The Great Outdoors

Sekinchan To " Tua Kang " 

This ride was planned a month ago with Rivern and Cikgu Chin when we were doing another ride. I have done this twice and once was with Cikgu Chin and also Cikgu Liliana. It takes quite a lot to persuade other riders too but as this is a flat road ride and the duration of the ride is unlimited, it would not pose any problems even to new riders.

Photo session at the start!

With the flip flopping of the numbers of riders, finally on the day of the event, 19 riders turned up inclusive of the surprising participation Jotaro Zen and Sin Tai Lim. We met at the pre-arranged meeting point as with my other two rides before. It was again drizzling in the morning and upon checking with a local resident, it was raining the night before. I was quite eager on the laterite sea bund ride and the rain can make it too muddy to ride.

For this trip, I planned to ride to the most visited beach in Sekinchan called 'Pantai Redang'. Visit any local folks and they will bring you to this beach. Incidentally, the sea bund route starts from here as I discovered it with my wife during the last recce trip. We rode to the beach and while waiting for another few late riders, the rest had some time to check out the place which has on it's premises an old temple with a wishing tree like the one in Hong Kong's 'Wong Tai Sin Temple'. You tie a red ribbon with your name written and a stone and fling it onto a tree and try to hang it as high as possible on the tree. I don't know if the action is for wishing for a partner or any wishes.

Group photo at Pantai Redang

As soon as all the riders are accounted for, we started onto the laterite path which runs parallel to the seafront. As usual, this path is fun and the conditions was not so bad with a few patches that needs careful riding over. It does mess up your bike though. After a while we came to a sandy beach which is called 'Pantai Parit 7' locally. Maybe it is because of the 7 irrigation canals ('parit' in malay ) that flows into the sea here.

The laterite path by the sea

After a photo session by the sea, I guided them back to the tarmac road. The ride through some palm oil plantation was also pleasant as there was no sun this morning. After a distance, I saw another rider riding in the opposite direction. She was rushing to search for her spectacles which must have dropped along the way. Me and Lilian then went after her as I don't want to leave a lady rider riding along a lonely beach. We met her near the sandy beach and we rode a bit fast to catch up with the main group.

Riders regrouping by the beach

As this point, Irene was asking for food! I had planned to take her to a fishing village somewhere nearby but the place seems so far today. Feeling guilty, I rode on and keep hoping to see a main river where there's a food court and also a place to wash our bikes. Some riders are already feeling the need for 'wee weeing' already! Finally, we came to the junction and I asked Irene if she wants to take her breakfast at the first place at the junction. Before I said anything, she was already parking her ride and sitting on the table. The rest of the riders ventured further in and Rivern saw a big sign saying 'Mee Udang' at another place. I called Lilian to usher all the riders to the second place but Irene and Max was already eating! So, while the rest choose 'mee udang', I sat with Irene until she finished her meal. Then we rejoined the rest and some went with Cikgu Chin to wash the bikes.

At RM15 a pop, it's not really cheap!

Clams, clams fresh! Only RM30 for half a sack!

After some bantering and some expensive 'mee udang' meals, we proceeded on. Next destination is the Haji Dorani Resort. I tried booking this place for an overnight ride last time but was fully booked. We reached this place and ventured around the fishing village and also the resort. We met with a few clam fishermen folks who was loading their catch onto a van. A few riders was inquisitive and ask about the methods of catching them and even the price of the clams. These clams really looked delicious and off course they are 'super fresh'. Sadly, although very cheap, we cannot be carrying it all the way to Sg. Besar and back.

The scenic Haji Dorani Resort

Next destination is our final destination for this ride, Sungai Besar or 'Tua Kang' in Hokkien dialect. The first landmark is the Fire Station and after a while riding we came to that. We rode a few more kilometers on the town main street and then into the 'Bagan' area. 'Bagan' is the local word for fishing village. So, this place is Bagan Sg.Besar. After taking a group photo with the fishing village as backdrop, we proceeded to the restaurant. For the last 3 trips, I have never missed eating here. Although nothing fanciful, the food here is simple but tasty, and cheap too. Actually, another rider Norman Choy pestered a local for a good place for lunch, a place where locals patronize. This happened on the first trip. A local rode his moped and guided us here. That's how I came to know of this place.

In Sungai Besar finally

After lunch, Kookkeong Fong came to me and suggested that we ride back to Sekinchan on the other side of the trunk road. The paddy field section. I am all for it. Off course, I am interested in knowing new routes. So, off we went with a heavy stomach, across a few main roads and waiting for green light at the traffic junctions. Small town folks respect bicycle as another vehicle and for this I am appreciative. From where I stay, even my Kancil is wrong to be in front of their flashy cars!

This lunch is only RM14 per head

After passing through Sungai Besar town, we detoured into a secondary road which borders the paddy fields. The paddy here are just ripening unlike in Sekinchan, where they were all harvested. The sight of greenish yellowing paddy is beautiful. Some wanted to be nearer to the paddy fields and so we cross an old rickety bridge and rode onto a local paddy farm. Max punctured his tire and so we have time to do a few shoots here. Cikgu and Sin Tai Lim was like shooting an advertisement here, thanks to Max who is now repairing his puncture. Jotaro did asked for permission from the local farmer though. Gan CG and Jac was enjoying sitting on a swing under a tree for shade.

Relaxing under a tree

After all the 'hoo haaa', finally the tire is repaired and off we went. Then we switched back to tarmac. A while after, I discovered my GPS unit was missing. I turned back and back tracked to look for it. Much to the astonishment of Jotaro and Sin Tai Lim, I told them to proceed and explained about my GPS. I found my GPS on the ground almost near where the farm house is! After fixing it back on the handlebar, I sped off to join back the group. I was riding fast in excess of 25km/h. About half an hour of tiring ride, a small group waited for me near the canal sluice gate.

By the paddy field

We moved on and after a while we discovered that we have missed a turn and the main group was nowhere to be seen. We rode quite a distance away from the intended route and we asked some locals for some directions. A call came and it was Gan CG. I told her to continue to the parking lot while we try to make our way back there. We have splintered and no point trying to look for us. We were riding on the main road but not the trunk road while they were riding in some parallel small paths.

Something you don't see in the city

We were tired and it was really hot along the road with no trees or shades. we rode and rode and then I saw the silhouette of the tall building that was under construction in Sekinchan. At least we are on the right direction. We stopped under a shade to regroup as Jac was tired and Jotaro was sweeping. Well the mood was still jovial as Max and Jotaro was still upping their antics when taking pictures under a kapok tree (locals collect the fiber from the fruit to make pillow and mattress stuffing) . It was so far away! We still to to ride anyway and that we did. Cikgu was saying that this is a record ride as it was already 4.30pm when we stopped at a small local sundry shop for cold drink.

The 'kapok' tree

The lady shop keeper told us the main road was just at the end of the road and after drinking and resting, we rode on. Almost at the end we turn left to a smaller parallel road to avoid the busy trunk road. Some overshot and rode onto the main road and we joined them at another junction. At this point, I went across the main trunk road to ride on the other side as I knew there are trees for shade on the other side. The others followed me and after crossing, the ride was more comfortable as there are trees lining the road and more shady. After a few more kilometers, we came to the familiar sight of the fibre glass boats. We reached back to our cars. I waited for the last rider to pass before I too make my way to the car.

The sweeper and the last rider

Finally the whole group regrouped and after folding and packing it into cars, we said our 'goodbyes' and left. A check with the main group and the splintered group, the latter rode 74 kilometers while the main group rode 58 kilometers. Still, it's a happy ride!