THE ULTIMATE CLIMB, that never was! (8 July 2018)

Roaring to go at Hua Gua Shan Temple

Gearing up

Gearing up

Gearing up

Gearing up

At Layang-Layang's 7 Eleven

Initially initiated by Sue as she wants to train riding fast, furious and far, our ambitious 100 km climb distance was shortened as the dates drew closer. Instead of Simpang Renggam, we only rode to Renggam this morning, shortening the ride by 25 km.

As it is, when a member of the team buckles, the rest will fold as well. Thus, a slew of excuses were brought up this morning from sports injury and sore throat to lack of sleep and tight schedules.

Breaking into 2 groups as some wants an even shorter route, we managed to roll out together. Led by Madcats, the climb was almost immediate; beginning from Hua Guo Shan Temple, all the way to Layang-Layang.

Along the way we passed the entrance to Legends Golf and Country Club, the Tamil school and the railway tracks before entering the abyss of a palm oil estate. Cutting through its thick foliage, our speed slowed to a crawl, as we made the long and steep climbs while weaving through pot holes which seemingly spread across the road! Up on the hills, the moss on the giant boulders had turned a bright yellow!!!

Emerging from the canopy covered road, we free wheeled our way down to Kg Murni Jaya before landing ourselves on its dragon back hills! School was in session at SK Murni Jaya, loosely marked as our midway point to Layang-Layang.

Kg Sri Muar and Kg Sg Siam struck an interest in us. Possibly named after the migrants’ home country, we can only guess unless validated by the locals.

Soon the familiar stench of chicken droppings from Lew Peng Holdings filled the air. This was a welcoming sign as we knew the end is near!

Rolling to a stop at Layang-Layang’s 7 Eleven, we took a short 5 minutes break before adjourning for Renggam. Some others remained to enjoy Guang Fatt’s Handmade wantan mee noodles, cutting short the ride by half!

Reportedly only 3 hills to Renggam, Ah Ping’s famous quote can only be regarded true if we disregard the smaller knolls. Dauntingly high with 2-3 split levels, some of them were actually quite manageable as the first level acts as a booster for the next!

Disappointingly, the usual train had not pulled up at Renggam’s Railway Station. After taking a few photos on its tracks, we left when the last 3 riders delayed by a puncture, finally arrived.

The return segment was not as nasty. We even found the reserves to cheer after Mr Lim and Henry who had decided to take the same challenge after their wantan mee breakfast!

Arriving at Layang-Layang, VT, Maggie, Eva, Jessica, Chin and Winnie had left in pursuit of other eats; Choy Pan from Kelapa Sawit! As for us, we took a longer than usual break before making the final break for base!!!

Bumping into Mr Lim and Henry in the palm oil estate, we made our way back, sparsely separated into smaller groups. We were further separated when the boom gates began to close for the train’s passing.

Hoping to catch sight of the locomotive, Henry and Mr Lim made the stop but pushed on when it took a bit too long. By then, Wann Lee had finished fixing Sue’s chain drop and the duo didn’t want to be left behind!



Photo Credits :
1. Henry
2. Eva
3. Sue
4. CK