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| Bicycles galore at Kukup |
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| Riders at Horizon Hills |
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| Impian Riding Club at Shell Pekan Nanas |
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| At the multipurpose hall at Kampung Belokok |
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| Enjoying breakfast at Kukup |
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| Enjoying breakfast at Kukup |
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| Enjoying breakfast at Kukup |
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| Enjoying breakfast at Kukup |
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| The stars of the day |
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| Our support car |
The sky was heavily shrouded by thick cottony clouds when we rolled out of Horizon Hills this morning. Andy led us out through the Southgate of Horizon Hills and onto the butterfly interchange. Thereafter, we cruised along the Iskandar Coastal Highway before taking the left exit for Pontian.
While, the faster group climbed up the flyover, Claudine decided to wait for the back riders. She waved everyone along. Where the road forks, she watched with bated breath as Anderson parked his Brompton in the middle of the highway, walked on foot to the speeding lane, bent over to retrieve a dropped water bottle!!! It was hard to will the parental instincts in her not to ground him for his stupid brazen act!
Exiting Iskandar Coastal Highway, we cruised along Lebuh Kota Iskandar, past the Eco Botanics roundabout and started our climb up another flyover that spanned the Second Link Highway. As everyone has different climbing speed, our group was widely spaced out. Thankfully, Andy allowed a short regrouping at the traffic lights just before SILC. Ronan, Kevin and Jun Yan who were late, caught up with us here.
When the lights did turn green, it took quite a while to stream 26 riders to the next intersection. Resulting from their chivalrous act, Claudine and VT were caught as the lights turned! They did what they could to catch up....by breaking some traffic laws!
Catching up with the group on the next lights, Claudine's bike started to make a clucking noise. Upon checking, VT found a 4 inch wire embedded in the front tyre. Not punctured through, the bike rolled the rest of the way without any further hiccups, merits to Schwalbe's Marathon Supreme!
Crossing the second traffic lights, Ronan's bike chain dropped. VT stopped to help the boy but they soon realized there was another issue at hand. The magnet for the speedometer, attached to his wheel spoke had fallen off. Together, they back tracked in search but that proved futile.
Meanwhile, as Yeo is still very new to riding, it was pre arranged for Chng TH and her to meet us at Taman Nusantara. While they met us promptly, VT and Ronan took quite awhile to arrive at the waiting entourage.
We went via the scenic kampung route, passing by the malay cemetery, the school and the madrasah. Then, we crossed the small stream that was decked with a few sampans. Where the kampung road intersects with the main trunk road to Kukup, we made a short headcount before riding out for Pekan Nanas.
Everyone stopped for a proper water break at Shell petrol station. Andy came out from the Select Store holding a bag filled with large 1.5 liters bottles of mineral water for every one to refill. While some snacked, Kai Weng was down on all fours trying to fix his handlebar. Helping him was Anderson. Matt though was working out his arm muscles, pumping Ronan's tyres!
Heading out again, Anderson dropped his water bottle.........again! Frustrated, he removed them from the holders and stuffed them in his T Bag instead. A small 16 inch wheeler, he had added 5 rear lights, an extra side stand on top of his rear rack which doubles as a stand, a portable radio, another top peak water bottle holder..... Such are his eccentricities!!
Enroute to Kukup, we had to pass through the main artery of Pekan Nanas. There was the usual Saturday morning traffic, aggravated by the few traffic lights along the road, made worst by the 3 goose necked trailers that were loaded with huge water pipes. These heavy vehicles were parked carelessly on the 4 lane road, obstructing traffic.
In a separate paceline, Yeo was leading, followed by Chng TH, Chi and Anderson. As Yeo edged gingerly past the monstrosity, she suddenly braked which caused Chng to jam his' too! Chi following behind tipped Chng's rear wheel. If not for the dexterity of the men, there would have been a pile up!
Leaving the town, we turned left for Kukup. Here is the famed 10km Strava Segment popular among roadies. A considerably well paved road, a terrain as flat as prata with long strips of tarmac that could possibly land a small plane, everyone disappeared quickly!
Mashing one's pedals is one thing, knowing one's limits is another. 3.4 km later, we soon found Jun Yan sitting by the edge of the road suffering from cramps. Keeping him company was Ronan and Saikit! He soon recovered with crampz spray and was happily riding again with a Gardenia cream bun in one hand!
At the end of this 10 km stretch is our favourite regrouping point. Today though, the multipurpose hall was hosting a wedding reception hence we were all displaced to the side of the road.
Next, we rode through the kampung road which is mostly decked by Palm Oil trees, canals, long grass and cows. While we spotted a lone man casting his net into Anak Sungai Jeram Batu which is nothing more than a 5 feet wide brook with tepid brown water, we now see 2 anglers by the canal.
Exiting the kampung road, we join the main road to Kukup. Arriving at the town, our favourite Bollywood waiter was still waiting for us at Norsiah Restaurant. He continues to don his "No Hard Feelings" t-shirt!!!
After a long breakfast, we left Kukup. We took the same route back, passing the multipurpose hall at Kampung Belokok. This time, Hasanuddin and Aida's family greeted us. They invited us in and served us cold cordial drinks in which Honghao greedily took 6 refills!!!
Meanwhile, Saikit who returned to Kukup in search of Anderson, finally found him safe and sound. He was delayed helping Kai Weng with malfunctioned rear brakes. Apparently, the hydraulic brake fluids had caused the brakes to clamp. Kai Weng's expedition was called off and his bike hauled into the plush interiors of the Mitsubishi Grandis.
Looking on, Chi was also calling it quits. The light refreshments at the malay wedding failed to light up his spirits. He too hauled his bike up the car!
The rest of the team rode up to a stall just before the junction turn off to Pekan Nanas. This unplanned regrouping was meant to better steer the riders to the fruit stall later on. However well conceived the idea was, we were greeted by an intense traffic congestion as another malay wedding was taking place. Half the team mainly led by Saikit's Impian Riding Club missed the stall. Reluctant to make the ride back, they made their own stop further down at a durian and coconut stall.
As for the rest of us, we split our group so as not to delay everyone further. Andy led most of the strong riders back to Horizon Hills while Zoe took the young boys back to Bukit Indah. Claudine and VT swept Chng TH and Yeo back to V3 Hotel at Gelang Patah before riding home.
Back at Horizon Hills, Matt decided to up everyone's record with an additional 5 clicks. He continued riding to the D Suites condominium before returning home!!!
At Pan Kobo Cafe, there was a small celebration of sorts. This ride will prove the longest for Yeo while Christina was ecstatic she finally made it to Kukup and home on her second attempt. Kudos to the 2 determined ladies!!!
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