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SMU students distance to promote S’pore Youth Olympics

The New Paper | Tue Aug 31 2010

Six members of SMUXtremists covered 2,010km over 28 days, travelling from Phuket to Singapore.

SMU students distance to promote S’pore Youth Olympics

A JOURNEY of a thousand miles begins with the first step.

The same can be said for a 2,010km cycling expedition.

For six intrepid cyclists from the Singapore Management University, their first pedal stroke began in Phuket, Thailand, on July 18.

Part of the SMUXtremists - the university's outdoor and extreme adventure club - the group were cycling back to Singapore to raise awareness of the Youth Olympic Games and to celebrate the university's 10th year since its founding.

Said expedition leader Kelvin Liew, 22: "The YOG was just round the cornerandwe wanted to do what we could to raise the hype.

At the same time,we wanted to challenge ourselves and find out what we could accomplish."

The 28-day journey, which comprised 19 days cycling and nine rest days, took the group through the scenic countryside of Thailand and Malaysia before arriving in urban Singapore on Aug 14.

Its longest expedition to date, the club began training for it last December. Mr Liew said: "Itwas tough finding time to train. We were training three or four days a week, up to 100km each time."

But the members' efforts paid off when they faced adverse conditions during their expedition.

The team, which comprised two women and four men,faced torrential rains during the 18 days they spent in Thailand.

Expedition adviser Tan Jing Min, 22, said: "It was the monsoon season and our route took us through the coastal areas.

"It was really cold, but the toughest part wasto keep the bikes in serviceable condition."

The team covered anywhere from 80 to 160 km each day.

Being a woman, Ms Tan felt she was at a disadvantage."We definitely lose out to the guys. But we've all done expeditions before, so we know what getting on the saddle every day is like."

The weather let up when the team reached Malaysia, but then it was the heat that bothered them.

Mr Liew said: "Itwas really difficult in Malaysia, even though the terrain was flat.

The heat was really unbearable and the road conditions were really bad."

The six plucky riders got a respite when their cycling buddies rode up to Kukup to accompany them the rest of the way back.

Ms Tan said: "It was really heart-warming, seeing their faces and finally meeting our family at the end after so long. It made it all worthwhile."

This article was first published in The New Paper.

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Keywords: SMU , SMUXtremists , outdoor , adventure , YOG , anniversary

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