Just 100 days remain before the most lucrative mountain bike race in Asia – the 2015 Tradewinds Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge (Tradewinds LIMBC) – opens its doors to the world on October 20-24.
Entering its sixth year, central to the 2015 edition is the bicycle-oriented festival aimed at cultivating a better understanding of cycling amongst the masses.
On top of attracting the world’s best mountain bikers and weekend warriors to blaze the adventure trail in Langkawi, race organisers Human Voyage is committed to creating a lasting legacy for the rakyat, particularly the kids – a culture for cycling.
Foremost on the itinerary is a daily bike clinic for schoolchildren for them to master the foundation, bike parts related games as they apply what they have learnt in the clinic in a fun environment and building a pump track where they put their skills to the test.
“As we welcome the world in October, we remain committed to bring cycling closer to the people. This year, we want to make it extra special for the kids in Langkawi.
“On top of the daily bike clinic, we will endeavour to have our international competitors to coach the kids in riding on a pump track as part of our social responsibility,” said Human Voyage CEO, Datuk Malik Mydin.
Malik added a pump track is a continuous circuit of dirt rollers, berms, and jumps that loops back on itself and aimed at exposing the riders to a number of critical skills that can benefit them out on the single-track.
“It teaches you how to pump the terrain to gain speed, improve cornering, maintain momentum and provide an intense full-body workout in a very short amount of time. Above all it’s fun.
“Esentially we want the kids to be able to handle a bike more skillfully so that they have a better understanding of their bikes, and to be more aware about road safety,” said Malik.
While the stage race is called Tradewinds-LIMBC 2015, the highly popular Perdana Quay Fun Ride which features weekend-warriors and cycling enthusiasts across all ages will be held on Oct 17.
Open to riders above the age of 19 – male or female and for an entry fee of just RM90 you can enjoy a great 40km off-road course, goodies bag and also receive a finisher’s medal. You also stand a chance to win some cool prizes in the special lucky draw, from smartphones, bicycle equipment and also a car, as the grand prize.
Malik also expressed gratitude to the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) for their continuous support of LIMBC since its inauguration in 2010.
Tradewinds LIMBC 2015 features five stages around-the-island race and is recognized as a Class 2 (XC2) by the UCI. A total cash prize of US$150,000 (RM570,000) is up for grabs.
A UCI MTB Marathon Series race that will be a qualifying leg for the UCI MTB Marathon World Championship 2016 is also scheduled on Oct 18.