Waraq atau Wa Rock? 😅

Some says, its never too late to do things that you couldn't or didn't do as you grew in life. Some even says, its better to regret doing than regretting not trying (of course this should apply to good deeds only 😁). 

GS: Geng Skuterz! 

I could identify myself as an avid motorcyclist (entirely my own opinion 😁). I would even go to the extent of saying that bikes and riding is a passion, a deep one if I may add. And, this enthusiasm about two wheels is something that I have in me since I was at a single digit age! But for many others, they find joy in having wind smacking their face and body a bit later in life.

Some waited until after retirement to "do all those things that I did not have time for when I was busy running the rat race". Some could not afford to indulge in their passion or hobbies. Whatever their reasons (or excuses 😁), many take up their bucket list items after retirement...

Haji Poazi rekindled his interest in riding just as he was taking an early retirement. At our "prime" age, the wise choice of a two-wheeler has to be a scooter - twist and go, no worries about going at a wrong gear position. And a wiser choice is to start with the entry sub 200cc machine. Thus his N-max155 is definitely the right pick. 

Haji Poazi is a cool dude!

Haji Alinoor on the other hand started much earlier - in his late 40s, with a VTS200. He had even made an epic ride to Krabi on that bike after getting the SYM. But Pak Uda as he's passionately known amongst friends had to be on a hiatus for a for a few years after going through minor health challenges. Just before the Covid MCO, Pak Uda made a come-back with an X-max250! 

Haji Ali, @Pak Uda @ChefAli - a sempoi buddy..

For over a year, both had been pestering me to do a medium distance ride "santai2". And there's another friend, Hj. Ishak whom would have joined us on this ride if not for a last-minute unforeseen circumstances... 

This ride? Originally, the proposed route destination was a ride to Taiping. But after some discussion, we agreed to go to Lumut instead (also at first we planned to book a chalet at Teluk Senangin).

 

Starting off at 8:00am from Shah Alam, we stopped for a late breakfast at this Restoran Dinding Gelas Besar in Tanjong Karang. The Roti Titab was quite good - but the sekaya (coconut jam?) doesn't really fit this dish IMHO.

Roti Titab - I've had better...

As we left this establishment, the sky grew dark and just moments after we were on the road, it drizzled, then rained heavily.  We made a quick stop at a petrol station to put on our rainsuits.  The rain only stopped when we got to Teluk Intan some 40 minutes later.

Continuing our ride, the next stop was at Hj. Poazi's friend's home in Kg. Batu Sembilan, Lekir. It was already half past noon then.  Dr. Shatari served fruits and some local delicacies which was too much for us! 

His traditional wooden house is perfect for retirement.... 😁

We spent a good one hour one hour there not realizing it was already 1.30pm when we bid adieu. 

When we finally reached our destination, it was almost half past two. Both "newbies" looked beat. Thus, when we finally got into our room, both of them straight away dozed off... Hahaha

This Marina Heights Residence Hotel nearby Teluk Batik is quite popular with families, probably because of the pool.. Else, I opined that it will be as attractive... 

All rested, we went out to Lumut town for an early dinner and some shopping (of seafood products - dried squid and such). 

End of day one - we retired rather early that night... at around ten something... 

The next morning, all were up before 5:30am. The plan was to leave around 8:00am, stopped at any nearby restaurant for breakfast and go to Ipoh for an appointment that I set with a t-shirt printer there. 

Teluk Batik beach is just a few kilometers from the hotel. Before going for breakfast, we made a quick visit to this famous-amongst-campers spot. 

Nothing fancy for breakfast. We stopped at the first mamak corner on our way out of Lumut. Roti canai & kueh2 with coffee/tea was good enough 😁

As we were finishing, Haji Poazi suggested another visit to an ex-colleague/friend whom is in Parit. We agreed to drop by on the condition he does not prepare heavy dishes for us... hahaha... 

Haji Syed Rahman was most delighted to receive us to his weekend home in Parit. But the condition we set was... shall I say not really observed? huhuhu.. Just couldn't resist the lempeng with gulai ayam kampung! 

Haji Syed's refurbished traditional weekend home is indeed a nice quiet place...

Back in the road again, my Google Map is set to Medan Gopeng in Ipoh town. 

It so happened that I ordered t-shirts from a supplier based in Ipoh, this Medan Gopeng to be exact. The tees are for UOMOs upcoming Borneo ride, sometime end of October. 

This is our second time dealing with AFA Graphic. Thiis repeat order (our first was for the Ride Pusing Sabah) is a result from a rather good customer service they gave, in our opinion. Plus the tees they used are "good" according to the more cerewet UOMO rider, Idrus 😁

with Amir, the guy behind AFA Graphic - a family business.. 

 

Well, that's that. We stayed a while at the foodcourt there for a drink (fresh orange/soursop).  Then, it was time to start our ride back home... 

As we approached the exit (to PLUS highway) at Simpang Pulai, it was coming to Zohor/Zuhur/Zuhr. And we were passing a masjid, thus we decided to stop for solat Zohor and rest a bit before starting the rather long ride home (200km more or less). 

Power nap - they woke fully energized!

Well, that would be the last interesting part of our maiden ride together, I guess... except for the part of both of them confidently trudge the Ipoh-KL highway is most confident style.  I think most of the time, Haji Poazi was on full throttle! hihihihi...

We left Ipoh just before three and reached the Sungaio Buloh RnR at 6:00pm.  Not too bad ehhh... As you would know, scooters' comfy speed is around 110 to 130kmh for a 250cc.  Haji Poazi was doing 110 to 120 or so... boleh tahan for a 155cc scoot !

The Last Pit Stop - RnR Sg. Buloh

Well Pak Uda & Haji Poazi - I would rate both of you as EXCELLENT !  Pass with flying colors as they would say...  ✌  You guys ROCK!

err.. what? hihihi.... Next ride?  "But of course!" said Haji Poazi.

Alhamdullilah for a safe Journey!

This ride was on Saturday 7th October 2023 and Sunday 8th Oct 2023.