Georgetown

While we are still deciding where the tour will start, we head north to Georgetown.

We are travelling with road bikes and just a suitcase for the two of us. It’s easier to travel and move around than last year, when were riding with panniers. Everything felt heavy and slow. This time we only have to take care of finding good riding, accommodation and food.

 Why Georgetown? Declared a UNESCO World heritage city in 2008, the city is bustling with life: the mixture of Malaysia’s three cultures Indian, Chinese and Malay are well differentiated in different parts of town. This also translates in the amazing food on offer, fine restaurants and hundreds of food stalls that serve the best Malaysian, Indian and Chinese dishes.

The construction of the traditional Chinese houses, built under Feng Shui rules, give the old city a special character. The hotels we selected combine old Chinese and Malay luxury and we see similarities with our Bikecat style.

Georgetown is on the little island of Penang and the riding, once you leave the busy center, is exhilarating. The trails in the jungle are very challenging and have some steep sections…

Then there is Penang Hill, which is definitely the hardest climb I have ever done.  4.5km and 700meters of total ascent, more than 15% average, with pitches around 30%! I highly discourage doing it, but on the last day of the tour, I´ll be happy to try it with you.