KUCHING – A 40km charity cycling event to raise public awareness and support for the conservation of orang-utans and the environment will be held on 19 September.
Limited to 200 participants, “Ride for the Wild” will start from and end at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus.
It will be flagged off at 7:30am, and participants will be escorted by traffic police and event marshals.
The route will take cyclists through Jalan Tun Jugah, Jalan Song, Jalan Setia Raja, Jalan Canna, and Kuching-Samarahan Expressway before turning left at the roundabout to the SAINS Samarahan Office stretch, and then towards Kampung Tekajong Bako at the end of that road.
They will return to Swinburne Sarawak by the same route.
Water dispensers will be located at several points for cyclists to refill their bottles.
Refreshments will be provided at the end of the ride, and participants may attend a 30-minute talk on orang-utan and marine life conservation in Swinburne Sarawak given by Wildlife Conservation Society Malaysia (WCS) Program Director Dr Melvin Gumal.
“Runs and rides are hugely popular exercise activities. In the ‘Ride for the Wild’, participants will get to exercise their muscles, including their lungs, while contributing to conservation,” said Gumal, the 2014 “Green Oscar” Whitley Award winner who will also take part in the ride.
“Cyclists certainly appreciate the air they are gulping in and natural forests for which orang-utans are an iconic seed disperser and the marine world contribute hugely to the production of oxygen, crucial to human survival.
“Come, ride, enjoy and appreciate.”
The participation fee is RM60, and goodies include a finisher medal, event T-shirt, car sticker, and wrist band.
Those interested may register at http://www.rideforthewildmalaysia.com/
The closing date is 9 September 2015.
Registration forms may also be obtained from the WCS office at 7 Jalan Ridgeway or Thong Sen Cycle at Kuching Garden in Jalan Tun Razak.
Part of the funds collected will go towards orang-utan conservation activities by WCS which include educating urban and rural dwellers on conservation, and for nest count surveys.
A portion of the fees will also be allocated for river clean-up campaigns.
“Ride for the Wild” is jointly organised by Swinburne Sarawak, WCS, Permai Rainforest Resort and Eunoia IT Solutions. It coincides with “Clean up the World Day” which aims to engage and educate the public on environmental issues.
Swinburne Sarawak joins WCS in spreading awareness about the need to conserve the environment and to live sustainable, eco-friendly lives. Students who are members of the university’s Green, Cycling and Running clubs will make up the majority of the volunteers.
In December Swinburne Sarawak, WCS and Eunoia will organise a “Run for the Wild” for the same purpose.