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