Pre-Flag off Cycle Around Peninsular Malaysia 2012

13 May, Sunday - T'was a day of joy and momentous occasion for our Green Riders as Daryl, Yeap ( aka Nyghtsky ) and Soman embark on a journey to cycle around the Peninsular Malaysia on their touring bicycles.

Earlier that day, the threesome received God's Blessing from 

Father Simon Lebrooy (2nd from left) of St Thomas More Church, Subang Jaya 

 Cycle Around Peninsular Malaysia 2012 on Touring Bikes

 Moral support from The Fellowship of Green Riders

Pre-Flag off Cycle Around Peninsular Malaysia 2012 accompany by 

The Fellowship of Green Riders

Wishing them all the best, fun and safe ride

The 35 days Cycle Around Peninsular Malaysia 2012 bicycle tour starts Tuesday 15 May Est 7am.

Subang - Port Dickson Ride : Day 1

In the wee hours of a beautiful Saturday morning ( 6:30am ), 4 riders departed from USJ3/1 Padang for what would be our longest ride to date, since the coming together as the Green Riders. Our destination, the seaside town of Port Dickson in Seremban.

We met up with the 5th rider, the very experienced Recumbent Sifu Meng Fook Cheun ( bentonthealps / Bentonhimalaya ) in front of Summit Hotel and proceeded to Sri Petaling for DimSum breakfast b4 starting our journey proper at 8:00am.

Our luggage laden bicycles attracted much attention from the restaurant patrons who were full of questions about the what, where, when and WHY!!!

After some confusion with regards to the route to take, we were finally back on track towards Sepang via Dengkil.

A wide motorcycle lane on the way to Sepang; but no one was using it

Fully loaded Touring Bikes

With a wonderful GOD BLESSED weather, our group of 5 were on our merry way; traffic conditions was generally OK with the exception of town crossing, whereby one had to be a little more cautious. We made several short breaks every 15 - 20km to regroup, refresh and for photo-shoots.

The undulating route of Jalan Sepang-Dengkil proofed to be quite challenging with its long long uphill stretches but the following downhills after, was equally enjoyable.

It got a little hotter around noon but then, we were greeted with a light rain shower a half hour later just before stopping for lunch at a little quaint "Kampung" Chicken rice outlet at Taman Sepang Jaya, some 30+km from Port Dickson.

Its was 1:30pm when we started on our last leg towards Port Dickson; our bodies now fully replenished with a great lunch. The weather got hotter still with a temp of 37.0 °C; The remaining 30km along Jalan Bukit Palong and Jalan Seremban continue to be undulating but with our slow and steady rhythm, we persisted.

Finally approx 3.20pm, we arrived no worse for wear at the Sea Front Hotel Port Dickson, one of the very few el-cheapo establishments which allows for bicycles to be brought into the rooms; Our very basic small rooms were nothing to shout about, but a cold shower and air-conditioning was most welcomed by our hot and tired bodies and legs.

Day 1's distance was 105km and would be the 1st 100km ride for Victor, Daryl and Tee. Congrats to them!

With extremely hot and sunny weather outside, the Geng decided against further outings till 6:30pm where we emerged out on foot in search of dinner ( and even then, the sun was still up together with warm humid sea air to boot ) Surprisingly for a Saturday, most shops in the area were already closed for the day.

Forgoing the more expensive-looking ( tourist trap like ) Seafood Restaurant, we found a decent looking one a little further away and settled down for a much awaited dinner. Riding long distance does increases one's appetite.

As it got darker and cooler, the famous Port Dickson sunset became delightful to watch; Of course the photographers in our group, Tee and Vic was happily snapping away.

Beautiful sunset and swallow birds flying across

After dinner, we made our way back to the hotel and park our butts for teh-tarik at the Cafe next door; The football match between Liverpool and Wigan was showing and its was about 2:00am before we finally call it a night.

Our bikes:-

Tee's Scott Scale 60 MTB

Vic's Exitway MR SUB Hybrid Touring Bike

Daryl's XDS four 91 Touring Bike

Yeap's Surly Long Haul Trucker Touring Bike

Uncle Meng's Street Machine Recumbent

Story by Yeap aka Nyghtsky / Pictures by Victor & Tee

Continue to the Day 2 

For more photos click here 

Subang - Port Dickson Ride : Day 2

A late night did not seem in anyway dampen our spirits as most of us were up by 7am. Poor Meng had been up late working on a puncture which he discovered when he went to bed the night before.

All ready to go!

While waiting, Tee and Victor were happy snapping away. We finally set off to search for breakfast at Port Dickson town. Yet again, most shops were closed but we discovered a gem of a restaurant serving great nasi lemak; after which we proceeded to Port Dickson Waterfront where the scenery of the beach was breathtaking.

Delicious Nasi Lemak for breakfast

Customary pose at PD Waterfont

Classic pose

Finally, after posing for our customary group photos, we departed Port Dickson at 9:20am, deciding on an alternate route back to Subang, via Pantai Morib. The route was a much longer distance of more than 120km.

Unlike the excellent cycling weather yesterday, the day got hotter much earlier as we retrace our undulating route back to Taman Sepang Jaya;

Taking shelter after a long uphill stretch

Some 25km into the journey, Meng suffered yet another puncture right in the middle of hot scorching sun, with no shade to hide under. Out came SPF to the rescue.

Yet again! Punctured!

Meng swiftly dealt with the problem with a patchkit, and we were off to Sepang Jaya for lunch. More fans and Q&A about our bikes and trips by the locals and shop owner there, but no discount of food or drinks.

Owners were full of question, but no discount :(

Our route was south towards Morib from then on. Weather continued to get hotter with the occasional cloud providing a short reprieve from the scorching sun but the coastal route on Jalan Sungai Pelek was straight and dusty.

Riding south towards Morib (56km)/ Klang (101km)

Taking a breather from the hot sun 5km from Morib Beach

We finally reach Pantai Morib at 5:00pm. With another 55km till home, we did not bother to stay long. A quick photo session and we were off towards Banting town for dinner by 6:00pm.

Quick stop/ Snap at Morib Beach

The dinner at Restaurant 989 Food Court in Banting was at best, below average coupled with poor service. With the sky fast becoming dark... we push off towards Bandar Botanic, Klang riding at a steady pace of 23km/hour. A nice tailwind and the cool weather helped a lot.

Looks good but tasteless; Seriously not recommended!

Happy we were, to finally reach the all-familiar Kesas route at Bandar Botanic, which meant that home was just around the corner... ( only 24km left ); we push on at an even faster pace till the Petronas Station for a breather. More photograph were taken as Meng had decided to exit at SS19 shortcut towards his home, a little further on.

Victory leap

The remaining 4 of us finally arrived at USJ 3/1 Padang at 10:30pm. Distance travelled - 140km plus.

Home Sweet Home

Total distance for the 2 days: 240.95km

Route Map

I'm pretty sure we all slept soundly that night with a smile knowing well that we have set yet another milestone in our Green Riders' tale;

* Congrats to our newest member, a really 'Green Rider', Tee Boon Tong who proof himself a real "Mr T" having completed the entire trip on his new MTB ( with wide knobbly tires ). He has only just started cycling for 3 weeks prior. Hope your butt feels ok soon!

Touring Action

BACK TO DAY 1

For more great photos from Victor
click here

Photos from Tee

click here