MusangKing riders
FOR Kamarudzaman Sanusi, 57, cycling is a sport for everyone.
“If you’re contemplating picking up some kind of exercise or sport, do consider cycling,” said the businessman who hails from Sungai Besar, Selangor.
“It doesn’t discriminate (in terms of ) race or religion. When we are on our saddles, we are all brothers and sisters. If we see a fellow cyclist stranded by the roadside, we will stop to offer our assistance.”
Kamarudzaman is the founder of the MusangKing Cycling Team, which first came about in November 2012 after a bunch of them decided to cycle up to Fraser’s Hill.
“Back then, we hardly knew each other. But then, cyclists always mix well together. After our ride, we came up with the idea of forming a cycling team,” he explained.
The team was named after the famous variety of durian but the logo actually shows a musang or civet cat (they love durians).
Kamarudzaman said that the group of 50 members cuts across a wide spectrum of society, from teenagers to grandparents in their 60s; from college students to pensioners; from mechanics and salesmen to doctors and engineers; from government servants to business owners.
It includes both male and female cyclists, and Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, and Portuguese.
“Members don’t need to register formally. One is considered a member when they purchase the official team jersey and ride in a team at cycling events or activities,” he said.
The group is more focused on road cycling, and they have done century rides (so called because it’s done over 100 miles or 160km).
Their “home track” used to be the bike lane (for both bicycles and motorbikes) along the Kesas Highway.
However, since that bike lane is undergoing construction, the group is now cycling along the Guthrie Corridor Expressway bike lane.
“We sometimes cycle up to Kuala Selangor, which is about a 120km return journey,” said Kamarudzaman. “But if we opt for a shorter distance like 50km, we will go to Kuang town (near Rawang) for breakfast before returning,” he clarified.
“Cycling helps to build the inner strength of a person, (it’s about) the will to complete the course and pedal till the end. The key is in us, mentally and physically,” he said.
For him, one of the most beautiful cycling routes is from Gombak (near Kuala Lumpur) up to Genting Sempah (the halfway point to Genting Highlands). It’s magical especially early in the morning when its shrouded with mist.
“The most exciting thing for the members is when we organise an outstation ride,” he said. The group has gone for the Terengganu Century Ride (2013), Penang Where To Go (2014), Kuantan Century Ride (2014 & 2015) and Melaka Century Ride (2015), among others.
“We chartered a bus for the cyclists and a lorry for the bicycles. We all stay together at a homestay or resort. These were very memorable experiences!” he said enthusiastically.
Kamarudzaman was a former councilor with the Shah Alam City Council, and was involved in mooting the idea for recreational cycling tracks within the city’s parks. Today, the state capital of Selangor has 14km of bike lanes through its parks.
“It’s a good place for family recreation and also for beginners to take up cycling,” said this keen cyclist who owns three road bikes, two mountain bikes and one tandem bike.
“It’s awesome to see Star Media Group and Sunsuria Berhad organising the Ride for Malaysia event to unite everyone. We at the MusangKing Cycling Team are glad to support it!” he enthused.