Merdeka Folding Bike Touring, Klang to Langkawi: Day 4

Today I woked up and my leg still in pain. Again two of us are quite reluctant to get out of the cozy bed. By the time we finished packing, the sun was already burning outside. Arh crap..... I can predict hot day ahead.

For the first time since we started touring, we were able to read newspaper thanks to the compliment of the hotel we are staying. After checking out of the hotel, we proceed to a popular local eatery (which Mike knew of).

We ordered each of us a bowl of rice noodle in soup, with side dishes of pig blood curd and braised chicken foot in dark sauce. It was a heavenly meal and we finished it in no time.

After breakfast we had a short tour of Taiping. One of the important landmark we visited is the Taiping Clock Tower. Built-in 1881, this monument have become a tourist information center. Not far from the clock tower is the impressive 19th century Victorian architecture building, which is now the District Land Office for Taiping Municipal. Pity we couldn't spend more time exploring the town.

Before we set out to Bukit Mertajam, we have to stop over a LBS (Local Bike Shop) at Simpang. Mike had an arrangement with the owner of the LBS during the dinner last night, which he wanted to install a low-profile rack. The owner was kind enough to open his shop even though it is an off-day for him. How nice of him.

A visit to his shop was an interesting affair. From the outside it look like any ordinary bicycle shop. But once we stepped into it, the LBS houses numerous surprises. If you scan everything, you are bound to find items that are from the 50s to the 90s. You will be forgiven if you mistake this shop as a museum.

After finishing exploring the shop & the owner finish install the low profile bar. We bid the owner farewell, and we head out to Bukit Mertajam via Federal Road 1.Since my left leg still hurt from the cramp. Look like I gonna take it easy and hopefully I can make it there in one piece.

Along the way I spotted an terrible accident, where I suspected the driver drove too fast, lose control of it, crashed into the muddy drain before landing on a piece of stab which served as a driveway. Fortunately no one was injured in the accident. When I shared this incident with my partners, none of them never spot this accident. Guess all of us were lucky to avoid this accident.

We had a very long break at Bagan Serai town. And Mike decided that he wanted to do some more shopping and purchase a wide leather saddle with string suspension. Hmmm, retail therapy to ease touring stress?

Since we are not familiar with the local food cuisine, we simply random choose a hawker center for our lunch. And we head off soon after.

Taking a break at the T-junction before making a turn toward Bukit Mertajam, Mike had an idea that instead of stopping at Bukit Mertajam, and continue the journey tomorrow, we should cycle to Butterworth, or Penang Isle, and then took a ferry to Langkawi on the next day. After 4 days of continous cycling, I think Mike was exhausted, and I do agreed on his plan as well. Lucky for us Mr Yeong also agreed to the plan. And so we make our way to Butterworth.

The final leg of the journey was the worst I ever felt. Not sure if I forget to replenish myself with food during the tea break, or already have reached my limit of the day, but I was already struggling to complete the last 20km. Not only that, the road toward Butterworth was full of speeding vehicles that I have to be extra careful not to slow down abruptly. Otherwise I risk fish-tailing my bike and have a crash.

Surprising, while we are climbing the last bridge to the jetty, suddenly the traffic just sort of disappeared. Peaceful as last! On the top of bridge we took a breather and enjoying the evening view of the strait toward the Penang Isle.

Taking the ferry from Butterworth is an interesting affair. I didn't know there is a road lead toward the entrance of the jetty, and I didn't know how much I have to pay. And so you can see me scrambling looking for exact changes at the ticket booth (which look like any other toll booth in Malaysia).

Once we aboard the iconic ferry at the vehicle bay, we took up what available space after the 4-wheel vehicle finished boarding with motorcycles.

While admiring the evening sun and enjoying the sea breeze gently massaged my face, I have time to ponder over the journey so far and couldn't help feeling emotional about it . Four days of hard riding with barely adequate fitness, with one leg kinda cramping from day 2 onwards, facing the prospect of sleeping under the sky, the journey so far have been kind to me, without suffering any kind of setback.

By the time we reach the Penang Isle, it was already past 6pm. We quickly made our way to the ticket office and see if there is any ferry to Langkawi on the next day. Unfortunately the ticket office was closed.

So the next thing we do is to hunt for accommodation. After some bargain hunting we found a very budget hostel. Though it was a communal bathroom and toilet, we were fine with it. And for the first time we actually get to use the public PC with the internet access. Finally we can catch up on the happening around the world the past 4 days we been touring.

We're certain that we won’t be able to starve in arguably the food capital of Malaysia, but it's a pity our local friends couldn't meet up for dinner due to our impromptu visit. My good friend Turbosnail was kind enough to send me the GPS co-ordinates on where are the good places to eat. Cheers mate!

Very lucky it was a walking distance to the Chulia St, as I was liternally limping and dragging my left feet, which is on the verge to give up on me...

The wide variety of hawker food doesn't disappoint, but the crowds there is certainly overwhelming. It took us a while before we managed to find an empty table. And because the portion is so small (comparing to our starving stomach), we quickly finish it and continue on eating spree. Good thing the price is quite reasonable as well.

Finally we have reached Penang, thus fulfilling my first part of my touring plan. Now the next thing to worry about is getting to Langkawi.With double holiday peaking, I'm quite worry about lack of ticket going to Langkawi. And so even if we get to Langkawi, I have to worry about getting accommodation, as my friends have repeating warn me to do advance booking at least 3 months. Well I suppose unpredictability is part of the exciting parcel when you do touring. But since we already set out, no use worrying now. So let see how the day will turn out tomorrow.

By 10.30pm, I was sleeping like a dead log.

Distance: 98.98km (excluding the ferry ride)
Average Speed: 14.8km/hr
Max Speed: 39.2km/hr
Total time taken: 6h 40min

Merdeka Folding Bike Touring, Klang to Langkawi: Day 3

Today I woke up feeling refreshed, however my legs were still bit sored from yesterday’s ride. ‘Oh Man’  I wasn't feeling confident about the journey ahead, about 100km to Taiping.

It was still dark when we checked out our chalet. This is indeed a very nice chalet surrounded by the nature, with beach in front of the chalet, and mountain behind - will miss this place. I couldn't ask for more, so you must check this place out if you are around this area!

After checking out the schedule of the next ferry (which is 30min wait), we cycled to the nearest coffee shop to have our breakfast. Again I opt for a meal bun with hot cup of coffee, my antidote for the day.

The weather was much cooling compared to yesterday’s scorching heat (heng ah!) and it was an enjoyable 1 hour ride back towards Lumut Jetty. I went up to the deck to enjoy the view. Mike follow suit later, snapping away with his DSLR. Mr Yeong stayed in the cabin, enjoying the aircon.

Upon arriving at Lumut jetty, we went to look for shop to refill our water bottles. Spotted a shop and Mike bought a jumbo 5.5Litre of water to share with us. However we have some water left. Sawing an empty space on top of my rack, he gave me an evil look. He must be jealous that I carry lighter load than him, he secretly launched the plan to add weight to my bike!

After refilling our water, we proceed our way out of the town. Mike spotted an eatery just barely 300m after we set off, and we proceed to our 2nd breakfast, one hour after our first breakfast. Since we are waiting for our breakfast, I took the opportunity to tighten the screw of a mount, where I over-tighten it and break the screw holder....crap!

Still wanting to use the mount equipped with cyclo-computer and the GPS (due to lack of space on my handlebar), I have to find ways to secure it.  After several trial-and-error attempts, I managed to secure it without the danger of failing off my handlebar. Hopefully this will last until I can find a replacement along the way.

There are interesting views as we made our way out of Lumut, including the heavy industry shipyard, and a fishing raft. After crossing the 2 sky-high bridge road, the road conditions eventually become narrower and deteriorated.

Personally I like the journey after crossing the 2nd bridge. Rolling hills, plenty of tree shades, the various mountain and forest reserves providing the backdrop whenever you pedal. Magnificent and refreshing. 

When we reached Pantai Remis, it was our lunch time. As we don’t know the area well, we just simply find a simple eatery for lunch. Unknown to me, the Third Beach Tin mine was located at Pantai Remis. In 1993 there was a massive landslide at The Third Beach Tin mine, resulting from the several decades of tin-mining activities. Someone have even make a video recording. You can watch it here.

After our lunches, we resume our journey. As we slowly make our way out, the sky began to open up. Despite cycling into the kampung, there were hardly any shades to protect us from the burning sun.

Today was the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, so we can see many of the villagers, fully dressed with their traditional and colourful Malay clothing, were out to visit their families and friends. The mood was joyous that many local greeted me as I was about to cycle past them, and  I greeted back as well. =)

Halfway into the journey, we stopped to rest at Sungai Tinggi village. A pretty rural town I might add. But what is so memorable to me is that for the first time we encountered a touring couple cycling with their surly bikes fully-decked out in pannier bags cycling in opposite direction. Man it must look very very heavy. Pity they didn't stop to have a chat, but I suppose they have schedule to meet. After massaging our tired legs, off we go.

By the time we reached Terong, I was quite tired and making slow progress. Luckily we stopped at a coffee shop where we stopped for cold drink. Interestingly the shop  was owned by an elderly Malay couple. He even offered us to try his wife's home-made dessert. When we offered to pay for our drink, he declined it.

After we bid goodbye to the kind elderly and his family for their hospitality, we headed our way toward Taiping. Again this part of the road is quite winding & twisting. At this time I was already low on energy, and every pedaling sure took a lot of effort. And did I mention that most of the places were closed. No food no drink..... Morale down the bottomless pit.

Despite it, my morale went up when I saw the big display telling us that we have reached Taiping. YES YES YES!!! Just a couple of km, then we can look for hotel and take a much needed rest. But during a break at the major cross junction. Mr Yeong have an idea that instead of turning right to Taiping, we will turn left to do a slight detour, to visit Port Weld, which is now known as Kuala Sepetang.

As I have never done any research on Kuala Septang, I'm totally clueless. So no doubt they will be leading it. However, the trouble began. The nerve at the back of my left foot, just behind the ankle, occasionally cramped for every pedal.  I try hard not to pedal hard on my left foot, and my right foot will be doing all the pedaling for now onward so not to slow the group down.

The scenery toward Kuala Sepetang town is very scenic. And along the way I greeted a rider on his MTB cycling in the opposite direction, which means that it is a popular cycling route.  I didn't know that before reaching the town I have passed the charcoal factory which was one of tourist attractions. Anyhow I reached the town first around evening time, extremely hungry.

Once they arrived, we asked the local group of kids for the place that serves the best food, and they pointed us to an eatery within 10m, and they told us that we should try the curry mee. So while we go and park our bike and look for a place to sit, the boys went away and gather few more friends to admire our bikes. Hopefully we inspired them to go green.

We are disappointed that the curry mee was sold out!!!! So we just savaged whatever we could. Even then, the food tasted exceptionally good, with nostalgic favours tasted.

After our meal, we went to explore the fishing village of Kuala Setepang. Despite its small size, the village is ‘full of characters’, with plenty of 1970s-era shophouses, fishing processing farm cum house. And the most important landmark is the "Port Weld" signboard craved out in stone. Now all that remains of once-glorious train station is this signboard, and the remaining ticket station converted into shophouse, part of it still preserved by current owner of the shophouses.

After exploring the rich history of Port Weld, we began our journey to our final destination, Taiping. Just barely cycling out of the town, we met with a local rider, whom I met earlier with. An avid cyclist who is the captain of the fishing boat, he was certainly surprised and very interested in our touring trip. So interested in fact they he exchanges telephone number with us so we can meet up for dinner later on. What a nice guy!!!

After cycling for 110km, my left leg have finally given up on me, where every pedal brings the most painful cramp I have ever experienced. After a long time, I managed to catch up with my mates and told them of my situation. While I would like to struggled onward, my mates decided to check-in hotel just outside Taiping for rest. But then the hotel is fully-booked for the night, and the next available hotel is about 10km to Taiping.

So they hatched the rescue plan. They cycled to find the hotel, while I waited for the rescuer with our new-found friend. While I'm a bit disappointed that I cannot completed today ride, I was certainly grateful for Mr Lian for his assistance.

After we checked in, and refreshed ourselves, our local friend directed us to a very famous eatery not far from the hotel. Our friend also called his cycling buddies for a night out. The more the merrier. 

After a long dinner , we bid our newfound friends goodbye, we returned to our hotel. From there I was getting worried. Can I continue cycling tomorrow? How far I can go before I have to give up? Any cure? Well too late to worry about that. Just when I was halfway into the journey, I were to gave it up? Hell no.... This is touring, the one I initiated. Unless I really break a bone, I shall see how far I can really go before giving up. For now, I continue my medication, sleep early and hope for the best. Night

Ride data of Day 3:

Distance: 114.45km (excluding the car ride)
Average Speed: 16.1km/hr
Max Speed: 43.2km/hr
Total time taken: Painful 7h 05min

Merdeka Folding Bike Touring, Klang to Langkawi: Day 2

Yesterday was a long day that after dinner, I zzz once I hit the comfy pillow…but….too bad this peaceful slumber didn’t last as the aircon temp was too cold that force me to wake up way earlier. There goes my extra one hour of precious sleep (Lesson learnt: always check the aircon setting b4 I zzzz)

Since both of us were awoke due to the ‘unnatural’ coldness (very early!) and the other who is an early bird (auto body clock at 5.30am, gasps!), we are able to leave our hotel quite early (the sun is still not out!). As we didn't get to visit Telok Intan the day before, we decided to proceed to visit the town to have breakfast, followed by visiting the famous landmark of Telok Anson (the old name).

We refilled our water supply at 7-ll store, and then we randomly choose a hawker center for our breakfast. Because we reached the town so early, the owners were still preparing the food. Luckily we are the patient lot, so we waited for our food order to arrive while we went on shooting spree..... with our cameras.

 The breakfast was yummy and tummy overloaded! By then the morning sun has risen… Time to proceed to the main attraction of Telok Intan ---- The leaning tower of Telok Anson!

The view of the leaning tower is amazing! Constructed in 1885, the 8 storey building was built primarily as a water storage tank during dry season for the town. And later act as the clock tower. You can check the history here.

We had a short chat with the elderly locals, who were there for morning exercise. As usual they were amused by our touring plan, and even offered to help us take the group photo =D. Soon we proceed our plan of the day: Cycle to Lumut which is 96km away...

The weather was fantastic again. With strong overcast sky, we don’t have to worry about the hot sun boiling us. But my performance today was totally opposite of yesterday ride. My butt is still sore from the super-awesome ride, and somehow I feel the nerve at the rear of my ankle feel a bit painful. After some kilometer we stop at the bus stop for a short break.

After the short break, we were about to set off when our ‘lucky’ partner Yikai discovered that his rear wheel was flat, and he sworn that when he stop the tyre is still full of air. Must be a slow leak puncture. While he fixing the puncture, Mr Yeong found a small shard of broken glass shattered piercing through the worn-out tyre...

Chew Yikai showing how to have 'fun' with my PostPump™ Seatpost that come together with my folding bike. 

Once we fixed the punctured tube, we gradually make our way, passing through the harvested padi field, plantation and many small kampung. But my performance has suffered badly today. I can hardly maintain my constant speed, and I have to take a break a lot more compared to yesterday. I guessed I really push myself too hard yesterday, and now I suffered the consequences. So after the numerous stops and many massages later, we reached Lumut Jetty at 1pm. Plan A accomplished (albeit much later than we expected)!!!

Hence we shall commerced Plan B: Pangkor Holiday!!! Without losing much time we hopped onto the ferry to travel to Pangkor Island, tour the island, and hopefully find a hotel for Day 2. Otherwise we have to take the ferry back in the evening and find our alternative hotel.

Usually when you alighted at the jetty and walked out, there will be score of hyenas aka the taxi drivers will swamp all visitors to hire their taxi service. But when they saw us pushing out bikes, decked out in touring gear, they ignored us completely!!! What lah....

Before we set off to have lunch and become explorer, first we looked for hotel, bargain-hunter style!!! We enquired a few hotels, which were quite expensive. Not much choice since these hotel are catered for tourist. Fortunately after a short while, we decided on a chalet. We loved it because we can simply park our bike outside on ground level, and we have the fantastic view of bench and sea just outside our windows.

Acommodation settled, we hunted for lunch. Stumbled on a hawker center, with lot of people dining. Should be a good choice we thought. We have no qualm about our choice of lunch, and in fact the shredded ice dessert was certainly a welcome treat. Our only complain is the sheer price for tourist!!!

After the expensive lunch, we began our tour of Pangkor Island. The road is generally narrow and only one lane, so you have to be extra careful of motorcycle riders, and taxi-van that swallow much of a road lane. Despite that, the road is very scenic, well maintained, and certainly a joy to cycle through the hilly road.

 After a series of scenic but lung-bursting climb, followed by long twisty downhill section, we reached the other side of the island. Completely free from human activities, we have the whole beach for ourselves. And the sun have came out to give us the blessing sun-ray. We took the opportunity for some I-pose-U-shoot moments.



After the short  break, we proceeded to complete the whole loop of the island. But never did I expected that I have to do another set of hill-climb which I generally weak at. Hai.........

Reaching the chalet around evening time, the first thing I want to do is to take bath and take a nap 1st. But Mr Yeong suggested to me that we should go and visit the Dutch-Fort. I have to reject as I wanted to have some rest to regain my strength for tomorrow trip. Mr Chew, on the other hand, wanted to go to the beach. After lot of 'begging', I gave in and accompanied him on the rented motorcycle, despite none of us have the license for it =P

The dinner was a simple affair, as we purposely avoid those restaurants cater for tourist and seafood lovers, and instead cycle around to look for local eatery. We weren't disappointed with our dinner, and it was certainly more affordable than our lunch earlier that day.

Despite a slow and painful day, I was certainly enjoying the 2nd day of the touring trip. However I was beginning to feel the pain on my ankle. This was certainly a call for concern, as we still got a lot to cover before we reach Langkawi. Not wanting to worry too much, I consumed some panadol, rubbed some muscle-relieving lotion, went to bed early and hope for the best.

Ride data of Day 2 (Telok Intan to Lumut Jetty):

Distance: 72.49k
Average Speed: 17.7km/hr
Max Speed: 31.7km/hr
Total time taken: 4h 05min

Round Island Ride Data
Distance: 22km
Max Speed: 42.7km/hr