MALAYSIA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Ms Christa Baer is 65 years old and extremely proud that she had just cycled 10,000km from her home in Switzerland to Malaysia.

Her dream was to see the world on her bicycle. So, after retiring last June, she decided it was time to embark on her cycling trip.

She told her family and friends about her plans to cycle from Zurich to Malaysia and they were all for it, encouraging the mother-of-two and grandmother-of-four to chase her dream. Her partner Hans Meier even said he would join her midway through her trip and he did. He flew into Dubai - with his bike - and the couple cycled together the rest of the way.

"The funny thing is, I can't say I am a passionate biker. In Switzerland, nearly everybody has a bike. So, like most others, I'd cycle regularly, but just short distances. I also used to cycle while on holiday in Asia and Africa, but that's about it.

"After I retired, I just wanted to cycle for an entire year. I also wanted to end my trip in Malaysia because I have good friends living in Negeri Sembilan whom I wanted to see," she shares.

Ms Baer left her home in Zurich on July 11 last year and cycled through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Oman, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam before arriving in Malaysia on June 28 - almost a year later.

"My age was not, for one second, a problem on my trip. Everyone I met, including those much younger than me, was impressed by my performance and gave me a lot of respect. I also didn't face any problems cycling alone as a woman in any of the countries," she says.

Prior to retirement, Ms Baer worked as a personnel manager in a landscaping company, managing 35 workers. For her trip, she packed five pieces of luggage… and that was about all her preparation for the ride. She did not train at all.

"I was in very good physical shape and felt that since I would be cycling every day, I would get fitter as the days went by.

"Actually, I didn't find the trip grueling at all. I just planned my daily distances well and listened to my body. Thankfully, I didn't encounter any problems on the trip… I didn't fall or injure myself," she says.

"Afraid? Afraid of what?" she asked. "Everyone in all the countries I visited was very kind and helpful. Apart from some problems obtaining visas, the cold in Georgia and Armenia and the heat in Oman and South-East Asia, I didn't encounter any problems," she says.

Malaysia, she says, is no exception.

"The people of Malaysia are so unique and friendly and respectful. I was also impressed with Iran. In Europe, we hear only horror stories about the country, especially of how women are repressed there. We even heard that cycling is forbidden for women there.

While she has no plans to embark on such a long trip again, she has set her sights on exploring Borneo and Indonesia on her bicycle.

"Cycling is the best way to see a place. When you bike, you travel at a leisurely pace and you get to really feel, smell and see the people and the environment.

"I also got to meet bikers from all over the world and each encounter (with other cyclists) was special.

"I am very delighted to end my trip in Malaysia. The friendliness and openness of the people here is something I will never forget."