1WP Konvoy Berbasikal 2018 (24 February 2018)

Saying, "Kongsi! Kongsi!" at Malaysia Tourism Center

At the starting point

Karen with friends

Fabulous KL folks

Participants queuing before flag off

Flagging off

Breakfast at Kak Som

At KL Tower

Testing out the city's bike lanes

Art students taking a rest from their mural project

Peanut at the River of Life

Scenes from Petaling Street

Peanut and Crushed Hopes at the train station

Here comes the train!

At twilight, DBKL was already choking with human traffic. Not the usual mad rush to settle the half yearly assessment which is due in a few days time but a bunch of cycling enthusiasts eager to participate in the 1WP Konvoy Berbasikal.

Well supported by the cycling community, this event offers a great opportunity to ride around the capital city, on roads that are usually congested with traffic. Today though, designated roads are either fully blocked or made car free on selected lanes. Besides with DBKL officers, paramedics on wheels, event managers and police escorts out on full force, the next best thing to do is to let the hair down and enjoy the ride!

Back at suburbia, Freda, VT and Claudine met at Subang Jaya’s LRT station promptly at the pre arranged time of 6.15 am. It was really nice of Freda to take the lead as the other 2 had never taken the LRT before! They left KL when KTM commuter were the only trains chugging from Port Klang to Sg Buloh and Touch N Go has yet to relieve the long queue at ticket counters.

Arriving at Central Market, they met Siew Choo, May, Sharon and Chan Chee outside Texas Chicken before proceeding to Dataran DBKL. Feeling giddy with excitement, Claudine was knocked disorientated by the dark shadows of dawn before realizing she was walking through the al fresco walkway of the Market itself.

Approaching the venue, it was fascinating to see the full force of the event. One end of the blocked road was dedicated to a car and motorcycle road show while the other end was packed with cyclists. Clowns on neon lighted bikes and walking stilts were out parading as well!!!

The short 20 km ride took us through KL’s major arteries. While some roads were completely blocked for the event, some other lanes were cordoned off for cyclists with cars still plying the fast lanes. Here and there, brazen motorcyclists with little respect for the law slipped past traffic police right under their nose!!!

Peanut with a backdrop of KLCC

Parliament House

National Museum

KTMB

KTMB

KTMB

Overall, it was a fantastic way to visit KL as the route takes us past many iconic buildings. Shutterbugs took the opportunity to snap photos of Petronas Twin Towers, National Museum, KTMB’a mogul architecture, etc

After the ride, we went to Kak Som at Kampung Baru for a taste of authentic Kelantan cuisine. The spread was so huge, we had a hard time deciding what to eat. Sharon though gladly piled her plate with a little of everything!

Upon the team’s request, we rode on to Petronas Twin Towers, bumping into some friends at Malaysia’s Tourism Office along the way. Right after, we climbed the hillock to KL tower before heading to Petaling Street for their famous mata kucing drink.

Rich’s and Claudine’s stars must have crossed this morning, for both met as the group were making their way to Petaling Street. Traveling on foot with baby blue basins in one arm, he had struck a peculiar sight.

Meanwhile, our entourage had caught his attention when Shana fought with him for space. Both had attempted to pass through 2 bollards at the same time.

Rich smiling for the camera while Neoh shows an apprentice on how the job is done

When we finally stopped for regrouping along Jalan Tun HS Lee, Rich approached Claudine, enquiring about the day’s cycling event. This led to a stopover at Pit Stop Community Cafe, a soup kitchen set up to feed the destitute.

Immaculately clean dining area

Spotless kitchen

It was a humbling experience meeting the volunteers who tinkered away tirelessly to provide food for the less fortunate people. Unlike the standard coffee shops, Pit Stop is spotlessly clean. Opening its doors once a day from 5.30 pm it dishes out comfort food continuously until the pot runs out. Not wanting to take up too much of their time, Claudine and VT left, promising to return with some help in the near future.

Thumbs up to mata kucing

Riding out again, they bumped into the final few riders from this morning’s group. Sharon, Simon and Mindy immediately took the duo under their wings, bringing them to Petaling Street for the promised mata kucing drinks.

It was heartwarming to see Sharon being so at home around the area. Bumping into friends along the street, she made quick exchanges and waved to familiar stall owners who seemed to know her well. Like a big sister, she gave everyone a treat on the sweet desserts which literally isn’t cat’s eyes but dried longans brewed with monk fruit and rock sugar.

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Find out more about Pitstop by clicking on this link below :

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nst.com.my/node/291333/amp

Second Lou Hei Ride - 88.8 km (18 February 2018)

At Kukup

Resting at Pontian

At the 10km flats Strava segment

Road to Pontian

Arriving in Pontian

Arriving in Pontian

Traditionally, third day of Chinese New Year is set apart as a day to pay respects to the dead. As such, it is considered an ominous day and customary to stay at home. Some superstitions went on to forbid house cleaning, fire making and so on as well!

As non believers living in the current age of science and technology, we took advantage of the holiday to burn the excess calories consumed over the past few days. What more, the “Quack” amongst us revered the day, 18 February 2018 as an auspicious one, considering the sequence of the numerics 1 and 8 which denotes to prosper daily!

Coincidentally, our group of 8 riders started rolling out at 8 am this morning! We took the scenic kampung route, passing by the malay cemetery, the madrasah and the national school. Rolling across the narrow bridge that traverse the river, the tide was low, exposing a dirty river bed.

Once out of the kampung, we join the trunk road to Pekan Nanas. Catching up with VT as we were approaching Unc Lim’s durian farm, everyone’s speed dropped to an all time low, as we trailed after him respectfully. He had taken a head start earlier, knowing there is no way a 15 kg touring bike can ever outrun the roadies!

Arriving at Pekan Nanas, we skipped our usual Shell station but pushed on to Kampung Belokok. At their multi-purpose hall, we allowed a 10 minute grace for regrouping before pushing on again.

As we turned into the “cow lane”, we bumped into many cows left to graze by the side of the canal. Some of them were startled to see us BUT we were more afraid they will charge at us!

A little down the road, we met a group of young girls foraging for wild fern by the water edge. The young shoots are a delicacy, usually eaten raw with sambal belacan or sometimes stir fried with chilies.

As we ventured further down the narrow village road, another interesting sight entails. A group of older adults were crouched by the ditch to catch catfish! While 2 of the men were in knee deep water, the rest were just too happy to stay dry!

This morning, Paul was the designated lead rider to which he delegated the job to Hong Yun every now and then. Meanwhile, Hong Yun had taken Claudine’s caution a lot further than necessary. Instead of asking for his parent’s permission to ride with us, he had brought his whole family out with dad acting as photographer and support crew!!!

Out of the “cow lane”, we joined the main road to Kukup. With 5 km more to our next stop, we were only too happy to rev up the speed drafting behind Hong Yun. Some others though preferred a more leisurely ride as we were all not hungry but thirsty only.

Leaving our "Bollywood superstar" after a quick drink and banter, we headed for Pontian as we realized the short cut via the cow lane was not enough to clock the desired 88.8 km. As we rode down the noisy trunk road, Claudine began to realize why she had always preferred the quiet tranquility of the “cow lane”.

Traffic was high with the occasional heavy vehicles screaming past us. The asphalts on the road was almost stripped bare giving us a bone rattling time! With little greeneries to offer a cool respite, we were literally fried by the sun!

Close to the crossroads for JB and Pekan Nanas, we made another regrouping point by a bus stop. By this time, Alwin had downed 2 packets of power gel and sprayed muscle relaxant on his thigh. Yet, we could only admire his silent determination to finish the ride.

As we pushed on again, we bumped into 4 cyclists at the traffic lights ahead. Supposedly from WaCycles, they were powerful riders clocking 136 km today at a whopping average speed of 36 kph!

After a quick exchange, we went our separate ways as they headed to Pontian Kechil for a quick meal while we rushed for a rendezvous with VT at Pekan Nanas’ Petron. Having rode from home, he had easily belted the desired mileage and chose to take a more scenic route instead!

Pekan Nanas came soon enough but not before Hong Yun’s activity tracker flipped 88.8 km right before town. As Paul and Claudine had started their Strava from home, they were the nexts to capture the lucky numbers. Their luck turned right after they pushed off from Petron.

Indeed, it was a lucky day as nobody got hurt as we were approaching the major traffic lights after Shell. We were riding closely, on a single file when a bus came whizzing past. The irate bus driver had honked at us, perhaps to forewarn his impending approach.

Startled by the loud noise, Hong Yun turned to check. Little did he realize, Alwin had slowed down his speed to allow the bus to squeeze past!

It was an excellent reflex on Hong Yun’s side. As soon as he returned his gaze to the front, he jammed his brakes. It was enough to reduce the impact on Alwin’s rear wheel which in turn, allowed him to hold his ground.

The knock, however light had disengaged Hong Yun’s right shoe. Taking advantage of his freed leg, he swung it over while disengaging his left feet at same time. He literally jumped off his bike in a matter of seconds!!!

Watching everything as it happened, Claudine was screaming SHIT in her brain! Jamming her brakes and disengaging her left feet at the same time, she was expecting the worst as her front wheel went over the fallen bike. Grappling to get back the center of gravity while balancing bike and body on a moving wheel, she was amazed she qualified for the circus minus the grace!!!

Relieved, we rode on to the scenic kampung route without Paul, who had gone missing in search for water after feeling overheated. When we came into contact with him again, he gave us the go ahead while he opted to return via the main trunk road.

Speed does not matter as Hong Yun circled Taman Nusantara to clock the 88.8km mileage!

Arriving at Amin’s, it wasn’t the end of the road for Sibyl, Hong Yun, Philip, Alwin and Stanley. They had a few more to clicks to go for the 88.8 km chase. Watching them from the comfort of the mamak shop, VT and Claudine cheered as one by one, they returned after a successful score!

Huat Huat.Huat!!!! May the Year of the Dog brings us good health and lasting prosperity!!!

Huat Huat.Huat!!!

Photo Credits :

1. Hong Yun

2. Alwin

3. Stanley

4. Sibyl 

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EPILOGUE :

Not a gambler but ....

Exactly one week after the ride!!!

 

Lou Hei Ride 88.8 km with Uncle KC (13 February 2018)

The team at Pontian

Rolling out on Iskandar Coastal Highway

A bowl of cendol to cool down the body

 

Cold drinks at Auntie's Fruit Stall in Pekan Nanas

The idea of capturing 88.8 km on Strava or any activity trackers was first introduced to Claudine in 2017. Back then, Philip had initiated this drive which received good response from his buddies. It was a fun idea to usher in the Chinese New Year and tops all virtual challenges as it is really not easy to capture this desired number. One has to be consciously alert to stop the meter at the right moment!

Hoping to recapture these auspicious numbers to usher in the Year of the Dog, we embarked on our first Lou Hei Ride today. Armed with the best excuse...to escort Uncle KC on his pilgrimage to Melaka, we moved our schedules to cash in on these lucky numbers!

Meeting at Restoran Jia Qin at Taman Perling, we rode out on a bright and cloudless morning. As it was a working day, cars were screaming past us, all the way to Gelang Patah. Traffic only quietened down a wee bit along the old trunk road to Pekan Nanas.

Uncle KC's score of the day!

As Uncle KC had come all the way from Singapore, he clocked his auspicious numbers way before us. Determined to cash in on the lucky digits, he slowed to a crawl as we were approaching Uncle Lim’s durian farm. Giving us the go ahead, he soon caught up with us again at Pekan Nanas’ Shell station, beaming from ear to ear!

Continuing on to Pontian, the next 20 km ride was dull and flat with no interesting sights. Thankfully, Uncle KC was always ready to break the monotony, taking our photos and striking small chats with us.

At Pontian, Uncle KC brought us to an eatery that was supposed to serve specialty fish balls but NOT! Either mistaken or the stall has since moved, we found the noodles to be better than expected!

Brotherhood of the clan...this cendol shop claims close relations to the one from Taiping!

Ban Chan Kueh from the stall nextdoor

Once done with our meals, we broke all imaginable traffic rules to get to the famous cendol in Pontian. Unfazed by oncoming cars, Uncle KC led us on one way streets; going against traffic, all because he thought the way via the fish market was more interesting! Surprisingly, motorists in Pontian are very tolerant and forgiving.

Too excited for cendol, Claudine fell meters away from the stall. Her wheel went into the metal gratings!

Our thirsts quenched, we bid Uncle KC a safe journey ahead before heading back ourselves. Midway home, we stopped for a drink at Pekan Nanas’ fruit shop on a pretext to send our well wishes to sweet Auntie as well.

It was already mid day when we hit the saddles again. Adamant to get out of the sun as much as possible, Susanna voted to return via the scenic kampung route despite Claudine’s counsel.

The scenic route is, BUT a longer and more treacherous one. The hills are steep!!!

Arriving at the kampung, we tackled the first slope easily...

Rolling down the second slope, everyone took advantage of the momentum to propel themselves us up the third slope. Yet, it was not enough to reach the top! This was a long climb which winded everyone!!!

Turning her back to check on the others, Claudine spotted Susanna climbing with Colin behind her. Almost at the peak, VT overtook her before both rolled out of the kampung together.

Expecting to see the rest following closely behind, the duo were surprised there were no signs of them. Too tired to climb back up in search of them, they hand signaled a pakcik in a kancil who assured them their friends were on the way.....slooooooooowly!

As the wait prolonged, they hand signaled a makcik on a motorbike instead. She told them one of their friends were playing with the handphone!!!

Finally, they came; descending the hill slowly. Reunited, we rode on to Amin’s where Susanna decided to take a rest. As it was a working day for Colin, we sent him packing off first before settling down with our orders.

Huat Ahhhhh!!!

The last leg was easy especially after a cold drink at Amin’s. Arriving at Pan Kobo’s Horizon Hills, Claudine’s Strava finally clocked the desired 88.8km.

Looks like only Uncle KC and herself managed to capture this auspicious number today as Colin had forgotten the purpose of the ride altogether, arriving home at 103 km! As for Susanna, her Strava had gone haywired after Pekan Nanas. She flew as the crow flies all the way to Pontian!!!