Training for FSTR - Johor Bahru to Batu Pahat (30 April 2016)

The team at the scenic kampung route

All smiles at the start of the journey

Tackling some hills at the scenic kampung route

Stopping at the long lines of traffic lights in Pontian

Pontian

Zoe led us on certain segments!

Enjoying Arabian dates in Kampung Bagan Laut

Farm vehicles at Kampung Bagan Laut

Thumbs down to "2 plus 3" hills

There's definitely more than "2 plus 3" hills!!!

Our legendary rider, KC

Pre-dinner snacks are most welcomed!

Lapierre Shaper 100

Focus touring bike with gates carbon drive.

Greasy Char Kueh Tiau

Crsipy Bihun

Braised pig trotters

Pig trotters in pepper soup

When our LTF chief mooted the last leg of his South Thailand Ride, VT and Claudine were shocked! Part of the ride involves a 3X century ride back to back!!! Fearing for the worst, they decided to simulate the event as best as they could. Thus, the ride to Batu Pahat was hatched!

The Singapore folks had it the worst! KC and George met as early as 6.30 am at the Kranji MRT station. They rode together in the darkness to the Woodlands CIQ, passed through both countries' immigration before arriving at Tong Nam coffee shop in Bukit Indah. VT and Claudine were halfway through their char kueh tiau and crispy bihun when they rolled in.

Having clocked at least 30 km, KC was ravenous. He polished a plate of greasy CKT.

George on the other hand, was suffering from indigestion. He had gotten up at 3.30 am to potter around the house, probably assisted by Boss! The early rise must have awaken something unpleasant in him. Thankfully though, George managed to force down a plain Chee Cheong Fun.

Zoe was late! She had rode out halfway only to realize she had forgotten her arm sleeves. Returning home, she had to wake Francis and Iris in her frantic search for them. No way was she embarking on a century ride in this burning hot weather without them.

We finally flagged off around 8.30 am. Our odd assembly of mtb, touring bike, hybrid and foldies made it to Amin's mamak shop in Gelang Patah before we were forced to make an unplanned stop. Claudine's rear mud guard had lost a screw and was rattling away throughout the journey.

While the girls took the opportunity to use the toilets, KC lighted up a cigarette while George grabbed a takeaway teh tarik. Slosh! Slosh! His teh tarik swung in the bag as he rode through the scenic kampung route all the way to Pekan Nanas.

At Pekan Nanas, we had a pre-conceived plan to eat pig trotters! It seems the Singaporeans are more honed to the good food in Malaysia than the Malaysians themselves! George led us to a shabby coffee shop by a canal. He ordered pig trotters in pepper soup and braised pig trotters for us.

We rested a bit too much before riding out again. Heading for Pontian, the mid-morning sun shone relentlessly on us. There was not a speck of cloud in the sky. The fat pig and pepper was also combusting inside us!

Somewhere between Pekan Nanas and Pontian, we passed by a temple. Looking in VT and Claudine saw a few incense paper twirling in circles blown by the wind! Jiminy Cricket!!!! Is that a ghost or a holy spirit???? Not eager to find out, they took off as fast as they could!

We passed by some stalls by the streets. Bags of live freshwater fish were sold from large plastic bags. These are hardy "Ikan Haruan" that are known to promote cell reconstruction thus sought after for wound recovery especially after surgeries.

Arriving in Pontian, we waited for George outside a traditional Chinese home just before the traffic lights. It was reminiscent of homes built in the 1950's. Wooden houses with a door in the center, 2 side windows and curtains that only offered shades to the bottom half! It was how every pre-school kid was taught to draw houses!!

When George finally arrived, we made the right turn at the traffic lights, heading for Batu Pahat. But first, we made yet another stop at the Shell station to refuel.

Claudine was getting worried. A check on Strava shows that they have only done 43 km! On normal days with roadbikes, they were already on their way home by now, having clocked at least 70 km.

We hit the road again, passing through Pontian Kecil's many traffic lights....

We rolled over many bridges that transversed rivers filled with quaint fishing boats....

Where the road runs parallel to the sea, we craned our neck to check out the seaview!

We saw prawns and fishes being sun-dried by the roadside...

Soon, we hit quieter roads decked with bougainvillea flowers. The municipal council of Pontian had done a good job in beautifying the town.

Even as we hit the Pontian district, there were proper lanes dedicated to motorcycles only. This gives us a safe passage but not an obstacle free passage! There were a lot of weddings today and thus there were a lot of cars parked by the roadside.

We were also facing some strong headwinds. KC took over to pull us from here on. He piqued our interest with the words, "Best Coconut Shake!" That got us rolling faster for awhile.

However, when we finally got there, the stall was closed. In fact, many stalls were closed along the way! Possibly, the whole village shut down to attend the many "kenduri's" held that day!

Coming to Ayer Baloi, we were getting thirsty again. We first spotted a sugar cane stall, then a coconut stall. Stopping right in front of the coconut stall, our malay lady was beaming a wide smile but her face fell flat when we made a beeline to a food shop bustling with people just meters away!

Restoran Mana Lagi serves authentic Malay fare. They draw in a good combination of Malay and Chinese customers. All dined together in harmony, true to the malay word, "Muhibbah".

Zoe had rojak which was not too pleasing. A mixed combo of noodles, tempe and pasembor ingredients, it was too sweet for Claudine.

VT though hit a score with a combination of fried chicken, salted fish, sambal belacan and kambing gravy. KC went for assam pedas which he claims was just right!

After lunch, we hit the road again. We didn't venture far before we made another stop at yet, another Shell petrol station. Most of us were still suffering from a warm burning sensation, thanks to all the chilies consumed at lunch. VT though, came out from the Select store with Kit Kats in hand. He insisted that George had some since he only ate a banana for lunch!

George was not in form today. He was not feeding well and was constantly plagued with cramps. He was lagging behind all the time. Even the old wives' remedy of consuming pig trotters to strengthen one's leg was not helping.

Soon, we said goodbye to Pontian district and crossed over to Batu Pahat. With that, we left behind the road decked with bougainvillea flowers and motorcycle lanes.

This time, we crossed quite a number of small streams, possibly canals. We made a regrouping point at a corner shop in Kampung Bagan Laut. Zoe's sharp eye spotted Arabian dates for sale, signifying the fasting month is fast approaching. We took the dates which works as a natural power gel.

The dates boosted our energy levels. KC gunned his turbo engine and sped ahead. Claudine drafted quickly behind him. They whizzed past Rengit town.

After a good 10 km distance, Claudine realized no one else's were following behind. Worried, she called out to KC for regrouping. They made a preliminary stop by a junction before moving on to a nearby Shell station in Punggor. This station has super clean toilets with OCD staffs. They clean the toilets and wipe the 5 foot way after every use!

Talking to the friendly staffs, Claudine was getting dispirited. Batu Pahat was another 28km away! KC also took the wrong timing to drop the bombshell! His exact words, "2 to 3 rolling hills coming to Batu Pahat!"

It was already 4 pm. The weather was still a scorcher! George's weather report on scattered thunderstorms was proving wrong!

Exhausted we pushed on. The heat was climaxing from hot, hotter, hottest!!! Again KC led the way, while Claudine latched on for an easier ride. Again, Claudine called out for a pitstop when she spotted a decent bus stop.

The road marker stated 113 km to Melaka. While Zoe and Claudine were playfully calling out the count down to Muar and Melaka earlier, they totally shut up by now. They will be just too happy if they made it to Batu Pahat!

KC lit a cigarette and doused some 'fire' by the bushes. George wanted to take a 5 minute nap. Zoe and VT were speculating on the impending rolling hills! Claudine's butt bones were screaming out in pain!!

Finally, we made the final push.

We climbed! Zoe counted, "1....."

We climbed!! Zoe counted, "2....."

We climbed!!! Zoe counted, "3....."

She exclaimed, "No more hills!!!!"

And yet, we climbed, and climbed, and climbed!!!

"Perhaps, 2 plus 3 hills???" Zoe laughed.

It was definitely more than 2 plus 3 hills.....

We knew Batu Pahat was near when we spotted Banang Golf Resort!

We passed by the towering hill of buried dead bodies, a Chinese cemetery with the best fung shui in town. Next to it was a smaller knoll of fallen muslims.

We passed by the Batu Pahat high school with its majestic arch!

Rolling through all these sights, we were chased by dark rain clouds, howling winds and booming thunder. While a shower is most welcomed earlier, we did not want to get drenched so near to Batu Pahat.

Traffic coming into town was congested. Long weekend, rush hour jam and oncoming rain culminated into a traffic snarl. Buses were eating onto the emergency lanes, pushing all two wheelers off road!

We persisted and snaked our way through. Every movement has to be premeditated. It reminded Claudine of Joseph Gordon Levitt in Premium Rush, dodging speeding cars, evading crazy taxi drivers....

The sight of Crystal Inn was almost like seeing Nirvana! We were euphoric!!!

Thankfully, Francis and Iris had checked in for us. They met us at the lobby as soon as we arrived, passing us our room keys! We did not have to go through the lengthy check in procedures.

While we were ecstatic we arrived without getting wet, George's 5 minutes of nap time costs him a wet shoe the next day! He suffered the full brunt of the storm!!

Our plan to enjoy some local hawker fare by the river was foiled when Syed the front desk officer came back to inform us there were no taxis at that hour. He found us some umbrellas so we could walk to a nearby restaurant recommended by George.

Restaurant Chor serves good "Chu Char" at affordable prices. They are famous for their steamed pomfret but we wisely steered away from the pricey dish. Instead we sensibly ordered a hearty meal of pork chops, 3 treasures steamed egg, fried chicken, sweet tapioca leaves and braised tofu.

After all, we had gobbled down some take away fried oysters just outside Crystal Inn, thanks to Francis' pampering!!!