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AhPek Biker - Riding Adventures
Kuala Lumpur - Ampang Yong Tau Foo Ride
Pudu to Hulu Langat Batu 14 : 20th August 2012
AhPek Biker - Riding Adventures
Kuala Lumpur - Ampang Yong Tau Foo Ride
Pudu to Hulu Langat Batu 14 : 20th August 2012
Distance covered : 44.27km.
Starting Time : 7:40am
Time Taken : approx. 2:35:42hrs. (excluding stops)
PRELUDE
This would be an interesting and challenging ride. Interesting because we will be stopping by to eat the renown Ampang Yong Tau Foo. And challenging because it will be the first time that I will be riding two major rides almost back to back - I had just rode the Batu Arang Ride two days back and was hoping that my recovery from that ride would be fast enough for me to take on this ride. And I have taken up cycling only these past 45 days!
The traffic at the Cheras Highway was heavy, after-all it was already close to noon, and we had to be extra careful. Riding single file was a must.
At the Loke Yew-Cheras round-about, we took the underpass biking lanes. I almost slammed into another biker who stopped within the tunnel for some shade. Coming in from the glare of the bright sunlight, I was almost blind inside the tunnel. From this near accident, I made a mental note to myself - don't stop at these dark spots and approach them at slow speed!
Making our way down Jalan Cheras>Jalan Sungei Besi>Jalan Pasar, we were soon back at Lorong Yap Hin. Now we know why Jimmy wanted to start at this place. When we returned, this restaurant - Restoran Siew Ngiap Fei was opened for business. It is well known for it's roast goose, duck and char siew pork.
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Starting Time : 7:40am
Time Taken : approx. 2:35:42hrs. (excluding stops)
PRELUDE
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| Ampang Yong Tau Foo Ride Map (click for Map Link) |
So when Jimmy Chow created the event Monday Ride on FaceBook and invited people to participate, I signed up and at the same time noted that many of my new biker friends were attending too!
The Ride
In addition to taking the customary photo of the ride group at the start point (Lorong Yap Hin), it was a extra happy occasion for more memorable photos to be taken. Our fellow rider, Ch'ng Kai Nie would be getting her new bike. Prior to this, she had been riding a XDS foldable bike - a heavier one at that!
A happy Kai Nie receiving her new Ori bike from Jimmy Chow to the cheers and claps of the other riders. She had patiently waited for this bike whilst riding her old one.
"See how light this bicycle is!" - the smiling proud owner lifted the bike effortlessly. The Ori bike was from Folding Bike Malaysia.
With that happy occasion fresh on our minds, we started off riding towards Jalan Yew. Malaysian flags were already put up for the forthcoming Merdeka Day. Jimmy led the way and Khaw Lye Hock elected to be the sweeper.
We reached the Pekeliling roundabout, expecting to turn to Kampung Pandan per our original posted ride route. But Jimmy led us onward towards Jalan Tun Razak instead. Hey! Why are we not following the planned route! Unclear about his plans we just followed on.
Even though Jalan Tun Razak is normally a very busy through-fare, riding during this public holiday and earlier in the morning, the road was clear and smooth.
At Jalan Tun Razak, we rode on passing some nice high rise office building. So this is why Jimmy is using this route. Kampung Pandan would not have these majestic structures.
Reaching the Tun Razak-Ampang junction we prepared to turn right into Jalan Ampang, this will lead us to our first destination, Foong Foong Ampang Yong Tau Foo for a short nice breakfast.
At Jalan Ampang, we stopped for a quick re-grouping. A concerned Jimmy doing a head-count. Ok, everybody is here, let's go!
As we reached the Jalan Ampang-Middle Ring Road 2 interchange, some riders seeking more challenge, rode up the fly-over ramps. Others continued leisurely to the junction below.
With us today were Andy and Daisy, riding their foldable Bike Friday tandem bicycle.
Soon we were off the busy main roads and riding along the roads of Ampang New Village, our first destination just round the corner.
At last, we reached Foong Foong Restaurant, renown for it's delicious Yong Tau Foo. The place was crowded with cars and push-carts stalls parked all over. Finding a place to park our bicycles was a problem.
We managed to park our bikes just at the restaurant's entrance, aligning them so as not to obstruct entry to the place. Concerned for the safety of their bikes, some folded down their handles while others just turned their bikes upside down!
Taking our seats and occupying several tables, we made our orders. Wanting to make the most of the visit here, some ordered more. Others, bearing in mind that a long ride is still ahead, just ordered enough.
Our orders came, looking delicious! I haven't had Yong Tau Foo here in ages as I live across the other side of the city. It was a memorable meal for me (see food blog - Foong Foong Ampang Yong Tau Foo).
After finishing at Foong Foong, part of the group decided to discontinue their ride with us - perhaps some came just for the Yong Tau Foo or maybe they had other rides to go to. The rest of us crossed over the road and continued on.
We rode on to the end of Jalan Ampang and turn right into Jalan Taman Putra. Sin located himself there as a Marshal to ensure that none missed this turn.
Here the road started sloping up, the leisurely part of the ride up till Ampang was over. Now begins the crunch.
Riding pass Carrefour Ampang, the residential area was beginning to thin off. We are heading into the "wild".
Further along the road, we turned left into Jalan Hulu Langat. I was most surprised that Hulu Langat and Ampang was just adjacent to each other, I guess a newbie like me have lots to pick up on cycling and also on riding routes.
The slope started getting steeper and steeper. Is this what the seasoned bikers call the Climb?
The climb was harder for tandem riders - although taking a break, it was still thumbs up from Daisy Lee.
We stopped for another quick regroup, as the more seasoned riders where way ahead.
Near to Ampang Look Out Point, I took this panoramic view the Kuala Lumpur city skyline. In the hazy sky, one can barely make out KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers.
When I returned to my bicycle after taking that shot, I found this curious wasp hanging on to my handle. I tried to shoo it off, but it kept on returning to the handle. It was another five minutes before it lost interest in my bike and flew off - much to my relief as I was already much behind the rest of the group.
The slope seemed never ending, we thought "round the next corner, round the next corner it will start sloping down..." But it was not, and some of us were too tired and just pushed our bikes.
Finally we reached the Ampang Look Out Point and stopped to have a good rest!
And a long, long, long invigorating drink to quench our thirst.
After that the ride was all down slope till we reach Batu 14 Hulu Langat.
At Batu 14 junction we took a right turn, crossed a small bridge (over the Langat River) into the small town.
Where we stopped at this small coffee shop, for a well-deserved rest.....
..... and drinks!
With that good rest and drinks, we went back to our parked bikes and was ready to set off on our return journey.
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| Batu 9 Cheras Police Station |
Crossing that little bridge again we headed down Jalan Hulu Langat towards the Cheras-Kajang Highway. Somehow, the return journey was not that interesting or perhaps tiredness had set in and had worn down our excitement.
Taking the interchange at Jalan Suntex, we were soon at the Cheras Highway.
We sat down and had a feast of Roast Goose & Duck .....
..... and Roast Char Siew Pork
..... and Curry Chicken
..... and Stewed Pig Trotters
..... and Spicy Achad Vegetable Salad
..... and simple but nice Stewed Tofu.
It was a great way to end and interesting ride.
Till we ride again Adios!
Riders
Jimmy Chow (Leader)
If you like this, view my other blogs at Jotaro's Blog
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