30th December 2008 is definitely the most unforgettable day of my life.
This was the day that I am attempting the try out cycling in Malaysia, across the border and most significantly ALONE, destination – Desaru situated at the East Coast of Malasyia. Some of you may think that I’m crazy or out of my mind, because as a first timer, shouldn’t I try some places nearer? Yeah, I thought this too… What was on mind? I thought if it’s going to be really tough, perhaps I should just head to Kota Tinggi and return if I can’t take the challenge. But it was all good by the time I reached Kota Tinggi, so I carried on. Following are the details of my solo ride to Desaru, images taken can be found on > Here (click on inages for 1600×1200 resolution)
Registered users can watch slideshow @ Here
Time: 3am, I woke up and started to prepare for the trip and I didn’t catch more than 3 hrs of sleep, I normally sleeps around 3am. Dang! Lack of sleep… But that’s not gonna push my thoughts off this trip. Started for the preparation, my gears, checked the bike’s tyres and parts thoroughly, ensured my spare tube is 100% good. Printed out the maps and passport is with me.
At 4.30am, put on my gears onto my bike and getting ready. By 4.45am, was set to go off to start this exciting journey. How was I feeling??? Thrilled! hehe…
To get to Woodlands Checkpoint, I rode the usual rode that most cyclists would, that is through Jalan Kayu, Seletar Dam, Yishun then Woodlands by riding through Gambas Ave towards Woodlands checkpoint. It was a cooling smooth and relaxing ride to Woodlands as I do not wish to tire myself out from this ride. At 6.05am, I made it to the hawker center, and looked for a coffeeshop for breakfast. Wanted to eat breakfast in Johor Bahru, but worried that I might lost my way within the area so I think I better eat in Singapore. Lol!
From my cycling computer, when I reached Woodlands.
Trip Distance – 26.28 Trip Time – 1.05.10 Avg Speed – 24.52 Max Speed – 39.81
Ate a light breakfast, and slowly waiting for the sun rise as I’m not risking myself riding in the still dark Johor Bahru right?
7am, the sun rise started, looked for a money changer and made a change of SGD$20 to Ringgit and headed towards BKE expressway where the motorcyclists rode through the checkpoint and by the time I made through customs, it was already 7.30am. I took some sun rise images the moment I got across the border.
7.30am, it marked the beginning of the unforgettable cycling journey of my life yet. Rode up the flyover and looked for the route no. 3 started on the map… found the route and ride towards Kota Tinggi which I’d set to be my first pit break point. :) There was a petrol kiok where I took the signboard that shows towards Kota Tinggi and used the toilet before the 38km ride. Yeah, 38km no pitting in between… just all the way… and reset my cycling computer’s trip distance.
Within one and a half hours, at 9.05am, I reached Kota Tinggi at Jalan Kermajuan by using Route No.3.
Trip Distance – 34.18 (Was reset at Johor Bahru, so this is the actual distance from Johor) Trip Time – 2.40.26 Avg Speed – 23.07 Max Speed – 61.56
Had a good rest and bought 2 cans of 100 plus from the store that I was pitting. They were showing pirated High School Musical 3 on their TV… Lol! I was feeling ok and should be able to travel further down to Desaru as the estimated distance from Kota Tinggi to Desaru was almost 60+KM.
Continued my journey at 10.00am and at about 11am, I was hungry and found a nice village where I can get some food. But the village did not have anything much to my likings, so I proceeded to one of the stores where they sell Roti Prata as I found there were many locals eating there, so I deemed the food to be above average or popular among the local villagers. As I stepped into the eating place, the locals presented me with weird looking faces.. wondering why this cyclist was all by himself I guess…. Took my time, enjoyed the piece of prata with egg very much, curry was testy and guess what, there were onions in the prata which only cost like a few ringgits, bought a pack of ciggies there so didn’t bother how much was my meal.
Check the rest of the nice images I took along the journey towards Desaru… Click Here To View Them (Opens In A New Tab/Window)
Power lah! Solo ride overseas.
Awesome! Solo ride to Desaru… Awaiting rest of report. Heh.
Just wondering where you leave your bike when you need to use the loo ?
Lol. Always look out for petrol kiosks and get the staff to keep a look out on my bike before releasing at the loo! At deserted areas, just pee into the bushes!! Yippee!!! haha…
Eric Lim