Penang Bridge To Bridge Ride

5th July 2019

Penang – The Pearl Of Orient. A state in Northwest Malaysia, with population of 1.8million in a small island. It is a well developed state, active commercials and high rise buildings filled the island, and overrun with tourists from all over the world.

Penang, also known as Malaysian cyclists’ dreamland, its 80+ kilometres coastline round island route is like a pilgrimage to Malaysian cyclist. Or to trace the trail of the historical old buildings in The UNESCO Heritage site, George Town, by riding on inner route. But the 2 icons, the Penang bridges, are not allowed for bicycles riding. Hence to view the beauty of Penang Strait from the bridge and to feel the ride across the strait on Penang Bridge was just a dream. Therefore when the state government of Penang allowed to close the bridges for 3.5 hours for bicycles riding, it immediately drawn the enthusiastic cyclists from every corner of the country to participate in the event, even though it cost Rm130.00 for registration. But in returned, we received a too colourful cycling jersey, a 3 inch height small paper cup of hot tea and one; a little longer than small size and shorter than medium size’s – banana at the water station. Anyway, we must be satisfied with what we received because, “Hey bro, it’s free!!!” They said. As like looking at you from the corner of the eye and squeezed the words out with only one side movement of the lips, and right foot tapping on the floor. OK! Just take it, no complains!

A total of 15 of us drove from Kuala Lumpur to Penang one day before the event date, along the highway, many pick up vans zoomed past us with bicycles loaded on their trucks, cyclist from Kuala Lumpur or from the south drove almost 400 kilometres headed up north to Penang just for this 3.5 hours ride.

About the Penang bridges, the 1st Penang bride, span 13.5 kilometres, which known as the old bridge, connects Prai on the mainland with Gelugor on the island crossing Penang Strait. The bridge was inaugurated 1985. The 2nd bridge, known as Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, 24 kilometres in length, bearing the title – The Longest bridge in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Opened on 2014.

To cycle around Penang Island via coastal route, total distance about 80+ kilometres, with easy terrain, which can be done in just 1 day. Less expensive accommodation such as homestay and hostels are easy to locate. Weather in Penang is hot and humid, but you don’t need to carry too much water when cycle around Penang Island cause stalls and hawkers are in every corner.