Promoting bicycle tourism

Star Metro

Saturday May 31, 2008
Promoting bicycle tourism
By DERRICK VINESH
HE has neither formal training nor any financial support to promote tourism in Penang.
But David Munusamy Reddie has successfully attracted about 140 foreign tourists to his house in the last five years.

http://www.bicycletouringmalaysia.com/cycling_friends.html/USA/Rick_Gunn_5.htm\

The 56-year-old grandfather, who retired as a Tenaga Nasional Bhd technician on May 2, said many foreign cyclists had frequented his house in Taman Minamah, Nibong Tebal, since he picked up bicycle touring as a hobby in 2003.
“I used to meet fellow bicycle tourists during my trips to several Asian countries. Apart from exchanging stories and experiences, we also invite each other to our respective homes.

David checking to make sure his mountain bike is in good order.
“Bicycle touring is not only an exciting way to see a country, it is also a cool way to meet people and to promote your nation and culture,” he said in an interview at his house.
Three years ago, he spent about RM5,000 on an extension to accommodate a guest room, complete with two double beds and an attached bathroom for visiting cyclists.
Since most bicycle tourists were budget travellers, David said he did not impose any fees to stay at his house, but welcomed donations. http://www.bicycletouringmalaysia.com/cycling_friends.html/Argentina/Rocio_Recchi.htm
“I have taken many visiting cyc-lists to local Indian and Malay weddings, some dressed in traditional costumes, besides guiding them on trips to a few traditional villages,” he said.
David, who has diabetes and high cholesterol, said he first took to cycling in 2003 as a physical activity advised by his doctor upon removing three artery blockages.
Threesome: David guidng his foreign friends on a leisurely ride through a village and (right) enjoying an wedding dinner with tourists.
Soon, he found himself cycling around his Krian district neighbourhood, and later extending it to solo cycling trips to neighbouring countries.

http://www.bicycletouringmalaysia.com/cycling_friends.html/Malaysia/Malaysia_4.htm
“After vigorously training for five days in Kedah, I went on my first bicycle tour to South Thailand for 16 days the same year.
“The following year, I went on another 16-day cycling trip round Peninsula Malaysia,” he said.
In 2005, David said he cycled a distance of 2,200km covering several Asean countries in 45 days, while in 2006, he cycled 2,300km in South India for 36 days.
Last year, he cycled 1,300km between Jawa and Bali, in Indonesia within 28 days.
“Come June 10, I will embark on a three-month cycling tour to Beijing, China.
“Sadly, I would not be attending the Beijing Olympics 2008 opening on Aug 8 as it is too costly. But, I hope to catch the excitement from outside the stadium,” he said.
The one-way China trip, he said, would cover 4,000km, starting from Bangkok, Thailand, via northern Laos to Beijing.
David said he would also cycle for about 400km from his house in Nibong Tebal to Padang Besar, where he would take a train to Bangkok.
He would take a flight back home from Beijing on his return trip.
David, a former Kedah state badminton player (between 1973 and 1977), said he usually cycled an average of 120km a day, noting that he could cover 100km within eight hours.
“I always bring my medicines, four spare tyre tubes, a map, raincoat jacket, sleeping bag, toiletries, camera and a few pairs of clothes on my trips.
“So far, I have not fallen seriously ill during my trips, except once, when I had mild diarrhoea after eating some spicy noodles in Thailand,” he said, adding that he usually limited his drink to mineral water.
For further details on David’s adventures, log on to his website at http://www.bicycletouringma laysia.com.