Heartstopping Prata Ride at Pendas (1 October 2016)

The Team at Warong Poyot

Some of the riders at Horizon Hills

Pendas Jetty

Don't Fall!!!

Serenpidity

Serenpidity

Serenpidity

Bersih 5

When a ride is faced with a flat tyre and broken chain, do we call it a day or shrug it off as life's many adversities?

This morning saw Yan Ling arriving at Pan Kobo with a slightly deflated tyre. Our damsel in distress received help from Sai Kit and Desmond in the tube change department! Testing out his ride, we then saw TH's chain link break hence marking the end of his ride, before it even begins! After a quick brainstorming session, VT was driven home by Pang to collect his foldie, while offering his hybrid to our Don. Nobody had the heart to leave him behind!!!

We left Horizon Hills when the sun was completely up and baking. As the slower group coasts on the Iskandar Coastal Highway, Matt, Hea, Sai Kit, Desmond, TH and David had long turned and disappeared onto Lebuh Kota Iskandar.

On the Iskandar Coastal Highway, we saw Anna and Jangbu took to the pedals like hamsters on wheels, spinning at high cadence. Mashing on the lightest gears, on a flat road, they naturally failed to attain optimal velocity. However, after receiving a few tips on gears, Anna soon projected forward and even overtook her protege, Jangbu !!!

Heading towards Gelang Patah, the climb on the flyover took a strain on the newbies. All riders were spaced widely apart but a short regrouping was allowed just before the town. We were also surprised to see TH and David waiting at several points, before, at and after the town as the lights kept changing and separating all of us.

Everyone were cautious on the Legend Farm stretch. The road was narrower with lots of cars but all drivers gave us a respectful distance. We rode in a single line peloton most of the way.

Things took a change as we approached Leisure Farm. One by one, everyone started to breakaway. It started with Eva, then TH, followed closely by David. Even Ching Po, left his wife!!!

We found The Fantastic Four waiting at the Pendas Junction as agreed but the poor men had a long wait. Matt was even caught stifling a yawn!

After a short breather, we proceeded to our favourite Heartstopping Prata joint! Also known as Warung Poyot on Google Maps, the whole place was packed on the long weekend of Awal Muharram, celebrated by Muslims as the beginning of the Islamic New Year. The significance of the holy month can be traced back to Prophet Mohammed's journey from Mecca to Medina.

We were shocked when we were told our orders will take 1 hour to arrive! As such, TH decided to lead the riders to the jetty for a sightseeing tour while Sai Kit, VT and Claudine remained to stand guard over our tables.

After wolfing down our sinful pratas, we headed back with arrangements for the fast group to ride ahead without waiting. The rest, were led by TH all the way to Gelang Patah before he too, bid us farewell.

Our late morning saw an influx of visitors to the town while we sipped coconut juice by the roadside. The Bersih 5 convoy had glided in, with their yellow banners, ribbons and t-shirts! The whole town was painted YELLOW!!!

The final segment was easier after a good rest and hydration. We turned into Horizon Hills with a significantly smaller entourage. Eva, Ching Po and Yan Ling had left us at the Southgate to continue home.

Up the slope and midway to Pan Kobo Cafe, it was Maggie's turn to leave us. Returning to the car park, the final four dispersed. Anna and Jangbu took their time at the cafe but VT and Claudine hurried off, chased by strong winds and black cumulus nimbus clouds!