No 30 JF 2017 First Night Ride - Trying out JB's new bike lane (5 January 2017)

JB city center's first bike lane

The team, missing Jayce and Hock Nim

Regrouping at Dataran Bandaraya

Cars still ply on the "Bike Only" zone

JB's post office

Jalan Dhoby

Jalan Dhoby

Carpark, Crown Istana

New year, new resolutions and even a new bike lane smack in the city center! It seems our Datuk Bandar is a visionary man who promotes healthy living while reducing carbon footprints. What else can we say but, "Terima Kasih, Datuk Hj A. Rahim B. Hj Nin!"

Momentously, Joho Foldies organized their first night ride for the new year, garnering great support from the riding community. The ride commenced from the Crown Istana, up Bukit Serene, passes Medan Tepian Tebrau, circled the perimeters of Dataran Bandaraya before passing by the Royal Mausoleum. Thereafter, it took us through the government departments and Swiss Inn Hotel, finally arriving at the old world charms of Jalan Dhoby.

In modern day 2017, quaint little cafes have taken over the old trades. Riders were given a free choice to try out the many ice cream bars around the area but some still succumbed to the all time Malaysian favourites of Teh Tarik and Milo.

When our little tea party was over, we headed for the much anticipated bike lane on Jalan Wong Ah Fook. While the lane was well lit, well lined and well paved, we were disappointed with some of the missing metal gratings by the side of the road. Built under Sg Segget, the road was recently inundated with flood waters, another oversight to flush out  storm waters fast enough.

Travelling on the 1 km bike lane, we soon realized that Malaysians are still unfamiliar with bike lanes. Cars continued to ply on the lane oblivious to the "Bikes only" zone. The plus side though is that motorists are used to pedestrians and cyclists sharing the road, thus allowing a safe distance.

Leaving the busy Jalan Wong Ah Fook, we travelled on quieter roads passing by Holy Light Church, a boarding school and Hutan Bandar. Before long it became a maze taking left and right turns at the most unassuming places.

The Joho Foldies regulars like Lucas, Debbie, Desmond, Yap, Thomas, Jaylene, Susanna and few others are stronger and faster these days. They whizzed through the highs and lows of Taman Nong Chik easily. By then Jayce had boarded Irene's support car while Lucas had switched bikes with Kiki who had brought an oversized roadbike. Abdillah and Azlineer, first timers with the night riders were keeping up well while Claudine could only peel her eyes on the front riders keeping tabs on the turns. She clearly did not want to get left behind on unfamiliar route!

Somewhere in the blur of Taman Nong Chik, Yap stopped for regrouping. While some followed suit, a few others pushed off on their own. Claudine and VT were separated when he stayed on with the rest. Thankfully, he regrouped with her again at Jalan Ayer Kolam's McDonald's.

YL was spotted still with us when he should have turned back home much earlier. That was his biggest folly. 

Arriving back at the carpark, the lead group were already back at base. Meanwhile, the others continued to stream in one by one. Rostam pushed off with his motorized scooter to search for lost riders. 

Everyone returned safely or almost safely.... We overheard a friend fell somewhere in the maze of Taman Nong Chik. He suffered a butterfly fracture on his hand! Clearly, a not a night without drama!

Photo Credits :
Susanna
Paul Eddie
Yew Loong 
Hock Nim

Recce ride to Charcoal Factories (31 December 2016)

A working kiln with vapour coming out from the chimney

Burning firewood to smoke the wood in the kiln

With Pak Dollah

Mangrove trunks, some debarked in the background

Low tide

River scenes

Kg Orang Asli

Kg Orang Asli

Pet or cruelty?

Pet or food?

Jackfruit, the largest fruit in the world

Charcoal

Kg Simpang Arang had always fascinated Claudine. Back in 2015, some of her riding friends had visited the place a few times but somehow she always missed those trips! The low downs, reports from the returning convoy were "dirty environment", "bumpy roads" and "a long way in from the main road". While they returned with beautiful shots of a riverside filled with logs, there were no photos of burning charcoal kilns.

Thanks to social media, Claudine's interest was stirred once again, when she saw her friend's FB post. Checking with her to confirm the location, she even went on to give a status update of the work in progress.

Meanwhile, TH who did not make this ride, had once, driven into the kampung. He gave a good description of the place and even charted a possible route to a few more kilns around Gelang Patah.

Thus on the morning of the ride, our small group of 6 riders set off from Horizon Hills heading for Gelang Patah. We kept the ride low keyed as none of us knows the exact way and what to expect.

Following TH's route, we rode to Kg Jelutong Tengah, turning left into Jalan Jelutong 2. We were pleasantly surprised to find a beautiful, narrow road that cuts right through a palm oil estate. Where the road turned right, a small little brook runs alongside.

We were all in good mood, excited about the discoveries we will make today. Unfortunately, Jalan Jelutong 2 only leads to a dead end! After a few enquiries with the local folks and a double check on Google Maps, we realized there were no through road to Kg Melayu Dapur Arang, one of our destination today.

Passing the helm to Paul, he led us to Jalan Jelutong 1 with one hand on the handlebar and the other on Google Maps! This narrow road runs parallel to the perimeter fence of a construction site. On the other side of the road are old rubber trees, overgrown with shrubs.

We rode along this straight road which led us up a shady slope. At the end of the road, we turned left at a tiny T-junction with a signage, Jalan Damai. Immediately after this, we started on a 50 m dirt road, filled with rocks and pot holes. Then, we entered Kg Melayu Gelang Patah.

We were merely passing through the kampung. We spotted a school, some wooden shops and then, we crossed a monsoon drain. Here on, Paul told us we were already in the heart of Gelang Patah!

Passing by what looked like new village homes, a Briggs' plan to segregate the predominantly Chinese villagers from the communist party during the Malayan Emergency, Paul led us to Kg Melayu Dapur Arang. It was fascinating to see our first 2 kilns right at the edge of Gelang Patah! Even the road had to wind itself around the kilns, a clear oversight on the town planner!

Crossing the bridge and riding alongside the river with the mangrove swamp, the landscape was dotted with charcoal kilns. We stopped to chat with a lady at work who was filling up a lorry with bags of charcoal. She confirmed there are more kilns around the area but sadly some of hers' were no longer in use.

Government quarters at FRI

Heading out of Gelang Patah, we passed the market place, then circled the bus station. Heading towards Pendas, we did a short detour to the Fishery Research Institute (FRI). 

Riding out, a private taxi from Mersing stopped us for directions to Puteri Harbour Ferry Terminal. His Indonesian passenger was bound for Karimon Island but our taxi man had assumed FRI stood for FERI in malay!!!!!

Setting his directions right, we finally headed for Kg Simpang Arang. The road in was just as interesting as the kampung itself. We cut through palm oil estates and a nursery. Then we rode under a railway bridge before arriving at the orang asli village. 

The natives with curly hair and unwashed faces greeted us with smiles and waves. Little children wandered on the street, many with bare bottoms! Even dogs were running wild!! Be careful where you step as there were excrement every where!!!

At what looked like the epicenter of the village, a queer red urn with jossticks and altar stood! Passing the village and just before the charcoal kilns was a small Chinese burial ground. This gives hindsight to the Chinese ethnicity.

The charcoal kiln we visited was right at the river banks. Beyond was a mangrove swamp that provides wood to the kilns. A few wooden jetties with small sampans dotted the river scenes.

At the charcoal kiln, Pak Dollah explained to us that the wood for charcoal is smoked close to one month to remove all water content. After that a cooling down period of another month is required before the kiln can be opened to remove the charcoal.

Pak Dollah showing us the boat he repaired

Pak Dollah is a knowledgeable man telling us about the other kilns around the area. He even knows about the charcoal kilns in Taiping and the different methods applied. Hailing from Endau Rompin, he has been in this industry since 1967! He can even build boats!!!

We left the village feeling accomplished. Riding out, 2 squirrels crossed Claudine's path as if to say au revoir. We had had an educational tour, discovered new places and even made a new friend. It was a great morning spent with good friends that ended with a nice breakfast of seafood noodle at Restoran Xing Ho.

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Fun facts about the kilns :

1. There are several kilns in Kg Simpang Arang (KSA). The one we visited is owned by a Singaporean residing in JB. Next door, is another kiln owned by an orang asli with mixed Chinese parentage.

2. The logs at KSA are stacked horizontal; whereas the ones in Taiping are stacked vertical with each log measuring 1.6 meters.

3. While the fireplace in KSA are jutting out like an igloo entrance, the ones in Taiping are part of the doorway. The igloo types are easier to manage i.e. less risk of getting the wood in the kiln burnt.

4. The doorway of the kilns at KSA are semi circled at the top while the ones in Taiping are slightly triangular at the top, for ease of construction.

5. The kilns at KSA requires 1 month of smoking and another month of cooling down period whereas in Taiping, the process requires 10 days of big fire, 14 days of small fire and 8 days of cooling down period.

6. The kilns currently used for production at KSA are made out of bricks. Adjacent to it are 2 abandoned kilns made out of earth which takes longer to heat and longer to cool hence a longer period of time required before production is complete.

Kilns made from earth, abandoned

Boxing Day Ride with IRC (26 December 2016)

Malaysia meets Singapore

At the multipurpose hall in Kg Belokok

Pekan Nanas

At the palm oil estate dubbed "cow lane"

At the palm oil estate dubbed "cow lane"

Tg Piai

Tg Piai

Tg Piai

Tg Piai

Sacrificial goats thrown into a drain near a Hindu temple

This Boxing Day Ride was originally initiated when William from Singapore, suggested a meet up. However, the plans soon fell through when someone called in sick and it was impossible to determine a rendezvous for both groups. Thankfully, IRC decided on the go ahead and even took over as hosts for the ride!

On the morning of the ride, Claudine was cruising along Iskandar Coastal High, enroute to the meet up point when a pick up truck blared its horn and swerved to a stop on the road shoulder. It was none other than Desmond and Sai Kit. Getting a lift to Restaurant Amin, the mamak shop at Gelang Patah guarantees time for breakfast!

Everyone who were ready to ride off the "Christmas Turkey" turned up at Amin's. As we were still in a celebratory mood, we lagged at breakfast and flagged off later than usual.

Today, we opted to go via the scenic kampung route, passing by Kg Jelutong Tengah. At the start of the kampung, a few dogs snarled at the front riders. Sibyl's quick action to press on her siren frightened them off.

Following behind, Desmond had tougher luck today. He was chased by those dogs and later a cow on the "cow lane"!!! He was even bitten by a bee on the way to Tg Piai!!!

The first stop at Pekan Nanas' Shell was easy. Getting to our next stop at the multipurpose hall in Kg Belokok became a struggle though. We had a tough time fighting the winds. Resorting to ride in a peloton, Sai Kit, Henry, Sibyl and Claudine worked together to pull each other on the "10 km flats" strava segment. The final 1 km though sees everyone breaking away in a sprint!

Riding on Jalan Pontian-Kukup towards the turning to Tg Piai, riders huddled close to each other to reduce wind resistant. Sai Kit led most of the way while Desmond, Henry, Sibyl and Claudine drafted behind. When Sai Kit stopped, Claudine who did not focus for a mere second almost collided with Sibyl. She managed to swerve, avoiding her rear tyre by inches!

It appears Sai Kit and Desmond were taking turns to lead and sweep today. While Desmond took over the helm entering Tg Piai, Sai Kit waited for the approaching group who were slowed down by their thick mtb tyres. Besides, they were not riding together hence the extra effort on each individual.

At Tg Piai, we had a long wait for Nick. He did not make the right turn at the mosque but rode ahead and away from the national park. Hun's call to him went unheard and thus someone else, possibly Joshua, had to chase after him.

Midway out of Tg Piai, Sibyl who had earlier munched on a banana, courtesy of Henry was still calling out hungry. Thus, we decided on a stop for nasi lemak and mee soto in Kampung Serkat. The food was not fantastically delicious but neither was it bad. It does beat the long wait time for Nasi Goreng Ketam, a JEC favorite at the jetty.

Refueled, we rode on to Kukup and were pleasantly surprised when we saw William and his Singapore team approaching. In fact, we had observed them making an earlier wrong turn to the private car park before arriving at the shop area.

It was so nice to meet new friends especially Joyce, Jac and a few other ladies, some of them appearing to be in their golden age. It was amazing to see their fighting spirits, riding on roadbikes and on such long distances. These ladies clearly hold the torch for all women out there!

It was sad to say goodbye to people we could easily connect with. Sadly we had to leave and head back.

Riding back, the wind seemed stronger. We could feel our bikes swaying at the palm oil estate with the grazing cows. Even the trees could not break the wind for us!

Back on the multipurpose hall of Kg Belokok, we were so happy to see Christina. She was such a darling, driving all the way from the city to offer a lift to those who were beaten. But none gave up the fight!

By this time, most of the riders had finished their water supply and were roaring to reach Pekan Nanas for some fruit juice. Jumping on the "10 km flats" strava segment again, Henry and Sibyl were taking turns to break the wind. Claudine tried a few short runs but enjoyed drafting more!

Meanwhile, Nick who was waited upon at all the turns inside the palm oil estate was soon left behind on this straight route. Having the occasional crosswinds are so different from the constant headwinds. He was taking longer and longer to catch up. When he did not appear for the longest time at the T-junction to Pekan Nanas, the trio left it to Sai Kit to pick him up.

Pushing off at the junction, one car avoiding a police block made a U-turn at high speed very close to Henry. It was a good thing he was just picking up speed and could see what was coming, hence avoiding a head on collision! Sadly, the policemen did not give chase.

The drink stop at Pekan Nanas was brief for the trio. While Claudine was willing to stay on, Henry and Sibyl were all ready to head home. Nick's enthusiasm to finish his first 100 km, rolled out with them. He was totally unperturbed about being left behind.

Saying goodbye to the team, the lead group left Pekan Nanas. There were no doubts that everyone will complete today's 100 km ride, with experience or not! 

....And everyone did!!! While Henry and Sibyl escorted Claudine to SILC, before she was left to ride home on her own, the rests added a few more extra rounds around base to guarantee the desired 100 clicks.

It seems gossips travel fast on a windy day. On his way home after finishing his Rapha 500 challenge to Batu Pahat, Andy picked up on our visiting friends. He quickly flicked out his phone camera to capture our ladies, forever digitalized in the Hall of Fame!


Photo Credits :
1. Sibyl Tate
2. SK Lai

Long Ride Home, Christmas Eve (Friendship Ride) - 24 December 2016

Kota Iskandar

With our Singapore friends at Chef Prata

Based on the story of "The tortoise and the hare", the tortoises were first to arrive!

Kg Sg Melayu

Kg Sg Melayu

Kg Sg Melayu

Kg Sg Melayu

In the spirit of Christmas, wear something red, green or gold!

Marlborough College

Marlborough College

Puteri Harbour, note the reindeers!!!

When the ladies posed, cameras started clicking!

An obsession with the crown!

The street outside Chef Prata, Bukit Indah was abuzzed as early as 7.00 am. Even though the stated meet up time was 7.30 am and roll out was 8.00 am, many Johoreans were already there, early....having breakfast, chatting up their friends or setting up their bikes. The "Malaysian Time", a popular quip to describe how we are always late for everything doesn't hold true today. Instead, we appeared the graceful hosts, eager to meet and greet our neighbours!

Arriving at first light, Sibyl even had spare time to take a snooze. Waking up later in a groggy state, she must have clumsily cut her finger while setting up her bike.

The idiom, The Early Bird Catches the Worm cannot be more true today. The hungry ones arrived early for a seating to avoid long queues. While VT, Claudine and Thomas reached Chef Prata timely to get hold of their menu, Sai Kit and his gang sauntered to the corner coffee shop for some real Chinese fare.

It was almost 8.00 am when Philip and his entourage "almost arrived" at Chef Prata. They were held back in indecisiveness 50 meters away when their fellow comrade fell over a bump and injured herself. In pain, she requested to abort her ride and return to Pariss Hotel.

While some crew stayed with her by the roadside, Philip rode over to report on their status. In order to counter everyone's dilemma, Sai Kit offered to ferry her back but the resourceful crew had by then called a Grab Taxi and arranged her ride back.

At that point, another team were just arriving from Singapore! Since they had not had breakfast, Team Johor decided to take a warm up ride to Columbia Asia Hospital and back.

Returning to Chef Prata after a good pump on the pedals, Team Singapore were just about to finish their breakie. We took the customary group photo with our new friends before heading out.

It took awhile for our fellow friends to push off. Leading the ride at 8 kph, it was presumed that the 2 traffic lights stops at Bukit Indah will allow time for them to catch up but somehow they did not! It was then, left to VT to direct them.

On Nusa Idaman, everyone started to pick up speed. At the T-junction to Jalan Ceria, Claudine and Kai Weng stopped to direct riders. However, the likes of Sibyl, Desmond, Kim Hai, Jolin, Chiam, Regis and a few more raced ahead, spurred by Ivan and his Singapore friends who were tailing behind.

While Sai Kit stopped to take photos, Desmond rode ahead to the newly paved road at Horizon Hills. This section is not opened to public use but was our intended route. Strangely, Desmond directed the lead team to turn right to Nusa Sentral while asking everyone else who came later, to go through the barriers. This caused a lot of confusion later on!

The rest of the back riders met Kim Hai and Regis who both stood as markers to direct riders along the way. Passing Regis, Claudine was asked to guide Chew and Nick who had never come by this way. Together, the three reached Kg Sg Melayu expecting to see a large crowd but were clearly perplexed with the lukewarm reception.

Sibyl asking for directions

Team "Lost"

It was then that phones started to ring! The lead team had gone into Nusa Sentral upon Desmond's direction. Everyone had followed thinking the other person knows the way. It was a case of herd mentality!

In all eventualities, we all managed to regroup at Puteri Harbour but that was before some little dramas of tyre puncture, a doctor having to leave the party to attend to his own neck pain and a tour of the kampung's burial grounds.

There was a real threat of rain this morning. Time was also running out for Team Singapore as some of them needed to check out of Pariss Hotel. The route was improvised with a photo call at Kota Iskandar and Mahkota Park before we all said Au Revoir! While the day did not go as smoothly as planned, we can only say some others made long lasting friendship that will sail smoothly into eternity!!!

Photo Credits :

Jolin

Philip Sim

Long Ride Home, Christmas Eve Album