By V. Sivaji
A group of all female bikers from the United Kingdom are on their tour of Northern Malaysia for a good cause.
The gritty group numbering 26 members in total are on their maiden trip to Penang.
They hope to raise funds for their individual charitable causes. Their tour will take them off the beaten track in Penang, Kedah and Perak..
The trip is a 420km ride to Butterworth, Kulim, Nibong Tebal, Taiping, Sungai Petani, Baling, Batu Ferringhi and Penang Island. The route too them through plantations, villages, rivers and kampungs.
They are led by Ms Mel Greenway (an A&E specialist) who is the team leader and organising chairperson of the group.
“Participants in our group come from all walks of life, be it a professional or a common person but we have only one goal, that is to raise funds for the needy.
“This is not the first time we are venturing on a charity ride. On previous occasions, we have taken group rides to Myanmar, Cambodia, Borneo, China, Madagascar, Zanzibar among others countries.
“This is our way of seeing each country and also doing some good deeds in the process,” said Mel, who is staying with her group at the NEO+ Hotel in Georgetown here.
Meanwhile, when at the NEO+ Hotel, Mel also got the chance to meet up with the State Exco for Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning, YB Jagdeep Singh Deo who happened to also be there for a press conference.
Greeting her and her team was the general manager of the NEO+ Hotel, Dato Gulab Mahatam Rai.
“We are happy to host such events as we are supportive of all of the Penang State government tourism programmes to make the state as the leading tourism destination.
“Next year, we have more interesting programmes lined up and we hope to make a name for NEO+ Hotel on the international arena,” said Gulab.
Meanwhile, the adventure trip of the bikers includes a combination cycling and also kayaking through various terrain in the countryside.
Many members of the group who are first timers to Penang are already making plans to visit Penang with their family and friends at a later date.
All of their travel and transport procedures are taken care of by local travel agent, Matahari Cycle Tours & Travel based in Gelugor.
Now, this is eco-tourism at its best to benefit the state’s tourism industry and its stakeholders.
