AhPek Biker - Old Dog Rides Again

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Penang : The 2nd Penang Bridge Merdeka Ride

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AhPek Biker - Riding Adventures

Penang : The 2nd Penang Bridge Merdeka Ride

Batu Kawan, Penang : 16th March 2014

Public Ride Event - Batu Kawan Stadium>2nd Penang Bridge Main Span>Batu Kawan Stadium
Distance covered : approx 46.0 km.
Time Start : 7:30 am Time End : 11:30 am (inclg. stops for rest, photos, admiring the bridge etc.)
Duration : approx 4 hrs.

Route Recommendations :
(Please note that cycling is not normally allowed on the bridge)
1. The route is fairly long, so it will be a good idea to ride early and stock up with water.
2. Good photo opportunities at the main span.
3. On the return trip, there are good photo opportunities at the section near Pulau Aman, where nearby are fish rearing farms in the sea.

PRELUDE

THIS IS IT!!

This is the event that many of us have anxiously waited for. An event that had been postponed a couple of times whilst waiting for the completion of the 2nd Penang Bridge.

Artist impression of earlier design of the 2nd Penang Bridge.

The bridge spans a total of 24 km. from Batu Maung on Penang Island to Batu Kawan on the Peninsular Malaysia mainland, making it the longest bridge in South East Asia. It's official name is the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge. An earlier design included two circular viewing platforms at mid-span where shops would be located. However, probably due to traffic congestion possibilities, this was scrapped.

The event, organized by Bicycle Town, was planned to be held in August 2013, hence the "56th Merdeka Ride" name of the ride. This coincided with the 56th year of Malaysia's independence in August 2013. It was postponed to 8th September 2013, but the bridge was not ready yet and it was postponed again. Which was quite fortunate as it clashed with another major cycling event in Penang, the "Cycle For A Lane" (CFAL5) event.

Many of us from Kuala Lumpur went up for CFAL5 and took the opportunity to collect the goodies bag for the bridge ride. The jersey is very colourful and we immediately wore it for a Magic Carpet fun ride; posing at a bridge in Sungai Ara.

I really like the colourful jersey and wore it while cycling in Sydney, Australia. With Malaysia's name embossed on it, it made me easily identifiable as a Malaysian. Quite a number of people did ask me whether I am from Malaysia. So point of note - will try to wear this jersey overseas more often. *smiles*

THE RIDE

Penang 2nd Bridge 56th Merdeka Ride Route Map (click for Map Link)

Ride route - Batu Kawan Stadium>2nd Penang Bridge Main Span>Batu Kawan Stadium.

The Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge is so new that it has not been plotted onto Goolge Maps yet, so do not be shock to see the route over the sea on the Malacca Strait, we were certainly not riding on the water!

The route was a straight forward one, starting from the Batu Kawan Stadium, we will ride on land to the bridge entry point. From there we will ride on the bridge up till the main span (which is about 2 km. from Penang Island). Making a U-turn there, we will ride on the other side of the bridge and return to the Batu Kawan Stadium.

In the early morning, we headed out from our home-stays towards the Batu Kawan Stadium.

Oops! A minor problem, one of our group's bicycle was low on air. No worries, there's always someone to help out.

At the start-point, it was really a mass of cyclist. Close to nine thousand cyclists gathered outside the stadium, waiting impatiently and eagerly to start a historic cycling event.

Yes, the bridge has been awarded a certificate by the Malaysian Book of Records for many firsts in technical innovations. And yes, I think they will probably have to issue another certificate for the most number of cyclists attending any one event!

We were impatiently waiting for the start, when we saw a group of cyclists started to cycle off. Is this the start? Uncertain we waited a while, but as more and more cyclists rode off we joined the fray. There were not starting horn or blaring klaxon to kick-off the event for us; it was a quiet start for a major historic cycling event.

But no complains here. We were just keen to be part of cycling history, and were soon cycling on the Bandar Cassia Highway that leads to the bridge. A previous night rain has made the weather nice and cool for cycling, and the skies clear of haze that had enveloped most of the country for the previous two weeks. Great!

Up an ramp and we are riding on the bridge, well the approach section anyway. The total span of the bridge is twenty four kilometres, seventeen of which is over water. The bridge was officially opened to traffic on 2nd March 2014. But today is a special day, today is Car-Free Day on the 2nd Penang Bridge!

Dancing with joy on the bridge, it's exhilarating!

Wooohooooo! We are riding over the sea. Further away the rest of the bridge can be seen curving towards Penang Island which seems so far away. And at 17 kilometres, it IS far away. The bridge uniquely has an S-curve thus making other sections of the bridge visible while on it.

Riding over the sea seems to have a joyful effect on my friends, they were smiling away as they cycled. Most of us were at the rear of the event group, leisurely cycling and taking in the moment.

Our leisurely pace slowly turned into excitement as we approached the main span, and Penang Island became more visible.

Hurrah! We are onto the main span; it's four masts towering high and the cable stays radiating outwards like beams of the sun. Slightly ahead, past the second towers, we will turn back.

But in the mean time, it was almost like a party here. Almost everybody stopped to take photos with friends for remembrance and being able to say "I was THERE!". Groups lined up for their photos...

... and close friends too.

Our bicycles were not forgotten...

and neither was my Brompton.

Some dance with joy on the dividers of the bridge. Oops!

Time to ride back. Being in the sea, strong winds blew across the bridge and taxing us to pedal harder...

This strong cross-wind coupled with the relatively long distance made the return ride a struggle for some. The lucky few had a helping hand to push them...

Others just came down to push...

... some cooly stopped to take a rest

... and a brave one doggedly pedalled on.

For some, it was a family outing. The young sleeping 'un will one day wake up to realize that he was part of history.

For all our sweat or smiles, this ride will forever etch fond memories.
Many thanks to the organizers.

Related Blogs :

The Magic Carpet Ride 7th September 2013

An enchanting ride through a magical place.

A Ride To Sea's End 9th February 2014

A ride to an interesting rustic out-of-the way fishing village with a bonus of cycling on Penang's 2nd bridge.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Kuala Lumpur-Selangor : Klang Bak Kut Teh Ride

You are at - Jotaro's Blog / AhPek Biker / Cycling Malaysia / Kuala Lumpur-Selangor / Klang Bak Kut Teh Ride

AhPek Biker - Riding Adventures

Klang Bak Kut Teh Ride

Kuala Lumpur-Selangor : 9th March 2014

Small Group Ride: Sultan Abdul Samad Bldg>Brickfields>Federal Highway Motorcycle Lane>Klang>Jalan Templer Station (by train)>Old Klang Road>Brickfields>Sultan Abdul Samad Bldg

Distance Covered: 73.78 km. (including train ride)
Time: 7:40 am to 3:00 pm
Duration: 7 hours 20 mins. (including stops for lunch, coffee, visiting a relative, photo ops.)

Route Recommendations :
1. Do try to keep left as much as possible when cycling at the motorcycle lanes of the Federal Highway; motorcycles goes zooming by fast.
2. Some of the tunnels at the motorcycle lanes are dark and have pot-holes, do be careful.
2. The pedestrian bridge adjacent to the Jalan Jambatan Kota gives cyclists a safe passage to cross the Klang River. It also offers a place to stop to admire the surrounding scenery.
3. Do forget to bring the bag for your bike in order to ride the train. Sometimes they allow bikes in without bagging, but don't take the risk.

PRELUDE

IT'S ANOTHER RIDE TO HUNT FOR FOOD!
This time round it's for Bak Kut Teh, and where else to go to but Klang, the place most famous for Bak Kut Teh. Many of us have cycled from Kuala Kuala Lumpur to Klang. In fact one of my earliest ride was on this route (... see World Car Free Day blog). Since then, some friends and I have rode down to Klang several times and had had the Bak Kut Teh at Kee Heong in Taman Eng Ann, Klang. But this ride (organized by Tailim of the hApPy HaPpY blogs) will be one of the most memorable for most of us as we did have loads of fun along our journey.

THE RIDE

Kuala Lumpur to Klang Bike Route Map (click for Map Link)

Ride Route: Sultan Abdul Samad Bldg>Brickfields>Federal Highway Motorcycle Lane>Klang>Jalan Templer Station (by train)>Old Klang Road>Brickfields>Sultan Abdul Samad Bldg

The physical route was a straight forward one, not much twists or turns for this AhPek to lose his direction. The section along the Klang River side was interesting. A simple bridge in Klang Town turned out quite fascinating.

This time round we started from the Sultan Abdul Samad Building; they are some car parks at Jalan Mahkamah Persekutuan behind the building. We were joined by Michael, who had returned to his biking hobby after a lapse of a couple of years. Welcome Michael, great to have you riding with us.

He was riding a IF Move; this is a cool looking bicycle that have mono-shaft forks at the front and rear.

From the start point, we used the shady pedestrian walk-way adjacent to the Dayabumi Complex to head for Brickfields via Jalan Tun Sambanthan. This walkway also run parallel to the Klang River. Perhaps we should just jump into the river and take a boat ride down to Klang; but then where will be the fun there? - i.e. no cycling.

At the Ang Seng area of Brickfields we used our favourite and interesting short-cut (that runs partway below and adjacent to train track beams) to reach the motorcycle lanes of the Federal Highway.

At the motorcycle lane near the Mid-Valley mall, Kenny joined us.

The skies were hazy from pollution of burning forest smoke blown over from Sumatra. Were we brave or crazy to cycle in this haze. Fortunately, the haze was not that thick.

8:10 am - Riding pass the Kota Darul Ehsan Arch, we are into Selangor! The arch marks the boundary between the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

Somewhere after Subang Jaya and before the Batu Tiga toll plazas, construction work for the new LRT tracks have encroached onto the motorcycle lanes. Temporary lanes have been demarcated on the highway itself; these are however quite narrow - extra care should be taken here.

At the Shell Station near the Batu Tiga toll Yew Ming and Rivern joined us. Rivern was riding his new striking red MIT-V8 (also known as the MIT Pro-BP01). He has modified the bike from the basic 7-speed to an impressive 24-speed by changing to a 3-gear crank at the front. Since then he has re-modified the bike to a 16-gear with two crank at the front, with a larger front 55-crank gear. Those keen on do similar modifications to the bikes can send a private message to Rivern.

Yahoooo! Bak Kut Teh Time!!

10:00 am - At Taman Berkeley, we stopped to have the famous Bak Kut Teh at Mo Sang Kor.

Just as the food was being served, we were surprised to see Christopher arriving. Cycling from his home, he had missed us at the start point and had pedalled furiously to catch up with us! Good job, Christopher.

The food came in individual bowls for each of us, but we decided to share nonetheless. They were rather stingy in the amount of soup given and the Yew Char Kway we got from a neighbouring shop as it was not sold here.

I can understand why they are stingy with their soup, it was thick and very sweet with the flavour of the meat and herb. Personally, I prefer the one from Kee Heong; their soup may not be as good but their meat is more tender and juicier.

We cycled into old Klang town, where at a bag shop operated by Kookkeong's sister, he met his mother there too. Weren't his mother most glad to see this filial son!

Next destination - the pedestrian bridge over the Klang River at Jalan Jambatan Kota, where we stopped to observe the locals passing by and also for some good photo opportunities.

The steel structure of this bridge makes it a good back-drop for our photos.

Pregnant male cyclists? Nope, they just had a loads of good Bak Kut Teh.

Jason's unintentional pose made him look like a street beggar, put a bowl in front of him and it will be perfect.

A nice view of the Royal Klang Mosque from the bridge. It was hazy, but the beauty of this mosque and it's reflection on the Klang River still shined through.

Further down, below the Jalan Tengku Kelana Bridge, we took a risk crossing over the railway tracks to get to the other side of town. Please do not try this, trains pass by here quite often.

Coffee break at Chong Kok Coffeeshop - Chris provided us some comic relief. With food stacked in front of him he was unconvincingly saying "Not me! Not me!"

At the Klang Station, bikes folded and all ready to board the KTM Commuter train.

The air-condtioned coach of the train was a welcomed relief from hot weather outside. These couple of months, the hot spell in Kuala Lumpur has been hotter than normal.

We disembarked at the Jalan Templer Station and carried our bikes across that bridge ahead. Our plan was to cycle to Petaling Jaya Old Town for some ice-kacang treat.

At the Old Klang Road-Federal Highway interchange.

Oops! A wrong turn led to us riding down Old Klang Road instead of heading to PJ Old Town. There goes the ice-kacang.

No worries, ice-kacang are aplenty in Malaysia. Tailim had a recovery plan that saw us heading for Brickfields for the one there instead.

Some bush-whacking to get to the Federal Highway motor-cycle lanes, and from there to the Ang Seng area of Brickfields.

Chris, wolfing down the cold, refreshing ice-kacang, this helps a lot during the present hot spell. The stall is at the five-foot way of the 7-11 outlet next to the Brickfields YMCA.

Looks good doesn't it?

Another surprise for Michael. We took him on another of our secret route - the storm water drains of the Klang River. There are many large murals painted on the walls of these drains (... see Street Art @ Klang River Storm Drains). This is a nice short-cut route that led us from back to our start point; convenient yah?

It has been a ride of good food, loads of fun and more importantly, great company.

TILL WE RIDE AGAIN.

ADIOS!

P.S. - The next couple of weeks is going to be great for cycling! One will be a ride across the new Penang 2nd Bridge, and after that a Fun Ride at the Taiping Heritage Ride. Both will be a first for many of us.

Related Blogs :