MALAYSIA: The idea of cycling across Malaysia is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that requires months of planning, training, and—most importantly—time off work. But for Mushamir Mustafa, a 33-year-old marketing communications manager from Kuala Lumpur, time was a luxury he didn’t have. Instead, he spent the last eight years completing his cycling journey across Malaysia and Singapore while holding down a full-time job.

Battling storms, floods, and stolen shoes

Mushamir’s journey began in 2016 after a cycling trip in Cambodia that deepened his love for long-distance biking. Inspired, he set himself a challenge: to cycle solo across Malaysia and Singapore, taking the scenic kampung roads and coastal routes often overlooked by travellers.

His first official ride kicked off in 2017, with Singapore as his initial destination. But the challenges started right from the start. On his first night in Port Dickson, a violent storm nearly blew his tent away. “Soaked to the bone, I was rescued by a kind cleaner who let me sleep in a surau. That first night alone nearly convinced me to quit,” he recalled in FMT.

Despite the rough start, he pressed on, eventually reaching Singapore, where he camped for three days at East Coast Park before returning to work in KL. However, his cycling plans soon stalled due to work commitments, the pandemic, and a personal tragedy—the passing of his father.

In 2023, after a long hiatus, he finally resumed his journey. From Singapore, he cycled through Chukai to Kuala Terengganu in his longest single ride. Along the way, he endured floods, monsoon rains, and theft.

“At one point, my shoes got stolen, and I had to cycle almost 40 kilometres in slippers before reaching the next town,” he shared. Many nights were spent camping in his tent or seeking shelter elsewhere.

One of his toughest challenges was cycling through the Titiwangsa mountain range while battling fever, flu, and body aches. But Mushamir found ways to stay motivated. At first, he kept himself company by talking to a small teddy bear strapped to his bike. Later, he upgraded to a Bluetooth speaker, playing music to keep his spirits high.

An unconventional approach to long-distance cycling

Unlike most long-distance cyclists who complete their journeys in one stretch, Mushamir had to balance his passion with work responsibilities. He would cycle as far as his leave days allowed, then take a bus back to...