A Taste of Johor Ride XIII - Pendas and Edible Garden (3 February 2018)

Team Singapore

Team JB got tired of waiting. Some decided to sit down...

...while others prefer a nap!

Down the rickety bridge

Out from the palm oil estate

Warong Poyot

Happy faces at Warong Poyot

Rolling out at Warong Poyot

The “Best Laid Plans” will sometimes turn awry. Throughout history, men had witnessed countless backfires, such as in the case of the Maginot Line and the opulent Titanic. The bestseller novel of the same name by renowned writer, Sidney Sheldon further affirms this; or otherwise words like “backup plan” and “give and take” along with their synonyms will never appear in today’s dictionaries!

We learn it time and again, and we relearn it today with the the first puncture on Philip’s group as they were crossing into Malaysia. The rider had to turn back and skip the ride altogether!

As the day broke and the clock ticked past roll out time, we found out our planned rendezvous with Team Singapore at Pan Kobo Cafe was never to be. With newbies and Foldies, comprising today’s demographics, there was only so much they can do to keep up. So, while we moved our rendezvous to the next pitstop, Team Singapore were again delayed when Philip had a puncture at Sunway Iskandar.

The idiom “Don’t cross the bridge till you come to it” is another example of putting too much thoughts over an issue. Many of us did cross a bridge of sorts this morning, in anticipation of a muddy 20 m off road trail. Following a series of wet days, VT had somehow, found a discarded door the day before and thrown it across a meter wide drain for cleaner passage. Thinking he had saved the day, many of us traipsed gladly over the rickety planks when all along Pendas was high and dry!!! Those that brought their MTBs for a fun in the mud time were clearly disappointed.

In the story of the 3 little pigs, the big bad wolf had blown their houses down. The villagers went through a similar plight when 3 of their homes came tumbling down to make way for the highway. Sadly, their compensation was a mere RM10,000.

“Not enough to build even a chicken coop,” said the lady who occupies the corner house next to the highway. Hers was one of the 5 gazetted to be floored but thankfully saved!

Finished with our obstacle course, we made our way out from the little hamlet. Riding out, we passed the stuffed tiger with its stone glazed stare, a decoy that keeps the monkeys at bay.

As for monkeys, Frances saw a troop of them, much later as we were approaching Warong Poyot. Delighted but yet fearful, she sounded her bell just to make sure they kept their distances!

Arriving at Warong Poyot, pre ordered food and drinks were already laid out on the table. The tricky bit was the obvious lack of seats. So while those who finished tactfully stood up to make room for others, they too became restless and left.

While some managed a more leisurely breakfast, Ivan had to address a slow leak on his tyres. He was assisted by Adrian and Ban Pang in the tube change department. The latter was spotted, pushing the food down his throat later on!!!

Cast away near the CIQ quarters, Andy had waited for VT not knowing he had used a different route! Meanwhile, Desmond who stood as sentry at the last junction to Warong Poyot, decided to wait for Andy’s arrival. Both men were the lasts to sit down for breakfast this morning!

Riding back after breakfast, we bumped into some IRC members who had to leave earlier for some engagements. By the time we arrived, Hooi Leong had had his puncture addressed but lost the conical spring on the quick release!!!

Unusually strong headwinds greeted us when we hit the Sunway Iskandar Highway. Claudine and Philip Woo were riding slowly; sweeping Ban Pang, Jason and Laurence, all the time assuming they were the lasts..... but NOT!

Somehow, Frances was left behind. Tired out from fighting the winds, her legs stiffened out. She came down with extreme cramps! Paul Eddie, Desmond and a few others trailing behind, helped to hail a lorry that brought her to Mydin. Thereon, Desmond returned with his truck to send her and her partner to the JB CIQ.

Enjoying ginger ale at Farmer's Market

Alex Kee manning his stall at Farmer's Market

As the strong winds blew the riders further apart, more problems arose. Some JB riders were already heading for base while Team Singapore had one more goal to score. They wanted to visit the Farmer’s Market at Medini 9’s Edible Garden.

Totally unaware of their plans, Matthew decided to “go after” a lady twice his age!!! Obviously, Susanna wasn’t interested in a toy boy and sent him packing....back to the group in her car!

The “Best Laid Plans”....will sometimes turn into a fiasco!!!

Photo Credits :
1. Adrian Sim
2. Matthew
3. Paul Eddie
4. Andy Chan
5. Philip Sim