Every now and then, I will hear about so and so's cycling trip to where and where. One of my bucket list is to go to Taiwan for cycling - the leisure kind, not to climb 武陵 or some crazy mountains and must be during the nice cooling months. Hoho.
My cycling gang had jio-ed a couple of times to xyz overseas cycling events. Those seem very siong and very hot; I wanted a super leisure one. Eventually, I decided that Kukup sounded easy enough and helped to coordinate the trip. There will be sun but hopefully not too much.
It was easy coordination work actually. I was given the contact of the resort by one of the frequent overseas riders. The arrangement was super easy. For S$75 per pax, we will have a comfotable roof over our head for a night and 5 meals - lunch, tea break, dinner, supper and bfast. Wow!
We rounded up 15 pax for the ride, including Auntie SL, who gamely joined when I "causually" brought it up. Hoho. The chat group was buzzing with activity as the trip neared - what to bring, when to roll, what to eat in MYS.
I bought new bags for my bike. The idea is to pack very light and squeeze everything into the bags. I packed and prepped the night before.
Happily taking picture with my bike before I rolled out at 5am.
I thought I looked funny. Then I realised that I had forgotten my helmet. Lol.
Now, this looks right.
We met and rolled off at 5.30am on Saturday morning.
We picked up another 3 at Junction 10 before meeting 1 more and Auntie SL at Woodlands.
We rolled off at 6.30am and the Woodlands Causeway was about 500m away. It is my 1st time riding into Malaysia and I was a mountain tortoise and following blindly only.
We were not the only group of cyclists heading to Malaysia. We had to queue up for the only counter that serves cyclists. The motorcyclists were clever enough to skip that lane to avoid squeezing with us. Look at that long line of cyclists.
The Sgp Immigration didn't take too long to clear. We had to ride over crazy tiny humps and then it was the long causeway and that was equally crazy. Bcos the cyclist in front was long gone and the cyclist behind was still stuck at the custom, I was riding solo with motorcyclists zooming by. When appraichong the MYS custom, I stopped and waited for the cyclist behind bcos I had no clue where to go.
We had to navigate our way along the narrow motorcycle lanes to the MYS custom. The wait was not too long fortunately. Then brave crazy humps again before conquering the notorious drain grating that is wide enough to trap roadies wheels. The seasoned cyclists had warned us so many times. We finally made it past the custom. This must be some test, cyclists who failed to navigate the treacherous path do not have the skill to ride in MYS and should turn back. Lol.
Our 1st stop was to bfast. The kopitiam was less than 1km away from the custom. The break was much needed to calm the nerves. I like cycling with Auntie SL bcos I got somebody to share food. Hoho.
After the break, we rode to some waterfront place, then to Legoland. #到此一游 #打卡
This was followed by another 25km to our last break point, where we loaded ourselves with 100 plus and bananas. Why? Bcos what awaits us was a huge bridge.
We made it!
The remaining part of the ride was on easy flat road. The weather had been merciful. There was forecast of rain and the sky had been cloudy. What we eventually got were a few raindrops but absolutely fabulous weather for riding.
Finally here.
Into that little pathway behind us, are houses and houses of resort. In the old times, the houses were built on wooden sills but now, most of them are on concrete pillars.
The resort where we were staying has 2 levels of accommodation and a big dining hall. The back of the resort faces the sea.
We spent the night on level 2. It came with 3 big rooms and a big living room. The 4 ladies took a room while the 11 men shared the remaining 2 rooms. Bcos there were only 4 ladies, we each got a bed. Some of the men had to squeeze on queen size mattress. Don't ask me how they decide who and who...
After freshening up, lunch was served. We had to wash and hang up our jerseys and bib shorts for the return ride. If not dried in time, so be it.
The food was good! But I think the quantity was not enough. I was just nice and can imagine that the men needed more. No problem, bcos food was everywhere.
The tau sar piah was so nice. Hot from the oven somemore. Too bad, transporting these home on the bike is unimaginable.
Mr Bears!
Durian! So good..
Durian chendol... ooooo....
The durian and the durian chendol filled up whatever space that was left over from lunch.
Auntie SL and I went for a little walk. It felt like a maze. Houses and temples extending from this and that path. Life generally felt very laid back.
We returned to the resort for more KTV singing and then it was tea break. Woohoo! Prawn fritters, right from the wok!
Most of us took a nap. I did too or risk falling asleep by 9pm. A quick 30 mins power nap, despite the KTV singing outside the room, and I was energised. I joined the group in the living room for silly card game that left us rolling in laughter.
Then, it was dinner time. Ikr.. I also don't think we burnt enough to eat so much. Dinner was sumptuous. The table was overflowing. There were crabs, fish, prawns and loads more.
We couldn't finish and had to pass over to the other table. It was amazing that almost no food went to waste.
We heard and saw fireworks.
The night continued with more KTV singing. Then the lights were dimmed and the disco light came on. We had our own mini club. Lol. The photos do little justice, we were much "wilder" and had a great time. The workout was much needed to burn away the heavy dinner.
Supper was served at 9.30pm. No need, I cannot already.
The "partying" went on late into the evening. I went to bed at about 11pm and the KTV was still going strong.
We must be very tired, bcos KTV or not, those who needed to sleep, slept. Good night world.
