LET’S RIDE: Abdul Wahap (fourth left), PBS secretary Zulaihi Seri (fourth right) and some of the representatives of the various
sponsors for the Siol X-treme Mountain Bike Challenge 2012 poses for a photo call during the sponsorship handing over ceremony yesterday.
KUCHING: A two-day “Siol X-treme Mountain Bike Challenge 2012” is set to be held on Nov 24-25 at Bukit Siol, Semariang here.
The highly anticipated bike race is organised by the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) with the support of the Sarawak Cycling Society (PBS) and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
“So far a total of 150 registrations have been received for the race.The participants include those from neighbouring Indonesia and Brunei. A large number of cyclists from Peninsular Malaysia are also expected to participate.
Five events are contested during the challenge. The events are: Men’s Downhill, Men’s Open XC, Women’s XC, and Men’s XC Veteran (40 years-old and above) and U-18 Boy’s XC which is also a cross country race,” said a spokesman from DBKU.
“For the record, the race is possible thanks to the donation and sponsorship various parties like the Ministry of Social Development, See Hua Group of Companies, CMS, SEDC, Bank Islam (M) Berhad, H&L Supermarket Sdn. Bhd., Telekom (M) Berhad, Harwood Timber, Allexcel Trading and Astro Radio Sdn. Bhd,” added the spokesman.
According to DBKU mayor Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai, the race is organised to promote Bukit Siol as a popular destination for extreme cycling activities. He recommended that extreme cycling enthusiast to check out the place.
“This venue is indeed very scenic and beautiful. We also hope that this coming race will one day be a Sarawak icon,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Abdul Wahap also pointed out the if there are more people who are sensitive towards building infrastructures for extreme sports like skate boarding, wall climbing, BMX bicycle riding and mountain biking, he is positive that more kids will do more useful activities. He too added that it will be nice if there is a more integrated centre for these activities.
“It is in my firm believe that we must encourage those especially the young to engage themselves in healthy activities. We will continue to promote healthy and positive lifestyle in the society through our activities for as long we can,” Abdul Wahap commented.
Abdul Wahap urged the public to come and support the event as the race is a fun-filled event.
The event, which was originally called the “Rainforest Challenge” was introduced in 1999.