sunday 27th march 2016

When I was having that "dream" of owning a BMW (RT) one day, two friends sort of made a promise that they would also "upgrade" to a BMW if and when I owned one.  That was at least two years ago.

Well yesterday, both friends made good on their promises.

Idrus' brand-spanking new GSA-LC was delivered at Auto-Bavaria in their Glennmarie showroom.  And on this same day Nox put down his deposit for a similar bike.  My goodness!  Not only do they came true on their "promise", they did it much better!  Congrats guys.

Idris about to drive home his new GSA (this is outside AutoBavaria showroom in Glennmarie Shah Alam)

So, today (Sunday), I thought I'd lure Idrus into going for a ride. And you guessed it, he obliged.  Also, Rik (whom by now is an otai in the GSA world) said he'd join us for "breakfast at Port Dickson" (what?? again??? :-)).  But Rik was from Jelebu (in Negeri Sembilan).  And so.... the plan... me meet up with Idris at Dengkil RnR... and Rik would RV with us after Seremban exit.

At 9.30am, when I pulled into Dengkil RnR, Idrus also had just arrived.  We immediately rode out making our way to Seremban/PD exit.  As we got into the Shell service station, Rik was already there.

Anyways, wasted no time we did.  Headed straight to P.D and got there in less than half an hour...

After a piece of roti canai and a glass of drink each... errr... Idrus actually had a second drink, teh "o" gelas bear, we chatted on.... and on... and on....

the teh o was really gelas besar!

It was getting hot outside (equinox effect?)... and its time to get a move on...

three, two and one box choices for the GSA... hehehehe...

We took the inner road route for the return leg:  P.D-Lukut-Sepang-Elite hiway, making a brief stop at Dengkil RnR to punch our thirst from the overly hot weather.

Idrus' treat...

It was about noon when we parted ways from here.  A  swell warm-up ride for Druze (Idrus)... :-)

Ohhh by the way... tested this clamp mount for the sports action camera... not the most ideal location...

Till next time... keep the rubber side up guys.

bamboo & rock dam

It has been a rather hectic week for me.

Firstly, that Sunday's solo ride. Spent most part of Monday doing chores - from washing car to doing laundry. 

Then, balik kampung with the family on Tuesday.  

Rode the MTB with my brother on Wednesday. 

On Thursday went to Kota Bharu to look for a long-time-no-see friend (with no success). 

Spent the whole day Friday at sea - went to Pulau Perhentian and beyond for supposedly fishing. 

Saturday (yesterday) travelled back to KL/Shah Alam - making a brief stop in Kuantan for a kenduri.

And today 20th March, Sunday... slightly after 9.00am, I was on my way to meet up with few friends for yet another half day ride... :-)

When I reached Sg. Buloh RnR, all five riders (Mzac, AjiKTM, Zack, Haji Amir and Idrus) were already halfway through their coffees.

This was to be a simple half day ride - lunch at a restaurant just after Sungkai exit on NS Hiway and back.

We made our way out of the RnR at around 10.00am, of course after a quick fuel up.  The traffic was smooth moving - not that many cars on the NorthSouth Hiway today.  We arrived the Nasi Bamboo Sungai Klah restaurant just after 11.00am.  A first time for everyone coming to this place.

found a nice shady place to park our bikes

There were already tons of bikers there as we pulled into the restaurant.  A very good business indeed for the operator. The food? Not bad at all.  I kinda like the pay-before-you-eat arrangement. Buffet style, you pick your food and pay at the counter before taking it to the table. Accurate account of what you eat.

A variety of food for our fancy.  Grilled, fried, souped, curried, kerabu, ulam... Everyone enjoyed the feast.

seriously ready to makan!

siapa makan sampai 3 buloh?  hehehehe...

It was scorching hot as we contemplated on what to do next.  It was unanimously decided that we would return via the trunk road (not the hiway).  Did I mention it was scorching hot?  Well, according to the meteorological department, the sun equinox is taking place this week, and it would be extremely hot around noon till 3.00pm for the week.  And guess what?  That's the timing we chose to ride!  Did I mention it was scorching hot?  :-(

@Tanjong Malim - some bikes need to re-fuel... :-)

AjiKTM bought cold drinks at the station - "untuk minum2 sambil rendam kaki dalam ayor" he said. Where?  Just off the main road in Tanjong Malim - a place called Lubuk Kawah. It was indeed a much needed cooling off for us.  Except for AjiKTM, everyone else did not have any swimming trunk ready.  Well, this pit stop was not part of our original plan!

Arrived this place (Teratak Riverview) at about 1.30pm.. did I mention it was scorching hot?

Well... what could stop some of us from the inviting water?  Nothing!  :-)  First to get into the water was AjiKTM (of course! as he had swimming truck and all...)

see me?  lying flat on my back in the water... what a refreshing feeling :-)

Idrus and Zack rolled their jeans up to knee level and waded in the cool water.  Me?  What the heck... I just jumped into the water as-is... fully attired! hahahaha...  Well, soon after, Idrus took his t-shirt off and joined me and AjiKTM in the water.... so much for rolling up his jeans.... hehehe... But, Zack was still trying to keep his pants dry... even during the "dam-building" process...

Dam building?  Yupp... you read it right.  AjiKTM initiated this cordoning of the stream by building what Idrus appropriately named "UOMO Dam".... Damn!  hahahaha...  Zack was staying true to not getting wet..... but not for long....  As the water level rises from the blockage, he could no longer fight the urge... thus... four stooges in the water now!  :-)

Haji Amir also joined us for a short while.  He donned his kain pelikat - for modesty reasons, I choose not to share his picture here... errr,,, maybe a censored version would be okay?  hehehe...

What about Mzac?  Well... he didn't even take off his shoes to dip his feet in the waters... Good thing though... he was our guard on duty (found my bike's key which I inadvertently dropped) and more importantly... he was our "baywatch"... hehehehe.

lifeguard on duty!

Time sure does fly when you are having fun.  When we got out of the water, it was already three o'clock!  And I have to be home before 4.30 for my Sunday's routine (sending two of my kids off to their hostels).  With pants still soaking wet, we rode out of this sanctuary from the scorches of the day.

getting ready to ride out...

As we hit back into the hiway, the three street/sports bikes (Zack, Haji Amir & Mzac) were pulling away from the three dee-pees... The traffic was a lot more heavier as people are driving back to KL after a week long school holidays (that ends today).

Apparently, Zack, Haji Amir and Mzac made a stop an Sungai Buloh RnR for solat and regroup before calling it day.  As for me and AjiKTM - we were following Idrus whom sped passed the RnR. So, we headed home without stopping anywhere... hehehehe.... note:  a good thing for me; otherwise I could have missed the 4.30pm time limit.... hahahahaha...

and they had root beer floats!  alassss.....

This has yet been another enjoyable and relaxing ride.... Thanks guys!
I am certain that more of similar outing will come soon... (when Idrus update his toy.... and when Nox join the rebels.... hehehehe).

Till next time... keep the rubber side down peeps!

what saturdays bring...

It has been two weekends of "no ride".  Nothing new.  Most of us have commitments.  Most of us have other priorities.  You name it,  and that would be the commitment or priority for you.  You, me, all us are in the same boat.  None of us can be at two places in one time.  All of us have to make choices. Its either this or that.  Choosing both would almost certain lead to not fulfilling either one.

And as we move on with our life, we tend to have more commitments that need prioritisation...

Anyway... :-)

Mzac brought a friend along for what I thot would be two-bike affair.  Haji Amir, Mzac's neighbor, just like him has recently made a comeback after a couple of years rest from biking (fulfilling other commitment... :-)).

Mzac gave a thumb's up just we before we flag off from Sungai Buloh RnR.

When we met up at Sg. Buloh RnR, no destination or route has been set yet for today's short ride. And as we sipped our coffees and teas I asked them about where we wanted to go.  None of us had any particular destination in mind.  When I casually asked "how about Kuantan?  Visit Kudir?" Both nodded and agreed. Guess everyone a had a full day pass for today... hehehehe...

Three's Company..

So, at around 9.45am, we rode off - after fueling up at the station, plus filling up air on my R1 (front only had 110 psi and rear was 120psi! Note:  put 240psi front and 290psi rear. :-)

There were something like hundreds of bikes on Karak Hiway as we trudge through the quite heavy traffic that morning. There were at least four different groups of convoys that we had to pass. Harleys/easy riders, mid-range streets/naked, and a few sports bike plus some adventure-touring bikes.

Stopped for re-fuel and easing ourselves at Termerloh RnR with the clock at about 10.00am.  The service station was flocked with bikers.  Good to note that they are as friendly as we were.... hehehehe...

After a bottle of water each, we continued our journey exiting Gambang.  Stopped at the toll area to check  out a weird flapping sound that I was experiencing throught out the ride.  And it was caused by.......  my torn shoe sole! hahahaha... What did I do?  Tali rafia larrr.... hehehehe...

Also, Haji Amir's bike must have a had an over-the-limit vibration.... his rear brake oil reservoir clip came loose - its screw came off!  So, a bit of McGyver was applied... hehehehehe....

Ok, the minor problems were solved.  But our biggest problem was still unresolved.  Where do we go from there?  No one seem to know exactly where our final destination will be, although we agree that it will be a makan place... :-)

Hj Amir's turn for a thumb's up....
He enjoyed the ride very much... :-)

Called up Kudir, and he directed us to Jaman Tory Resepi  at Taman Indera Mahkota.  The food was up to our taste standard... although we did not eat much.  As Mzac put it.."makan sikit jer.. puyuh dan ayam kampung goreng, daging salai kuak kuning, patin goreng ngan bawang cili, tempoyak dan ulam serta ikan jeruk jer..."  Jazakallah Haji Amir for the treat!

By the way, couldn't really find the way at first.  Luckily I stumble upon my relative, Datuk Zul whom happened to be at the bank when we stopped nearby to it to get ourselves sorted.  He gave us a crystal clear direction to the restaurant.  And he also joined us for the great lunch.

Kudir arrived just in time to place the order.  But, Kudir did not makan anything except for a piece of ayam kampung and puyuh goreng... he already had lunch at home (at least that was what he claimed... ).

L-R: Kudir - Sabri - Datuk Zul - Mzac.

It was already past 2.00pm when we bid both Datuk Zul and Kudir adieu.  Stop at a service station near Kg. Pandan (Kuantan Bypass) to re-fuel and solat.  Then it was all the way back, stopping at Petronas Bentong (on the hiway) for another refuel (Haji Amir's fuel gauge was already blinking).  It was raining heavily along the way.  If i recall correctly, somewhere before Maran RnR, the visibility was terrible due to the heavy downpour.   We were soaked!  Could feel water building up in my shoes.  But by the time we stopped at Bentong, we were almost dry... :-)

After a bottle of mineral water and a slice of waffle, we continued... arriving Gombak toll just after 5.00pm... Nostalgic moment (at least for me...) there.. could not recall when was the last time I lepak there after a ride to Awana, Genting or Bukit Tinggi... those were the days....  Nowadays, prefer to do the North or South routes...  too many weekenders doing the popular Awana/Genting/Bukit Tinggi biker's haven...

Just like the good old days...

It started to rain again when we got to Gombak toll.  So, we waited for the rain to simmer - a good 20 minutes or so.  Then, we bid farewell.... hopefully our next get together will be at most in two weeks' time... if not next weekend... :-)