Cycle Malaysia Day 8 - Penang to Sg. Petani

I have participated a couple of CFAL events consecutively until last year and this year I decided not to take part but just to witness the event. On that morning I cycled to Youth Park by the time I reached where there were already some early finishers. Well done CFAL for another successful year and keep it up! 

I met friends like Siew Choo from KL at Youth Park. CFAL was actually held on Day 7 of Cycle Malaysia.

I got a surprise meet up with an old secondary school buddy from Kulim Ronald Heng. I like seeing him with his cycling attire. Well done and keep it up Bro.

And Winnie whom I hope to see again when I reach Melaka in this tour of mine by September.

Day 8, 14 August 2017, I left Penang and continued with the adventure. I left my mum's house around 7.00am. This is the start of Stage II of Cycle Malaysia and this time around I was cycling alone.

Sitting in the ferry with the wind blowing against my face and recalling the younger years when I was doing the same at the similar spot.

The only bicycle in the ferry with many motorbikes mostly going to work in the morning.

My first visit on the mainland was Bee Tin's house at Taman Inderawasih. Thank you Bee Tin for the lovely breakfast and we shall meet again. One of my main objectives of this tour was to meet as many old friends as possible when cycling around the country.

My next destination was Padang Serai, the small town where I was born. I tried to use the same bus route from Butterworth like in those days going through places such as Sg. Dua, Sg. Puyu and Tasik Gelugur. Welcome to Kedah.

This gentlemen has cooked for me when I was a young boy and today he is still around serving his delicious dishes. Well done Lau Lee and it was nice to see you again.

Having lunch with me at Lau Lee's stall were Sum Yee, classmate of mine during the primary and secondary school. And Khong Sook one of my hometown friends whom we shared our teenage days together. 

After the lunch Haji Halim called me up and we met up at Kim Eng's shop. These are my friends since primary school and it was such a wonderful time meeting up again.

The post office where I used to take the steps up the building posting letters and opened my first saving account here in this building. Unfortunately the building seems to be dilapidating each time I look at it, I just hope that building could be preserved and kept as a landmark for Padang Serai.

With Bob Lew in front of his family's shop, a shop that is close to my heart. I used to "lepak" here very often during my time in Padang Serai.

Then I left Padang Serai for Sg. Petani using the old estate way (Victoria Estate) to Kg. Sidam crossing the Muda River. 

Finally I reached Sg. Petani where I put up the night at my brother's house at Laguna Merbok.

The ride for Day 8.

CFAL8 - Cycle Round Penang Island for the Fifth Time

7.30am - we were flagged off by Ahbee. I thought I would not be able to take part in the event as my right foot was hurting the night before and has actually given up. Thanks to Kuan Sum for rescuing me with 2 small magical black pills, Ahbee called them the bowling balls. Initially I was skeptical about it but it really works the following morning, The pain has disappeared and I can cycle. I then told Jo to go for the ride. 

7:55am - Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway. We did not start from the official starting point at Youth Park instead we started from our hostel at Muntri Street. We joined the crowd at Penang Road.

8:10am - We were at Hammer Bay roundabout.

The weather was excellent and as usual there were lots of cyclists in this prestigious event clad with red jersey.

8:50am - Meetup with the group from Kuching at Teluk Kumbar Petron petrol station (GPS : 5.283029, 100.257437) after having cycled 22km.

9:10am - Still along at Jalan Teluk Kumbar getting prepared mentally for the first ascend.

9:30am - Jo experiencing the first climb with two stops. The first climb is less than 3km on an elevated highway Route 6.

9:56am - Kg. Genting with a lovely kampong setting, fresh air and birds chirping.

10:00am - Drink station at Sekolah Menengah Tan Sri Awang Had Salleh, Pulau Betong (GPS : 5.307538, 100.202804) after a distance of 37km.

Outside the school Jo had an iced pack from the St John Ambulance to ease her leg muscle.

10:38am - 42km we were at the neighbourhood of  Sg. Rusa. 50% of the ride completed.

10:50am - we stopped at a small town for noodle, most of the food were sold out we had to take instant noodle Wan Tan Mee. We met Johnny here.

A photo with friends from Kuala Lumpur.

11:09am - After the meal we continued the ride with an immediate climb and the most difficult one. Met more friends from KL as we moved on. 

11:19am - Jo did pretty well climbing this 5km stretch though with a few brief stops.

11:30am - Slow and steady we seemed to be able to conquer it.

Thanks to MH Chye for this photo during this climb.

11:36am - I quite like this climb with big shading trees, lively atmosphere with fruit stalls and a good place to rest too. 

We stopped at this corner to have a good panoramic from the top.

12:00 noon - we were at Teluk Bahang Dam having covered a distance of 57km.

1:17pm - High 5 - Campaign for a lane at Jalan Tanjung Bungah @ 72km distance.

1:44pm - We got ourselves a bit wet and stopped twice because of the rain.

1:52pm - at 79km we were at the vicinity of Youth park and heading for our medals & tee shirts.

Finally arriving at the finishing line.

1:56pm - One for the record and a great achievement indeed. I am glad to be her sweeper.

As we rode out off Youth Park a sweeper truck was seen still busy ferrying cyclists back to the finishing line. But our finishing line wasn't here, we have to continue and complete it at Muntri Street which we eventually did it.

The design for 2016.

We took more than 6 hours to complete the route, I am sure Jo will remember this day and I am proud that she was managed to do it.

A clip of our ride on a beautiful Sunday.

CFAL 7 2015 for the Fourth Time

The ETS (Electric Train Service) train from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar has started its operation since July 2015 the journey to Butterworth takes less than 4 hours. I enjoyed the ride it's comfortable and did not have to worry anymore about stressful driving on the highway. By the way the fare is RM63.00. Well done KTM even though the new coaches for this route is not ready.

The jetty and the train station is situated next to one another and here we were coming out from the ferry into the Pearl of the Orient.

A night ride was arranged by Larry we had the chance to meet up our friends from Penang and Kuching. It was a ride to Pearl Hills at Tanjung Bungah from Georgetown.

Nasi Melayu at Lidiana was gorgeous. I will be back again for more. It was Larry who brought us to this nice spot for an authentic Malay food at Tanjung Bungah. Do visit Lidiana if you have the opportunity.

My choice of dishes with pomfret fish, a prawn and lots of veggie for an amount of RM13.50. I was fully satisfied with the food the prawn was fresh and succulent and the kuah (curry gravy) was fabulous.

I love the idea of Penang building towards becoming a cycling state in Malaysia and I believe it will be achieved at the rate it is progressing. A "Give Me 5 Cyclists" Sculpture at Tanjung Bungah.

On the eve of CFAL 7 we had a birthday bash at Royal Hotel for friends who were born in the month of August, it a great party but all have to rest early for CFAL.

It was Sunday 9th of August 2015, I rode from my mother's home for another great event of the year and a big dumpling (tai pau) at Yong Pin Restaurant, Sg Ujong Road Georgetown before the ride.

Exactly 7.00am the siren went off to excite 6,000 cyclists. It's all about personal record and it's not a race.

The sky was still dark as we cycled out off from the Esplanade. The starting is always slow as there are too many to start at the same time.

As the ride progresses everyone was able to paced out themselves based on their own strength and capabilities. The enjoyment of cycling in such event began as we moved on towards to the end.

As the eagle soared in the sky we temporary took control of the highway to go round the island. The feeling was good and awesome. Or was it a plane?

Whether you are an old timer or a first timer, the route is the same and happily everyone will complete the day.

One has to be careful when cycling in the event, I have seen accidents in all the CFALs I took part.

This was the only fall back of CFAL 7 that I could think of, it was due to a road construction at the junction of Route 10 and Route 6 at Bayan Lepas. Some with cleat shoes were having a bit of problem manuvering their way to cross the traffic light.

CFAL is renowned for its 2 climbs, this is the first at Teluk Kumbar highway built on high stilts with elevation that is breathtaking. It is a man made climb and a good first challenge of the day.

The second climb is more strenuous going up a natural terrain and it was a pretty long climb indeed (5km or so).

Of course coming down from the second climb was a breeze and you get to see Teluk Bahang Dam, there wouldn't be any more severe climb after this.

Generally the route is beautiful with shade though some roads might be narrow but it is safe to cycle in a big group like this.

Whenever I reach this part of the island I would feel very relief and knowing that completing the reminding is going to be easy.

At last I made it again but this year my personal timing wasn't too good as compared to the previous year. It took me four and half hours to complete the loop. Anyway I was glad to be able to finished it with my Brompton and thank goodness the weather was kind and managed to arrive at the finishing point in one piece.

Thanks to Yong Lim for this wonderful picture, another one for the record.

Already 4 in the collection bag, is there anymore to come. I hope there will be a CFAL 8 and will see you again.

My previous CFAL can be seen below :-

CFAL 4 2012

CFAL 5 2013

CFAL 6 2014

The route I pedalled for the day.