on the bus! So, I got my ticket to Sitiawan. Very cheap – RM 12.50 one way (about $3.00).

When the bus arrived, I let everyone on board first before talking to the driver, he was clearly not happy I wanted to stow the bike in his cargo space, saying there would be no space for other people luggage. Oh come on, there were hardly three bags under that bus. I ignored him

Hi, I am Naz, 36 years old, mom of two munchkins: Johan 8, Johanna 4. I live in Penang, Malaysia. My cycling activities started 3 months ago when I ditched my car and got a cool 21 speed mountain bike instead. Everyday, I ride on average 20 km (not in one shot) on busy roads in Penang. Mostly to get to work, run errands and send the kids to school. So, my fitness level reached a plateau when I realized my daily cycling did not even made me sweat anymore. My friend Jijan suggested I started cycling the inclines, I tried the hills at USM, boy, don’t they make you sweat!

However, I am still clueless about how to use the gear system properly and have been trying to find an expert who can guide me. I chanced upon a web site (this site) about Pangkor island ran by Peter van der Lans, who has been cycling extensively across Asia for the last eight years. I contacted him and he was more than willing to help whenever I have the chance to get to his base in Sitiawan.

Finally, I managed to get away for three days. It was time for my Pangkor cycling adventure. I cycled from my home to Penang jetty at the crack of the dawn (17 km), took me 50 mins. Then, went on the ferry, then went to the Butterworth bus station, when I encountered my first hiccup. The ticket seller did not allow me to buy the bus ticket until I talked to the bus driver whether I could take the bike on board. Hrmmpph! I persisted, saying if I could not take the bike, I would leave it there and then and still got on the bus! So, I got my ticket to Sitiawan. Very cheap – RM 12.50 one way (about $3.00).

When the bus arrived, I let everyone on board first before talking to the driver, he was clearly not happy I wanted to stow the bike in his cargo space, saying there would be no space for other people luggage. Oh come on, there were hardly three bags under that bus. I ignored him

hed a plateau when I realized my daily cycling did not even made me sweat anymore. My friend Jijan suggested I started cycling the inclines, I tried the hills at USM, boy, don’t they make you sweat!

However, I am still clueless about how to use the gear system properly and have been trying to find an expert who can guide me. I chanced upon a web site (this site) about Pangkor island ran by Peter van der Lans, who has been cycling extensively across Asia for the last eight years. I contacted him and he was more than willing to help whenever I have the chance to get to his base in Sitiawan.

Finally, I managed to get away for three days. It was time for my Pangkor cycling adventure. I cycled from my home to Penang jetty at the crack of the dawn (17 km), took me 50 mins. Then, went on the ferry, then went to the Butterworth bus station, when I encountered my first hiccup. The ticket seller did not allow me to buy the bus ticket until I talked to the bus driver whether I could take the bike on board. Hrmmpph! I persisted, saying if I could not take the bike, I would leave it there and then and still got on the bus! So, I got my ticket to Sitiawan. Very cheap – RM 12.50 one way (about $3.00).

When the bus arrived, I let everyone on board first before talking to the driver, he was clearly not happy I wanted to stow the bike in his cargo space, saying there would be no space for other people luggage. Oh come on, there were hardly three bags under that bus. I ignored him

Pangkor island ran by Peter van der Lans, who has been cycling extensively across Asia for the last eight years. I contacted him and he was more than willing to help whenever I have the chance to get to his base in Sitiawan.

Finally, I managed to get away for three days. It was time for my Pangkor cycling adventure. I cycled from my home to Penang jetty at the crack of the dawn (17 km), took me 50 mins. Then, went on the ferry, then went to the Butterworth bus station, when I encountered my first hiccup. The ticket seller did not allow me to buy the bus ticket until I talked to the bus driver whether I could take the bike on board. Hrmmpph! I persisted, saying if I could not take the bike, I would leave it there and then and still got on the bus! So, I got my ticket to Sitiawan. Very cheap – RM 12.50 one way (about $3.00).

When the bus arrived, I let everyone on board first before talking to the driver, he was clearly not happy I wanted to stow the bike in his cargo space, saying there would be no space for other people luggage. Oh come on, there were hardly three bags under that bus. I ignored him

of the dawn (17 km), took me 50 mins. Then, went on the ferry, then went to the Butterworth bus station, when I encountered my first hiccup. The ticket seller did not allow me to buy the bus ticket until I talked to the bus driver whether I could take the bike on board. Hrmmpph! I persisted, saying if I could not take the bike, I would leave it there and then and still got on the bus! So, I got my ticket to Sitiawan. Very cheap – RM 12.50 one way (about $3.00).

When the bus arrived, I let everyone on board first before talking to the driver, he was clearly not happy I wanted to stow the bike in his cargo space, saying there would be no space for other people luggage. Oh come on, there were hardly three bags under that bus. I ignored him

on the bus! So, I got my ticket to Sitiawan. Very cheap – RM 12.50 one way (about $3.00).

When the bus arrived, I let everyone on board first before talking to the driver, he was clearly not happy I wanted to stow the bike in his cargo space, saying there would be no space for other people luggage. Oh come on, there were hardly three bags under that bus. I ignored him, and even though had to remove the front wheel (another first – luckily my front wheel had an easy to remove latch), I managed to squeeze the bike in.

Three hours journey, arrived around noon and Peter was waiting. We planned to cycle to Lumut the next day (10 km), then take a ferry to Pangkor. Subsequently, took a round trip tour around the island on bike. Supposed to be only 17 km but what a trip it would be! Nevertheless, I was ready for my Pangkor cycling adventure and I would learn to use my bicycle in a more proper way.

It was a balmy day but I liked it because extensive heat would sap my energy faster. I loved the boat ride, it’s been a while since I took a proper holiday. As soon as we reached the island, we wasted no time hitting the road. Peter showed me the basic principle on how the gear system worked. It did not take much time for me to get the hang of it. It was like driving a car, cars only had 5 speed mostly but the bike definitely had more (even though I hardly used the biggest ones because we aim for distance and not speed).

Our first stop was the old Dutch fortress. Took some pictures. I’d seen it on tourist guide book before and quite happy finally I made it there. Then we visited the Tiger of Pangkor where Peter told me the legend behind the etched words on the rock. Interesting story. It was ironic a foreigner was guiding a local (Peter is Dutch, by the way).

We took a leisure ride into Pasir Bogak, a popular beach. We went on a Tues