Interstate 5 (4-8 June 2019) : Day 3 : Bahau to Temerloh

Right after the panic attack!

Group B at Kemayan

Group B at Kemayan

Group C at Kemayan

Ah Pou was swept by Group C

Even with windows facing the air well, Claudine and VT were not spared the thunderstorm that broke out at 3.30 am. The noise was so intense, it woke both of them up!

It was still raining when the rooster crows but thankfully tapered down to a light drizzle when we rode out in search of breakfast. At 6.50 am, the skyline was still pitch black and the stall owners were clamoring to set up.

Returning to the hotel after breakfast, some of us had a shock when the receptionist informed, the group had left! Frantic calls to Chief KC Tay went unanswered and a further search at their earlier breakfast rendezvous, saw no one! Left in a state of despair, we were only relieved off our anguish when Chief KC Tay finally returned the call. Apparently, the group had adjourned to another place in search of supplies.

We finally pushed off at 7.30 am; after numerous group photos were taken. Heading for Kemayan, Group A’s Kim Chai, Adrian and Seng Kiat were the firsts to arrive. However, they pushed off after a quick drink without waiting for the rests. On a quest to scout for a lunch stop for the rest of the group, we never met them again until Temerloh…..

Meanwhile, at Kemayan, Group B had congregated over drinks, roti canai and noodles; all except for one last member who took forever to arrive. Ah Pou or Bonny Kan’s inner tube had decided to perform a hara-kiri midway. He was swept and rescued by Group C.

Getting impatient, Group B+ members, consisting of Peter, Ivan, Annie, Gerard and Patrick decided to breakaway. They left without waiting for Ah Pou. As the rest waited, the extra time allowed Chief KC Tay to shop for new shoes from the shops behind! 

When Ah Pou finally arrived with Group C’s Herbert, Simon, Cindy, Kelvin and Uncle Meng, we did not push off immediately. The tired souls needed refueling and thus another round of waiting was accorded; by which time even the sweat on our jerseys had completely dried off!!!

On the move finally, we barely rode more than 17 km before we seeked refuge at Triang’s Caltex. The sun was a scorcher and ice creams and cold drinks were hypnotizing despite knowing full well we will be stopping for lunch soon.

Right after lunch at Bera Town

True as planned, we broke for lunch at Bera town. This gave Ah Pou the opportunity to get his bike issues addressed at the local bike shop.

After stopping for this photo take, Ah Pou had another puncture!

Unfortunately, Pahang was not in favour of Ah Pou’s visit. He had another bike puncture right after Bera, by the banks of Triang River. As there were ongoing roadworks to widen the road; barriers were set up, separating the new lanes from the old. The bottleneck contributed to traffic built up and without road shoulders, we were fighting for space on the bumpy road, made worse by loose pebbles.

Nobody knew Ah Pou was stranded with yet another puncture until our next stop at Petronas, Durian Tawar. Like a good captain, Sai Kwang was not leaving anyone behind. He went to Ah Pou’s rescue leaving Happy Birthday and Chief KC Tay to devise their beer drinking session for the night while Yeh Mah, VT and Claudine amusedly looked on.

Finally on the move, we pumped hard on the pedals as there was less than 20 km to the finish line.  Coupled by strong winds and rain clouds on our back, we were flying through the series of stalls offering fresh ikan patin and tilapia by the riverside. Funnily, it was easy to keep track of the 20 plus fish stalls flanking the Pahang River as they were named by the numbers in sequential order!

Approaching Temerloh town, with less than 2 km to the chequered flag, the sky fell on us. We had to take cover at a food stall yet to open for business. Thankfully, the rain went as quickly as it came, allowing time for a second “shower” at Hotel Green Park!

In the evening, we walked the 600 m to Restoran Wee Kee for dinner. This was earlier recce'd by Group A, tipping the cash register by RM400 on a lunch meal for 3 pax ! As Temerloh Mall was just opposite the restaurant, Cindy managed to convince Simon into carrying an extra pair of high heeled shoes all the way back to Kuala Lumpur!!!

So, while some things went on as planned as per the drinking sessions, Uncle Meng's tyre puncture was totally unwarranted. The poor man had to get down on his knees while the merriment goes on throughout the night!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Green Park Hotel, Temerloh