The Great Outdoors

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.