Friday, 1 December 2023

Ride of the Champions (August 7 to 11, 2023), Day 2 - Bukit Kukus Bypass and Penang Half Island

Championship No 2 - Bukit Kukus Bypass.

Bukit Kukus Bypass was opened to traffic on 13 January 2022. It is the highest elevated road in Malaysia. Measured at its highest point at 61.5 m, it succeeded its predecessor, the Rawang Bypass at 58.2 m.

8321 Durian Plantation, Jalan Teluk Bahang

Sunrise captured at 1 Gurney Drive

Another view when the ball of flames escape the mists in the horizon

Breakfast at Pang's Hainan Coffee & Nasi Lemak @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/U9rc5oCLzPgwAHD39

Teluk Bahang Dam now allows pedestrians across the dyke

View of the dam

View of the dam

Rewarding ourselves with durians at 8321 Durian Plantation, just after the climb to the dam.

Note the durian caught by the net

The surrounding durian farm. Note the stream which runs across the estate

The stall set up by the roadside

Road closure due to landslides. The sign actually said road is closed to all vehicles from 10 Julai 2023 and the reopening will be announced on a later date. However, since it was not manned, we managed to breeze through. 

Men at work repairing the slopes

Since no vehicles were allowed on this section, we took the opportunity to lie across the road for a photo shoot 

We met Chin, a cyclist from Tawau moments after our epic photo shoot. He was visiting his daughter who lives in Penang

Another durian stall on Jalan Teluk Bahang but this was closed, possibly due to the road closure as it is located after the barriers. Note the durians hanging over the road

More landslides...

...and another one!

While regrouping at the roundabout, we met a couple riding together. The man, from Philippines spoke fluent Mandarin. He told us he has been working in China for more than 8 years and met his Chinese wife there. 

Spectacular view from Titi Kerawang stall where we left our newlyweds to indulge in their durian cravings

Tree pruning 

Cutting off overgrown branches is essential to maintain the health and structure of a tree

Off Jalan Teluk Bahang @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/LBq4XihqRi1JyFWt8

We were trying out a shortcut which also leads to Teruna Dara Waterfalls ...

...but were deeply disappointed the area is a private property and is now fenced up

Back on Jalan Teluk Bahang

Jalan Kuala Sungai Pinang @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/CDq1mVXHCN1DKYEeA

Houses built right to the edge of the canal

Houses built right to the edge of the canal

Lunch break at Kedai Kopi Kong Lean

Homemade scones served with lemon curd and cream. The owner said an English cyclist gave him the recipe to the scones. 

Waiting for our hainanese coffee and charcoal toasts

Fisherman boat marina 

Boats docked at the mouth of the river

Balik Pulau gearing up for Penang's State Elections slated for 12 August 2023

The climb to Bukit Kukus Bypass begins on Route P14's Jalan Tun Sardon @ 1.05 pm

The actual climb starts at the bridge right after Taman Mini Balik Pulau and ends at Anjung Indah, a total distance of 4.71 km with an overall 5.9% gradehill.  It took Claudine 55 minutes including stops and regrouping!!!

Henry arriving at the entrance to the temple

Regrouping at the entrance to the temple. At this point, we have clocked 2.39 km with a 5.3% gradehill. It took Claudine 20 minutes to get to this point @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/UiojfvexubLzafEr9

Directly after the temple, there's a crazy 17.9% gradehill but thankfully the length is only 0.76 km.

After this 17.9% battle is fought, another battle awaits 350 m down the road. At 14.9% over a distance of 0.71 km, is it not just a molehill?

The last 500 m to Anjung Indah is considered easy when compared to the earlier crazy climbs. 

Route P14, Sunset View

The actual view without the "smiley"

Approaching the highest point on the Bukit Kukus Bypass

What makes a great team is we regroup to finish together!

The road behind us leads to Anjung Indah and Balik Pulau

The final climb is easy...

...but we took our time!

Even though there was a painted bicycle lane, it felt more like an emergency lane. The concrete pavement felt a lot safer!

Check where you are going

At the intersection

Bayan Lepas in the horizon.

Note the tall pillars. The highest point is 59.4m from the pile caps or 61.5m above ground

On the way to Air Hitam

Mestilah Laksa dulu!!! You cannot say you have been to Air Hitam unless you have eaten a bowl of these noodles in fish broth

Kek Lok Si Temple

After visiting the temple from afar, we rode back to Gurney Drive hence ending our Penang Half Island Tour









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