Cyclist turning to Biker

This posting has nothing to do with cycling. Arham was a veteran cyclist, long before it became a fad, cycling to and from work daily from Wangsa Maju to Ampang on his mountain bike from 1993 to 1996 when he bought his car.

Recently he asked me to take him round to enquire about a possible future 2 wheel purchase. And this is the result, a Kawasaki ER 650N.













Arham getting his road legs back again after testing the bike, courtesy of mechanic at Gentali.

I will definitely not be able to catch up with him on this baby.

Chengkau Revisited

I revisited Chengkau last week a side tour after my wife's old girls reunion week in Seremban. It's really been a long time since I visited Chengkau, a hiatus of about 19 years. The last time I was here was in 1990 attending the wedding of Din's elder brother.

The last time I was in Rembau was at his Al- marhumah mother's funeral in 99.

The great fire of Chengkau occurred in 2000. The remnant's of the fire remain until today. They have not demolished what was partially burnt. Also the shop owners went on with business in the partially burnt shop.

The Cina Chengkoi of Chengkau was no where visible during my short visit. He was probably relocated to a proper care institution by his parents to protect him from the angry local community and vice versa.

The scars of the fire are still visible both physically at the site and emotionally in the occupants of the town. An aged Chinese man, pointed out the sites of the fire and stories of it's spread while enquiring on my curiosity. He declined to have himself photographed as the Ah Pek in the partially burnt shop.


The row of burnt shops under the tree, remarkable how the tree itself recovered.










Still in use, the roof has not been properly replaced



The burnt down shoplots, not rebuilt


Very nice view of the contrast of the old and new.



The scars of the fire clearly visible on the roof.


The owner probably did not repaint the building to maintain the rustic burnt look. The Ah Pek inside the shop looked a bit too agitated by my presence to enable me to interview him further.






The new shop houses on the opposite side of the road.













The FV1 shop of Chengkau located in the old row shophouses on the opposite side.

















The famous Chengkau signboard at the entrace to the town.


















You leave this signboard to see the Chengkau signboard. It's located on the opposite side of the road. This is Din's hometown.

















The Chengkau Water storage tank built after the fire.

With regard to cycling, the area offers tremendous possibilities yet to be explored.

Road cycling is possible but you would have to beware of the cars and other vehicles as they travel at great speeds on the lonely roads.

Nearby Gunung Datuk (Grandfather Mountain) offers great possibilities of offroad trails. It's definitely one of the areas that we have to look into in the future.

Bang Aji's Food

This is also another overdue posting, (blaming it on the backlog) I remember editing the photos to make them clearer but somehow or rather I lost track of their location in the pc. (There must be at least double copies of every photo in the pc)

Anyway back to the storyline, after the tiring ordeal of the Putrajaya Challenge Park on the Chinese New Year Holidays, we adjourned for lunch at a newly opened shop owned by a close friend (affectionately known to us as Bang Aji) located at Giant Putra Heights.

Incidentally, it is very close to Bukit Cermin ( The fantastic downhill track) which I never hope to participate in, only to watch.

The food was sambalicious to say the least, Kudos to Bang Aji. I would not be putting it down here if it were not for the 2 factors, - Delicious food and old friend, this is a cycling blog after all.

Fariq and Eddy had the Nasi Kukus, Din and me had the mee cuun ( shortform for the Johor Mee Racon) Anyway, it was a delightful medley of Kelantanese (Bang Aji) and Johor (Emi) food. We had 2 fried keli compliments of the house. But we paid for the rest of the food (no point in taking advantage of a friend)

Anyway, for those reading this blog, do give it a try if you are ever in the Bukit Cermin area. I recommend it highly. Not expensive and filling the hungry stomachs.


Bang Aji wandering how Eddy and Fariq finished their meal so fast


Eddy inspecting any leftovers on the plate


The Mee Cuun, just after first testing


Din baloning his Mee Cuun, head and bones are all that is left of the keli on the right. It was starters for us


All that is left of the Mee Cuun, just the kuah, even that was finished after this photo was taken

Teluk Rubiah - Lumut Ride - December 08

This is one long overdue posting. I actually got the photos in February but because of the number of photos still pending ( in K'man's pc) I kept it for later. It was a memoric ride for K'man, Din and Taif.

In all 60 kilometers from Teluk Rubiah to Lumut, on the ferry to Pangkor, round Pangkor Island, back to Lumut and back to Teluk Rubiah.





Din on the ferry to Pangkor

Din standing on the waterfront




Seen here is K'man posing at the jetty.

They had a company trip to Teluk Rubiah as well as an event with the local orphanage at the resort.

Not seen in the photos is Taif who took the pictures.

Apparently the orphans really appreciated their presence and of course their cycling stories.

The 3 of them will be fondly remembered by them.

Frim Ride 28 02 09

This was one ride that was unforgetable, we ran out of breath halfway. Eddy forgot to bring any Buleh along, I forgot the Livita. Technically our energy levels were sapped.

I only took photos when we rested.




Eddy resting under shade of tree, catching breath and enjoying the cool jungle breeze.

















The view of the slope in front of us. It is all trees down there. No beaten trail for anyone to follow.












Energy recharged (not full) we are going riding again. Din has already left us here. We caught up with him later.

Fahmi's RRI Ride on new Bike - previous ride 15 03 09

I took Fahmi into RRI to test his new bike. Purchased from ABC where Uncle Ong measured him and tailored the bicycle to fit his size.

At the entrance into RRI we ran into the group from Seksyen 4 who regularly rides into RRI. First time I met Kudin after hearing his name being mentioned for so long.

No Photos of Fahmi cycling as I was too busy guiding him up and listening to his incesant complaints about the mosquitoes. Only managed to get photos at the top of the Radar tower. No msquitoes there


Fahmi at the tower, in background the riders from Seksyen 4




Fahmi at different angle, background the hills of Frim



Another angle with Subang Airport for background. (My wife scolded me for taking him to a dangerous place. Note there are no railings. It is a Radar tower after all)


Background Subang Airport again

The Chengkau Man rides

We finally got someone from Chengkau to ride. Hj Kamarulzaman, anak jati chengkau, both parents from Chengkau, rode the RRI track with me last week. He is set to join the club. All set for pairing with Din of Kg Selomak.

For me it was eventful ride as my first ride chatting non stop but not out of breath. Hj Kamarulzaman was quietly listening to my chatter. Later he admitted that he was controlling breathing as it was his first ride offroad.


First rest at scenic corner before Indonesian or is it now Vietnamese encampment


Posing for the camera with small stream as background


Petronas lubricant for daughter's Piranha bicycle ( a bit small for him)

Going up the track to the Celcom BTS


I'm trailing from behind


Massaging tired foot and legs after the climb at the peak (the former Subang Airport Radar station)