No 30 JF 2017 First Night Ride - Trying out JB's new bike lane (5 January 2017)

JB city center's first bike lane

The team, missing Jayce and Hock Nim

Regrouping at Dataran Bandaraya

Cars still ply on the "Bike Only" zone

JB's post office

Jalan Dhoby

Jalan Dhoby

Carpark, Crown Istana

New year, new resolutions and even a new bike lane smack in the city center! It seems our Datuk Bandar is a visionary man who promotes healthy living while reducing carbon footprints. What else can we say but, "Terima Kasih, Datuk Hj A. Rahim B. Hj Nin!"

Momentously, Joho Foldies organized their first night ride for the new year, garnering great support from the riding community. The ride commenced from the Crown Istana, up Bukit Serene, passes Medan Tepian Tebrau, circled the perimeters of Dataran Bandaraya before passing by the Royal Mausoleum. Thereafter, it took us through the government departments and Swiss Inn Hotel, finally arriving at the old world charms of Jalan Dhoby.

In modern day 2017, quaint little cafes have taken over the old trades. Riders were given a free choice to try out the many ice cream bars around the area but some still succumbed to the all time Malaysian favourites of Teh Tarik and Milo.

When our little tea party was over, we headed for the much anticipated bike lane on Jalan Wong Ah Fook. While the lane was well lit, well lined and well paved, we were disappointed with some of the missing metal gratings by the side of the road. Built under Sg Segget, the road was recently inundated with flood waters, another oversight to flush out  storm waters fast enough.

Travelling on the 1 km bike lane, we soon realized that Malaysians are still unfamiliar with bike lanes. Cars continued to ply on the lane oblivious to the "Bikes only" zone. The plus side though is that motorists are used to pedestrians and cyclists sharing the road, thus allowing a safe distance.

Leaving the busy Jalan Wong Ah Fook, we travelled on quieter roads passing by Holy Light Church, a boarding school and Hutan Bandar. Before long it became a maze taking left and right turns at the most unassuming places.

The Joho Foldies regulars like Lucas, Debbie, Desmond, Yap, Thomas, Jaylene, Susanna and few others are stronger and faster these days. They whizzed through the highs and lows of Taman Nong Chik easily. By then Jayce had boarded Irene's support car while Lucas had switched bikes with Kiki who had brought an oversized roadbike. Abdillah and Azlineer, first timers with the night riders were keeping up well while Claudine could only peel her eyes on the front riders keeping tabs on the turns. She clearly did not want to get left behind on unfamiliar route!

Somewhere in the blur of Taman Nong Chik, Yap stopped for regrouping. While some followed suit, a few others pushed off on their own. Claudine and VT were separated when he stayed on with the rest. Thankfully, he regrouped with her again at Jalan Ayer Kolam's McDonald's.

YL was spotted still with us when he should have turned back home much earlier. That was his biggest folly. 

Arriving back at the carpark, the lead group were already back at base. Meanwhile, the others continued to stream in one by one. Rostam pushed off with his motorized scooter to search for lost riders. 

Everyone returned safely or almost safely.... We overheard a friend fell somewhere in the maze of Taman Nong Chik. He suffered a butterfly fracture on his hand! Clearly, a not a night without drama!

Photo Credits :
Susanna
Paul Eddie
Yew Loong 
Hock Nim