Cycling: The key to a stronger bond for this Malaysian couple

Cycling allows Ekaputra (left) and Nadiah to see places and experience different cultures. Photos: Nadiah Abdul Aziz

Nadiah Abdul Aziz and her husband Ekaputra Abdul Jabar have been going on cycling trips together for the past decade or so. The pair have hit the road on their bikes all across Malaysia, as well as to international destinations like Japan, Taiwan, Spain and Thailand.

Cycling together, they say, has strengthened their bond as a couple, although going on these extended trips can be challenging and, said Nadiah, they have disagreements every single time they ride.

"We have missed the Shinkansen in Japan, navigating the confusing transfer to another train line and platform while dragging our heavy bicycles along. We have missed a flight back to KL from Kelantan due to heavier-than-expected kampung traffic. We have also faced severe rain in Japan and Taiwan when autumn temperatures dropped even lower," she said.

However, despite the challenges and bickering during their travels, Nadiah said that all this has only help seal their bond.

Nadiah and Ekaputra's common interest in cycling have strengthened their bond."We try not to blame each other for any issues that arise but instead, face it together in a calm manner. It takes time to be able to manage these situations together without letting disagreements and fights get in the way. Sometimes tensions rise and strained nerves do result in conflict. But just as we are both quick to get angry, we are also quick to forgive," she said.

Ekaputra too believes their common interest in cycling has helped bring them closer as they get to go on their bike adventures together, experiencing new places and facing challenges along the way.

"Every single tour we undertake has its unique issues to solve. We learn to understand how the other person thinks better and to find solutions together. We also learn how to tune into each other's emotions, wants and needs as we ride together more. It is a long process that requires us both to be willing (to be on the journey) and open."

More than a hobby

Cycling was something both of them did a lot of when they were younger.

"I grew up in the 1980s and 1990s without the Internet or electronic gadgets. We spent most of our time outdoors. Cycling was a regular activity around our neighbourhood, and it gave us a lot of freedom and autonomy from our parents once we stepped out the door.

"Meanwhile, Ekaputra, who was was raised in Portland, in the United States, used to cycle to visit friends, explore parks near his home, and hit the trails. As he grew older, cycling became his mode of transport when commuting to work," said Nadiah, 44, in an interview from Kuala Lumpur.

Ekaputra (right) and Nadiah say cycling allows them to experience landscapes and regions more intimately compared to other means of travel.

However, it was only about 10 years ago when they decided to pick up cycling again. Mostly, it was prompted by their love for the outdoors and desire to explore new places.

"We both love being physically active and the outdoors, and we especially love hiking. We've hiked up to Mount Batur in Bali, explored the trails in Cappadocia, Turkey, and embarked on a five-day trail ride in Japan. But we soon realised that we could cover more ground if we cycled, instead of walking. This was the reason we decided to start cycling again, but this time together," Nadiah explained.

Ekaputra, 44, a senior manager for a KL-based software development company, chipped in: "Nadiah and I have always been enthusiastic about exploring off-the-beaten path places. Our cycling was never about performance or racing, but it was driven by our desire for adventures and travel. We enjoy discovering heritage locations and food spots when we cycle, even in KL."

Going off the beaten path provides opportunities for adventure and discovery, says Ekaputra.

Sun-kissed adventures

On their cycling trips, the couple love mixing with the locals in places they visit, learning about their cultures and ways of life.

Their cycling holidays have allowed them to meet people from all over and connect with locals, even when there may be language barriers.

Nadiah and Ekaputra's cycling adventures have brought them to the historical Victoria Bridge in Kuala Kangsar, Perak.They feel that cycling has allowed them to perceive the world differently, and experience places more intimately compared to other means of travel.

"Cycling abroad was a natural progression in terms of traveling," Ekaputra explained. "It allowed us to see places and experience cultures away from the tourist traps, taste traditional foods, and meet locals in a more genuine way.

Nadiah shared: "People are more open and welcoming to cyclists than regular tourists, as it is often an ice breaker of sorts even when you don’t speak the same language. You also get a feel of the land very differently when you use your own two legs to get around. For example, we could imagine how the caravans travelled across Spain hundreds of years ago, and we could feel the sense of isolation while cycling in the mountainous areas in Japan and Taiwan.

Nadiah says that while their journeys have taken them to countries that have been on their "bucket list", Asia is their preferred region to travel around due to its closeness and accessibility from Malaysia.

Cycling lets enthusiasts bask in nature's beauty while exploring the great outdoors.

"These countries were just some of the most immediate on our bucket list, and we obviously have many more places we would like to explore. There are many more countries that we would like to cycle in! Ironically, we began our cycle travels abroad, and only started doing the same locally during the pandemic when international borders were closed. We’ve discovered that Malaysia too has an amazing places to offer cyclists, and we haven’t even cycled the whole country yet."

The couple use Ritchey Break-Away bicycles (where the bicycle frame can be split in half and packed into a suitcase) and custom bicycles made by a Malaysian frame builder.

"Our bicycles are somewhat special, as they are designed to break in two to be easier to pack for travel. These suitcases are no bigger than the wheels and to the untrained eye appear to be just oversized luggage, so they can sneak through many forms of transport that wouldn’t allow or be able to accommodate full bicycles, such as trains or buses."

Dream destinations

The couple often choose their cycling destinations together.

“Previously I was employed by a cycling magazine and I had the opportunity to travel to Indonesia and Taiwan for work. It made sense for Ekaputra to tag along so that we could bring our bikes along and go cycling there.

"Taiwan is among our favourite Asian countries for cycle tours, along with Japan and South Korea. Asia has always been at the top of our list, being closer to Malaysia geographically and culturally. We have many more Asian countries on our bucket list. Closer to home, we have cycled in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia,and we are both keen to do more tours in the Asean region."

Nadiah, pictured with Ekaputra, says cycling helps to strengthen bonds and cherished moments.Ekaputra created a website (bikeridingtales.com) where he shares stories of his cycling experiences.

"Our website was an accidental byproduct of our cycling trips," says Ekaputra. "We kept getting questions about the interesting and scenic places we have cycled to and also about the cycling routes we went on. We were already sharing these on social media but many of our friends and followers (even complete strangers) suggested we start a site on all of our adventures.

Äs we both enjoy story telling and taking pictures, documenting our bike trips just came naturally," says Ekaputra.

They upload photos on their respective Instagram accounts (ekstagram) and (yellowscarab).

To other couples considering cycling (or doing any other activity) together, Nadiah says: "Be open, willing to learn, and patient with each other. Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow together and create lasting memories."