RA's Journal, Day13, Thu, Oct 20, 2011

Today’s Question:

Question (SMS Question):

When are you going to show us the two hand-signals you used to communicate with other road users?

Answer:

Pic 01:To make myself more visible, I raise my right hand, "Hi, I am here..."
Pic 02: I will slowly stretch out my hand to indicate, "I need this much space..

Hope the above helps

Day 13, Thursday: Teluk Intan – Ipoh (95km)

Route: Teluk Intan – Bidor – Ayer Kuning – Kampar – Simpang Pulai - Ipoh

Accumulated distance travelled: 825km

I thought it was really a good called to do a short and easy ride yesterday from Sabak Bernam to Teluk Intan, so that I could have an early rest. I knew that today’s ride to Ipoh would be a tough one to crack and I needed all my concentration to get there. It was really a hard call to be only doing a 40km day, but the strategy paid off. I am now safely in Ipoh café writing this report, dry but feeling really knackered from the hard ride out from Teluk Intan and into Ipoh.

Time Check: 0800hrs (8am Malaysian time)

I got up a little late today. I didn’t hear both my phone and my wrist watch alarm. I manage to get out of bed at 0800hrs (8am Malaysian time), packed everything and washed up. I totally forgotten the breakfast appointment I made with a new friend in Teluk Intan. I dropped her a quick SMS and to apologize.

Time Check: 0900hrs (9am Malaysian time)

When I got down with my gear, the hotel owner happened to be downstairs, I chatted with her for a while. A very nice lady who has managed the family hotel business for about 30 years. I’m glad I woke up late and hung around for a little while with her because a group of young thugs (looking like a drug addicts) tried to get a room and she flatly said no to them. They hesitated to leave the hotel and got another friend to talk to the lady owner, again she said NO. The thugs looked at me and asked where I was heading and I made a mistake telling them my destination. It’s the morning thingy, the mind working slowly. They left after that and I counted there were about six of them squeezed in car. The hotel owner confirmed my curiosity and told me to change my destination to be safe, thinking that they might be waiting for me outside Teluk Intan on the route to Ipoh. "You don't scared to get rob?". She blurted. I open my eyes wide giving her the 'What the F@&$ look?" I never thought of that ever since I started to pedal in Malaysia. I had this believes that if I am cool to people, in return they will be cool to me.

“They will give me problems. Dirty the rooms, take drugs in there… If you were not with me, they would have given me trouble…”

We shook hands, hugged and took one obligatory photo before I said my goodbyes to her. A very lovely lady.

Leaving Hoover Hotel & Tea House, Teluk Intan, Perak

Time Check: 1000hrs (10am Malaysian time)

Earlier on while talking to the hotel owner, I received an SMS from my Teluk Intan friend to meet her at the Teluk Intan Bus Terminal, so I rode there to see what was up. After hearing about my knee, she wanted me to take a rest from cycling and take the bus to Ipoh. Nice gesture and I did give it a thought but politely declined. Well, the bus only leaves at 1400hrs (2pm Malaysian time), between now and the bus departure time, I can cover many clicks. I assured her that I was ok and promised to drop a message when I am in Ipoh.

Time Check: 1030hrs (10.30am Malaysian time)

I left the bus terminal and since the thugs knew my general destination and not to face problem, I change my route a little, instead of the straight forward Route No.58 from Teluk Intan to Kampar. I rode Southeast and back tracked a bit to get onto Route No. A148 to Kampar. In my mind, I was a tad worried that I would cross path with the thugs. I did not want to get into a fight and my objectives for being in Malaysia was solely riding my bicycle, meet nice people, eat and take pictures. I rode cautiously out of Teluk Intan and stayed ever vigilant, looking very far ahead.

Last night before I go to sleep, I plotted a total of five check points. Generally, I wanted to hit Eastward to Bidor from Teluk Intan on Route No.58. However, because of this morning’s minor incident with the young thugs, I back tracked down South for about 10km before heading Northeast and entering Route No. A148, from there I cuts into padi field gravel tracks following the power lines to get back to Route No.58. I must say Route No.A148 is one of the most beautiful roads in Malaysia so far as I have ever seen. Matured trees lined the roads, wide motorcycle lanes and very shady.

The gravel road that took we away from Teluk Intan

Time Check: 1130hrs (11.30am Malaysian time)

After exiting the gravel track, I was on Route No.58 and the road opened up, freshly surfaced, flat like an airport and with motorcycle lane that was the width of a car. I grit my teeth and paced at speeds of 25-30kmh powering mostly with my left leg. This was to get me as far away from Teluk Intan as fast as I could. I did not want to meet the young thugs along this quiet stretch.

Time Check: 1200hrs (12pm Malaysian time)

Instead of heading East wards to my first original Check point of Bidor on Route No.58, I did a quick reconsideration and changed my plan, and entered Route No.70 heading North passing a small town name Langkap. This wasn’t in my plan but sometimes I needed to think on my feet and make drastic changes in my plan. I pedaled for about 10 clicks more and I thought I saw Jerry’s blue land rover! (see picture below) Well, it turns out the owner was a local, Uncle Poh, an oil palm plantation owner. I continued on Route No.70 and the first warung I saw at Kampung Kunci Air, I stopped for a late breakfast and re-plotted my route. Now, it looks like I would be doing some climbing towards Kampar town.

Editor: RA, I bet you thought that Jerry was staking you

when you saw the blue Landy (behind) .... 8D

Kampung Kunci Air, Langkap. Planning my new route and load
more fuel of 'salted rice balls'

Time Check: 1230hrs (12.30pm Malaysian time)

I was doing good time and now 30 km away from Teluk Intan and 65km from the city of Ipoh. The weather by now getting hot and I was very exhausted from the earlier pace to get out from Teluk Intan fast. Now, I rode slowler to my next check point of Ayer Kuning, pacing at 20kmh powering mostly on my left leg. I passed a police post and entered to report in. My routine just to make sure they know I passed this stretch of the road.

Time Check: 1330hrs (1.30pm Malaysian time)

I reached Ayer Kuning town with the rain welcoming me. I found shelter in a Chinese temple and put on my rain gear. To be very honest, I like the rain. It kind of cools me down but it’s a little troublesome and dangerous to be riding in the rain.

I rode slowly controlling my bike, made sure I checked my side view mirror as often as I could and worked on with the hand signals to communicate with the lorry behind. So far, it’s working for me. Usually when I see the big boys coming from behind, sometimes even car that’s too close to me, I will raise my hand and I’ll get the friendly ‘I see you, buddy’ honk. Once I hear them honking, I will stretch my right hand out 90 degree telling them ‘I need this much space’ and another friendly, ‘I got it’. (Picture in my next report)

Time Check: 1430hrs (2.30pm Malaysian time)

I was still on Route No.70, coming down from the climb into Kampar and heading Northeast, after crossing the KTM Rail track, I turned left at the ‘T’ junction and entered the dreadful Route No 1. Remember the Route I took from Seremban into Kajang and then to Kuala Lumpur? This is the same route. The moment I head north towards my next Checkpoint of Simpang Pulai, the climb started. I bitched like a woman and I like that. I made a mental note to visit Kampar for a holiday. Heck, I should do a drive holiday to all the places I visited here in Malaysia! Just at the edge of Kampar town, I decided to ‘throw in the towel’ after seeing a nice new motel. I have so many reasons to stop here like, avoiding further damage to my right knee. But my conscience wanted no parts of it. Below was the conversation we had;

Editor: RA are you contemplating the Cameron Highlands route?

Me: I think I should just stop here, I am tired and in pain.

My conscience (MS): Stop? Pain? This is the time you grab your balls and be a man!

Me: Oh yea? Why don’t you pedal and let me do the talking?

MS: Pain is good! It tells you that you are still alive! Now stop bitching and go on. You trained for this daily. 50km is chicken feet. You can do 100km anytime.

Me: Well, I did 45km back there!

MS: That 45km even a woman could do it, that was easy. Now go finished this and if you want to rest. Rest in Ipoh.

Me: F#$*!

After that conversation, I paced at 30kmh on the flat powering using my left leg mostly and 20kmh on the climb. I kept going through the rain, pedaling the ups and cruising on the down, telling myself that I had trained for this. It was all in the mind now. It was all mental. Pain is good, it tells me I am alive. I kept pushing and pushing until just outside Simpang Pulai at the traffic lights, a bunch of roadies came alongside, smiled and gave me the salute. It is raining again and I celebrated the fact that I was now 15km outside Ipoh. I can do this.

Time Check: 1600hrs (4pm Malaysian time)

Knowing that I was now 10km outside Ipoh in Simpang Pulai traffic junction, I stopped for my late lunch of Nasi Campur with the roadies waving me good bye with the thumbs-up sign. I needed all the carbo as I lost 12kg ever since I left Singapore, so I went for a second helping. I finished up the agar-agar on my table too and all for RM7.00 (Ringgit Malaysia), life was good in Malaysia, so far. I left the warung after loading enough carbo and my tummy happy.

Simpang Pulai Nasi Campur warung. Aliran Mentar. The best!

Simpang Pulai, 15km outside of Ipoh

Time Check: 1700hrs (5pm Malaysian time)

I cruised into Ipoh slow and steady with both my legs tired from the hard ride. I entered the first lane I saw and searched for the best price hotel/motel. I got one that had a ground floor room as I was too tired to unload my bike and just wanted to clean up and crash early. I will tour around Ipoh tomorrow when I am up. My knees are no good for pedaling now and I will decide what to do when I wake up tomorrow. Do give me your suggestion and I am happy to hear from you.

My end ride routine .... journal for David

Overall Ride: Hard 95km, under intense heat and through the rain and climbing.

Three things that made me smile today:

1. Know my navigational skills was still good.
2. Meeting roadies and getting saluted.
3. Reaching Ipoh safely and getting a nice SMS