MFMC Tour - Day 2

As if I was strapped to the bed trying to wake up on the second day of the tour. I overslept and had a narrow window for the loo and breakfast. Most of us had problem adjusting to the schedule after a taxing day before. We left Batu Pahat that morning a bit late. It was 9.00 a.m., but nothing bothered us since it will  be a long day on the saddle.

GDC riders rode back to JB that morning, which left the 12 of us to continue towards the north. Weather was elegantly splendid. Not a sip of sunlight. It was overcast and cooling. We prayed that it will stay that way throughout the day. 

It was many years ago when I last travelled through this part of Batu Pahat. That was before the launch of the North-South Expressway, I thing around the 1980's. Especially this particular stretch from Batu Pahat where our family would travel on Hari Raya and school breaks to my dad's home town in Muar. The only landmark or gauge that I could identify during my elementary days will be no other than the hundreds of PARITs. These are vegetated drainage channels, built ages ago. I think due to Muar's flat geographical location, these structures used to avoid floods and tides from the coast line. 

Day 2 - The Three States In A Go

Parit Yusof, Parti Bakar, Parit Jawa, Parit Keroma and Parit Sakai are among the ones that I can still remember. Also my favourites places to catch the fighting fish. But now, approaching Muar via Jalan Temenggong Ahmad, we can only find more 'Taman' instead of 'Parit'. By bicycle today, I can venture myself back down memory lane admiring what was left of the 'Parit's.

It is a 55 kilometre stretch off-the-beaten-track. What used to be a trunk road connecting these two major towns, now only serve the locals. The road was nice, shady and cooling and lack of traffic. Once in a while, cooling strong wind would blow us away awaken from our day dreams. We took turn pacing the 12 of us in a single file train. Kampung by kampung we passed. Parit by parit. 

By now, I started to get to know a few of the new friends besides Kicok, Kepet, Ipin, Panglima, Afiq, Awi and Toing. They were Awe the DIY guy, Raffi the GDC member and Yen with his legendary Proton T-Sprint Carbon. Then there were also Mattop, Achap and Ieow as our trusted logistics. And of course Didique the awesome cameraman.

We had an unscheduled stop at Sekolah Kebangsaan Parit Pechah when we saw the students were having their morning assembly. The teachers were kind enough to welcome our out-reached and wish us good luck.

Our first out-reach at Sek. Keb. Parit Pechah

It was a no-stop at Muar due to the busy streets and we picked the most historical spot for a group photo, no other than at the top of the Muar Bridge. Then it was a pit-stop at Tanjung Agas before we continued our way into the historical state of Malacca.

Kepet led the way from Sungai Rambai to Merlimau and Umbai towards Malacca Town. We had a treat of awesome 'asam pedas' Melaka for lunch at Kedai Kopi Haji Husin, his brother's stall in Peringgit area. And the dilemma started creeping in after a belly load of 'asam pedas' and heavy eyes in the mid-afternoon weather.

Muor or also known as Bandar Maharani

Johore-Malacca Border. One more to go

Asam Pedas Peringgit, Malacca

We dragged ourselves away from the lunch table, crawling towards our bikes and half heartedly leaving Kedai Kopi Haji Husin. It was only 95 kilometres and we have yet another 70 to go. And half of the day have already gone.

The next stretch of feat will be the Pantai Klebang and Tanjung Kling. Kepet suggested a local favourite coconut shake at Klebang. Too bad, the queue was long. We had no time. I haven't the slightest joy of wanting to view the sea when we passed by Tanjung Kling. It was windy for sure.

Then, the road starts rolling as we approach Sungai Udang. This was where the strength game started playing again, just like yesterday. We got separated when I saw Kepet was struggling up some climbs. I decided to pace him. However, it didn't quite work out for me either. Due to the slow spin up inclines, my quads started to protest too. Painful cramp attacks occurred twice up two climbs. I am fortunate to have Kepet, Afiq and Ipin with me. We shared some nonsense jokes served with a packet of sweet jackfruit while the pain subsides. That was at the highest peak near the Sungai Udang Forest Reserve. Lucky la it was cooling from the forest.

Kepet decided to take a detour towards Tanjung Bidara road for a quick visit at his school. While we were at it, an interested lady caught our peloton and started interviewing. And another out-reach achieved. Alhamdulillah.

The route from Tanjung Bidara via Kuala Sungai Baru and Kuala Linggi took us back to the coastal side. The sun began to set. The whole picture of Pengkalan Balak turned orange. If only I had my touring bike, the pace would be slower allowing me to indulge into the beautiful creation.

Again the peloton split up. And yet again the 'splinters' not sprinters, were left with our own camaraderie. However, we noticed that Kuala Linggi, is the border between Malacca and Negeri Sembilan. And that is a good sign. Teluk Kemang, our destination for the day is 20 kilometres away. Until then, it was like riding on familiar ground. We passed by Eagle Ranch and Tiara Beach Resort and the cranking was more energetic. We picked up Achap along the way who seemed struggling and paced each other till the end. Mattop was the usual car pacer too. It was almost dark at 6.30 p.m. I was starving and I need replenishment ASAP. After solat, we dug in for an early dinner or should I call it late tea.

It rained during the night. How fortunate. Dined for the second time (pardon me for the appetite) below our hotel and pampered this fatigue body to bed.