The panic button sounded as early as 6.43am. Almost in sync with Frankie, Kee Chai sounded the alarm as well. Both men were caught in the early hour causeway jam from Singapore.
As the 2 men waited anxiously in their cars, all was not calm on Philip’s side as well. Leading a large group of cyclist with variant speed was not easy. When the clock ticked closer to roll out time, he had no choice but to ask William to lead the advance guards all the way to meet up point!
All in all, we managed to roll out a quarter of an hour off target, giving the late comers a short allowance to gobble down their buns. Besides a group photo to commemorate the ride is always mandatory!
Finally on the move, we exited Horizon Hills, took on the butterfly interchange, rolled along Iskandar Coastal Highway before turning left for Lebuh Kota Iskandar. As soon as we hit Lebuh Kota Iskandar, Thomas had a puncture which needed attention. Kee Chai and Jolin stopped to lend a hand, rendering the group without a proper lead rider!
Rolling past the tube change department, the flat did not deflate Geraldine’s spirit. Even though many doubted her initially, doubts soon turned to admiration as everyone watched with dropped jaws, at her grit to turn the crank over and over again! Tackling slopes, she had to stand up to push the pedals down. Such was her determination!
Even Paul took pity on her, offering to take over her fixed gear bike in exchange for his road bike. Such chivalry was declined by the heroine herself!
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| Joe and Robert |
The first regrouping point was at Restoran Amin’s at Gelang Patah. Those who spun ahead, went on a shorter but busier route to Pekan Nanas. As for those who languished behind, they were rewarded with a scenic kampung route of Kg Jelutong Tengah, passing the malay cemetery, the madrasah and the school.
Just before exiting the little hamlet, we crossed the narrow river of Sungai Pulai. As part of the smaller river tributaries of Pulai River, it is governed by the changing tides in the South China Sea. Crossing the river this morning, saw an exposed river bed but the river scene changed to one of swollen river with bobbing sampans on our return!
Arriving at Pekan Nanas’ Shell station, we had a pit stop. The earlier wandering bicyclists soon found their way there as well.
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| Rickety Jetty |
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| Concrete Jetty |
As a team again, TH led us into Kg Sg Jeram, stopping first at the rickety wooden jetty. Miscommunicated, Philip who had recced the route prior to today’s ride led a separate group on a different route, ending up at the concrete jetty instead! When it was time to leave, the hungry team exited the same way we entered, bypassing the village proper and some other interesting sights! But all will not be lost as many will make their way into this little hamlet again, for who can resist sipping delicious Teh Tarik by the edge of a mangrove swamp with a quiet river view???
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| Adrian mending with first class protein after his fall at Kg Sg Jeram |
Once out of the village, we headed to Pekan Nanas for breakfast. The group split up to seek their choice eats with most riders congregating at the corner coffee shop next to Public Bank. This shop offers school house curry mee which comes with runny but tasty gravy, oily fried kueh tiau and the standard wantan mee. However, their packet nasi lemak in banana leaf is quite authentic in taste!
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| At the corner coffee shop |
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| At the food court |
Another failsafe choice would be the stretch of food court by the main road. A firsts for our group, the char siew that came with the wantan mee was glistening in oil and charred black but yet, still succulent while the curry mee had a slightly thicker consistency to the former!
After breakfast, those who wished to head back together met at the iconic pineapple statue. We took the same route back, passing through Kg Jelutong Tengah.
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| Birthday boy, William |
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| Birthday boy, Matthew |
On the last climb up the flyover, Matthew’s chain dropped while he was trying to switch to a lighter gear. He was assisted by Frankie and Sue. However, once on the move again, he raced up the hill, rolled down fast and overtook Claudine just outside the perimeters of Horizon Hills. Knowing that he was separated from the Singapore group earlier this morning, Claudine pulled his reign back, cautioning him on the approaching turn off. Thank goodness, he caught wind of her shouts for he would have missed his birthday cake; shared with William for ATOJ’s October babies!
The cake, cut at 3 C Cafe in Horizon Hills can only be appreciated by the health conscious! Their cucumber concoction was another health fad that came with a disputed price tag! Lessons learnt....best to get the prices of food not on the menu sorted out before agreeing to any house specialty!!!
While many could not stay longer than the ride itself, those who could, bonded a little longer. The group at 3 C soon adjourned to Coppola, an Italian joint in Horizon Hills while the Singapore team extended their Green Themed Diet to Volcano, Bukit Indah for Hakka Thunder Tea Rice!!!! This group will soon turn green as the mother of all storms awaits them on their final leg home!!!
Photo Credits:
1. Mindy
2. Sarah
3. Lionel
4. Anna
5. KC
6. Chung Keat
7. Andy
8. Joe
....and many more!!!
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