LIMBC 2012 - Day 1

Covering Gianni Bugno and Andrea Tafi at the 1997 Le Tour de Langkawi for the Malay Mail was a memorable experience. I got to visit my cousin who was a chef at the Berjaya Resort in Langkawi, enjoying a meal on board C130 Hercules as the LTDL juggernaut crossed the South China Seas and putting on weight following a feeding frenzy as a member of the pampered Press.

But for sheer adrenaline-pumping action-cum-adventure around nature, mountain bike is THE sport. Unlike their more glamorous road cousins, MTBers have to negotiate courses where the terrain and surface are constantly changing from earth, grass, stones, tree roots to streams and rivers. Definitely not a sport for the faint-hearted.

The recently concluded Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge was a prescription for fun and adventure surrounded by nature. For the locals, there was the jamboree to look forward to.

As opposed to the jamboree being held on the last day in 2011, the fun ride or officially known as the LIMBC Tradewinds Jamboree 2012 was made the prelude to this year's race. Among the notable participants were actor Esma Danial and entertainer Ezlynn, known for her Hi Hi Bye Bye hit song. The main prize in the lucky draw that followed the race was a brand new Proton Persona 1.6.

The start at Lagenda Park

Tradewinds Corp Bhd, a platinum sponsor for LIMBC 2012

Ezlynn (second from right) an attraction at the start line. She intends to compete in the jamboree on an annual basis

Shapari Sulong from Kuala Ketil drives home the Proton Persona 1.6

Prizes were given away by LIMBC honorary patron, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, LADA chief executive Tan Sri Khalid Ramli and Tradewinds Corporation Berhad Group COO Arief Nasran Abdul Wahab and organiser Datuk Malik Mydin. Read here