Boxing Day Ride with IRC (26 December 2016)

Malaysia meets Singapore

At the multipurpose hall in Kg Belokok

Pekan Nanas

At the palm oil estate dubbed "cow lane"

At the palm oil estate dubbed "cow lane"

Tg Piai

Tg Piai

Tg Piai

Tg Piai

Sacrificial goats thrown into a drain near a Hindu temple

This Boxing Day Ride was originally initiated when William from Singapore, suggested a meet up. However, the plans soon fell through when someone called in sick and it was impossible to determine a rendezvous for both groups. Thankfully, IRC decided on the go ahead and even took over as hosts for the ride!

On the morning of the ride, Claudine was cruising along Iskandar Coastal High, enroute to the meet up point when a pick up truck blared its horn and swerved to a stop on the road shoulder. It was none other than Desmond and Sai Kit. Getting a lift to Restaurant Amin, the mamak shop at Gelang Patah guarantees time for breakfast!

Everyone who were ready to ride off the "Christmas Turkey" turned up at Amin's. As we were still in a celebratory mood, we lagged at breakfast and flagged off later than usual.

Today, we opted to go via the scenic kampung route, passing by Kg Jelutong Tengah. At the start of the kampung, a few dogs snarled at the front riders. Sibyl's quick action to press on her siren frightened them off.

Following behind, Desmond had tougher luck today. He was chased by those dogs and later a cow on the "cow lane"!!! He was even bitten by a bee on the way to Tg Piai!!!

The first stop at Pekan Nanas' Shell was easy. Getting to our next stop at the multipurpose hall in Kg Belokok became a struggle though. We had a tough time fighting the winds. Resorting to ride in a peloton, Sai Kit, Henry, Sibyl and Claudine worked together to pull each other on the "10 km flats" strava segment. The final 1 km though sees everyone breaking away in a sprint!

Riding on Jalan Pontian-Kukup towards the turning to Tg Piai, riders huddled close to each other to reduce wind resistant. Sai Kit led most of the way while Desmond, Henry, Sibyl and Claudine drafted behind. When Sai Kit stopped, Claudine who did not focus for a mere second almost collided with Sibyl. She managed to swerve, avoiding her rear tyre by inches!

It appears Sai Kit and Desmond were taking turns to lead and sweep today. While Desmond took over the helm entering Tg Piai, Sai Kit waited for the approaching group who were slowed down by their thick mtb tyres. Besides, they were not riding together hence the extra effort on each individual.

At Tg Piai, we had a long wait for Nick. He did not make the right turn at the mosque but rode ahead and away from the national park. Hun's call to him went unheard and thus someone else, possibly Joshua, had to chase after him.

Midway out of Tg Piai, Sibyl who had earlier munched on a banana, courtesy of Henry was still calling out hungry. Thus, we decided on a stop for nasi lemak and mee soto in Kampung Serkat. The food was not fantastically delicious but neither was it bad. It does beat the long wait time for Nasi Goreng Ketam, a JEC favorite at the jetty.

Refueled, we rode on to Kukup and were pleasantly surprised when we saw William and his Singapore team approaching. In fact, we had observed them making an earlier wrong turn to the private car park before arriving at the shop area.

It was so nice to meet new friends especially Joyce, Jac and a few other ladies, some of them appearing to be in their golden age. It was amazing to see their fighting spirits, riding on roadbikes and on such long distances. These ladies clearly hold the torch for all women out there!

It was sad to say goodbye to people we could easily connect with. Sadly we had to leave and head back.

Riding back, the wind seemed stronger. We could feel our bikes swaying at the palm oil estate with the grazing cows. Even the trees could not break the wind for us!

Back on the multipurpose hall of Kg Belokok, we were so happy to see Christina. She was such a darling, driving all the way from the city to offer a lift to those who were beaten. But none gave up the fight!

By this time, most of the riders had finished their water supply and were roaring to reach Pekan Nanas for some fruit juice. Jumping on the "10 km flats" strava segment again, Henry and Sibyl were taking turns to break the wind. Claudine tried a few short runs but enjoyed drafting more!

Meanwhile, Nick who was waited upon at all the turns inside the palm oil estate was soon left behind on this straight route. Having the occasional crosswinds are so different from the constant headwinds. He was taking longer and longer to catch up. When he did not appear for the longest time at the T-junction to Pekan Nanas, the trio left it to Sai Kit to pick him up.

Pushing off at the junction, one car avoiding a police block made a U-turn at high speed very close to Henry. It was a good thing he was just picking up speed and could see what was coming, hence avoiding a head on collision! Sadly, the policemen did not give chase.

The drink stop at Pekan Nanas was brief for the trio. While Claudine was willing to stay on, Henry and Sibyl were all ready to head home. Nick's enthusiasm to finish his first 100 km, rolled out with them. He was totally unperturbed about being left behind.

Saying goodbye to the team, the lead group left Pekan Nanas. There were no doubts that everyone will complete today's 100 km ride, with experience or not! 

....And everyone did!!! While Henry and Sibyl escorted Claudine to SILC, before she was left to ride home on her own, the rests added a few more extra rounds around base to guarantee the desired 100 clicks.

It seems gossips travel fast on a windy day. On his way home after finishing his Rapha 500 challenge to Batu Pahat, Andy picked up on our visiting friends. He quickly flicked out his phone camera to capture our ladies, forever digitalized in the Hall of Fame!


Photo Credits :
1. Sibyl Tate
2. SK Lai