At twilight, DBKL was already choking with human traffic. Not the usual mad rush to settle the half yearly assessment which is due in a few days time but a bunch of cycling enthusiasts eager to participate in the 1WP Konvoy Berbasikal.
Well supported by the cycling community, this event offers a great opportunity to ride around the capital city, on roads that are usually congested with traffic. Today though, designated roads are either fully blocked or made car free on selected lanes. Besides with DBKL officers, paramedics on wheels, event managers and police escorts out on full force, the next best thing to do is to let the hair down and enjoy the ride!
Back at suburbia, Freda, VT and Claudine met at Subang Jaya’s LRT station promptly at the pre arranged time of 6.15 am. It was really nice of Freda to take the lead as the other 2 had never taken the LRT before! They left KL when KTM commuter were the only trains chugging from Port Klang to Sg Buloh and Touch N Go has yet to relieve the long queue at ticket counters.
Arriving at Central Market, they met Siew Choo, May, Sharon and Chan Chee outside Texas Chicken before proceeding to Dataran DBKL. Feeling giddy with excitement, Claudine was knocked disorientated by the dark shadows of dawn before realizing she was walking through the al fresco walkway of the Market itself.
Approaching the venue, it was fascinating to see the full force of the event. One end of the blocked road was dedicated to a car and motorcycle road show while the other end was packed with cyclists. Clowns on neon lighted bikes and walking stilts were out parading as well!!!
The short 20 km ride took us through KL’s major arteries. While some roads were completely blocked for the event, some other lanes were cordoned off for cyclists with cars still plying the fast lanes. Here and there, brazen motorcyclists with little respect for the law slipped past traffic police right under their nose!!!
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| Peanut with a backdrop of KLCC |
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| Parliament House |
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| National Museum |
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| KTMB |
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| KTMB |
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| KTMB |
Overall, it was a fantastic way to visit KL as the route takes us past many iconic buildings. Shutterbugs took the opportunity to snap photos of Petronas Twin Towers, National Museum, KTMB’a mogul architecture, etc
After the ride, we went to Kak Som at Kampung Baru for a taste of authentic Kelantan cuisine. The spread was so huge, we had a hard time deciding what to eat. Sharon though gladly piled her plate with a little of everything!
Upon the team’s request, we rode on to Petronas Twin Towers, bumping into some friends at Malaysia’s Tourism Office along the way. Right after, we climbed the hillock to KL tower before heading to Petaling Street for their famous mata kucing drink.
Rich’s and Claudine’s stars must have crossed this morning, for both met as the group were making their way to Petaling Street. Traveling on foot with baby blue basins in one arm, he had struck a peculiar sight.
Meanwhile, our entourage had caught his attention when Shana fought with him for space. Both had attempted to pass through 2 bollards at the same time.
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| Rich smiling for the camera while Neoh shows an apprentice on how the job is done |
When we finally stopped for regrouping along Jalan Tun HS Lee, Rich approached Claudine, enquiring about the day’s cycling event. This led to a stopover at Pit Stop Community Cafe, a soup kitchen set up to feed the destitute.
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| Immaculately clean dining area |
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| Spotless kitchen |
It was a humbling experience meeting the volunteers who tinkered away tirelessly to provide food for the less fortunate people. Unlike the standard coffee shops, Pit Stop is spotlessly clean. Opening its doors once a day from 5.30 pm it dishes out comfort food continuously until the pot runs out. Not wanting to take up too much of their time, Claudine and VT left, promising to return with some help in the near future.
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| Thumbs up to mata kucing |
Riding out again, they bumped into the final few riders from this morning’s group. Sharon, Simon and Mindy immediately took the duo under their wings, bringing them to Petaling Street for the promised mata kucing drinks.
It was heartwarming to see Sharon being so at home around the area. Bumping into friends along the street, she made quick exchanges and waved to familiar stall owners who seemed to know her well. Like a big sister, she gave everyone a treat on the sweet desserts which literally isn’t cat’s eyes but dried longans brewed with monk fruit and rock sugar.
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Find out more about Pitstop by clicking on this link below :
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nst.com.my/node/291333/amp
