Penang Cycle Hunt

A Brief History of the Penang Cycle Hunt

The Penang Cycle Hunt idea was hatched to promote sightseeing Penang via an alternative mode – on two wheels. It was to supplement the Jamboree event, making it more enjoyable for non-hardcore riders and their families. It was also to support Penang Town Council’s (MPPP) sports tourism promotion campaign and to highlight Penang’s heritage attractions.

Not forgetting KOTRT’s food, fun and fellowship theme.

Penang, among the Malaysians, is well known for two things; food and heritage. A lot of these places are located in Georgetown but getting there on four wheels is a challenge. The roads are narrow, had busy traffic and limited car park spaces; all the ingredients for gridlocks and traffic snarls – a turn-off for many tourists.

Now if you are on two wheels, getting to these places would be easily accessible and less painful.

What’s more, all these places are within a short distance of each other (just a few km or even metres!); too long if you walk and cumbersome if you are driving, especially when traffic is bad.

On two wheels, non-motorised, you get to soak in the sights, sounds and taste!!!

Penang Cycle Hunt 2004

The first cycle hunt event took off in 2004. The objective of the Cycle Hunt was simple; first team to finish, getting the right clues, and answers all the questions correctly wins.

The teams were given a set of questions, a map and a passport. They were to use the map to hit the locations and answer some questions in the form of riddles. At each location, they needed to get a stamp by designated Marshals.

The cycle hunt took them through many famous places including Masjid Kapitan Kling, Khoo Kongsi and Fort Cornwallis, just to name a few.

Penang Heritage Experience on Wheels (PHEW) 2005

Riding…err, I mean, cycling on the success of 2004’s event led to the sequel for this event. The interest from last year’s event generated a lot of new sponsors including Canon and Penang Tourism Action Council (PTAC).

This time the focus was on the endangered trades and living skills found in Penang. The aim was to highlight the many skills that were once found in abundance were now a rarity. Some of these included shoe making, repairing of trishaws, bamboo blind making and Chinese lantern making – these mentioned were already in their twilight years.

Participants were given a map to all these sites and needed to observe the activities (and the shops too!).

Later, they were treated to a heritage meal; a Nyonya lunch at Convent Secondary School, Light Street.

The school is one of the oldest in Penang; built in 1852 it was the site for the participants to re-group and sit for a test based on the earlier observations. Thrown in as part of the activities, was a guided tour around the school’s compound, taking you through its history. Now if only the walls could talk…

Penang Heritage Experience on Wheels (PHEW) 2006

Keeping the momentum going, the 2006 continued the focus on the endangered living skills but with a twist; a cultural show was thrown in.

The show in particular was called Boria. It was popular among the local Malays and was featured in many functions and get-togethers back in its hey-days.

For this event, the show started of with a sketch followed through with a song and dance routine. We also got the participants to join in especially the joget (dance) part.

This year’s lunch was also another local treat – nasi dalca!

Penang Cycle Hunt (PCH) 2007

This is the 4th installment in our Cycle Hunt/Heritage event.

This year’s event will see a new "peel" of an adventure. From the adrenalin rush to the sites it will take you, this one-of-a-kind event is going to get your hearts pumping!

The trail will take you through famous places, getting a new angle on Penang’s history. Thrown in with interesting clues and riddles, we’re definitely going to take you through her history, fully cranked!

What’s more, to get your appetite going, this hunt will get you within reach of some of the mouth-watering, lip-smacking, great tasting local foods.

This is what we call the Penang Cycle Hunt!