G.R.P.

I just returned from Chiang Mai touching down in KLIA at 9.00pm Friday.  So naturally I was a bit tired when I got up this morning. However when I noticed that the call for a ride by Ajizizi has only one respond (from Krambit), I was compelled to join them.

It was already 8.45am when I called Krambit to ask if the ride was “on” or otherwise.  He and Ajizizi had already arrived at the RV location. I got there around 9.15 and was told that we would be heading to Kuala Pilah – mainly for Ajizizi to visit his eldest son whom is studying at Kolej Matrikulasi Negeri Sembilan. Now, that would be three rides in a row going to Kuala Pilah!  Ajizizi brought us through a different route than the last two rides though. The route, according to Ajizizi would be through Mantin, with breakfast stop at Lenggeng.

Nothing fancy. Just regular nasi lemak with fried egg.

Ajizizi has missed quite a number of rides, no thanks to his irregular work schedule. And when his weekend is free, others have commitments. This weekend is no different. When Ajizizi asked in our chat group about riding during the upcoming weekend, the response was not at all encouraging.  Earlier on, Zack suggestion to go “melandak” received negative responses. Understandable as the price of meals there has spiked exponentially in recent years.

He has just came back from an extended training/vacation in Azerbaijan/Turkey.  Naturally, his sharing on that trip was plentiful.  A good catch up amongst the tree of us, with loads of tips on impromptu travel from Ajizizi.

Ajizizi led the way towards Kuala Klawang. Krambit and I haven’t the faintest idea where he was taking us.  I was a bit puzzled when he rode into a house compound.  It turned out the house in Serting Ilir was his wife’s aunt’s.  Puzzle solved.  hahahaha...

Thanks maksu for the thirst quenching Sunquick orange juice.   The sun was out in full force today.  While we would love to stay, Ajizizi has a lunch date to keep.  So just before 1:00pm, we rode out from this beautiful homestead heading towards Kuala Pilah. It was already zohor when we reached town. Thus we stopped here for prayers.

As always, Ajizizi googled for a place to do lunch, and found an ikan bakar restaurant located 3km away, according to google map.  After fetching his son Hakim from Kolej Matrikulasi Negeri Sembilan, we headed to the said restaurant.  Half way through, Ajizizi made a U-turn.  We learned later that the restaurant was way out from Kuala Pilah.  We settled at this roadside makan place, serving Kelantan food.  Sedap. :-)

Just as we were finishing lunch (and Ajizizi’s bonding with his son), it started to drizzle, and in no time rained heavily.  The clock was showing 3:30pm.  I have another appointment with Razzman in Nilai at 4.30.  As it was getting late, we agreed to continue our journey.  A little rain never hurt anyone.... especially if you have a raincoat. :-)  Well in our case, only Ajizizi had it.



Ajizizi soaked – just got back from sending his son to the hostel (Krambit and I waited at the eatery)



Luck was definitely not on my side.  Or maybe it was.  We reached Nilai shy of 5.30pm.  I couldn’t locate the Al Salam Signature restaurant which according to Razzman was just after Shell station.  Stopping by the roadside just after Shell, I called Razzman whom gave the right direction.

The restaurant was just a few meters ahead from where we stopped.  Fate has it, my GSA could not start.  Not enough juice from the battery to crank the engine.  After a few tries, we decided to just let it be and go to the restaurant to meet up with Razzman.  Interestingly, Razzman’s GSA had the same issue the week before.


Krambit and Ajizizi was quick to “viral” my mishap to the world (well, not really… jut our group chat and their FB).  So our ride now turned into a TTS when Zack turned up to join us. The three of us had nasi goreng for dinner while Razzman and Zack settled for tea.

When Razzman’s bike could not start (previous weekend), he bought a new battery.  But as it turned out, the problem was not with the battery, but a loose connection to the bike’s starter motor.  So, it was a blessing for me I guess as Razzman loaned his old battery for my use.  After fitting it to my bike, my bike was back to normal. Jazakallah Man….

Ohh… by the way, Razzman had an appointment to view a Suzuki V-Strom650 at the same place.  We met up with the owner, whom later learned that Ajizizi was one of four riders on the famous KL-London Versy ride (Ekspedisi Merdeka 1Malaysia).  He was very excited and almost forgot that he was there to sell his bike.. hehehehe ..

Well, that was about it for this weekend’s experience.  This will be another memorable moment in our lives, I’m sure.  We bid adieu when the clock past 9.00pm, reaching home around 10.00pm.
Thanks guys for your patience, support and friendship

So there you go.  What originally was a planned half day ride to PD became a “all-in-one” outing.  As remarked by Krambit… “complete with breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and TTS”..

More than 300km covered, started at 9:00am and reached home close to 10:00pm.  Total ride hours, more than five.  Total time spent, slightly over 12 hours.  Priceless!

And we added (actually Ajizizi) another “label” or “nickname’ to our little group… :-)

This event took place on Saturday 13th October 2018.

Umpama Orang Muda Oooo......

Life is full of memories - good, bad, pleasing, unpleasant, happy, sad, laughter, tears, etc., etc... With each new day, we may carve memorable moments if we choose... or we may just let the day slide through with only routines that will not be remembered in years to come.  Perhaps most days will be as such.  But we should try hard to have at least one day in the week that will leave a permanent mark on our timeline.   If that's too much, maybe once a week.  If that's still too frequent, once a month perhaps. Still too ambitious? Every other month then... any less frequent, probably require for to re-prioritise things... :-)

Everyone live through their own timelines, as we are recently told.  Logical.  Makes sense. I for one wished that such ideas, or rather, notion, came earlier in my timeline. It would probably have approached some things differently.  Or maybe not. Who knows. 

Anyway, the routine for us in this biking circle known currently as UOMO is weekend rides. Probably that is the constant.  The variables then would be whom would partake and where (or what food) we'll be going to.  Some are more regulars than others - riders, routes as well as destination.  And sometimes, things happen that will leave a marking in our lives.  An unforgettable memory.  And we may have one of such memory in today's ride :-)

WaqMT09 with MazliK8

As planned, we (Krambit, Zack, Mzac Acap, WaqMT09 and his friend Mazli K8 blue) met up at the RV location (RnR Dengkil Southbound around 9.00am.  After the usual greetings, we started our journey, stopping at the second RV point in Nilai town, where Razzman (+wife) and PakYeob (+wife) is waiting.

The greets were again short and swift.  Few minutes later, we were off with Razzman leading the group and Zack trailing last.  Normally Zack would lead, but not today.  Today, Zack was on his KTM and donning two GoPros on his helmet. 

The route would be the same as we did two weeks before, but this time around our destination will be slightly different, although it will also be in Kuala Pilah.

The Route, from Nilai, exit Pedas/Linggi, head to Rembau, then Johol for the twisties in between, then to Pilah

After Pedas/Linggi toll..... Acap photo-bombing Razzman (+wife)

It was raining heavily during our trip on 17th September.  Today, the weather was great.  Some of us really went for the twisties stretching from Rembau to Johol.  While others, me included, just layan blues and rode casually.. :-)

We re-grouped at the t-junction upon reaching Johol.  Almost similar as we did previously, though it was for taking shelter from the rain .  It would have been a short pitstop for today.  But as when we were mounting up to continue the journey, Razzman's GSA could not start. At first, there were weak cranks as the ignition switch was pressed.  After a few tries, there were no response at all.  Everyone chipped in to troubleshoot.  Mazli even took out his bike's battery to be used for starting/jump-start.  But, to no avail.

PakYeob assisting Mazli with the battery removal

What matters, no one gets left behind... So, we cracked our heads to figure out what was wrong.  

When jumping start (thanks to the stall owner nearby whom lent the jumper cable) was not at all successful, we decided on the last option - push starting.  Thanks to Acap on his CB500X, the process did not involve intence manual labour... hahahaha... Alhamdulillah, the bike came to life... and we were off on our way again.

I can't believe it has been two years since we came to Lomang Apak.  How time flies.  But we are here today. Sadly though, there were no lemang (again) today.  Apak was away, and no one else it seemed could do the lemang.  But there were other delicious dishes.

Pulut manis  @ wojik , albeit from the shop across the road.

Good food is not a must, but nothing compares to good company.  After all, all our rides is about getting together with friends first, then come other things... right?  :-)

I stand by that... Good company is a must. :-)

Well, it was yet another good outing... Although it was scorching hot when we were done,  it was time to head back.   Razzman arrived home safely despite his bike needed to be pushed started everytime we stopped.  Some of us regrouped at Nilai toll to take a breather from the scorching sun. We didn't stay long as some of us have other commitments later that day :-)

Acap is making a comeback :-)

OK guys, I'll leave you with the question - will you remember this ride years from now?  :-)

Ohh... before I forget, the title of this post... it came from the chit chat that we have today... when Krambit related that we (and everybody eventually) are still young at heart... and we started to match that with U.O.M.O.... Umpama Orang Muda... Ohh... :-)

This ride took place on Sunday 7th October 2018.

Terachi?

For the unsuspecting, Terachi sounds like a word or a place in India. Not sure what the meaning is, but Terachi is a name of a sub-district in Kuala Pilah (Negeri Sembilan).  For us, there is a somewhat nice makan place by the roadside with "itik salai" (smoked duck) as a unique offering.  We were introduced to this place by Razzman a.k.a Man Morini and we there for the first time in January this year.

With another extended weekend, Zack suggested to revisit this place.  And as usual, a list was put up in our WhatsApp group for a ride to take place today (Monday 17th September).  Within three days, there were more than fifteen names on the list - and half of 'em I do not recognise. As I learned when we met up at the RV point in Nilai, they were friends of Mzac and Pak Yeob from their Gixxer group. and most of them were on GSXR, except for two rider whom were on RC8 and ZX10R.

Didn't really get everyone's name.... but as most bikers, they are a friendly lot.

Our normal route going to Kuala Pilah would be via the LEKAS Hiway.  But for today, the lead (donno who as I placed myself as the last rider / sweeper) took us back through North-South Highway exiting at Pedas-Linggi. 

At Pedas-Linggi Tol Exit

From there, we headed towards Rembau then turn into road N14 heading toward Kampung Kuala Johol.  After getting to the road from the exit leading to Kuala Pilah, then and only I understood why that route was chosen - for the twisties.  I guessed everyone enjoyed the stretch despite the rain which started towards the end of the twisty route.

Part of the group have already gone ahead - the superfast Gixxer gang plus Mzac, Don & Razzman. The slower group stpped after the junction at Kampung Kuala Johol to wait it out... first at a bus stop, then walked across the street to a local coffee shop...

The Left-behinds... NoX, Faizal, Zack, Acap, BK&wife..

Keropok Lekor Terengganu in N9...

Zack got the coffees and keropok covered.  The rain stopped as we were finishing the coffee / tea / milo / nescafe.  And we resumed our ride...

As we got out of Kuala Pilah town heading towards Terachi, Razzman waved for us to stop somwhere in Tanjung Ipoh.  My impression was that the first group has stop to wait for us before going to our destination in Terachi.  But when I saw that they were seated (with some already having their food on the table), I assumed that Razzman has changed the destination.  It was when I finally settled down that I learned the stall in Terachi has moved their business to this new shop lot about two months ago.  

Razzman called earlier for the shop-owner to set up the tables... but he did not know they have shifted location!
"his confident level was too high"... said Lily, the shop owner

Oh, by the way, Zack and Faizal missed this shop and rode all he way to Terachi only to learned that the shop was closed.  Earlier, Razzman (and the first group) also went to the old location.

Faizal texting Razzman "where on Earth are you guys?"  :-)

All was done (eating) by 1:00pm.  Pak Yob and his Gixxer "army" as dubbed by Zack plus BK & wife left as soon as food was duly paid for.  Razzman stayed back for a bit to continue chit-chatting with the UOMOs, but left earlier than the rest of us as he had another commitment to attend to.  

After another tea / soda, the last of the group (Nox, MZac, Zack, Don, Acap, Faizal & myself) moved out, only to be hit by heavy downpour starting from the Istana Menanti juction all way to Nilai.  I was falling back from the group.... and I missed the turn to Nilai... thus rode out to Bukit Mahkota and rejoin Nox & Acap at Dengkil RnR.  Zack, Faizal & Mzac went straight home after Nilai brief stop; while Acap & me accompanied Nox to Shah Alam (Section 15 - Chan Bike Shop) - Nox going for his front tyre change.

I excused myself as it was already past 3:00pm.... leaving Acap with Nox at the shop.  I guess evryone else has already reached home well before 3:00pm...

All in all, it was a good outing.  Shook hands with a number of new biker friends (though did not really get their names or would remember their faces).  The makan was average... not as good as when they were operating by the road side (under the tree) in Terachi.  Probably the ambiance was different and psychologically that affected our taste?  hmmmmm....

But I'd say the makan is secondary.  Getting together on a bike ride and chit-chatting at pit-stops is primary.

Thanks guys for another enjoyable outing.....  And this is the route we did today...

Oopss, before I end this ridestory, here's the prequel... :-)

the list grew bigger... I think there were 19 bikes total today.

At the first RV Point (9:00am), RnR Dengkil (our regular RV if riding south)...

This Ride took place on Monday 17th September 2018.