COME RIDE WITH US: Dawos (centre) briefs the media about the Padawan Bike and Ride event this Saturday. Also seen are (from left) Saweng, Amihizam, Salahuddin and Esther.
KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism is inviting the people to join them on the Padawan Bike and Ride tomorrow (Mar 23).
Riders have the choice of two routes – the 14km Leisure Ride to begin at 9.30am or the 18km Extreme Ride at 8.30am.
The starting point is the Pitcher Plant and Wild Orchid Garden at Kota Padawan and the finishing point in the community hall at Kpg Bratan/Asah.
Deputy Minister of Tourism Datuk Dr James Dawos told the press during a briefing at Padawan Munincipal Council (PMC) premises yesterday that more and more people were taking up cycling as a social activity for health and fitness as well as recreation.
“Cycling tourism is the latest approach to the development of tourism considering Sarawak’s striking and varied natural landscape and environment,” he said.
“Visitors appreciate authenticity and want a chance to be part of the real Sarawak and what better way to explore nature and other attractions than through biking,” he added.
“We hope that travel agencies and operators will identify and package this as a healthy holiday product and promote them to our visitors,” he said.
CYCLING ROUTE: A google map showing the route for the Padawan Bike and Ride event.
The ministry started the first cycling event (Kuching Bike and Ride) in 2011 which received great response, and so too was the same event last year.
“Last year, some 700 bikers took part.
“It even attracts the attention of Kuching Cops Cycling Club, Village Youth Association, Prison Department and Police Training Centre which are all giving their support this time.”
It is understood that some 500 riders were expected to join in the fun this Saturday.
Also present at the briefing were PMC secretary Micheal Saweng, Tourism Malaysia Sarawak director Salahuddin Mohd Ariffin, state Tourism Ministry director Esther Douglas and Kuching District Traffic chief DSP Amihizam Abd Shukor.