friends on a ride.
“I invited her to go jogging with me. Instead she asked me to go cycling. I accepted her invitation as I felt cycling could also keep me fit.
“We can cycle to faraway places with a group of cyclists. We change routes each time for different scenery. Cycling excites me as I can see different places,” she said.
Before any cycling activity, Wong and her friends will make early preparations.
“We need to ensure that we are healthy as the distance covered is usually a long one. We also have to check whether our bicycles are in good working condition, the tyres are well inflated. We also wear proper cycling attire, including helmets.
“We also need to bring accessories such as a spare tube and front and back lights,” she said.
For 63-year-old Ting Lung, age is no barrier to cycling.
“If my body permits, I will continue cycling even when I am 70,” the grandmother of four said.
Ting started cycling in September 2021 when she joined Dr Chen’s team and invested heavily in cycling equipment.
“My first bike was a folding bike which was quite heavy. This bike’s maximum speed was only 15kph.
“Then I bought a hybrid bike that could give me a faster average speed of 23kph.
“My third is a second hand road bike and I find it easier to reach speeds of 30kph. These three bikes plus the accessories cost me around RM26,000,” she said.
Ting cycles twice a week, mostly in the early mornings. She will be part of a group of 30 to 50 cyclists when there are specially arranged routes on public holidays.
“I like cycling very much because I can enjoy nice views of the villages and mingle with the wonderful villagers. It is also a good opportunity for us to visit schools in rural areas.
“I have made many new friends after joining the cycling group. Apart from cycling, we have other activities that keep us busy,” she said.
Ting has some advice for those who want to take up road cycling.
“We need to keep a distance to avoid colliding with each other. Do not ride in the middle of the road and be very alert of vehicles coming from behind.
“Be aware of the road in front of you to avoid hitting potholes. It is not advisable to cycle in the rain because visibility will be poor and the road will be slippery,” she said.
