The weather lately have been really temperamental, one moment its really blistering hot, the next its raining rhino and elephants (its beyond cats and dogs already). Its not wonder people fall ill and all. Please do take care everyone!!!!
Yesterday went to challenge the hills of Malaysia once again. What started of as a FB post by a friend Nicholas of the expedition he is going, so I "kpo" and tag, and became a conversation and soon enough, I was IN!!!
Woke up at 4am had a very light breakfast and met Nic at 5.15am to cycle from home to Changi Village where we will meet the rest and catch a ferry over to Malaysia, if I am not mistaken, the place is call Pengeran. Went by Punggol and off from lorong Halu to the back of Pasir Ris, a quiet and lesser traffic option to old tampines road.
Once we are there, met Alex and Uncle Benson, shortly Zaki, Jerome and Razak, the tour leader for the day, All of them seem very ready and all of them have a roadie, except me, I was the only one with a time trial bike. Anyway, Razak, a very season rider did mention "good luck" when he saw my bike, and I do understand what he mean, apparently a TT bike, built for long straight road, isn't that favorable for the hilly terrain of Malaysia. Nevertheless I braved it and was determine to catch up.
After breakfast, we caught the first boat out to Malaysia. its about 1.15 hrs boat ride (pulau ubin kinda boat, not ferry) over so some managed to catch a snooze while others just chit chat and seem unfaltering by the challenge ahead, I managed to steal a power nap and was taking pictures of the beauty (bikes) that were neatly arranged in the front portion of the boat.
Once we are there, we took a group picture before heading out. It was a 35 mins ride to the nearest and only town (dist 28km), everything seems pretty familiar as I did a similiar ride last year, only this time, its only my own bike and I tell you, the difference is so drastic.
When we got there, everyone who was initially thinking of just stopping for a drink decided to have some prata and all after realizing how "challenging" the ride to town itself was. We were going at an average of 30kph, something I was pretty comfortable of so I am fine, and so where the guys. After refueling, a couple of them make a trip to the nearby money changer before we head of to our first destination Desaru, its was known to be about 50km from the town. We were led to the "beginner route" according to Razak, lesser hills and more scenic as it was nearer to the coastal area. I believe the last time I was there I took the harder route as I remember doing hills one after another. This one is quite scenic as promised and the climb was also pretty manageable (probably my bike is better as well) Got in about 2 hours time. When everyone gathered at the round about at Desaru, then come the question: to head back, or to Kuta Tinggi. I was okie with both. KT it was and boy was it challenging. The hills never decrease and infact increased MAX and along with the after sun and the sparse vegetation around, we were soon at the mercy of the harsh weather condition, wasn't able to keep up with the front scout and I find myself travel some portion of the road alone. scary experience (just the worry of being lost). But thank god, manage to find them just before entering the town of Kota Tinggi, (90km cycled)
Waited for everyone before heading in town to look for some place for lunch, wanted nasi padang but the famous one (according to Razak) was not open, so we went for KFC instead, coz there was AIRCON!!! haha. took a long and relax lunch while everyone fuel up for the ride home. Got a few bottle of mineral water to refill for this leg, the last pit stop all we got was isotonic drinks which seem like not a good idea as it just made me more thirsty due to the hot weather.
From KT, off we go heading to JB to return from the causeway. The ride to JB must be one of the most adventurous ride by far for me, its equivalent to riding on the expressway in Singapore (but worst). I have huge container trucks zooming past me at formula one car speed and also not much road shoulder for me to work around. It was both scary yet fun as it really taught me how to control my bike and all. The road condition was also pretty bad and roadie having no suspension at all, the shock was all absorb by my bum (whatever is left of it) and arms. About 2 hours or so later, I safely made it to Malaysia's customs joining the motor cycle quite to enter the causeway, it was indeed a very unique experience, first time for me, but while waiting, didn't really enjoy all that soot that I was breathing in.
As I traveled along the causeway, there seem to be a breakway from Malaysia because as soon as I past the halfway point, it started raining. How strange is that right? Nevertheless, it was good as it kinda wash away some of the dirt accumulated from the ride.
Once back in spore, we headed to a coffeeshop named "Rasa Rasa" for a drink before heading back. Took the Woodlands, Sembawang, Yishun, Seletar Dam route back. Led by Nic, I made it home it one piece.
Total mileage for the day: 195.55km, my speedometer marked 190km but realize at certain point my speedometer went offline. So yeah. 200km, the longest ride by far on this bike, served me very well. Now I am officially a cyclist as I have the "bikers tan line" to prove it.
Looking forward to more long distance ride, and really thankful to the great support from the guys that I rode with yesterday! Its nice meeting new people, especially those that share a common passion!!!
Woohoo more rides to come, not too sure why I cannot like FB pictures here, so I guess for those who wanna see pictures to my trip will just have to see it from my FB page then.....
Ciaos