Firefly Night Racers successfully challenge terrain of East Malaysia

Contributed by Lim Su Pei

East Malaysia, Friday, July 15, 2011 — Eight cyclists from all walks of life completed the challenging 200km route of East Malaysia in pitch darkness at the Firefly Night Race II.

Starting from Kota Kinabalu on 15 July 2011 at 5pm, the team cycled along the narrow hilly coastal route paved with potholes and gravel patches and biked their way all the way to the tip of Borneo.

Traveling at an average speed of 25km/h with the company of six safety vehicles, the team covered the 200km route in 13 hours, reaching the tip at daybreak. The team conquered several hills with the highest marked at 300m above sea level and biking down the steep hill at 80km/h.

This year, the team also managed to receive strong support from the Royal Malaysian Police Force who escorted the team throughout the journey.

The Firefly Night Race, which aims to provide talented individuals an opportunity to realize their dreams and to have that light in them to share with the rest of the world, will donate the monies raised to two beneficiaries this year – Sing Out Asia and the Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BTBAF).

Sing Out Asia is a non-profit organization that aims to bring together the youth of Asia to realize and champion meaningful and important causes for a better Asia and the world.

The Business Times Budding Artists Fund encourages the development of creativity amongst the young and provides opportunities for disadvantaged children to discover hidden artistic talent and to develop their self-worth.

The team has raised S$20,000 thus far and hopes to continue to garner support from individuals and corporations to contribute to the cause.

“The combustion of power from people of diverse backgrounds and nationalities has once again opened a whole new world of possibilities. Together, the team has braved through the tough terrain, rain and fatigue, and completed the journey with passion for the cause,” said Lyndon Yeo, founder and leader of the Firefly Night Race.

Joaquin Deles Yabut, a 51-year-old Filipino and participant of both Firefly editions said: “We want to do this again as a kindred group who shares the same passion for the sport and purpose of the ride to raise funds for the arts. We want to maintain the same rigor of the ride at night and double the century distances. It may be dark, hard, wet, lonely, scary, dangerous, and even crazy but it is for a worthy cause and it allows cyclists of different backgrounds to get together for a common destination.”

Firefly Night Race I was successfully completed in January 2010 by nine passionate cyclists who challenged a 1,000km route over 100 hours. The team cycled from Singapore, through Mersing, Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bharu, and into Sungai Golok, a Thai border town.

Yeo and the team are currently conceptualizing Firefly Night Race III.