Putrajaya Cycling Club: 2014

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Kayuhan Ceria 28/9/2014

While my group of photowalkers were having a field day at Taman Wawasan,Putrajaya, suddenly we saw a few hundreds of cyclists came our way.It was a photowalk bonus for us when we were given the chance to snap as many photos of people cycling for fun and fitness!

Friday, October 3, 2014

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Kayuhan Ceria-Fun Ride

In my diary,the fourth Sunday is always blocked for the Fun Ride,locally known as Kayuhan Ceria.It is a monthly cycling event organised by Perbadanan Putrajaya for the public.It is not a race but more like family members and friends come to ride together.The choice of track is suitable for every type of bicycles and riders from age 7 to 70 years old.Everyone can ride and it is free.

When I arrived at 7:15am at the registration desk,I saw Tan Sri Dato'Seri Aseh Che Mat,the President of Perbadanan Putrajaya was already there talking to his officers.I just handed over mykad and the card reader read my info in less than a minute-fully automatic.The officer returned my card with a bottle of mineral water and a bun.Thank you,Perbadanan Putrajaya.

This event , Kayuhan Ceria started since27/01/2013 was initiated by Tan Sri Dato' Seri Aseh - President of Putrajaya took the helm in 01/082012.It is a monthly event which falls on the 4th Sunday of every month.The group can vary in size from 500 riders to 1000 riders.The distance is about 15km to 20km- depending on the routes.Most riders arrive around 7:30am,wheels roll at 8am and the the event finishes by 10:30am.The routes are mostly paved and no off roads so that all types of bicycles can take part.It is a facilitated and controlled ride for the convenience and safe of the riders.By doing this the public will be motivated to ride and gain confidence to be on their own.

Prior to 2008,there was very little cycling in Putrajaya and most riders are non-resident.The cycling took off when a group of young riders started Putrajaya Critical Mass night-a monthly night to create awareness to other road users of the presence of cyclist on the road .From a handful of hardcore riders,the tribe has grown to a few hundreds.Later.I saw a few groups were organising their own weekend and night rides.Personally,I joined Putrajaya Easy Riders(PER) and later Putrajaya Urban Riders.About a year ago,I became active in guiding new riders in Putrajaya Cycling Club-a Facebook group that rides during weekend in and outside of Putrajaya.The membership has grown to near 300 in numbers.

Perbadanan Putrajaya was watching growth of cycling activities as some of its officers are avid riders themselves.Some time in 2010,I was called to attend a meeting on having monthly rides initiated by Department of Parks in Putrajaya headed by Encik Mohd Nizam Abdul Aziz.The event was called Putrajaya Inter Parks Ride(PIPR).The theme is Healthy Park Healthy People.The objective is to get more people to visit the parks by cycling.It is about healthy lifestyle!

Our first ride was attended by 20 riders but over two years,we managed to gather more than 3000 riders and got ourselves into the Guinness Book of Records!By 2012,one can see many people cycling in Putrajaya-day and night.Nowadays,especially on weekends,we can see more people cycling on the roads than the cars and motorcycles in Putrajaya.Cycling is a very popular monthly event in Putrajaya.The awareness of cycling as a sport has gone nation wide.Initially ,it was the men nd the boys who took part in cycling events,but now we have more ladies and senior citizens joined the cycling tribe.Even toddlers also tagged along on their parent's bicycles.

After my registration for this event,I took time to say hello to The President of Perbadanan Putrajaya.He told me that Putrajaya now is very happening.The night before he was at Floria-Putrajaya Flower Festival and he had to stay back until 1am.The next morning,he was back with us fellow riders at 7am.By 8am,I saw The President was leading the ride with a few hundreds riders behind him.This first thing is to get people having fun cycling.Second,the exercise comes in as an outcome.That is the way to lead and manage ,Tan Sri Dato Seri Aseh!

From my observation and riding experience in Kayuhan Ceria, it was fun and enjoyable ride.The route was safe and well managed by officers of Perbadanan Putrajaya.No fees are need to take part;food/drink a plenty with great prizes from lucky draws.Kayuhan Ceria is a success story as far as sporting events for everyone to ride.To keep you cycling every week,one needs to join a cycling group.Not only we can get motivation,we also can benefit more from helpful individuals in the group.

How about cycling culture for Malaysians? It is another story,another time..