ABOUT THE TRAVELLER
McDowell Simon
30s, Married
Originally From :
United Kingdom
Currently At :
United Kingdom
Countries Visited :
Most of Europe, North America, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Oman, Egypt, Tunisia, Namibia
Favorite Destination :
Borneo, either watching the Orangutans in Kalimantan or on a bike in Sabah
Favorite Hotel :
Fullerton, Singapore - best hotel I've stayed in; although the 4 Seasons runs it close
I usually travel :
For business
My idea of a great holiday is :
Scenery, photography, and if with my family, somewhere to keep the children happy!
Pinch-of-salt 'O' Meter :
I do like comfort, but am prepared to slum it if the scenery is worth it!
My recommendation for great 'de-stressing' holiday extension ideas for business trips into Asia - Borneo Biking Adventures, Sabah, Malaysia
"Fantastic motorbiking holiday - magnificent scenery and great roads!"
If you ride a motorbike and are fed up of traffic, other road users, poorly maintained roads, and bad weather, then why not try this amazing adventure in Borneo? Take one Aprilia 650cc Pegaso, an on/off road bike, a guide and some of the best on and off-road scenery in Asia, and ride to your heart's content!
My trip to Sabah, Malaysia
I was there for 4 days in November and we covered 1400km, over a variety of conditions: perfect tarmac (think racetrack), unmade gravel roads (think rally-raid) and steep gravel / mud tracks (think deep jungle). It improved my riding and was such a good experience, I'm smiling at the thought of it several months later.
I went by myself at the end of a business trip to Singapore in November. Once there, I met another holidaymaker and the owners of Borneo Biking Adventures. The four of us went off for three days across Sabah - three on bikes and a support truck with the fourth (spare) bike.
The places we stayed - home base: a magnificent house on the hills overlooking Kota Kinabalu, with a beautiful infinity pool to lounge by, watching the sun set. Kudat: a friend of the owner's, who lent us their house for the night - amazing beach location, built on three enormous rocks. The biggest highlight, however, was the riding and scenery.
If I went again, I'd go for longer (say a week) and spend a couple of days going slowly, admiring the scenery a bit more!
Tips for a biking holiday in Sabah, Malaysia
I'd not however recommend this to anyone who is not competent riding a motorbike. That means at least a couple of years experience riding something bigger than a scooter or 125cc bike. Although not very fast by UK standards, these Pegasos do 160+km/h and are faster than anything else on the roads in Sabah.
Bring your own helmet, gloves and boots, but they do have lightweight armoured jackets and jeans.
