RA's Journal Day 05, Wed, Oct 12, 2011

Today's Question:

Question:

I noticed you weren't wearing your 2XU riding gear when you rode from Singapore to Pontian. Was there a reason?

Answer:

Very observant. I like. I woke up on Sunday (9 Oct), was suppose to be ready by 0500hrs (5am Singapore time), but because there was some last minute gearing up to do, so I decided to ride with whatever I had on and see how far can those casual wear take me. The furthest I could go was a mere 40km, it was really difficult to cycle long distances without the proper cycling attire. A stop to change into proper cycling gear helped my performance, I also felt more aerodynamic. I didn't put on my 2XU cycling attire until the third day of my ride from Batu Pahat to Muar. The conclusion, casual gear is no go for me if hard riding is required.

Day 05, Muar to Malacca (77km)

Accumulated distance travelled: 333km

Last night before going to bed, I went searching on youtube for some videos that could help me fix my pulled thigh muscle. I managed to find a Javanese massage video and followed it. The only difference was that I had to do the rubbing myself. I woke up this morning in pain, and was hoping that it wouldn't last throughout my ride to Malacca.

It was a fantastic day. I woke to the sounds of birds chirping at 0500hrs (5am Malaysian time). I quickly washed up, finished off some work for today, and then serviced my bike.Checked the tires, oiled the chain and tightened anything that was loose from yesterday's ride. All packed up and with my gear loaded, I headed downstairs for my breakfast of black coffee and lontong Muar. Continued with my work while I ate breakfast.

My Muar breakfast

Time check: 0845hrs (8.45am Malaysian time). I have learnt not to rush things and take my time from my past three days of riding. Learnt to take my time to check my bike and gear, but most importantly, I must feel calm and focused. One more thing I did before going to bed last night was to study the route that I would take the next day. Looking for alternative routes that would give me a combination of long flat routes that would give me the endurance training needed, and endless rolling hills that I need for strength training. After studying the Muar to Malacca route, I knew that this would be the kind of route that I would enjoy. It was a combination of 15 to 20km of flat straights, and another 25k's of rolling hills before entering the kampong roads that would take me to Malacca.

Time check: 0915hrs (9.15am Malaysian time), I was ready to roll. All gear secured on my bike, a final check of the room, then everything was brought down. Five bags, a handle bar bag, three water bottles and my bike was all in my room with me last night. A final photo with Ms. See, the owner of My Budget Inn, for memory. Ms. See was a very nice person, I promised her that I would be back to stay in Muar for two nights.

Photo with owner of My Budget Inn Muar, Ms.See

I took my time leaving Muar, with a detour to my late mother's home on Jalan Bakri, Muar, and a last look around Muar town before I rode across the famous Muar Town Bridge heading towards my next destination. I hit route 5, flat and straight, I flew along on my 50kg loaded bike (as in tested my bike at speeds) averaging speeds of 25 to 30kmh for about 20km (that's why there are no rest stop photos in today's journal). I only stopped upon seeing the Johor/Malacca state border crossing and remembering that after the last 20km of flat would be 25km of rolling hilly roads. I loaded myself with a banana and two salted rice balls to provide me with a quick burst of energy before hitting the hilly terrain to Malacca, pushing myself to 80% of my limit. I did great, my right thigh holding up and my bicycle was rolling along as it should.

Muar Town Bridge

I was so into my cycling that I missed my turn to Umbai Pekan Ikan Bakar, as well as the turn to Serkam Ikan Bakar stops. Not wanting to make my Malacca leg a waste, I stopped to check my map to see if there were any turns a head which I could take to get some of the famous Ikan Bakar (Malay for BBQ grilled fish). Tanjung Mas would be the next best exit to get off route 5 to enter Malacca via the kampong roads.Travelling the path less travelled is indeed an experience in itself. This is where you get to see kampong houses, savour authentic Malay kampong cuisine, and meet people that enjoys the simple life.

Tanjung Mas

A stop at a village food stall, I met Alias, a local mountain bike guide. He so happened to be bringing 5 guys off-roading in Malacca (guys do look for him when you are next in Malacca. He will bring you to the best off-road biking spots in Malacca).

Alias - Lonely Planet endorsed MTB guide with his guests

Time check: 1300hrs (1pm Malaysia time). I remembered the old Malacca, where kids would be running around their kampong houses, but I couldn't remember where the place was exactly. Since I wanted to see the less seen parts of Malacca, I switched off my navigation, kept my route map, and decided to get lost in the kampongs. Many people think of Malacca as only Bandar Hilir, the UNESCO site and the Portuguese settlement, but today I went to places that I had never seen after the many times that I have visited Malacca. On one stretch of the road I was chased by kids shouting "Abang, Abang ....... Hello". I stopped intending to give them some souvenirs, but instead they brought me to their home where I was welcomed by their dad. The kids showed me their pets (see picture below), Yes, it's cows.

The kampong kids with their pet cow in the background

I stayed awhile playing and chatting with them. I totally love them!

Time check: 1400hrs (2pm Malaysian time). It was getting too for getting lost anymore. I looked up at the sun and since I was heading north, I re-oriented myself to get my bearings for any place which I could stay for a night that would be cheap and had wifi. Before I ended my day of riding, I went to a place where I could get a picture of the Straits of Malacca (see picture below).

The Straits of Malacca - left to Singapore, right to Penang

Three things that made me smile today:

1. My thigh is good now.
2. My bike is performing as it should be.
3. Meeting the kampong kids and their "pet"