This is the first time some of us are taking part in the PCC Interstate Ride and was told this year it is the toughest in terms of terrain. The event covers a total of 475km in 3 days over 3 Malaysian States - Perak, Kelantan and Trengganu.
Thursday - April 29 – Coach from Spore to Perak River Side Resort, Kuala Kangsar
Room-mates – Dr. Squeaky Bird Emril and ‘PP’ Eve who are also ‘PCC virgins’.
Makan buddies – Casey Kwan, Albert Yeo, Mike Tan, Roger Hague, Roy Chua, Vincent Lee, David Chua - West Pack Riders aka West Pack Joy-Eaters?
Riding buddy – SeedoubleYou Choon Wei
For dinner that evening, joined West Pack Riders to East Ocean, Menglembu near Ipoh for the finest Cantonese cuisine.
That was the highlight of my trip besides the toughest hill on the last day ride to Kenyir Dam!
Day 1 – Friday, April 30, 7am - Banding LakeSide Inn, Pulau Banding – 137km to Kota Bahru.
A wet start but it was so beautiful riding along the green, green, green grass of kampong homes. Hardly any traffic and the roads were wide. Rolling slopes and about 20k of temperature hot climb to Pulau Banding with some scary decent behind ‘PP’ Eve! She thought she was saying her last prayer!
For recovery dinner, I escaped with West Pack Riders to Gerik and have the BEST steamed catfish ever!
Next time, we will have one each instead!
Day 2 – Sat, May 1st, From Pulau Banding to Grand RiverView Hotel, Kota Bahru – 177.6k
We gathered @ 6.30am just before the bridge and climbed about 30k up to the top. The climb was relatively easy since it was cooler and we were all fresh! Once we got to the top, we were in seven heavens! Refilled, toilets stop, some photos and off we go!
Rode 7 hours and was bored riding in the heat. Traffic was heavier as we were near civilization. Disco Johnson Duck found me and we stopped for lunch as I was starving! After lunch Johnson and I hooked up with Ipoh riders and had a great time drafting them and sharing their coca-cola. They were super, helpful, motivating and fun!
Dinner was @ some Teochew restaurant with West Pack Joy-Eaters
Day 3 – Sunday, May 2nd – from Kota Bahru to Lake Kenyir Resort & Spa, Trengganu – 161km
The last day was fun; I got to draft SeeDoubleYou Choon Wei after we left Kota Bahru. Both of us had a great time over-taking riders and the peloton train. Choon Wei was on fire and he was chucking along. We stopped for toilet and got a bottle of coke. Discovered too much coke was bad for me. Our next stop, we met some KL riders, Ewan from Independent Riders and they were very helpful too. They shared their 100Plus and even spray water on us to keep us cool!
Only 15k after the left turn to Kenyir Dam, sounds short but it was no fun with the heat and the steep hills. At that moment, it was tougher than Genting climb and the hot weather certainly didn’t help.
I was determined not to stop until I get to the Resort! Finally got to the Resort main entrance and was glad we don’t have to ride anymore tomorrow!
A great sense of achievement as I always wanted to visit Kenyir Dam and experience the East West highway of Peninsular Malaysia!
Dinner was @ the resort and everyone who completed the whole route knows that this is something money cannot buy!
Day 4 - May 3 - Coach back to Singapore
Next year, I am recommending that more JoyRiders join this event and I will be reserving for @ least 25 riders so that we can go by coach!
- Snail Queen Joyce
