Impromptu Ride to Pontian for Seafood (9 September 2017)

At Pontian's Crown Arch

At Crown Arch, Istana Bukit Serene

It was the Agong's Birthday, a national holiday as such that ACN and ATOJ embarked on a ride to Pontian. Coincidentally on the same day, half of JB's citizens were congregating downtown to give their beloved Sultan a warm sendoff on his annual Kembara Mahkota Johor expedition. A four day endeavour spanning over 800 km and 10 districts, it is an opportune time for the Sultan and His Royal Family to visit their subjects.

Somewhere on the quieter streets of Johor, VT and Claudine were circling the Southgate of Horizon hills in search for Kai. They had prearranged to ride together to Pekan Nanas where they will rendezvous with the Singapore team. Taking the cue to leave without him as he may not make the border crossing, they left after a short wait.

Rolling on the butterfly interchange, they spotted Aaron first, then Wai and 2 other friends. Since it was an auspicious public holiday, Wai was able to ride to Kukup without having to worry about the opening hours at W Cycles, his bike shop.

Wai pulled everyone along the Iskandar Coastal Highway before VT and Claudine took the left turn for Lebuh Kota Iskandar heading for Pontian while his team rode towards Mydin. Their paths were to cross again later as the duo emerged from Kg Jelutong Tengah aka the scenic kampung route, bumping first into Aaron and the rest, later.

It was right after Uncle Lim's Durian Farm and at the turning to Lebuhraya Skudai-Pontian that William finally caught up with Claudine. She was taken aback as she had meant to take her breakfast at Pekan Nanas, in wait for him and the Singapore team to show up. Looks like, they were riding really fast this morning! Even Jenny on her Lynskey titanium touring bike was keeping up a good pace behind William and gang!

Requesting time for a quick breakfast, VT and Claudine went to the corner coffee shop next to Public Bank while William led the Singapore team to Auntie's fruit shop. While downing their delicious but unappetizing looking char kueh tiau and curry noodles, the duo saw the rest of the Singapore team approaching and later Wai and his team mates who had suffered a flat near Uncle Lim!

Finally, together as a complete team, we rode to Pontian. Hoping for a Cendol stop at Pontian Kechil, our Indian stall was not opened, forcing us to proceed to an ayam golek stall further down the road for teh halia, sirap bandung and iced lemon tea. That was after a short photo call at Pontian's new recreation park by the seafront.

Taking leave, we continued on J5's Jalan Pontian, crossing the river mouth decked with fishing boats. This is the epicenter of the fishing industry in Pontian considering the bigger boats as opposed to the smaller river with smaller vessels we crossed earlier at Pontian Kechil. Along the road, men were busy at work building mats out of mengkuang aka screw pine leaves meant for drying salt fish from nearby cottage industries.

Turning into J115, we rode along Jalan Parit Sikom before stopping at Kayu Ara Pasong. Waiting by the junction for the rest to catch up, we were a great curiousity to the old folks sipping coffee at the corner coffee shop. They couldn't understand why we had rode all the way from JB and even Singapore!!!

Continuing on to J109, we crossed a few rivers before the road became a boring landscape of flat, swampy grasslands. There wasn't anything appealing except for a few scattered homes.

After toiling for almost 8-10 km, we had another short regrouping stop at an unobtrusive junction. The road we were traveling on makes a sharp right turn but small discreet roads led ahead and to the left as well. At this junction, makeshift food stalls caters to the village folks but for canned cold drinks, a modern concrete My Family Store tucked away from the junction becomes a haven to cyclists stranded for miles from civilization.

When the last rider rolled in, we pushed on again. This time the rolling hills, trailing from the mountain range of Gunung Pulai awaits us.

The challenge became more extreme when we hit the palm oil factory. While it was often seen puffing out steam from its processing plant, today's familiar stench was accompanied by strong headwinds and crosswinds.

Initially, the ladies fought on keeping up with the paceline. When the wind persisted, Jenny who was the second rider called to drop behind the line. Claudine, who could no longer keep up by then, watched as the group slowly advanced away.

As we drew closer to Pekan Nanas, the wind tapered down to soft breezes. Riding alone, Philip soon caught up with Claudine. Together, they spotted the red jersey of Jenny; turning and disappearing into corners, rising up hills and vanishing down the other side....

Just short of a kilometer more to Ngee Hoe Bike Shop, Claudine noticed Philip was no longer behind  her. Soon she caught up with Jenny who had stopped by the side of the road, unsure of the way. Together, the ladies rode the final leg to Ngee Hoe to be greeted by the awaiting team.

The timing could not have been more perfect as the rain came just as the lasts of our team members arrived. We sat down at the next door coffee shop, cradling iced filled mugs of 100 plus while watching the rain past. Together, it brought along a group of senior riders from Singapore, enroute to Kukup for an overnight stay.

On our next roll out, the streets were washed and cleaned. The journey ahead was cool but following a rider closely has its negative consequences....Claudine received sprays from Jason's rear tyres!!!

Midway, we turned into Kg Jelutong Tengah, stopped for a group photo by the river, rolled slowly past the quaint kampung houses, the school and the madrasah before attempting its steep slope challenges. As we huffed and puffed our way up, we rolled past the malay cemetery but met no spirits from the after life that could have given us a boost!

Out of the village, VT and Claudine parted ways with the seafood lovers. Together, the duo rode home bumping into Bernard Sng at SILC. He was heading for the Little Red Dot and with him was a friend. Both grinning like the Cheshire Cat, we wondered if they will still be as cheery when they head into the storm along the way.

While the Singaporeans had a sumptuous lunch, the rain clouds that have been following them all the way from Pontian finally closed in on them. Those good natured guys took everything in stride, stopping by for Chng Thng at Yong Yong's desert....no matter if they were as wet as drowned rats!!!