Redefining team spirit with JEC at Kukup (6 March 2016)

Leaving Kukup

The team in high spirits

If you are invited to an event ride set by JEC and the words "Leisurely Ride" is splashed across the event page, then most likely you have been vetted through and probably made the cut. However, try barging into rides that clearly omitted the key words and you'd better have a good back up plan!!!!

So, when Claudine joined in the Leisurely Ride to Kukup, she found herself enjoying a ride drafting behind JEC members. Riding in a peloton, pulled by the lead rider, blocked from headwinds, sandwiched cosily between riders is a most pleasant experience. She felt almost like a trusting newborn baby, carried by the loving parents, feeling contented, secure and safe!

Today's ride was rather uneventful. We left Horizon Hills at 7.15 am sharp. We cruised along the Iskandar Coastal Highway, turned off to Lebuh Kota Iskandar, took the 12 o'clock at the Eco Botanics roundabout and started climbing over the flyover. As usual, everyone overtook Claudine!!!

At the cross junction to Jalan Ulu Choh, we turned right. Then, we took a left turn to Kg Ulu Pulai, near the Eco World development. At Uncle Lim's durian farm, the whiff of durian is significantly obvious. Looks like the season of the smelly fruit and the return of the blue bottle flies are back!

Beautiful day with overcast clouds

We took a short break at Pekan Nanas' Shell station before heading out again. At the strava segment of 10km flats, everyone's horn grew. Khan instigated everyone on the "Flats". Agnes, overtook Leo! Claudine called out for Leo to take the ride one notch faster.

We started pumping the pedals. We rode in line. However, 5 km later, Claudine started to feel the strain. She saw the road marker and gave up on the chase.

Falling back, Khan pushed her to keep up but her spirits were weak. She slowed down to a comfortable pace while watching Leo and Agnes wither into small figures. Meanwhile, Khan who was sweeping from behind got restless after a kilometer or two. He decided to pull Claudine in the ride to close the gaps with the front riders. Having caught her breath, she followed closely to the chequered flag!

At the finish line, we took another brief water break before riding out again. This time, Leo led the team through Teluk Kerang. This road runs parallel to a canal overgrown with purple lilies!

We rode for a good distance, enjoying God's beauty before reaching the T-junction. Here we turned left to Jalan Kukup. Once we hit the main road, the smell of the sea was evident. We were near but still a good 10 km away!!!

We passed the small village of Penerok, before coming upon Kukup Golf Resort. We laboured past the resort and Ayer Masin, and the countdown on road markers begins!

5 km more....the stomach starts to growl!!!

4 km more....the mind play food tricks!!!

3 km more....chicken rice!!!

2 km more....roast pork!!!

1 km more....food, food, food!!!

0km marker was the most welcoming sign today!!! We cruised into the small town and our dear captain was not forgetting our vegetarian friend, Khan. The most diplomatic choice was the corner mamak shop. After all, who can say no to Malaysian's favourite....the roti canai???

We had a good refuel before heading back again. The same route to Teluk Kerang passes many public schools. All were in session on a Sunday since the Sultan of Johor reverted the weekends back to Fridays and Saturdays to allow Muslims more time to worship on the holiest day of the week.

We passed by the numerous chicken farms enroute to Pekan Nanas.

We took a final break in Pekan Nanas at our favourite juice stall before heading home. Riding through the traffic lights just after the Shell petrol station, Agnes and Khan were stalled by the red lights. In true team spirit, Leo and Claudine stopped at the road shoulder to wait for their arrival. After that, we rode home in a peloton, only separated briefly when we tackled the headwinds on our climb over the flyover.