Peeps
Meet your neighbourhood's friendly foldie
THOMAS LEE started cycling 24 years ago.
He rode a mountain bike and used it much on trail rides and stopped cycling for a year in 1995 after getting his car license.
In 2003, he got back on the saddle with a road bike and began touring.
"My first bicycling tour was in Taiwan and it was fun.
"I got into the sport purely by using a bicycle as a means of tranportation before I got my car.
"Its freedom to me on two wheels and I never stopped exploring with my bike," said Lee.
He added that the most interesting place he had been to was Japan.
"The motorists there are very friendly to cyclists and there is an efficient rail system where folding bike cyclists can utilise to explore the country.
"I love Japan because it's one of the friendliest countries, especially for cyclists," he explained. Lee said
On future plans, Lee would give a self-supported touring ride a try.
"I am preparing to camp in the wild with my folding bike."
On being a role model for novice folding bike enthusiasts, Lee said touring with a folding bike is fun as there's much one can explore while on the road.
"Hahah! I am not sure about being a role-model, but I will keep on exploring with my bike," he explained.
As a word of advice, Lee said those who are interested in adventure cycling should consider safety as the paramount factor. "Always think of safety before self!" While touring, Lee also advised folding bike owners to learn how to use a GPS unit and Google Earth.
"Plan your journey and learn on how to plot your course on a GPS.
"And just in case, do make it a point to carry a paper map on 'standby'. "Do not depend solely on your smartphone's mapping features as it can be less accurate." To the novice adventurer out there, Lee also advised them to read and understand paper maps if they ever run out of batteries on their
devices or worse, lose all their gadgets.
At the moment, Lee said he is preparing his trusty Dahon Speed P8 for a ride in Taiwan.
"I am upgrading the components on my bike to tackle the hills of certain routes in my upcoming tour," he concluded.
The world is his stage
Thomas Lee shares his passion with The Malaysian Foldie on touring around Asia with his trusty Dahon folding bike...
Bicycling adventurer: Lee, seen here during a touring ride in Japan. He says the best way for a cycling tourist to experience the sights, sounds and culture of a foreign country is by using a folding bike.