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| Breaking all traffic rules in Melaka |
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| KC and Siew Yung hosting us in Melaka |
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| Melaka river |
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| River side cafes aplenty |
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| Celebrating the end of our journey |
The order of the morning was to break fast at 7 am, followed by a flag off half an hour later. We should have no issue keeping to the agenda considering the simple breakfast provided by Crystal Inn but then, we started clowning around...
We were further delayed when 3 men had to share a bathroom. The queue time for "after breakfast deposits" was a lot longer...
It was also not helpful when 2 out of 3 men did not get enough sleep. While one was happily packing away, the other 2 wished they had had an extra cup of coffee!
Gathering outside, a chirpy KC, having escaped George's night long sermon, got us into a "warm up" exercise. Filming and photography pushed us back further but sets us off in the right track as we rode the first 20 km towards Muar. We were all in a good mood!
While we started off in hot and humid weather, rain clouds started closing in on us midway to our first coffee stop. The tree covered canopy along Jalan Rabok was totally unnecessary as we had good cloud cover.
Spinning fast behind lead rider Alvin, Claudine began to worry when all ahead turned dark. We were heading towards rainfall!!!
Thankfully, just as we hit our first 20km, we rolled into Sungai Balang, a small village flanked by a handful of old, wooden shophouses. Slowing down and on the look out for a coffee stop, we past a Chinese family in bereavement. The village was so small, we spun past its epicenter in seconds!
We were relieved when we spotted a malay foodcourt by the edge of the village. Taking our drinks, we sat out the rain which never came to Sungai Balang at all! Instead it poured 1 km away, cooling down the journey ahead!!
The route from Batu Pahat to Muar is very flat. The never ending straight road passing by scattered kampung homes does get a bit dull after awhile.
Thankfully, Parit Jawa came soon enough, offering a brief respite. By then, Freddie was having a magnum and Sue was sucking on a packet of power gel! Californian dates, just brought in by Sally the day before was distributed to those who wanted a more natural pick me up.
Continuing our journey to Muar, we were amazed we had gone this far without getting wet. We enjoyed the same tree covered canopies but unlike Jalan Rabok, Jalan Abdul Rahman was filled with pools of water!
Approaching Muar, the weather started to heat up. Cruising into Jalan Sultan Ibrahim, Claudine was reminded of one sad morning when she joined a funeral procession on foot, along this route. At the end of the road, an old corner coffee shop by the intersection with Jalan Suleiman brought back fond memories.
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| Non smoking section |
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| Smoking and slumber section |
Stopping at Restoran OG right behind the TNB office, we met up with Johor's legend, Acid Mustafa. While most of today's LTF team had met him in Thailand early this year; it was Sue, VT and Claudine's first encounter with the maestro.
He was as friendly and encouraging in person as he was in social media but he certainly doesn't look as formidable as his profile photo which is .... non smiling at all!!! He even offered to contribute RM50 into our kitty even though he was not part of our tour. Of course, we had to refuse his nice gestures!
It seems, Acid hold the titular distinction for a good reason....he owns a total of 23 bicycles!!! But then again, not many can follow his footsteps of riding and camping at the same time!!!
After an early lunch which saw nasi beriani coming out from the kitchen as we were about to leave, we rolled not more than 50 meters when Alvin discovered he had a puncture! But Chief is always blessed with willing hands...George, YC and KC got down and dirtied, while the rest of us gave moral support!
Continuing on to Melaka, it was hot and boring. The landscape was similar to the previous 60 km.
Gliding past Merlimau, we sighted our first durian stall. Calling out to Chief, he chose to ignore our cries!!!
As we spun further, more and more of us became demoralized. Freddie and Alvin were ahead but Claudine started to lag behind...
A mutiny was beginning to form.... Mike who had wanted to stop at the first durian stall, suggested a stop if we spot another one. This gave George a boost who rode up right behind Claudine.
Durians or no durians, we were quite game for a water stop after clocking close to 20 km. We began to wonder when Chief will make a stop. Peering into the cool, shady palm oil estates, the heat from the road became more unbearable.
Just then, we saw our oasis! Under the cool shades of a tree was a durian stall. Everyone agreed to stop. Calling out to Chief, we were lucky he heard us from afar!
He had no choice but to agree with the Collective Mind! Turning back with Freddie, he even bought water from a stall for us!!!
The durians were RM15 per kilo. Initially, we bought 4 fruits to sample. When one was not ripe, the Chinese lady reimbursed us with a smaller one.
Later, George requested for grade 101, a huge fruit that was stashed away in the house. It costs a hefty RM100, RM25 more than the 4 initial fruits we had!!! Pleased with the day's takings, our lady seller threw in an additional small kampung durian, for FREE!!!
Approaching Melaka, the landscapes started to incline mildly. Powered by durians we glided through the countryside easily.
Coming down one slope, Claudine was surprised we were making a pitstop by a mini market, having clocked not more than 15 km only. She soon found out the reason for the stop as a Toyota Wellfire cruised into the parking bay. Getting off the vehicle were Siew Yung and KC with water supplies!!!
With not more than 12 km more to the city, nobody wanted to get in the support vehicle. It was then, arranged for Siew Yung and KC to meet us at our homestay after procuring bus tickets for those heading home the same day.
Excited to meet them in the city later, we raced ahead. Passing Al Khairiah Mosque, Claudine was taken aback by its Chinese influences. The main building had a sweeping roof that rises at the corners with decorative ornaments. Beside it was a strange tower mimicking a pagoda with small pigeon holes. Built in 1826, this century old mosque is a testimony to the harmonious living back then.
Scaling the bridge that traverse the river at Jalan Alai, we rolled past the concrete gaps that sent shock waves to our bruised bums.
First shock up the slope, second shock down the slope...
Alvin was leading and heading towards Qariah Mosque, another century old mosque with the same Chinese influences, built slightly later than the former. Freddie was trailing behind him when we heard a loud sound. It pierced through the noise of the cars like the sound of a hammer that struck an empty can. Amplify that by a hundred times!!!
Speeding down the slope, Claudine saw Freddie slowing down. Then, Alvin instinctively turned, curious as well....
Like a pro, Freddie brought his bike over the curb to rest on the concrete drain covers. There was a side wall tear on his tyre. With 8 km more into the city and our support car gone, a crippled road bike can be tough when trying to hail a taxi.
Freddie though was just cool, prepared for a situation like this to happen. His tyre was already bulging, since earlier. He claims a SGD 2 polymer note inserted between the tyre and tube should do the trick.
He did better! He called on the ghost of Tuanku Abdul Rahman to bless the rest of his journey!! It was a cheaper alternative as well !!!
It was one stress after another....Midway into the city, Mike received a text from Siew Yung that there were no bus tickets heading down south. Trying to use a shortcut on Jalan Parameswara we were stopped at the gates just outside Sacred Heart Convent. The guards only allow persons on foot to pass but refused us entry as our bikes were with us.
Meanwhile, those returning that same night wanted to go to the bus station to double check on tickets. However, Alvin was all smiling, all assuring. He suggested we all meet up with Siew Yung and KC as planned before rushing into any decision makings.
Following his leadership, we rode against traffic most of the time to 3 Little Birds, the homestay for those spending a night in Melaka. When we arrived, Siew Yung and KC were already there waiting. We soon found out, all bus tickets going down south has been sold out. However, Siew Yung managed to get 2 tickets for Larkin from an under table counter.
There were a few suggestions, one of which was to ride to Tampin for a train service. Mike's idea to wait at the bus station for last minute no shows was more realistic. Meanwhile, Claudine was thinking of getting a pricey private car service but nothing beats her mum's offer to get them home......she went crying to mummy instead!!!
That evening, we spent a relaxing time by the river. Freddie, Berenda and even Siew Yung had a simple dinner of tomato soup which looked more like fried eggs and tomatoes in weak broth. Thereafter, the south bound returned to 3 Little Birds for a shower before they were whisked to the bus station to board their 7.30 pm bus.
Together with them was Siew Yung who had come all the way from KL this morning to meet us. It was so touching as Siew Yung who suffered a bad back had brought her Brompton all the way only to ride with us a mere 1 km distance!!! As for KC, he was such a darling, providing us with car support and giving us a treat...treasured LTF friends!
After the first send offs were made, we showered and head out to Restoran Lee Swee Meng in 2 Grab taxis. The restaurant, serves every dish in claypots! The food was delicious but in Melaka, nothing is cheap!!!
It was 9.30 pm when Claudine and VT finally head out to Ayer Keroh in yet another Grab taxi to meet Claudine's mum. She had arrived from KL much earlier but did not tell the couple, wanting to give them the opportunity to enjoy dinner. Not only did they had dinner but also appetizer and entrees at the coffee shop just opposite 3 Little Bird!
The remaining LTF team went on to paint the town red. As for the second returning party, they arrived in JB slightly past midnight.
Freddie and Berenda though had a tougher night. Their bus journey took 4 hours with no toilet breaks. Upon arrival in Larkin bus station, they had to ride all the way home, ending their journey at 2.30 am. On the hindsight, they were really lucky Freddie rolled an additional 30 plus km without further mishaps. Looks like the Malaysian Ringgit held its ground, despite attacks from external forces!!!
Photo Credits :
1. KC
2. Sue
