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| Just before rolling out |
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| Rotarian Ling Ping flagging off riders with the air horn |
The sky was starting to eclipse even at registration. By the time we made the U turn on the elevated bypass to get to the other side of Persisiran Perling, we could feel droplets of water falling from the sky. By then, thick, dark cumulus nimbus clouds were hovering just above us whilst far on the horizon the sky had turned a blurry grey.
Hitting the Skudai Highway, the police patrol car led all riders on the slow lane. Meanwhile, fellow Rotarians on support cars diligently took photos of all riders on several points; some even cruising on the middle lane, alongside riders with hazard lights on. ACN though had their own personal photographer, Suzie!!! The lasts, sweeping the convoy were LCB tour bus by KKKL Group and ambulance by Asia Medevac Services.
As we approached Senai Highway, the lead patrol car started to speed up. By and by the convoy started to break into little clusters. It was the best the few police on motorcycles could do for those left behind but as we approached the many junctions to Kulai town, it became chaos!
Khoon tried his best to care for the middle group, blowing hard on his whistles to direct cars whenever police presence was not available. However, Sherry and some riders caught unaware turned left for Aeon Kulai! Witnessing the mistake, Mrs Loh traveling on the bus could only call fellow Rotarians to give chase!
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| While the riders rode hard, the Rotarians had their hands full, supporting them! |
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| The lead riders |
We arrived at D'Art Cafe in Kulai one hour earlier than the expected time. While a makeshift shelter had been set up in the carpark, the cafe owner was seen fiddling with her keys to the place. Sadly we were not served the promised coffee but 2 small containers brought by some Rotarians together with light snacks were laid out on the table. Nobody were particularly hungry anyway as buns and coffee had been served at Amerin Hotel.
We waited quite awhile for the lost lambs to arrive. When they did, it was only proper to accord them the rest they deserved. Thereafter, we pushed off for Sedenak; this time with a bigger group as Defi Cycling Team, led by Ah Ping had joined us.
Ideally, we were supposed to be split into 2 groups but again nobody listened. Federal Road 1 or Jalan Besar was peppered with End Polio Riders! DK and Jack were seen with some bike problems, once on saddle height and another on tyre pressure.
We were further spaced out on Jalan Sedenak as this marks the start of the dragon back. While the route is scenic, passing a railway crossing, hilly palm oil estates and rivers choking with water, it was not for inexperienced riders as the tarmac was filled with holes. At the second pit stop near SK Murni Jaya, we received a report that DK had a fall that left her momentarily unconscious.
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| Joseph busy at work directing riders on the turning to Huo Guo Shan |
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| The steep climb is about to begin! |
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| Defi, defying all hills |
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| Uncle, at 70 years of age ! |
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| Henry leading the climb |
Meanwhile, Desmond and a few others were conspiring to have a quick meal at Guang Fatt Wantan mee shop at Layang-layang. With the third pitstop just next to the noodle shop, they left in a hurry. The others followed suit.
While we lost count on the number of roadkills especially snakes, our next encounter left us nauseated! Lew Peng's industrial fans were blowing out foul chicken droppings on a 5 km radius! For those who knows the way well, this marks the midway point to Layang-layang.
Caltex, our designated third pitstop came quickly. While some obediently regrouped, some made a beeline to Guang Fatt. Mr Pang, Eva's personal support car driver was already waiting there when Claudine, Henry, Desmond and herself arrived. Romeo caught unaware, asked him if he could move to the next empty table to make space for Mr Lim. A small argument was about to ensue, thankfully resolved but left all of us uncomfortable. The two men were to rekindle over supper that same night!
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| Attacking the hills |
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| Speeding downhill can propel you halfway up the next slope |
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| Rolling hills |
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| Defi's playground |
After Layang-layang, came the second set of hills. Reportedly only 3 hills, Ah Ping can only be right if we disregard all smaller knolls! Cruising down the last hill to the Renggam railway station, Eva's cramp started. Hoping for a Chendol stop, we were ushered on. Even Dr Jeffrey had a light exchange with his fellow Rotarians on their slave driving attitude!!!
We continued on with Eva trying to overcome her cramps. She fought on, stretching her left leg while pedaling with only one leg. When relive was found, the cramp moved on to the other leg. All this while, Mr Pang drove alongside his wife, sometimes parking on the road shoulder every 50 m away, offering respite. Eva though, refused to stop and fought on......all the way to Kluang!
The last 20 km was our slowest ride. The mid afternoon sun was beating down on us. With no canopy cover, the heat was intense! Dr Jeffrey was spotted with bike problems but we left it to the support car to help him out. He caught up and overtook us much later.
Mr Lim who had sped ahead after Renggam soon slowed down after the turn to Kluang. Eva and Claudine eventually caught up with him. By this time, Dr Jeffrey was constantly a faraway vision while Jack's yellow 4WD trailed behind.
The countdown began after Guocera tiles factory. We looked forward to the milestones by the side of of the road. Each kilometer though came slower than we had hoped for.
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| Victory!!! |
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| Suzie flanked by the boys! |
Finally, we spotted Merdeka Hotel. We were pleasantly surprised it was located 2 km before town thus saving us additional labour.
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| We did it together! |
While everyone celebrated their first day's victory, some others had not arrived. Robert who was speeding ahead earlier stopped for photos and water. He came in together with Sherry who was bent on a suffer fest. She had decided to use her mtb loaded with bag rack, weighing at least 25 kg in total!!!
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| Lunch at Merdeka Hotel, touting its first elevator in Kluang, 1963!!! |
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| The lunch that never was for latecomers |
A complimentary lunch was served at the hotel but for latecomers, it was a choice between fried rice and malay kuih. The chicken had long gone with nothing more than gravy. That too, was lapped up hungrily!
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| Civic-minded municipal council |
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| Civic-minded municipal council |
Thankfully, the Rotarians were extending a complimentary tour of the town. At 3.30 pm, after a half hour wait for people who do not understand punctuality, we left for our first taste of Kluang coffee. The factory tour extended to a Chendol stop and Tangkak beef noodle that left everyone happy!
Zoe and Iris fared better at the coffee house. Bernie could hear the karaoke singing even from his room. KM and Khoon were whisked away by Izzat who had drove down from Batu Pahat. The District Governor Michael Yee was persuaded to part with RM300 by Alfred Lim after an erred speech about a free flow of beer!!!
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| There was enough space in the truck but these kids preferred the back! |
As Maggie and Anna had arrived late with Dr Tee after overshooting to Yong Peng, we left the party at 9.30 pm on the pretext of feeding them. Heading out for supper in Bernie's pick up truck, we bumped into Desmond and his wife who had just returned from the hawker center.
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| Super hot environment in the hawker center |
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| Traditional food still served by the same cook 30 years on! |
Bernie though had another place in mind. He drove everyone to a 30 year old hawker food center for chow mien, chee cheong fun and dimsum, downed with traditional Dong Sui. Mr Pang and Bernie finally made amends over supper while VT happily over ate! As for poor Suzie, she was recuperating from a rash, even having to see a doctor in Kluang!!!
Photo courtesy :
1. Suzie Juliet
2. KM Lee
3. Robert Wong
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Bikes parked in the function hall for Day 2
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