Khairil Aslan will start his 30-day solo cycling expedition on Sunday

Solo mountain climber Khairil Aslan Ab Rasid will start his 30-day solo cycling expedition across Peninsular Malaysia on Sunday.

Khairil Aslan,42, said the expedition covering 2,700 kilometres, would start at Bandar Seri Putra Mosque, Bangi, Selangor and would end at the same mosque on May 12.

"I will not stay at hotels but will spend the night at mosques in each state to rest before continuing to the next destination.

"This Sunday, I will start cycling from the mosque right up to Kuala Selangor. My expedition will also include states in the East Coast," he told Bernama at Wisma Bernama, here Friday.

He decided to stay at mosques to reach out to the local community, especially the youths apart from sharing his experiences as solo mountain climber and cyclist.

Khairil Aslan, from Batu Kurau, Perak, had conquered three Himalayan peaks namely Mera, Lobuche and Island within 32 days in 2015, and had also set a record as one of Asian solo climbers during winter.

The cycling expedition themed 'Dari Masjid Ku Menjelajah 2017' is part of his training to join the 'Peninsular Malaysia Solo Expedition 2017 - Cycling and Climbing' that would run for 67 days starting in June.

"For this cycling expedition, I collaborate with the mosques and several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including sponsorship of bicycle and its equipment."

The father of four children, aged between eight and 18 years, said his family had given him full support since he took up the activity full time three years ago.

"All my children are exposed to outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling since primary school. Alhamdulillah, they have shown keen interest in the activities," he said. -- Bernama