Sekinchan Ride.

An idyllic scenery along the way.

The idea actually started when Norman mentioned about being interested in riding in Sekinchan to Sungai Besar ( a place they called " Tua Kang " in Hokkien ). I have seen many photos of Sekinchan rides but usually within Sekinchan itself. So, when Lilian have a free day ( I was supposed to join Johnny in Fraser's Hill but couldn't make it), I decided to do a ride from Sekinchan to Sabak Bernam. Clement agreed with the idea. Zali told me about a chalet on stilts near the coastal area in Bernam and I was gamed to locate it.

So, I contacted a few riders via FB and the next morning, Steven and Lay Hoon, Earl Ku, Clement and wife, Norman and together with me and Lilian, we met up in front of the Sekinchan's fire station. The sun was up when we started the journey. Not sure of the route actually, we kept as much to the coast as possible. At one juncture, we came to a dead end with just a laterite road hugging the coast. We decided to take that road anyway, againts the objection forwarded by Norman. Hehehe!

A really 'shioking' laterite road!

Along the whole off road adventure, Clement spoke to a fisherman we met. He told us the laterite road goes as far as Pasir Panjang. We know it quite far but we are not sure where Pasir Panjang is! Norman resisted and was the last to reach a sluice gate that controls the irrigation canal. The laterite road continues but Norman again protested, so, we went back to the tarmac road.

Back to the tarmac!

My chain was giving problems again since the FRIM off road the other day. So, we cycled to a beach front area and while they were having drinks, I tried to rectify the problem. Clement helped me to cut off the problematic section of the chain. I need a new chain! After some temporary measure, we were off again continuing on the isolated coastal road which incidently is the old coastal trunk road but quite unused by traffic nowadays. We had the road all to ourselves.

We cycled at an average speed of 18 km/h and since the road is flat, it poses no problems to any of us. The sun was going higher and temperatures is also getting hotter. We made a few stops to rest, have drinks and also regrouped. Slowly, my GPS recorded 15 km, then 18 km , then 20 km and so on ..............

Road conditions were good!

Not knowing that Sungai Besar is actually just a kilometer away, we stopped in front of a big air conditioned restaurant. I was quite amazed that there is such a big restaurant in such an isolated place. Steven was more suprised and cycled into the compound to check it out. After some bantering and photos and disturbing a cow at the roadside, we moved on.

Around the corner, we saw another familiar coloured building where we started our journey. The fire station, almost as big as the one in Sekinchan looms ahead. Then we saw a mini stadium and I knew we were already in Sungai Besar. Norman caught up with me and told me to find a place for lunch. I said, " Something light, we take our seafood meal later back in Sekinchan". He replied, " Seafood here, OK ". I thought we were continuing to Sabak Bernam while he thought we were turning back from here! When he found out what the plan was, his eyes widened. Then I decide that we will have a meal here and head back for Sekinchan after that. I can explore what's ahead, sometime later in future.

The 'Bagan' entrance.

So, we went into the 'Bagan' area. Bagan is like a fishing village in Malay. Norman wants to know where to have a great meal so he stopped by a roadside drink stall and asked the 2 ladies manning the stall. I also joined in since since they were so accommodating, I ordered some drinks from them and the others joined in. At this juncture, Norman was like chatting with old friends with the ladies. We cycled into the same road but was still unsure of a good 'makan' place. Norman again asked a gas delivery man. We went back into town area as said but didn't find the place suitable! Later, we met again a man, who spoke to Norman earlier and he offered to guide us to a good place. We followed him back into the 'Bagan' following him on his motorcycle.

Two ladies manning the drinks stall. Norman's info center!

A restaurant recommended by a local.

We seated ourselves and there was curious onlookers looking at our bikes. We ordered and when the food came, we practically gulped down everything. We re-ordered again and again. Altogether we had 3 fish dishes, 2 eggs and brinjals and another greens and 2 BKTs. Multiple orders of ice buckets and 100Plus, chinese tea and also extra white rice. It all totalled up to RM165.00! We can never get food at this prices back in KL. After the meal, the shop keeper were asking about about our bikes and our PR man, Norman happily obliged!

Nice and cheap!

The pace back to Sekinchan was faster, so as to burn off the food we ate. I was full, too full infact. The ride back was quiet and faster. Earl was falling back and I slowed down to ride alongside. Lilian too slowed down. At one point, me and Lilian went ahead and after a while Earl disappeared from sight! We waited under a shade for 15 minutes but Earl was not in sight. Me and Lilian back tracked and a kilometer away, we saw Earl at the roadside taking off his rear tires. PUNCTURED! I helped him out and got it repaired. Clement called and we explained the delay. They will be waiting for us to regroup. We then cycled to where they were waiting. We let Earl rested for a moment before we carried on.

Punctured!

We cycled on till we saw another roadside selling sugar cane juice. We all stopped for drinks as the stall keeper has a nice seats and table under a shady tree by the canal. Such pleasant surrounding, we can't resist to rest for a moment. As usual Norman started bantering with the lady stall keeper and a few Malay boys. Then the whole group started chattering away with the locals. We watched a monitor lizard swam by in the canal. Imagine how relaxed we were! The it was time to carry on!

The place and drink is nice! Especially after ride.

The last stretch was a constant 18 km/h to 20 km/h and by 3.15 pm we were back to where we started. My GPS recorded 55 kilometers and average speed was 16 km/h. Although blistering hot, it was a nice ride. Quite relaxing and fun. By the time we folded and loaded the bikes onto our cars, we were just tired and wanted to go home, so there was no plans for drinks. We wished goodbye and left car by car. 

I still curious and very gamed for the next trip beyond Sungai Besar! Maybe a two day one nighter trip.

Why Fraser's Hill ? Again and again.

If you include the trip to just Sg.Chilling and also the one where I stopped at GAP station, this is the 5th time I am riding on this route. I have been to the peak thrice but I still love to ride here again. The route is cooling and even after noon, the route down is still cooling. That is off course, if you start from Sg.Chilling. If you start the ride from KKB, the part near the dam is going to be HOT!

The route up is considerably safe, not much traffic, sometimes we have the whole road to ourselves, quite near to KL, being just an hour's drive. We don't see much human contact which I see as the ideal as I won't have to be afraid of muggers. There are many stop points, starting with the dam's Visitors Center, Sg.Chilling Kelah Sanctuary, the waterfalls at the 22nd mile and finally GAP station itself where there's a cafe which is open everyday.

Parking in KKB is safe and if you are still doubtful, park in front of the police station. There are many parking spaces there. Ending the ride with a meal is also easy as there are many nice eateries here. The problem with riders are EGO mainly. Many shunned this route because they think it's tough. In actual, this is a very easy riding route. In the first place, Fraser's Hill is not a compulsory destination! The route is a more important criteria in riding our bikes. You can take a simple ride to the dam or do a picnic ride to Sungai Chilling. Sg. Chilling is just a mere 13 km ride. The undulating slopes of the route to Sg.Chilling will give you a good aerobic workout.

Once the initial part is conquered, then proceed to GAP or the waterfall or wherever along the route. There's no compulsion to finish the route. Likewise, if one rides in Hulu Langat 18th mile or Genting Sempah, there's also nothing there, right? It's just a place, a spot, nothing more. Fact is, Fraser's Hill route is so much safer than both mentioned riding venues.

On this trip, it was actually unplanned! We were riding a simple ride the day before and there's still two days of holiday. I was planning a ride to Hulu Langat but a fellow rider decided he wanted to bring his family for a ride to Fraser's Hill. So, I contacted my side and he did likewise. Meeting time and place is the usual and that's it. It's on.

My neighbour can't make it and another two was late so it was decided that they drive straight to the waterfall or GAP to wait for our riding party to meetup. During breakfast, we were undecided on where to start the ride as the weaker few was late. Then I decide to stick to the plan as there were still three riders who has never ridden here before.

We drove to Sungai Chilling which is 13 kilometers away and it took only 20 minutes which shaved off an hour's ride if we were to  start from KKB. I called the late riders to confirm their arrival. And off we went! The surrounding area was misty and cooling and we all took a slow ride to warm up. As usual, I will always be at the back and my wife was even slower as she was riding on her granny gear which I fitted in the night before.

The air was refreshing as usual here and this itself made the ride here worthwhile. The usual checkpoint is the waterfall, 10 kilometers away. The two late riders passed us and I told them to either park their cars at the waterfall or GAP. After a while riding, we reached the waterfall but they were not there, probably because there was no other car there. We regrouped and carried on.

At the small Indian shrine a few kilometers away, there was a small procession of a deity accompanied by drums and followers. They were on the way to the larger shrine near GAP. There was also RELA members to manage the traffic on the narrow road. The RELA saw us and stop the traffic from the opposite side and waved us to pass. This was the only spot where I had to pedal furiously pass the procession. Another few kilometers, the preparation for the arrival of the deity was in full gear! Tents was set up, the road blocked to one single lane and cars parked all along the road. We pedalled carefully with the help of more RELA members and this is also where I sighed a relief as GAP is just round the corner.

We saw the two other riders taking pictures on the hanging bridge and after seeing us they followed us. We took a rest at the cafe and I ordered a burger as I was hungry. Funnily though, I am always hungry riding this route. We continued to the peak and since Helen and Vincent are on 8 speed only, I am very sure they can't catch up with the rest. Except for Clement on 16 speed, the rest was either 24 or 27 speeders. Even mine and Lilian's foldies are 27 speeders. I took the back position and there were many cars that day. It was a long holiday weekend.

Problem with some drivers are, they think the road was built only for cars! These selfish drivers needs to be sent to Vietnam to rehabilitate their driving attitude! It seems like we are slowing them down. We were riding in a single file and far apart, what else do they want? Still they honked at us. Anyway we rode on without any untoward incident. Little by little, Helen and Vincent increased their gap with the front riders and at the 5th km out of 8 km Helen stopped for a moment and then started to push her bike, but just for a moment. 

The last 2 kilometers of the road up is actually easier as the gradient eased up a little and have some level parts. Finally at last, both of them cross the guard house and join the rest at the clock tower. I am very sure we won't be having lunch here today due the number of crowd so we rested and then took a few snapshots and left. I reminded them again and again, the road down is dangerous and do it slow. I can tell others but Lilian is a downhill freak! She was out of sight after a while and loud thunder made me chase after her. I never rode downhill this fast but today I need to catch up with her! After a while, lost between waiting for the others or continue chasing after Lilian, I stop at a spot where I can see a part of the road further downhill. I saw Lilian passing and then I waited for the rest. The rest was in sight and I started catching up with Lilian and I was expecting Lilian to be near the long bridge but she was not. I rode further and finally saw Lilian sitting on the roadside. She said it was quite eerie near the bridge so she waited near somewhere with sunlight.

We regrouped and went zooming down. We reached the GAP cafe again but then decided to have our meal (not lunch anymore) in KKB. Helen and Vincent folded their bikes and packed into their car and I wish goodbye to both of them. The rest of us, there's still another 20 kilometers to go, albeit easy coasting down. We regrouped again near the waterfall and a few kilometers from Sungai Chilling, I am still fresh after resting and coasting I pedalled all the way back to Sg.Chilling even if it was downhill.

Sungai Chilling was packed with visitors and there were others waiting for our parking spots. I reversed my car out and so did Clement for them to park in first. After securing their bikes, we made our way to KKB for our deserved meal. Before that I showed Clement where the famous pastry shop and they bought quite a lot. Then to the little coffee shop where there's nice 'curry mee'. It was not the 'curry mee' that made my day, it was the home made soya bean milk! Sold in 1.5 liter bottles, we ordered two!

We ended our ride here after the meal but I am very sure this will not be be the last ride here. Even now, a bike/hiking trip to the Chilling waterfalls is in the works! Planning with SC Chin and we just need a date. Until then..........

Chilling waterfalls, anyone? Biking and Hiking and picnic!