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| Thumbs down to KTM for evicting the team at 1 am in Gemas |
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| Team Singapore riding into JB to catch the 8.25 pm train from JB Sentral |
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| Team JB waiting for the 8.45 pm train from Kempas Baru. |
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| Here comes the train |
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| Team JB meets Team Singapore. Missing is Team KL, Gerard. Our final destination was Tanah Merah but this was not to be |
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| Hanging out at the train's cafeteria. |
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| We were thrilled to bump into Yuen Fen. He was heading back, from Singapore to Kluang on his weekly Friday train ride. Yuen Fen knew about our trip and was keen to join. However our dates clashed with his tomb sweeping duties. We soon learnt from him about KTM's new announcement on prohibition on bikes! |
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| Dated 28 March 2024!!! We had no time to react! Before March 28, 2024 KTM's T&C stated prohibition on bicycle with no further elaboration. This was construed as bare bicycles ie bicycle rolled onto train without a bag or cover. As such, many cyclists were able to bring their bicycles on board in a bag or box. However, some were charged a parcel fee when the item is bulky. On March 28, KTM's T&C was updated to include specific prohibition on bikes and bike parts. This prohibition includes bikes and bike parts in bag or box! |
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| Unfortunately for us, KTM officials were on a strict enforcement agenda that night. The couple seated next to us were fined for boarding the train with tickets for a shorter route. They were headed for Kluang but had tickets up to Kempas Baru only. A man on the sleeping berth above Claudine was issued a similar fine. What irked us was we were asked to disembark. They could have issued a fine to us as well since it was the first day of the new ruling. Plus our bikes were in a sealed bag within the standard dimensions and weight accepted by all transport providers |
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| Note the bike in a sealed bag on the sleeping berth. It was not obstructing the passageway. Moreover, we had purchased 2 extra sleeping berth to put away the bikes as well. |
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| At 3.30 am, all ready for our ride to Kuala Pilah together with Gerard. Gerard had no problems getting on the train from KL Sentral. But he was barred from boarding at Gemas. Perhaps the train supervisor was alerted on a cycling team on board by then. We were forced to disembark at 1 am. Stunned, we cycled out to the one and only restaurant in town that was opened to discuss our next course of action. When we had finalised our plans, we returned to the train station to suit up and to start our ride |
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| Pitstop at the Battle of Gemas memorial |
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| An obelisk built in memory of the Australian soldiers and the supporting forces who fought at this site from 14-15 January 1942 The 2/30th Battalion were assigned to blow up the Gemencheh Bridge in an effort to impede the advancement of the Japanese soldiers |
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| 45 km later, we came to the 1st coffee shop that was opened for business in the morning. As it was another hour to sunrise, we decided to wait for day break before continuing our ride to Kuala Pilah for safety reasons. Dangi @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/LkhjABWZoZGJDtUZ6 |
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| 7.15 am on our way to Johol @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/aS2XSFCkhK16Jy9KA |
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| Quiet roads |
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| Johol |
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Shell Lama Johol is probably the world's smallest Royal Dutch Shell station in the world. It stands on a 5 feet by 5 feet land with only 2 working pumps! Some say this is the oldest Shell station in Malaysia. Sadly, it was reported that Shell is in talks to sell all its fuel stations in Malaysia to Saudi Aramco. Will this cute little petrol station prevail ? |
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| Heading to Kuala Pilah on Route 9's Jalan Tampin - Kuala Pilah |
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| River by Route 9, Kampung Tering |
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| Uncle KC riding out from Kg Simpang Tering |
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| Junction to Dangi @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/KioP5J99BG1L4H1KA |
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| It was a climb to Tokong Si Thian Kong |
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| The entrance to the temple is still decked with CNY decorations |
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| Another view of the gateway |
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| Inside the temple |
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| Kuala Pilah, approaching SMK Tuanku Muhammad where Mr Lim used to study @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/azoSVmabMo7oek8J6 |
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| Kuala Pilah town @ 9.30 am |
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| Hai Nam Kopitiam and Restoran, the oldest Hailam Restaurant in Kuala Pilah with 4 stars ratings but it served passable chicken chop in tomato ketchup and dilute coffee. A bit overated |
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| A for effort @ rabbit carved out of cherry tomato. After our brunch, we checked into KP Hotel and had a snooze |
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| At 3.30 pm, we decided to explore the town which began with a cendol and kuih bahulu. This is the old section of the town. It was somewhat quiet and abandoned |
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| Lister Memorial Arch overlooking Sam Seng Keong Temple and Masjid Jamek |
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| This memorial was built in 1897 within the compounds of the Chinese Pleasure Garden to honour Martin Lister who was the British Resident to Negeri Sembilan from 1889 to 1897. Lister was instrumental to restoring peace amongst the Chinese clans through his superb negotiations and diplomatic skills. The memorial was presumably built after his death in 1897. He was on his back to England after being in poor health for months with heart problems but had succumbed to illness at the Suez |
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| Note the incriptions in English, Chinese and Jawi |
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| A plaque on the land reservations |
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| Flying high one day before Chief Navigator flew down the "mountain" |
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| Charcoal fired CKT was the only highlight in Kuala Pilah @5.20 pm. Most of us retired early that night without dinner but some still hit the streets for supper at 8 pm! |
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