Day 3 – Pulau Banding to Lenggong

Breakfast by the lake

A birdie got injured when it whams into the glass panel

It was around 8 plus going 9. The sun was up above us as we cruised happily over the bridge to the main land. Once over the bridge, we were hit by the worst climbs! We had to face the 10% gradient climbs which we happily sped down the other day. Now it was payback time. I saw my speed going at only 3-5km/hr, beads of sweat dripping. In front, Mich was cursing all the way on the hot sun and the steep climb. Thot of stopping but I felt that I wasn’t even panting and hence I just continued along behind Mich and of cos’ the occasional cheating using the “white lines”. We finally saw the support vehicle in front under a shaddy spot. What a warming up ride it was! By then, I was practically a living fountain with sweat dripping all over my face!

A much needed rest point

Wah lao, leg cramps!!!

It was still climbs after the pit stop, the weather was hotter than before. The road winding up with an occasional down. Today, I did not hit any max speed because Mich who was in front was going very slow. After 1km of down, I couldn’t take it anymore.

Me: “Michelle! Are you braking??!!!”
Mich: “Err, no!”
Me: “Wah lao, then why are you going down so slowly!”
Mich: “Beats me.”

I saw her back wheel rubbing against her left brake and then another moment the right brake. Hmmm, not very efficient though. So the downs were mostly maintained at 38-40km/hr. What a waste. At this point of time, we did not see the rest of them gals who were in front, so the 2 of us took like a slow little tour enjoying the sceneries and talking to ourselves. Mich pointed out to me that there was a waterfalls on the right (signboard is in Malay which I can’t read). The vehicle which was behind us thought that Mich signaled them to stop. We thot something happened when the vehicle stopped beside us.

We: “What’s wrong?”
Collin: “I thot you signal us to stop?”
Mich: “No lah, I am pointing out to her that there is a waterfall.”
Collin: “Chey!”
Pam: “Wah lao, break my momentum only….”

The driver taking a break aka "eat snake"

The guys decided to check out the waterfalls. Halfway thru’ we saw the monument of the E-W Highway and Mich called out to the guys over walkie to take photo of it. Pek Gnee who was in the front pack heard some noise (the transmission wasn’t clear) and the group stopped for us. Well, it was a nice soothing downhill, any stoppage would kill the speed. Bet they wanted to kill the two of us. :)

We soon reached the low land area, the road was mostly flat but the heat was unbearable. Val was looking for a toilet. We passed by a makan place but none of us stopped, unknown to us that Val really need to go to the loo. Soon, when we saw a petrol station, she immediately cycled in. Well, ulu petrol station did not have a toilet! They directed us to a house next door which they claimed was a restaurant, and found ourselves a nice clean toilet. The place even kept peacocks there. Since it was shaddy, they rested there for a while, inspecting Mich’s bike. Everyone was telling Mich that it was time for the bike to go. Wobbly wheels, loose saddle that moves, loose headset. Seems like no one was moving until I spotted sandflies hovering around our legs: “MOVE!!”

The road started to get wider and traffic became heavier. We were in Gerik now and everyone was feeling hungry. Eventhough there were slopes, it looked flat to us, compared to what we had just climbed in the morning. We rode our way to town and look for food. By then, we were really beat from the hot sun and were frantically trying to find a shelter over our head. It looked like there was only one restaurant in the town. Had fried hor fun which looked like fried kway teow instead. There Collin noticed that the motorbike touring gang was sitting behind us, so he came up with an idea. He said since there were 5 motorbikes outside and also 5 mountain bikes, he wanted to take a group photo of the motorbike gang with the mountain bike gals. Not a bad idea, but he had to go and invite the guys himself. So we left him to solicit while we continue enjoying our rest. He managed to get settle things and had us took the photos under the hot sun. :)

Human-powered vs motor-powered

It was like 2-3pm and we were riding under the burning heat, we pondered where was the support vehicle when we needed them. No where in sight. Mich was grumbling on the weather while I just laughed it off. In fact, I was suffering from a terrible backache as I pedaled on. It was good to cycle behind Mich cos’ she was practically my tour guide introducing things we saw along the way. The girls stopped in a bus stop for a rest. Took the opportunity to do some stretching for my back. When I squatted down, I didn’t feel like getting up!

Sky looks bluish, but it's damn hot!

Barely our start, the sky darkened with thunder and lightnings. We headed into another roadside stall for shelter. We decided to keep moving under the dark sky when the rain got lighter. This time round, the usual slow Mich sprung up to life. Our speed taken off faster than before and soon we were traveling like 27-29km/hr. Mich and Pek Gnee took turns to lead the pack and as we headed towards Lenggong, the view turned nicer and cooler due to the forest area. The support crew was there all the way to take photos of us. Finally reached Lenggong and Mich led us to the guest inn. On the way SH was saying it was getting tougher to ride. Well, the road towards the inn was a long stretch of invisible climb.

Riding alongside the moutains

Mich sprung up to life, leading the pack

Yes, we made it, 99km for the day’s ride. The inn had a tower over looking the mountains and we climbed up to take photos. Later part of the evening, we went to Mich’s parent village and to a Chinese restaurant where Mich said it was famous for a type of fishball. I ate like a glutton with 2 big bowls of rice. Yummerz. Off to the pasar malam for more snacks and here’s another joke of the day!

We were passing by one stall held by staunch Muslim ladies. It seemed like they were selling cloths and scarf. Suddenly Collin held one of the display and exclaimed to us: “Hey, underwear!” We looked at amazement on the subject which they sew a big bouquet of rose on the underwear front. The ladies at the stall got so embarrassed by the fact that a man touched the so-call ladies private stuff, and went all red faces as they giggled to themselves. The rest of us gals had to apologize profusely to them while trying to contain our own laughter. LCT: “Why would pple wanna wear that kindda underwear?” SH looked at me for a reason. “Well, for obvious reason! Since they don’t have sexy lingerie, that should be it!” SH was a little puzzled by my answer though. Haha.

What a day.

Found this car that has my name on the number plate