Pontian Explorer ( 28 February 2016 )

Kevin and Claudine, looking cool...

Khan, trying to figure out a GoPro

Khan trying out "The Rock's" look

When bored...do a wefie!

Somewhere in Pontian

All riders convened at Khass promptly on the morning of the ride. All, except Claudine who did not want to ride out alone in the dark. As arranged, Claudine received a call from Khan when the team started to roll. On that cue, she left home and rode to the butterfly interchange. There she waited to intercept the riders.

Quoting Henry Van Dyke, "Time is too slow for those who wait", she restlessly strained her eyes to the oncoming traffic. Before long, she spotted them....only 2 riders??? Where's the rest??? When the silhouettes became a larger form, she observed the physics. Thin man in black jersey could only be Leo. The other larger looming figure can only be Khan...but when did Khan become so huge?? Finally, the visions came closer and she realized it was a mistaken identity!

Waving her support to the riders, the waiting resumed. After awhile, the convoy arrived in a beautiful line. It was easy to spot them as many were wearing the yellow and black Rapha jerseys. 

As they approached, Captain Leo gestured to Claudine to get in the peloton. Few greetings were exchanged. Khan rode up to chat. He assured Claudine the speed will be manageable today but she was not convinced. She knew this is just JEC's warming up speed. 

True to fact, once they turned off to Lebuh Kota Iskandar, everyone started to pump the pedals. Aaron flew right ahead but Captain Leo still held the helm. He led everyone through the Eco Botanics roundabout, shot straight ahead and then ... the climb over the flyover began!

Mash, mash, mash! Everyone climbed at their own pace. One by one, everyone overtook Claudine! When she reached the peak, she glided down with as much speed as she could muster to catch up with the rest. 

After the flyover, there were the other obstacles to overcome. Today, the traffic lights were not cooperative at all. They seemed to turn red every time. 

At the second red light, Sara had just unclipped her left pedal to make the stop when the lights decided to turn green again! She clipped back only to be stalled by the vehicle in front. Balancing motionless for a few seconds, she was finally pulled down by gravity!

Voon was quick to offer a hand but Sara with "bound feet" had to unclip before getting up. She suffered some light abrasions but it was her ego that suffered the most!

As a team, we waited for Sara to get back her composure. When she was ready, we rode to the cross junction with Jalan Ulu Choh. There, we turned right.

We rode in an orderly manner with the front riders using hand gestures to warn on holes, pedestrians and even dogs!!! Stray dogs on the streets can be a poser as we have heard too many stories of them chasing postmen, so why not riders?

We turned left at Kg Ulu Pulai, just before the colossal electro-transmission center at Eco World. We rode up to Uncle Lim durian farm and turned left. As we maneuvered the corner, everyone changed gears. "Clack! Clack! Clack!" It was almost a melodious rhythm to a rider's ear.

We rode to the cross junction and turned left at the traffic lights. Here, a nice lorry driver held up traffic for Claudine and Khan to catch up with the rest. They gave him a thumbs up for his chivalry!

Within minutes after the turn, we stopped at the Pekan Nanas' Shell petrol station. As it was just the first 23 km, everyone were in good spirits. Khan, though was caught yawning. The ride was probably not challenging enough! 

After a good 5 minutes break, we hit the road again.

We passed the Pekan Nanas town and its iconic pineapple...

We headed straight for Pontian...

Numerous times, Kevin rolled to the front to take the lead from Leo. They took turns pulling the group. Meanwhile, Khan and Voon took turns to sweep, all the time making sure the lady riders are sandwiched between the men. It was just a lull before a storm. When they hit the motorcycle lane, everyone sprinted gleefully!!!

We went on a slow cruise in Pontian. In respect of our vegan friends, we stopped at a Chinese vegetarian restaurant. Some of us had Nasi Lemak while the other half went for fried noodles with eggs. Sara though skipped breakfast!

Fueled by simple carbs, we rode again. This time, a long line of traffic lights on a relatively long and straight road slowed us down enough to appreciate Pontian as it is. 

We crossed 2 bridges. The first bridge intersects a much wider river with larger fishing boats. The second one transversed a smaller river and thus could only allow smaller boats to pass through. Before long, the road runs parallel to the open sea. Craning one's neck, one is rewarded with a view of the horizon and ships afar.

When we hit the intersection to Kayu Ara Pasong and Parit Sikom, Aaron the non-conformist had sped right through without making the right turn. He was too far to hear the shouts of the team! Leo had to chase after him. It was a long chase for Leo, and for us .... a loooooong wait.

Waiting at the road shoulder just after the junction without shades, we felt like lizards basking in the sun. Since non of us are lizards, we took cover under a shady tree in someone's open compound. 

Finally, Leo and Aaron returned. Aaron though apologetic was eager to speed again. But Zeus sent headwinds to deter him. He finally succumbed to ride in a peloton with us.

We rode pass a passion fruit farm ... The vines with overhanging fruits in the orchard appears like light bulbs on a bright sunny day!

We passed a few factories...

We passed 2 more streams...

And then it happens....Sara's X-files experience! She was unable to shift from the smaller chainring to the bigger one. Leo tried helping but failed.When we finally had a water break, the problem was fixed! Apparently, she did not press hard enough!!

After a relatively short break, we continued our ride. As promised, we were rewarded with a beautiful view of the valley below. A lone factory with fumes billowing out from its giant smoke stack is visible from afar. 

Then, the undulating hills began. It was a smooth roller coaster ride but one which needs pedal power reminiscent of the Flintstone days!

And then.... it happened to Claudine! It was now her turn not to be able to shift chainrings!!! She was stuck with the smaller one and that slowed her down tremendously.

Finally, everyone arrived at Pekan Nanas. A pre-victory toast of fruit juice was called for but not before a group photo was taken with the iconic pineapple. In good humour, we all smiled for the camera.

As Pekan Nanas was her turf and the return route is not an isolated road, Claudine asked everyone not to wait for her. She knew she will undoubtedly be slow. But Sara and Leo did not loose sight of her throughout the return ride.

Almost home, with the last menacing climb on the flyover, Khan and Kevin were waiting under the shades. Everyone took a breather except Claudine. She is extremely slow on hills and wanted a head start. Tired out and not used to long rides, she laboured up the slope. Halfway up, the tyrants all overtook her!!!

Claudine bid everyone goodbye at Horizon Hills' Southgate. It's been quite a ride and as she climbed up the slopes, a light mist of rain fell on her.... as if a blessing from Him!