Ride Report #9: Recce to Baling

Since this is officially the first ride after the CMCO, the group decided to head towards our usual haunting ground, Grik, to let off some pent-up CMCO energy. There was a total of 9 riders who joined the ride and 2 of them are new riders and new to the route as well. As usual I am the sweeper in case the new riders does not know our usual petrol stop. Since I am running late I told the rest to proceed ahead to the Seberang meet-up point and will meet them there.

Waiting for the rest of the group to arrive

Since we were there early and the sun is starting to come out the temperature started rising. For being late, I treated both Barney and Alex a cold 100+ drink. There was one rider who will join us at a later time told us to carry on ahead without him and he will meet us at the BHPetrol. When all the riders met up at the second stop, we proceeded to the third stop to pick up another 2 members.

Brief introduction to the new members before heading off to Grik

It was a nice ride with the weather not being too hot. Surprisingly there were not a lot of bikes on the way to Grik. I would expect more as this is the first interstate travel weekend after the CMCO. The first stop is the BHPetrol to refuel before heading to Salim for brunch.

Alex had to turn back here as his front brake was not functioning properly and it would be very dangerous to carry on. Not long after arriving at the petrol stop, the other rider caught up with us. We were wondering how fast he was riding in order for him to catch up with us so fast. At this point we also noticed that we were missing the 2 new riders. Since I was taking up the rear, I did not notice any bikers stopped at the side of the road so we assumed they went ahead to Salim.

We continued on to Salim to have brunch but when we arrived, we were shocked to see the place crowded and full of bikes. So this is where all the bikers are. They must be missing Salim's food during the CMCO month. It was here that we also found our missing members enjoying their brunch. Since the place was to crowded we decided to explore a new route instead of going to Titi rest stop.

The plan was to ride for 15 minutes then turn back to Salim for brunch but the road condition was so nice that we rode all the way until we reached Pengkalan Hulu which is definitely more than 15 minutes. We stop to discuss our next plan of action after taking a "we were here" photo of the sign.

We were deciding if we should continue along this road or head back to Salim. Barney wanted to head back to Salim because he was feeling hungry but we wanted to carry on as it would take longer to turn back than to continue on. Since we were in a dilemma we let Barney (who wanted to turn back) and Fauzi (who wanted to continue on) decide on the next course of action by playing our version of Rock, Paper, Scissors which is Bird, Water and Rock.

How we decided on the next course of action. Can't imagine the burden these two 'warriors' are carrying. The entire ride route is on their shoulders

From the title of the post, one can guess who won the battle of chances. With that settled, we continue the ride through to Pengkalan Hulu town to stop at the nearest petrol station not for fuel stop but for toilet break instead.

Photo proof that Vulcan was at Pengkalan Hulu

We were hungry by the time we reached Pengkalan Hulu and was discussing where to eat when we spotted a food stall across the petrol station. We were wondering if it was open as there was no one at the stall so we sent 2 scouts over to check the status. When they return with positive news we saddled up and rode our bikes across the street.

The anti-social bike parked away from the rest

The shop sold limited dishes but since we were famished we weren't selective on what they had. The shop had lots of cats in the vicinity and when they saw we had food, they came to surround us asking for food. There was one who was so determined to be fed that she stood up and got up close and personal.

Lunch for the day. Mainly veggies as eating too full during a trip makes one sleepy and it is dangerous on the bike

During lunch we were deciding to head towards the border of Thailand for the duty free shop to get some chocolates and cigarettes but when asked the shop owner about the duty free shop, they informed that the shop is between the Malaysia and Thailand border and the birder is still closed so we do not have access to the shop.

We had to change plan and decided to go exploring through the town of Baling. As it was a working day in Kedah there was quite a lot of traffic. Small kids in school buses and vans and along the road waved at us happily when we passed. As the traffic was heavy, all I could do was to nod at them when I pass and hopefully they notice it.

We connected back to the road to Grik and from there the group decided to head their own ways. As I am the sweeper aka last bike, I took my own sweet time riding while they were speeding off as it was a familiar road. On the way I 'joined' another group of riders with adventure and touring bikes. They were riding with pillions and were riding more or less about the same speed as me but at some point I got stuck behind traffic and they left. That was when I 'joined' another group of sportbike riders until they turn off at a petrol stop while I continued on just to join meet up with the adventure and touring bikes again.

My 'new' riding group

We were sort of riding together until at the expressway they turned off to use the motorcycle lane while I continued on the expressway. I did not want to use the motorcycle lane as it has a lot of turn offs and traffic lights. Ride back was uneventful except for the heat from the sun.

Relive video of the ride

 

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