Lovecycling goes to Desaru - 22nd April 2011

Ready? let's go!

riding kakis

24 friends met at Changi Ferry terminal early morning for a group ride to Desaru. "Are u nuts to do this?" some of my friends asked. Probably but it should be fun.... I hope, fingers crossed. 

Bar ku teh... super!

Distance is estimated to be just under 60 km one way... with some slopes to make it more "interesting." Led by KC, Clarence, Mary and Andrew, we made good time riding smoothly to Pengarang town around. Stopping for some nourishment, we swamped the Bar ku teh stall... food tastes so good when u are hungry! 

bike train to Desaru...hop on!  photo credit Matt 

      Was thinking to myself... "hey it wasn't so bad". Mary looked on grinning.."the fun is just beginning" she smiled so sweetly. The later part was "fun"... I guess it is also due to the hot sun, which makes everything melt... As u pedal, u question urself...why oh why did I sign up for this torture?" I just keep telling myself , what doesn't kill u, makes u stronger.... go go! One crank at a time! The whole group eventually conquered the slopes, the heat and found ourselves at Desaru, Pulai beach resort around 3pm. Not bad at all! We dropped our stuff in the rooms and went straight into

the pool. Lazing around like beached whales... it was relaxing and nice. Ahhhhh... shiok! 

music while we eat

Dinner followed soon, we showed Desaru while we can cycle, we can also eat....more like hungry vultures we whacked everything in! Stressing the BBQ chap doing the beef satay.... Over dinner, we chatted and laughed... talking from bicycles, to bicycle parts to medical information on chicken rice, fried oysters and fried rice. It was wonderful to be able to chat for extended time with my bike kakis.... that nite, I slept like a log...  and my buddy matt had some middle nite snack of Poi chai pills... haha.. :)

going home

4 road kill

The next morning, we had a sumptuous breakfast of nasi lemak, with bread, omelettes, juices, sausages and many more. I tried to control myself as I know the going early on would be tough. Meeting at the lobby, we took our obligatory lovecycling "TW" pose and personal glam shots.. Then we started cranking away. I like to tackle the hills early morning as the heat is not so bad... anyway...groaning and cursing.. ....

the real reason why we ride..  Photo by Matt 

we managed the slopes. Very soon, the crew reached Pengarang.  Nice lunch of lobster, pork and all things good at the good luck restaurant. Highly reccomended place! We also loaded up the biscuits and pastry at the bakery shop for the wifey and girl friends.  Then we headed towards the jetty... detour to have a quick peek at a chinese village, have some coffee and eggs. I really like the feel of the kampong Jawa, sleepy and original. We made it to the ferry terminal very early. Sitting at the carpark, hot and sweaty....but fullfilled.   Many thanks, Mary, Vince, KC,
Clarence, David, Zack, Andy and many other for the efforts.. Wonderful ride with friends... I know I will back! 


More photos here 
taiwoon Flickr
Matt's Flickr



And specially for Mary... 

Pengerang ride on 9th Jan 2011

One for the camera!

minor commotion when 39 riders went into the ferry terminal...like stars!

Loaded up on bumboat to pengerang!

Bikes, lots of it!

Erh..yes it is

  

  



 
 































      38 friends, bicycles on 3 bumboats headed toward Pengerang early on Sunday. It felt like a Army mobilisation where the team leaders were shouting for attention and getting their group sorted. "Got bring passport? Where is Chris"...Never the less, everyone came on time and very soon on the bumboat chugging towards the ride destination. Joining us for the first time are Billy, Evon, Wendy, Benny and a few hard core riders. They had just did a similar loop yesterday and came for today ride... talking about commitment!

Heaven was kind to us, it was slightly overcast, not too hot, not raining...Just right for riding. Covering the rear was Andy until his crank decided to give up on him. Still he had fun riding on a taxi and roaming around the town looking for bicycle shop to repair the crank...and rejoined the group later.  Many smiles and friendly banter amongst the rider.... telling their heroic stories about "last time...." It was also very impressive to see how fast KC changes tyre , Mr Teo repair the brakes ...which will put the Ferrari mechanics to shame. 

We reached the Ostrich farm around 11am and had Ostrich steak, omlette, love letters and all things related to Ostrich. The gentleman in charge also gave us a group discount to visit ostrich farm where we were educated in the proper way to open the Ostrich egg...also about how come some of the birds have partially bald backsides. The balder they are, the more productive.....

We had "own time own target" lunch at the town area where Clarence and team went for lobsters, some went for bar ku teh... and all good stuff. Me and Matt roamed around the town, taking photos and looking at the old shops and run down stuff.  The distance travelled is about 48 km, flattish roads, breezy with plenty of coconut trees, kampongs and sea view. Oveall, It has been a great day ride with lots of laughter, fun and noise!I got a feeling we will be back soon...

Lastly, Zillion thanks to Clarence, Andy, Andrew, David, Mary, Billy, Mr Teo, KC for all the help to organise this wonderful ride!

more hi res photos and closeups here..

Clarence the main man that made it happen! Thanks friend!

Zack in a good mood! Ride!

Steve thumbs up, all good!

Ostrich burger advert!

Relaxx

Recce to upcoming Jan ride to Pengerang

Today a group of riders took their personal time to recce the route to Pengerang. To actually test out if it was suitable for all newbies, in all shapes and sizes. I am very hearten and very happy to see what passion and fun can drive people to do things beyond the ordinary. From their feedback, it seems doable and I guess we will be making a trip announcement come Jan! Stay tuned and check lovecycling.sg forum for the confirmation
http://lovecycling.niceboards.net/schedule-announcements-meetups-f1/
Andy, Darren, Clarence, David, GL, Mary and Rini (another person, I dun know ur name)thank you for ur efforts!  Check out the recce photos they have taken...

 Recce team!

from left, Darren, Andy, GL, Rini,Mary, and David

real deal Satay...

riding along kampong roads.. 

metal lobster sculpture

check out the lobsters!!!

Ostrich paradise

big ostrich egg