Heritage Trail Ride that never was! (12 September 2016)

Crown Arch, Istana Bukit Serene

Waiting for YL and Janet

Romeo wasn't giving the peace sign but rather he had to wait for 2nd seating!

Eva and her wards

Irene, Lim, Wong and their beloved joined us at Kinwah Kopitiam

Some of the guys that cannot allow their bikes to get wet!!!

Even from the wee hours of the morning, our ride already suffered 2 setbacks. Malcolm was about to leave his home when he discovered he's got a flat. He had to get down and dirty, in the most literal sense, thus slightly delayed.

Meanwhile, YL and Janet with all their good intentions, rode all the way from the city to join us. They fell short of 5 km to flag off point when YL's tyre felt like a cartwheel. A call was made for us to push off without them but to meet at another pick up point. YL too had to get down and dirty....on his bike!!!

We arrived at Petronas Taman Perling, the agreed pick up point for Ollie and Matt, with many having broken the school area speed limit of 30kph. Obviously, Jolin, Monica, Malcolm and Hea held a guilty look for instilling others to ride.......a lot faster than the stipulated average speed! Anna though arrived much later desperately seeking for a sweeper. She did not realize VT was patiently riding behind her!

Before long, YL and Janet arrived at our meeting point. We rolled out again after YL blew his whistle. No, he did not expose any of our illegal racing activity but merely giving the go ahead!!!

Passing by Khass Bicycles, 3 young boys joined our group. Some of their friends were already in our peloton, starting from Horizon Hills.

Soon, our climb began. First a flyover, then another flyover and then another flyover!!! Where there is a choice, the smarter ones rode on the parallel road below. Where the flyover spans a bridge, everyone had to climb over the mound, like it or not!

A quick regrouping was allowed at Grand Straits View Restaurant. Perhaps, while everyone were doing short sprints, nobody really wanted to be the first to arrive at our morning brekkie as it means having to foot the bill.

We made another brief stop at the Crown Arch at Istana Bukit Serene. This was our agreed pick up point for Eva, Wen Han and his sister, plus another man with them. We took a quick group photo before rushing off to meet Lim, Wong and their respective spouses at Kinwah Kopitiam.

Arriving at the entrance to Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Claudine saw CK and Malcom whooshing down from Bukit Timbalan. Meeting Claudine's surprised look, Malcolm realized he was wrongly led up the steep hill only to make a U-turn down again. He jokingly calls CK and the few others, "guys with a sadistic nature"!

In actual fact, there are a few lanes leading to Kinwah Kopitiam. Malcolm was slowing down at a crossroad unsure which way to take, when Claudine cautioned him to turn right. He hesitate for awhile. But just as he was about to make the turn, a Perodua Kelisa following behind at an equally slow speed decided to accelerate and overtake him!!! Fortunately both braked on time with a good 1 foot leeway. However, it was still a close shave for Malcolm.....time to sport a clean cut look!!! Anna and Claudine though, almost lost their voice screaming!

Today is after all Hari Raya Haji, a public holiday in Malaysia, celebrated by Muslims in remembrance of the "almost sacrifice," according to Islamic Scriptures, of Ishmael by Ibrahim on Mount Moriah. While we saw many Muslims construction workers crossing the wide highway along the Iskandar Coastal Highway, around the area of Grand Straits View and along Jalan Bertingkat Skudai around the area of Country Garden, all on their way for their morning prayers at the mosque; we now see a huge non Muslim crowd at Kinwah Kopitiam!!!

It was almost impossible to sit everyone. There wasn't anything much to eat besides the staples of toast, eggs and economy noodles that can add up to a very pricey meal!!! Trying to get our drinks, we were at the mercy of the already stressed out waiters!!!

When the dark clouds that was hovering above us at Petronas Taman Perling caught up with us downtown, the likes of Ollie, Malcolm, Jolin, Monica and Hea scooted off with an apology. No serious RB riders likes to get their bikes wet! Ronan and his young friends that tagged along, left too ..... without notifying us!!!

After a hurried meal, the few remaining riders rode back. Romeo, Wen Han and Matt led the way. Eva rode with her daughter, friend and Joshua. Meanwhile, Anna was sandwiched between Claudine and VT.

Coming to Tune Hotel, Eva who frequently rides this route took us through the inside lanes only to join the Iskandar Coastal Highway at the side of Tune Hotel. Dear Romeo and Matt were patiently waiting for us at the junction.

Spaced out again, we had a final regrouping at the bottom of the interchange at Taman Perling. Eva and her 3 wards turned off for Jalan Belibis while Romeo and Matt rode towards Bukit Indah. The final four of Joshua, Anna, VT and Claudine rode all the way back to base only to see Hea, Jolin and Monica still having drinks and sharing decent chatter at Pan Kobo Cafe!