CFAL 10 - Day 3 Moving Around George Town

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow launching a portion of the Coastal Cycling Route on the eve of CFAL 10, 2018

Cyclists and pedestrians will be able to head from Tanjung Tokong to Padang Kota Lama (Esplanade) and back using a designated lane. The distance is about 4.5km.

I had the opportunity to cycle along with some local friends together with cycling buddy Joseph.

Coming to the completion of the 4.5km ride launch as we were near Esplanade, Padang Kota Lama.

Friends from KL later joined and met more of our KL friends at the Esplanade and were waiting for a fun ride around George Town.

And off we went towards Bayan Lepas using the coastal riding route.

A big family of cycling buddies a few of them were from Singapore and have been our regular partners for several rides. Well done and forever we shall ride together as long as we can.

A picture at the 4 big blue pillars with a wish came true when I simply said that it would be lovely to have a drone flow over to capture us. And true enough there was a guy flying one and was willingly to do it for us without any obligation. Thank you so much to this dear friend.

The drone that took a clip of us at the four pillars.

We had an ardent friend purposely flew in to join us for the gathering where we met up at the Coastal Cycling Route near Queenbays Mall. We also bumped into friends from Taiping, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. It is always a good time and a good chance to meet up with friends during CFAL.

Waq & Baki for the album.

We met another long lost friend and was good to meet up with Nash after his long absent. Happy Cycling bro! we shall meet more often.

All were hungry after completing the cycling route near the second bridge. We had an eating proposal and Baki took the lead for the food adventure back to George Town.

Coming down from the dedicated bicycle bridge over Pinang River after a rest at McDonald's Kapal Singh Drive.

Taking control of Beach Street as we inched closer towards Little India.

Here we were at Little India for an insanely delicious nasi kandar. The gulai tasted heavenly and I shall remember this place when I am back in Penang. And I wouldn't forget Ayam Bawang the next time I come back to Restoran Tajuddin Hussain. It is located at Queen Street very near to Sri Mahamariammam Temple.

At the front of Sri Mahamariamman Temple which is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang built in 1833.

After the lunch the group splitted, some went for more food adventure and some went back to Esplanade to collect their CFAL jerseys. Later I cycled back to my mum's place, rested and later went out dinner with her and my sister.

Wow I rode for 67km without realising the distance but it was real hot by the time I went back to mum's place.

CFAL 10 - Day 2 - Yan to Penang island

The day started off with a strong wind and rain as we were about to commence the ride. After about 20 mins of waiting we took the road even though it was still drizzling.

Wet and misty at the background as we braved the situation, we were running late and had to move on.

By the time we reached this warong we were quite hungry and were very happy to find some lovely food for us. There were nasi lemak, kuah muih and the hot drinks.

Mounting the ascend of Merbok Yan Kechil road was the most difficult climb of the day. Brian the strongest among all was in the lead.

We were then rewarded with a good view of the sea and the coast of Merbok. This would probably be the ancient sea that the traders from India and Middle East who came to Merbok Valley. Evident of such incidents were found and it is still in the progress of uncovering more artifacts. Indeed an awesome find for the history of Malaysia.

The weather got better with cool air after the rain as we approached closer to Tanjung Dawai.

Leaving Tanjung Dawai Jetty on a boat for Pantai Merdeka with a fare of RM7.00 each including the bicycle.

The last time I came here with Larry Chelvan there was no such jetty, we had to wet our shoes walking on the shore for the boat.

While the group took a walk to the British World War 2 bunker I volunteered to stay back taking care of the bicycles.

At the exit of Pantai Merdeka and a picture to mark our visit. 

Again a beautiful skyline and paddy fields as we continued to pedal our way to Penang.

We wanted to use this coastal way but the condition of the road was not too friendly with rough gravel and the sea water was dangerously splashing against the embankment hence we had to re-route and used Road K639.

Finally we reached the memorial for 2004 Boat Tsunami at Kg. Permatang Rengan GPS : 5.586314, 100.339820

Good to be back again to witness the extraordinary fish market. The fishermen sell their catch by way of whispering from the bidders and the best offer will get to secure the catch.

Kompleks Pasar Bisik Ikan Kuala Muda GPS : 5.578488, 100.341039 There is another similar market at the other side of the river mouth and it is the Seberang Prai's whispering market.

Brian practising his whispering skill, I wonder what was the offering price for Joe's Brompton.

The ancient administrative town of Kedah at Kota Kuala Muda before it was moved to Alor Setar.

Somewhere along Jalan Kuala Muda (GPS : 5.568295, 100.360606) at a warong for a good lunch. They enjoyed the delicious gulai for our nasi campur and soup.

 The weather was getting rather hot as we arrived at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Butterworth (along Jalan Telok Air Tawar) GPS : 5.464855, 100.382595

Celebrating the group completion of the tour at 323 Seafood Restaurant, Pantai Bersih, Butterworth GPS : 5.442860, 100.378926. Larry Chelvan later came and joined us for the celebration. So nice to have the cold beer after a super hot ride.

We have been using the side gate of the Ferry Terminal a couple of time for a short cut to embark onto the ferry. The access road to the gate is finally done no more cycling on dirt road. The Butterworth Bus Terminal building has finally completed.

As usual the cyclists will be the last to disembark from the ferry.

Yes we have landed in Penang Island and congratulation to Joe & the team for their achievement of this northern tour.

Dinner was at an old restaurant called Hing Kee Restaurant at China Street. GPS : 5.417978, 100.339580

I enjoyed the food at Hing Kee and ended the evening taking a Grab car back to my mum's place. It was indeed a long day.

The route we took on this day from Yan to Penang.

CFAL 10 - Day 1 Kuala Lumpur - Gurun - Yan

Last August I ventured into a Cycle Malaysia tour around peninsular for 43 days but this time around I planned to join a group of friends touring from Padang Besar to Penang where I hope to catch them somewhere in Gurun.

From my house I cycled to KL Sentral to catch a train to Gurun.

I stopped by at Mikebikes, Matic Jalan Ampang for a toilet break. With KK who was on duty to show the city to tourists on bikes.

I am ready for the train journey and will be away for 5 days.

A view from the train into the beautiful lake of Bukit Merah.

From Gurun Train Station I took a taxi to get closer to Pulau Bunting, Yan. I visited the same warong I visited one year ago where I met a fellow tourer by the name of Zari Zari. I chatted with the warong operator and had her nasi goreng with teh O ais limau (that was my lunch). The above 2 photos showing the 2 different visits to this warong.

At last we met up at the entrance of the bridge to Pulau Bunting

Kedah has many kuala (river mouths) and always comes with many beautiful scenery of fishing boats and its mooring.

Paddy fields of Kedah is always beautiful and unique.

Month of August is Independence month let's us raise our national flags.

Their journey continued to Penang and was glad to be able to join them from here.

 A shop keeper in Yan recommended us a Thai Food restaurant for dinner. The Mee Udang was delicious, the prawns were fresh and succulent.

We managed to find a homestay without much of hassle it is located just opposite Pantai Murni Waterfront, Jalan Pantai Murni GPS : 5.794082, 100.367832 Brian mending the third patch on his front wheel.

The long silted walkway into the sea.

A selfie at the end of the walkway and good night on my Day 1.