KOTA BHARU: After 41 days, veteran cyclist Wan Hashim Wan Mahmood yesterday completed his 3,000km ride across Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand and Singapore.
Wan Hashim, 72, who was accompanied by Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) part-time photographer Shahuri Awang since they embarked on the mission on April 8, arrived at a hotel here at 9am and were greeted by more than 100 cyclists and members of their families.
Wan Hashim, or better known as Pak Wan, had also made it into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) as the ‘Oldest to Cycle around Peninsular Malaysia’.
In 2015, Wan Hashim had also completed a solo mission around Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Riau, Indonesia.
However, he said the expedition this time around was different compared to his previous ones as he had Shahuri as his companion throughout the journey.
“This time around, I have a friend, and it made me less worried in the event of an emergency during the journey,” he told reporters here.
Wan Hashim’s wife, Farida Daud, 65, said she was grateful that her husband had completed the expedition.
“He called on daily basis before he resumed his ride, but frankly, this time around I was less worried because he had Shahuri to keep him company,” she said.
Meanwhile, Shahuri was excited to complete the expedition and highly impressed with Pak Wan’s ability and fitness.
“We cycled about 100 km per day starting at 6.30am in order to reach the target destination on time,” he said. — Bernama