Ride Report #5: Pre-CMCO ride

Since CMCO (Conditional Movement Control Order) has been reintroduced for a month (9th November until 6th December) except for 3 states in Malaysia, this ride is considered as the last ride for November. Hopefully the number of Covid cases will decrease by then and we are back to RMCO (Recovery Movement Control Order) where interstate travel is open.

The plan was to ride to the waterfall near Jeli. Riders from the island are to meet at the usual Caltex petrol station and head off to meet the rest of the group at the Petronas Seberang Prai and Petronas Kulim respectively.

Group photo at Petronas Seberang Prai

Group photo at Petronas Kulim

We were lucky to spot a rainbow after leaving the Caltex, on the way to the meet the Prai group.

Can you spot the rainbow?

After gathering all the riders and a brief introduction, the group left and headed to the first stop; BHPetrol; to regroup before continuing the ride.

After this is where the road starts to get twisty until the junction to Grik where some of the riders had to turn back due to company policy regarding inter-state traveling to red zones. We met up with another member who went solo but he was heading home. After saying our good byes we headed to the final petrol station before Jeli town to refuel, regroup before heading up to Titi for lunch.

Refueling at the final petrol station before Jeli town

The next section of road consist of a lot of pot holes and uneven tarring which makes cornering at high speed a bit more tricky but fun nonetheless. It was surprising to see so many bikes at Titi. Everyone is trying to get the most of the last ride before CMCO starts the next day. Because there are so many people at Titi, the food ran out and there was a long queue while waiting for the next batch of food to be ready. On the way to Titi, we came across 2 roadblocks but were waved through.

Passing by the bridge on Tasik Temenggor

It was a nice place for lunch. Good food, great company, excellent view and great weather. Couldn't ask for anything better than this. During lunch we were discussing if we should continue on to the waterfall or turn back as it was getting late and rain clouds were upon us. It would be very dangerous to use this way back at night as there are higher risk of crossing path with wildlife crossing and there are no street lamps along the road.

Missed these statues of birds at the Titi rest stop last time we were here

Rain clouds are upon us

 

 

Customary bike video at Titi Rest stop

Some of us decided to turn back and there were others who decided to continue on to the waterfall. They felt it was a shame to ride all the way here and not visit the waterfall. Those who continued to the waterfall reached Titi again at 1900hrs but managed to reach home safely at 2300 hrs. They manage to spot an elephant while on the way back but was riding in the dark where their headlights are not enough to illuminate the road ahead. Those who decided to turn back headed back the same direction and stopped at Shell to regroup, rest, refuel before heading home.

Some catching up at Shell after returning from Titi

The ride back was uneventful. Passed by both the roadblocks without any issues. The worst part of this journey was on the way back. Riding westward in rush hour traffic is no fun. The sun was so intense I could feel the heat in my helmet despite going at 120km/h. It felt like my head was in an oven. There was one section that the sun was so hot I thought I had forgotten to lower the internal sun shield. I had to have another pit stop, apart from the group, as I needed to re-hydrate and check if my face was having sun burn.

Some of the views along the way. Photos taken by the missus on the back of the bike

Relive video of the journey

 Remember to ride safe, be vigilant and keep the rubber side down