All Things Unplanned....

We all know that in life, sometimes things happen.... No matter how prepared we are. No matter how careful we are. No matter how precautious we are. When it is pre-ordained, it will happen. Nothing much we can do when it does happen. Nothing will stop the inevitable.

Normally, we ride on Saturdays. But there were no calling for a ride until late Saturday afternoon when Razman threw a disorganised ride list in our WhatsApp group.

Nine buddies turned up at Seremban RnR today morning. Most are now becoming regulars (again). Izad @A-Man made his maiden appearance after having lost touch with the ex-SBMers since it became redundant more than five years ago... (sic)

Izad @ A-Man in the baseball cap.

L-R: Faizal, Mzac, Zack, Sari, Waq, PakYob, Razman, Capt. Bashah

By 8.50am, we were on the road led by Razman, exiting the North-South Hiway at Seremban heading towards Route 51 to Kuala Pilah. But when we arrived at the designated place, Restoran d'Sawah in Terachi (in Kampung Solok Paku to be exact) seemed overly crowded.

Copyright Controlled - Pics taken from Google Map :-)

So we continued towards Kuala Pilah and stopped at Tanjung Ipoh, at Lily's place (Restoran MH Utama) - a place that we have frequented before.

The menu today was not as inviting as before when this business was located by the roadside in Terachi. After a short discussion, we agreed to order roti canai and drinks, then proceed to Lomang Apak for itik salai (maybe) with lomang (also maybe). Maybe? because during our previous few trips, the lomang was not available...

We managed to only get eight pieces of roti canai as they ran out of it (so early?). Waq had to share with Mzac and Razzman... This was mainly why we decided to go to Lomang Apak for early lunch. After all, it was only 9.30 or so when we arrived here at Lily's. So, half an hour or so later, we headed out to Lomang Apak.

Just Arrived at Lomang Apak, without Faizal's bike

Faizal was last in the convoy. As we were settling in at Lomang Apak (the time was around 10.30am), Zack upon checking his phone read the message from Faizal "Aya xcident" (Saya eksiden - I accident) which was sent ten minutes earlier. I quickly called Faizal, and he said "I'm ok, but the bike is not rideable". Almost immediately, four of us geared up and headed back towards Tanjong Ipoh.

When we (Razman, Waq, A-Man and me) arrived at around 10:45am, there were three policemen at site. Two of them we had met earlier at the restaurant. We befriended the two when Razman joked with them about Pak Yob's bike with slick tyres, amongst other things... :-)

They were very sporting and friendly (did not get their names though). As we left the place at about the same time, they must have been behind Faizal and stopped to assist (as well as carry out their duties) when Faizal was involved in the mishap.

After assessing that Faizal was really unhurt, except maybe some abrasion on his left knee area, we then do the necessary to resolve the situation. First off, arrange for the bike to be transported back to a workshop (Sendayan Motor) in Nilai, where Faizal normally does his servicing and repairs. At the same time, Izad @ A-Man took Faizal to the police station to make a report. Alhamdulillah with good contacts these were done well within an hour. At 12:26 noon, the Bike Rescue arrived.

Faizal got back from the police station around the same time, with a copy of the police report already in hand. That would be useful for claims purposes. Faizal chose to follow the rescue team while the rest of us agreed to go back to Lily's place for lunch. We did not want to go back to Lomang Apak as it was getting late for some of us whom had other plans. Lily's was just nearby - less than 5 minutes from where the accident occurred.

It was really a quick lunch. We left the place at about 1:20noon, but then made a quick stop along the way to "feed the passion" for Capt Bashah.... So much for "having an appointment at 2:00pm" for you-know-who-you-are amongst the group... hehehehe..

That was totally unplanned! hehehehe...

After a "now we are forcing food into our stomach" durian session (everyone professed that they were already full after having lunch at Lily's... and of course the free rambutan given to us while waiting for the bike rescue), we bid goodbye as this durian stop would be our last pit-stop for this ride.

Anyway, I would think that this blog-post would not be complete if some more details on the unfortunate incident that happened to Faizal is not shared here....

As narrated by Faizal himself, a pakcik came out of a junction on his Demak (135LC Clone) right into Faizal's path. Tried as he might, Faizal was not able to avoid thus crashed into the front of the Yammy. Both landed on the road, with Faizal (and bike) being dragged onto the opposite side of the road way. Luckily there were no oncoming vehicle at the time. Couldn't imagine what could have happened of there was an oncoming car. Although there was an oncoming truck, it was at quite a distance away and it managed to stop well in time preventing a much worse scenario. Alhamdulillah...

The road was quite busy with continuous traffic. From Zack's GoPro, it was obvious that the pakcik, whom had sustained head injury after the impact, was waiting to come out of the junction and cross into the main road towards his right.

Faizal further added that he was trailing a car, and when the car passed the junction, the pakcik shot out onto the main road. He most probably did not see Faizal whom may have been overshadowed by the car. So, this was a case of perfect timing.

As I said earlier, there are some things that despite your years of riding experience and anticipations skills, would just be almost impossible to be avoided. The pakcik sustained head injury. And the two policemen whom arrived just moments after the accident radioed for ambulance assistance. The pakcik was able to stand on his own after the accident, as informed by his grandson whom we met at the incident site. He was taken to the local hospital. Although we do not know what his condition was, we pray that he do not sustain serious injury and get well soon.

Faizal (we) were not riding at high speed along the stretch due to the many cars. Thus, the impact was not a high speed impact. Faizal (we) would have only been in our 4th gear at the most.

Some photos of the scarred bikes...

Faizal remarked "nasib baik ada jeket" as he showed the torn sleeves of his jacket to the group. Well buddy, its not by luck we don our safety attire. Jackets with protective pads, pants with similar protection, proper boots and glove is worn consciously every time we ride. It should never be by coincidence. Today, Faizal walked away with only small abrasions on his knee (though with a very deep scar in his heart.... :-)) And that my friend is not by pure luck!

Later that evening, Faizal reported back that he has undergone check-up complete with x-ray. Alhamdulillah he was given a healthy bill plus two days medical leave. Get well (from the deepest cut in your heart) soon buddy!

Faizal profusely apologized to the rest as he was leaving with the Bike Rescue team. For record, apology is not necessary. Such incident/accident can happen to the best of us. Fellow bikers always look out for each other. And we would be equally hurt to a certain extent when another fellow biker get into such mishap. So, please do not feel bad in any way at all. After all, Capt Bashah, Mzac & Razzman did console their hurting by eating durian on the last pit stop on our way back... :-)

* Note: they were mentioned because they ate the most... hehehehe.. And also point to note, Izad did not eat durian at all... :-) Zack, despite being a durian hantu, surprisingly did not eat as much... The reason?

Well, when we arrived at Lomang Apak, four of us (Zack, PakYob, Capt. Bashah & Mzac) has already ordered their drinks and was ready to pick their dishes. That was mainly why the other four were the ones whom rode back to the incident scene, in thinking that we could sort things out and escort Faizal to the makan place . But, you already know how that went.

It took a good ten to fifteen minutes before we got back to Faizal's location. In that short period, those guys managed to alreay ate few things... and that was the main reason Zack did not eat much durian as well as when we revisited Lily's place.

Zack remark was "we'll wait here while you guys check it out and update us"

Not too sure if this was the dish that Zack had at Lomang Apak... but he did share this photo in the gropu's chat.

Anyway, all was well that ended pretty well I must say. Everyone got back home SAFELY well before 3.00pm. Broken fairings and tail end of the bike can be fixed and mended. Hurting of the heart will heal over time. But personal safety should never be compromised. Always wear safety attire guys and gals...

You'll never see Mzac without his minimum gear.... and without his signature selfie before getting on any ride... :-)