Semanggar Hills - Half Loaded! (9 April 2016)

40 degree C smiles

"6 more months before I return to these hills!"

Cervelo and Storck

Black Panther and Tigger photo bombed by Michael
 

Boys' Brigade, old boys!

The Lady and her men!

Leaving BHP petrol station

Wrong finger!

The gerai is closed but the toilet is opened 24 hours a day!

Last pitstop

It's a hot hot day, it's time to bare some chests

We were not spared the dirt!

Khan, on a Jackie Chan diet!

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

The interest on hills started recently. Having played Kukup, Tg Piai and Pontian for the longest time, Claudine's curiosity peaked when friends started talking about Semanggar Hills. One by one her old time friends came back with horror stories on the climbs.

So, when opportunity knocks on Claudine's door, she quickly jumped on the bandwagon! JEC had decided to slow down the ride to train Sara and herself!

On the morning of the ride, we rode out from Restaurant E&Y Sahul in Adda Heights. We passed the beautiful mosque and construction site of the new Aeon shopping mall. Then, we hit the back roads, passing by blocks of vast vacant land, all cut up, with ready infrastructures for future development.

Very soon, we came upon Jalan Kempas Lama. Here, Agnes bid us farewell as much to her chagrin, she had to go to office on a Saturday morning.

It was still manageable on Jalan Kempas Lama. These were merely soft slopes. We passed by many recycling dump sites along this way.

Then, we hit category 6 when we turned into Jalan Seelong. The hills were a continuous climb...up and down, up and down. Along this route, there were a lot of heavy vehicles but they respectfully kept a good distance from the riders.

Leo, taught Claudine the tricks to a sling shot! Roll down the hill fast while mashing the pedals to propel oneself up the next hill. He also taught her how and when to change gears. At some point, he kept calling out, "Minus! Minus!" She could very well be in a driving school getting her score chart read out to her.....FAIL!!!!

If Jalan Seelong is child's play, we hit category 9 when we turned into the "Kulai Hills"! This was an open assault to the mind, body and spirit! The mind sees a hill and scream out in fear. The body pummeled the pedals while the spirit .... thankfully strong fought all obstacles!

Slingshots does not work anymore here. Claudine went down a steep hill hitting top speed only to come back up at a turtle pace! Even turtle pace was fine as long as she kept moving and don't fall sideways!

The whole experience was surreal. We made a stop to pick up Michael at the entrance of some factory. We made another stop at some junction with giant boulders. We heard a goose honking which turned out to be Khan calling out to Jolin who had missed a turn. We rode on more gentle hills to a BHP petrol station!!!!

We had a long rest here before pushing off again. This time, Leo handed over sweeper duties to Andy. Instead he rode forward to coach Sara.

We rode back the same way we came from, stopping by at a gerai that was not opened for business. While Sara was a vision from afar on the "Kulai Hills" segment, she and the rest were no where in sight on the return route. Claudine was the weakest link and poor Andy patiently swept her, giving encouragements and rock support.

Everyone waited patiently for Claudine to catch her breath before moving out again for the final run. We escorted Michael to his turn off, bid him goodbye and rolled all the way back with Leo and Andy sweeping behind Claudine! Boy, did she feel like a Princess today!!!!

Now, back at Adda Heights, the team had a homecoming of sorts. Sue and Amri who had just finished their swimming practice came to join us for lunch.

Meanwhile, Agnes had turned up for work only to find out that someone had screwed up the roster! She brought a change of clothes for Claudine!

We all trooped to lunch at a chicken rice shop minus Andy who had to rush off for work. Everyone bumped on Sara's generosity for she bought us a good hearty meal!

POST MORTEM : 

Did we actually do Semanggar? Well actually, YES and NO! Leo led us on part of the toughest Semanggar route. He tweaked it just a little to add more hills on his training route.

HILLS BY STANDARDS :

Pre-school standards - Sedenak to Renggam

Elementary school standards - Tg Leman to Tg Sedili

High school standards - Part Semanggar

Kukup is Swarmed!!! (2 April 2016)

On our last leg home! 

Delta can never keep it straight!

Agnes, Wonder Woman!!

Voon, The Mischief!

James Bond and his beautiful sidekicks!

Team W Cycle

Team Madcat

Team JEC

Team Singapore?

Team B!!!

Tigger, Sue and Black Panther

Wayne, Lau and Calvin sharing a light moment

Donkey found a partner!

'Who let the dog out?'

Bikes

More bikes!

And even more bikes!!!

Endless row of bikes!

On the morning of the ride, the Head of Security of Horizon Hills approached Claudine. He was flabbergasted with the enormous turnout and wanted to know if there was a "race". Indeed, it was a great coordination and show of support from all riders.

Team JEC came in their black jerseys. Team W Cycle were in red. Team Madcat....were showing off their Halloween cat. And then, there were the odd riders in their own colourful jerseys!

Team B rolled out first. Andy who is a very able rider chose to take care of the group even though he could easily make it to Team A! So was Thomas Ridley who decidedly came in his mtb!

We went out through the Southgate, rode along the Iskandar Coastal Highway, then turned off to Lebuh Kota Iskandar. On the butterfly interchange, Team A were spotted coming from the other side of the road.

At the Eco Botanics roundabout, we rode across and climbed up the flyover. Here, is every rider for his own! Andy was the first to scale it. Chee Kiang was next. Soon, Thomas and Claudine came along. As we were worried some will lose their way, we made a quick regrouping down below only to see Team A overtaking us!

At the cross junction with Jalan Gelang Patah, Team A took the right turn while we went across towards Amin's mamak shop. We cruised along only to realize the ladies have come through but the few men and sweepers were left behind. Andy gallantly turned back and found out the delay. YL's rear light had fell and the others were waiting for him.

We rode along the scenic kampung route, turned back onto the main road that leads to Pekan Nanas and again pass by the Chinese cemetery. Ching Ming period is still ongoing and we see the same big crowd sweeping the ancestral tombs.

Arriving at Shell's Pekan Nanas, Team B were surprised to see everyone waiting!!! It was a tremendous show of support that boosted everyone's ego! After few pleasantries were exchanged, we took a group photo before bidding Team A a good ride ahead.

Riding out along the Pekan Nanas town, Madcat team came up alongside to greet us. It was unusual for Delta and Chun to be so slow unless they had a tyre puncture!

They did have a puncture of sorts!!! Their new rider, Thomas was just getting used to cleats and .... his brand new Cannondale Synapse! They were merely looking out for their friend!

After Pekan Nanas, we turned left to the famed "10km flats" stretch. It was a straight road and with so many sweepers today, Claudine overtook Andy, and cheekily said, "Let's race!"

Meanwhile, Chi Wei was already roaring ahead. He was a peculiar sight holding on to the top of the handlebar with legs pumping the pedals like a piston engine. He was about to achieve maximum torque when he noticed Claudine panting behind him! He then, took it a bit slower for her sake.

After a good stretch, Claudine was feeling the strain. She waved Andy forward. He overtook her, assuring her, "It is okay to slow down a bit!" This time, he pulled Claudine at a more comfortable pace. Chi Wei too had noticed the riders behind and decided to ride together in a peloton. With the 2 men taking turns to lead, the trio rode to the finish line.

At the finish line, we soon see everyone stream in. When VT and Zoe finally arrived, Janet clasped her hand and was eager to go! But wait!!!!! There's Thomas Cannondale and his sweeper still!!! They came soon enough to cheers from everyone. We allowed Thomas a short rest and then pushed him on the last leg!

This time, we use the route that passes the oil palm estates and grazing cows. Andy stopped to forewarn riders at a small cross junction before coming back to lead the group.

We had a short regrouping again at the turning to Jalan Kukup. This time, there was only excitement on everyone's faces as we all know food was just 8 km away!

Team A were just half way through their roti pratas when we arrived. They had taken a longer route just to time their arrival with us! The whole place was swarmed with 27 sweaty riders!!!

At the mamak shop, Cupid was throwing arrows! The ladies fell in love with a tall, dark and handsome Indian waiter. Thomas Ridley fueled their fantasies by introducing him to the ladies! That sent the ladies into school girl hysterics!! Meanwhile, our Bollywood superstar played along by requesting a selfie with them!!!

Soon, we had to part with our superstar hunk. Sue and Claudine said goodbye and promised to visit him more often. It seems we will be making more trips to Kukup in the near future!

We rode back to Pekan Nanas with very good cooperation from Madcat riders. All took turns to stop and direct riders on every turns. We had a few more regroupings to make sure no riders were left behind.

At Pekan Nanas, Team A were falling asleep when we arrived! Yet, they patiently waited as Sue had requested for a group photo with the iconic pineapple. The stop was too long for Team A, yet too short for Team B but yet everyone good naturedly trooped to the pineapple for the last photo before heading home. Some though, went, prefered to get out from the limelight.

Saying goodbye at Pekan Nanas, it was understood that all riders will return at their own pace. Khoon though decided to return with Team B this time.

Not long after Uncle Lim's durian farm, a lone figure was seen doing tai chi by the side of the road, next to a nursery. Chee Kiang was suffering from cramps. Thomas Ridley stopped for him and ushered everyone ahead.

We all waited for everyone at the scenic kampung route. Then, we moved on with a conspiracy to stop for drinks at Amin's. It was already noon and the sun was sapping us dry!

Meanwhile, Zoe called it quits at Amin's. Her knee was hurting, probably from overdrive! Her speed was commendably faster than last week's!

Leaving Zoe to be picked up by her husband, we braved the sun, the hills and the nasty headwinds to get back home. While most of everyone packed to leave, Sue and Jolin sneaked into Coppola for a celebratory drink.

Cheers, everyone!

Pontian Wantan Mee - Myth Debunked! (26 March 2016)

Rooting for Superman!

Seriously no idea when YL took this photo!!!

Waiting for Zoe

Still waiting for Zoe!

The wait continues.....

Better power Zoe with Kopi O next time!

Gas powered???

We left Pan Kobo cafe with stories of Mount Kinabalu climb hovering over us. Andy had just returned from the Unesco Heritage Site whose picturesque peak had graced so many RM100 notes! Malcolm had scaled it twice while Janet had done it three times!

Andy was asked to lead and pace us while VT volunteered to sweep. Just gliding towards Southgate, TH was already impatient to overtake him! We were either too slow or TH just could not resist making full use of his mass!!!! Don't brake and waste the momentum!

It was pretty obvious from the start that we were of varying speed. Setting the pace at 25kph, Zoe could not keep up long enough. VT and Thomas fell back to ride with her to ensure her safety.

Soon, it became crystal clear that while Andy tried to lead, he was just a tad too fast! Malcolm prefers to keep a distance while Claudine enjoys drafting behind a big man! TH and YL enjoys playing with speed, sometimes overtaking everyone, sometimes riding behind Andy. While Janet could not keep up, she refused to fall back, often finding herself riding alone!

We rode through the scenic kampung route and Uncle Lim's durian farm only to see many cars parked on the road shoulders. It was too early for durian so it could only be for Ching Ming, a tradition of sweeping the ancestral tombs!

We reached Pekan Nanas' shell station quickly though Zoe swept by Thomas and VT took slightly longer to arrive. TH who was playing with speed earlier came in together with them! His bike chain fell off twice even though the bike was recently serviced!

After Pekan Nanas, we rode towards Pontian. Through the few traffic lights along the way and heavy traffic, we soon lost everyone! Thankfully, everyone were riding in pairs.

TH and Andy riding way ahead....

Claudine drafting behind Malcolm for wind resistance and security. He carries with him a can of C2 gas spray, a sort of tear gas spray...

YL was pulling Janet ....

Zoe swept by VT and Thomas, arrived at Pontian with a declaration that she will be boarding the bus home!

Meanwhile, Elaine who had driven to Pontian for her periodic supply of fresh seafood had recced breakfast for us. She was quick to inform us the popular Wantan Mee shops of A, B and C were not open. It was either we were too early or they were closed for Ching Ming too.

It was established later that Heng Heng was open for business and YL knew the way. We made a beeline there just as they were pushing the folding doors open!!!

Not concious to Pontian or southern styled Wantan Mee, we ordered the generic ones which comes with cheap tomato sauce! The noodles though al dente, were commendable but nothing spectacular. They come with red char siew that was neither charred nor barbecued. The meat looked like they were just rubbed with some red colouring and cooked over a pan. It was an injustice to the real char siew for this has created a bad impression to the juicy sweet meat!

A bowl of wantan soup is served together with the noodles. While the Wantan fillings are tasty with a tinge of salted fish, the Wantan skin are left wanting....they were slightly too thick.

Another horror is the fishballs served with the wantan!!! The teochews' craze for fishballs must have prompted them to kill this noodles which is traditionally Cantonese by origins!

Besides the much talked about Pontian Wantan Mee, Heng Heng also serves pre-packed otak-otak. Again, they were edible, rated slightly below good!

For brewed beverages, we have to self serve from the corner coffee shop though we do not need to return the cups!!!

TH shared my sentiments about the noodles. In fact, he had tried Sin Kee's noodles which he rates it as slightly better only.

After debunking the myth of this so called famed noodles, we left for Pekan Nanas. Along the way, we spotted a strange stall that sells live, fresh water fish hanging from clear plastic bags!

We arrived at Pekan Nanas' fruit juice stall for some juices and coconut water. It seems the Kopi O at Pontian had powered Zoe up. She arrived in no time.

 

We took a last group photo with Pekan Nanas' iconic pineapple. A tribute to the latest movie, Batman vs Superman, we all rooted for Superman. With seniority comes respect, after all, our Oldman is 1 year older than his rival!!!

After posing but not flying, we meekly left the grounds on two wheels. We were riding well within sight of each other until TH had a puncture somewhere after Uncle Lim's. VT, Thomas and Andy stopped to help him while ushering the rest to carry on.

We all rode back via the kampung route again but this segment sees Malcolm still riding strong though complaining of a pair of legs that does not belong to him anymore!!!! And... Zoe, needing another pick me up Kopi O. Somehow, we all managed to get back home safely but the four men left behind enjoyed a drink at Amin's before the final push!

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse - Come watch the wolf howl!!! (23 March 2016)

Directly 2 weeks after the Total Solar Eclipse, there was another cosmic alignment! This time it is the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse!! Riders and not astronomers, we gathered at Pan Kobo Cafe hoping to watch the phenomenon while we enjoy a leisure ride.

Someone in the chatgroup has suggested a picnic. This idea fired up a few people into motion.

On the night of March 23, Sue came to feed an army! She came with boxes filled with nasi lemak and mee siam!!! Besides that, she brought a plastic bag filled with fried chicken.

Claudine came with homecooked nasi lemak and fried chicken for her family and a little extra to spare. Kiwi brought a box full of grapes. Irene brought banana cakes, Ailly bags her chips, Zoe contributed yam cake and Siew Guay came with fragrant smelling satay!

While Sue and VT were seen eating the whole night through, many others had come after their dinner hence most food were left untouched!

Chin Po Lim and his wife

We started riding our loops when dinner was done. It was a family fun ride. Kiwi, Jane and their daughter; Chin Po Lim and his wife; Irene, Tan and Lucas; Zoe and her daughter; Wong and another lady; Claudine, VT and Rygel; Sue, Azmi and Amri; though Amri was not feeling well and had to leave with Azmi! There were the singles too .... Jolin, Khan and Siew Guay.

Siew Guay who was recently robbed off her Cannondale bike came with her new "steel" horse. She had just bought a Specialized Amira bike and the Lunar Eclipse was her very first ride!!!

Sadly, the weather was not cooperating with the hopeful astronomers. The moon was totally eclipsed by the clouds throughout the phenomenon. And.....the only howling that was heard was coming from the laughter of the riders!!!

Taiping Heritage Ride ( 17-20 March 2016 ), Day 4 - Au Revoir my beloved hometown!

We picked Berenda up for breakfast after her early morning solo ride around the Lake Gardens. Our timing was perfect as Derek and Tze were just setting off for Ipoh. We bid them a safe journey home!

We just had to savour our frothy milk tea again before our journey home, so we went back to Kwan Seong coffee shop. This time, we had their yummy curry puffs, sticky glutinous rice, nasi lemak, curry mee and of course, the wantan mee again!

After breakfast, we dropped Berenda off at Flemington hotel again. She had arranged a late check out and will wait for May to pick her up for their trip up Bukit Larut aka Maxwell Hill. This time, she bid us a safe journey home as she will be the last to leave Taiping. Her bus is scheduled to depart at 9 pm.

Leaving her to be entertained by May, we went back home to pack. Then we left our beloved hometown......right after a stop at our favourite cendol stall!!!