Convoy Ride to Belumut Forest, Kluang

Saturday, 20^th May 2006,

Ride to Belumut Rainforest, Kluang, Johor

The highlights of these trip are:

- Spectrum’s alternate version of the MeePok CCTV.
- An unusual encounter with Malaysian TP.
- A visit to Belumut Rainforest.
- Not river crossing but railway crossing.

*****

To Esso GP Meetup Point

I reached the Singapore custom at 8.15 am.
But, wah, the queue is so long.

There were 4-5 lanes of bike queuing. It was really cramped. The bikes were knee-to-knee to each other. So when I moved my Frost, my saddle bags keep bumping into the other Malaysian bikes. Sometimes, I take up 2 lanes. Worse, I had to keep my engine running because I could not paddle Frost. I pity those bikers around me, especially those directly behind me.

Then I met Spectrum who was also stuck in the queue. We also met EarlyBird and his wife. EarlyBird is a vegetarian bird. So his good wife was holding in her hand, a plastic bag containing his breakfast. And she was going to seat pillion on his highspeed BlackBird. Spectrum and I don’t know how is she going to prevent the breakfast from blowing into bits in the wind. But he find her steady lah and so take one photograph of her.

Then at the blink of an eye, suddenly 2 policemen appear beside us. They asked Spectrum “Did you just take a photograph?” The Singapore custom got signs say cannot take photo, but we forgot.

But I wonder how the sequence of the exchange would have gone, if Spectrum had replied with…

Spectrum: “No, I did not take any picture.”

Policeman :”Let me check CCTV. See, you got take picture.”

Spectrum :”OK lah, you win. I late for my trip liao. I want to move on.”

…
etc.

******

At GP Esso

We have a convoy of 24 bikes going toKulai for breakfast.

- Hornet900s (Spectrum, Chiyen, Kay, Roger);

- CBR1000RR4 Fireblade (Lady);

- A few Blackbirds;

- 3 ST11s;

- One FJR

- A couple of SV650 V-twin--they have nice thumping exhaust notes;

- Hayabusa;

- A few super4s

- One Deauville;

- One 400cc scramble Honda XR4;

- Frost meet his bludder, another silver Fazer1000;

- Most gunho of all, Honda Wave, some more with pillion.

The lead bike is Spectrum. The markers are either the fast bike (CBR1000) or the mad ones who like to ride fast (Chiyen). Other than Spectrum, I also know the way to Belumut. So I ended up as the sweeper, once again.

Hornet Nest very organized. Sweeper got vest to wear. See, I even got rank of Marshal, even higher than Brigadier General siah. Don’t play play ah.

I have got a new RJays vest. If you were to look at my older photos, I wore a Red RJays air-meshed vest. Bought from Regina, $150 niah. Really cheap and good. But I lost it one day. But I like it so much, I go back and buy another same one. But no more Red.
So I turned from Spiderman Red to become Fantastic Four Blue.

This one is ChiYen, with his Marker vest.

I think it is a waste if he doesn’t act in Dumb and Dumber.

First stop is Kulai for Breakfast.

Then go Belumut Rainforest.

From Kulai, take Route 94, left turn to Route 93, then Route 91. Then turn left into J16.

About 4km, there is a sign say turn right into Belumut Rainforest.

*****

NorthSouth Ride.

NorthSouth ride to Kulai, should be non-eventful, by right.

The whole convoy is quite long because got 24 bikes. I was the last bike of the whole convoy. My view of the whole convoy riding in front of me in two-files within single lane, is as if I was machiam back at the Singapore custom with the whole queue of bikes in front of me.

I just cleared the Senai toll booth, then I saw the whole convoy in front got stopped, by the Malaysian TP.

Kena Malaysia Police Roadblock after Senai Toll Booth

Looks like the Malaysian TP is out again to do their rounds. But don’t worry. We never speed. Because we expected their TP would be out.

But strange leh. I never see before their TP station themselves immediately after a toll booth. Like that how to catch people speeding?

Spectrum tell the TP, "Encik, we rode 110kmh all the way..."
Then he said...."Ahh! So see number plate".

One TP walk down our rows of bike and say who is cleared to go ahead and who has to pull over to the side.

At that time, I don’t know what the TP want to catch. So when he come to me, it is full of suspense.

He waived me on.

As I left, I saw 4 of our bikes got pulled aside. Being the sweeper, I stopped in font and waited for them.

TP gave summon (150RM) because somehow those bikes’ number plates go against some rules of theirs. They never ask for kopi leh. Just gave summons. Suay.

If your plate is normal Singapore plate like mine, then you should not have any problem with them. I hope.

*****

Breakfast at Kulai, Yoon Lai.

At this place, I like the Chee Cheong Fun with prawn (also got char see version);

I also like the Tua Pow (it’s really tua); I also like the Malaysia mei that come here. Some of them quite chio.

The Chee Cheong Fun here is hand-made and made on the spot.
See, this is how it is made. Very amazing one. Never see before right?

Most of us bought and packed additional food from here, as we may not find food at the Belumut forest. Then these people think very fast, buay tahan them.

After they buy their food, the next thing is they start to eye my saddle bags. To put their food in it.

My poor Frost. His Hepco and Becker bag got turned into a lunch container.
Have tua pao, have rotti prata. Wanton mee also have. All inside.

Not all bikes went to Belumut. Some came for breakfast only. We proceeded to Belumut.

*****

The ride to Belumut.

The route leading to Belumut offers a very nice ride.

The major trunk roads 93,94 and 91 all have good road surface (Singapore road standard).

Traffic was also not heavy.

The minor roads J16 and the one going into Belumut (can’t find road name leh) also have very good paved surface. Then almost no cars.

The ride there is through country side and palm planations. So it was a very nice ride with nice scenery.

Although our convoy is quite big, after we enter the trunk roads, we soon break apart. For most of the journey, I could not see the entire convoy. For almost the entire journey, my constant companions are the gungho Honda Wave and the XR4.

The Honda Wave, even when carrying a pillion, cruise at a rather impressive 100kmh on the trunk road.

This Honda Wave has proven it once and for all, even small cc bikes can go touring. And claims like “Cannot go touring lah, my bike too small” is no longer a valid excuse, OK?

However, Honda Wave petrol tank not so big, so need to top up more frequently.

But we discovered a new brand of petrol I previously never know—Midas.

It is along the road off J16 leading to Belumut.

The XR4 can cruise comfortably at around 110kmh. But its real strengths are low maintenance (this bike got no batteries) and off road use (later to come in handy).

So the view as the last bike can be quite lonely. Sometimes, I stopped to take photo and then I wacked a little to catch up. In these cases, I found myself completely alone with not a single vehicle around me. It can be a bit unnerving, but luckily I know the way to Belumut.

Actually, I don’t have to worry one. Along the way, at each turn-off, Spectrum would drop human markers to guide the convoy. Although the designated markers were the Lady FireBlade and ChiYen, there are more turns later on needing even more markers. The convoy got many generous riders who volunteered to stay behind as markers to wait for the whole convoy to pass through. I act as the human-cone collector. Once the markers see me, they know there are no more bikes behind and they can moved off and moved ahead.

The junction of R91 and J16 is a round-about. You turned right at the round-about.

About 4km onto J16, you would see a sign board something like this.

You turned right and get off J16.

I don’t know the name of this road onwards to Belumut. But along the way, you will not get lost one. There would be similar signboards along the way to guide you to Belumut.

Road signs along the way to lead you to the forest.
Xiao P stayed behind as additional marker.

The last bit before Belumut is this.
All the trees botak liao. Got turned into timber.
If see really carefully, you can see a FJR and a Deauville on the road.

After that, we enter an oil palm plantation.

The road through this plantation is also good paved road, so don’t have to worry.

Only need to worry about avoiding the gu-sai (cow dung) that dots the road here and there.

*****

At Belumut Rainforest

At the end of the ride through the plantation, you would see the entrance of the Belumut Rainforest entrance.

Entrance fee is RM1.00 per bike.

Actually, there were 3 food stalls that were opened. You can get drinks and food there. Not expensive one.

At the sign board of Belumut Forest.
How many are smelly smelly and want to take a dip in the stream?
Wah, so many people hands-up.

There is a long stream running through a canopy of trees.

The stream looks inviting for a dip. The water looks very clean and clear.

We looked for a nice spot and many of us changed and go into the stream.

But hor, going into the water is not as easy as it looks.

The stream look very innocent. But it takes a lot of courage to go into it. Why?

Because the water is sibei the cold man.

It is the most freaking cold stream I have ever touched in Malaysia so far.

It is mid-afternoon and the sun is blazing on top of the head. But don’t know why the water is so cold.

We used several strategies to get into water.

Some of them use this. 1-2-3, and jump into the water. Blrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I think those with thicker hides or higher heat latency can do this.

Another strategy is this. You walk slowly into the water.

Then those who already jumped into the water splashed the icy water onto your body. You do this when you can’t make yourself to splash the cold water onto yourself.

I leh, is thin skin and no guts. So after some thinking, my strategy is this. I slowly walk deeper and deeper into the water. Let the body slowly adjust to the water temperature.

But the water is so cold, I think my progress was about 1 cm/minute.

First the feet, then work up to the knee. Then the thigh.

I tell you the most difficult 3 levels to get into are these:

- First, is your little brother level. Blrrrrrrrrrrr.

- Next, is your lower back level. Blrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

- Lastly, is your nair-nair level. Blrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

After you are fully submerged, then it is no longer so bad. The water becomes cool and relaxing

There are several of us in the water. The group got a rule: Those who want to relieve themselves must automatically go further down stream.

We talk cock and sing song in the water. After a while, we ate our packed lunch that we bought from Kulai, in the water or by the rocks.

When I got enough, I got up to change back to dry clothes. There are toilets there. 50 sents to bath and 30 sents to change.

My advise is to bring along a pair of slippers whenever you go dipping and not just rely on your ridding boots. Without the slippers to help you, it is very difficult to change into your boots and socks because your feet are so sandy and wet.

Shortly after I changed, the sky start to drizzle. The whole group start to evacuate towards the entrance where there is shelter.

Luckily, we made it in time. Because it then turned into a down pour.

There are quite a few rides that when I started out at Esso GP, it was hot and sunny day with not a cloud in the sky. Later in the afternoon, it then rained very heavily. My advise to all touring riders, please bring along your rain gear or you would be damn miserable.

Kay very worried that his parked bike would topple should the side-stand sink into soil. I clever. Before hand I already find a piece of rock to support my side stand liao. I do this whenever I parked on clay, soft soil or sand. You can use any crushed coke can or rock. Actually, I learnt from experience. Last time I parked my super4 on soft soil. I came back and find my super4 peng sang on the floor.

We were all very amazed when Kay whipped out an umbrella to go move his bike. I mean, how many riders actually carry an umbrella on their bikes?

But the umbrella proved to be very useful, especially to Joe. Because Lady Fireblade(Adek) also worried her precious bike would topple. So she also want to go and move her bike.

But don’t know why, when come to woman, there will always be man who suddenly become hero. Joe helped to carry umbrella to shield Adek while Adek move her bike.

Anodise57 said it best. It reminded him of the song Jit Kee Shio Hor Sua (one small umbrella).

Jit Kee Shio Hor Sua.

Let's all sing together now:

"Wa neng lang,
Jit ta qio tio jit kee shio hor sua,
Hor jing tua,
Wa lai jiao gor lee,
Lee lai jiao gor wa"

Wait till you hear the army's version of Jit Kee Tork Zua.

We sat under the shelter, order kopi and teh, talk cock sing song and wait for rain to stop.

After a while, rained stopped and we proceed to move out of Belumut.

I take out my full-faced helmet and put it on. But eh, how come my helmet got one smell one. Some more the smell very familiar leh.

Nabeh. My helmet smelled of wanton mee.

Because I stored my helmet into the same saddle bag that was used to transport those packed lunch.

Joe and I agreed to swap bike to try.

Joe get to ride my Fazer1000. I get to ride his ST11000. I would write a review of my ride on the ST at another time.

*****

The Great Railway Crossing

Our ride plan was: reversed out of Belumut, back to J16. J16 head back to roundabout of R91. From R91, go to J25, to J6, then to NS highway.

We rode past the roundabout on the J16. A short distance later,the riders in front of me start to flap their arms slowly together like seagulls. What an interesting new style of riding. Quite cute leh.

Then, I realized in time. Orr, it’s the hand signal to slow down. I slowed down the ST11 just in time. The road changed from paved tarmac road into small granite pebbles. The whole stretch of road in front is under construction.

Good road turned into bad road.

So the whole convoy of us was riding in first gear and very slowly across this sea of granites. We traveled a short distance and stopped. As far as the eye can see, the road ahead is nothing but granite pebbles. Don’t know how far this will go on. If we ride further and get stuck in the middle how?

Then we remember, Ah ha! We have got our Battalion Recce scout—the XR4!

Spectrum asked XR4 Parker Pan go ahead and recce, see how this granite road will last.

Our whole convoy harbour there and we watched the lone XR4 who bravely (maybe easily) ride into the distance on the pebble floor.

A while later, our scout come back liao and say granite road still lead on. Jia lak. Should we CTR-ALT-DEL our ride plan and U-turn back?

Just then, a local Proton drove slowly past us. Spectrum asked the driver got any other way or not. Driver speak in Bahasa and kee-kee-tu-tu (point here point there). Wa mmm chai le gong si mi (I don’t understand you).

Never mind. Spectrum understand. So he turned off this granite road into a small little path. We all followed.

We all follow follow. I was the last bike, then eh, suddenly I see the whole group of bikes stopped and dismounted in front of me.

Sah me tai chee (what is the problem) again?

I go down and see.

Wah siao liao. That local driver asked us to ride past this narrow gap.

Then I follow the trail further.

Really siao liao. You mean the whole convoy including the behemoths ST, sportsbike Fireblade and mostly my Fazer, all have to ride over this?

The whole group is thinking of how to solve the problem. I also walk around and think and think.

What if I ride my bike halfway over the track and I fall down how? Like that how much would be the repair bill man?

Worst still, what if I ride the bike halfway and get stuck on the track. Then the train come. I not superman ok? Cannot come down and stop train.

It looks more difficult to cross with our heavy bikes than it appears in the photo.

I was going to tell Spectrum I prefer to take my chances with the granite road over crossing this stupid railway track.

I found Spectrum and was going to open my mouth to tell him. Then I shut up again.

I saw one ST11 already parked on the opposite side liao.

I don’t know who so solid can ride the biggest bike (about 300kg) over (it was Mohan). But it was bad news to me. Like that if ST11 can cross over, it means all the rest of the bikes also can and Lan-Lan also must, cross over.

I stood there in exasperation thinking of my fate ahead. I quickly find Joe. You take back your own ST11 and I ride my own Fazer across OK? My Fazer is almost 100kg lighter than the big ST.

The next bike to cross is the sportsbike Fireblade.

I have seen Fireblade on racing track.
But I have never seen a Fireblade on a railway track.

But again, Lady Fireblade finds herself not short of willing helping hands. They all help Adek to get her precious Fireblade across.

I waited for a while, but no one come and offer to ride my Fazer across leh. It appears I have to ride my bike across myself.

One by one crossed. Spectrum crossed.

Then the big FJR also crossed.

And when the big ST has to cross, everyone comes to help.

(See the last guy pushing in grey shirt and jeans.
That one lah, is Mohan. He crossed over first with his own ST very much on his own. Like this make everybody also have to cross.)

Then my dreaded turn has arrived. No more side show liao. Time for me to do it myself.

I rode old Frost up the steep slope, half-clutch first gear. The slope is much steeper than I thought. Shit! Frost engine almost die.

Then I ram my throttle to get more power. Suddenly, Frost shoot up ahead and ran onto the railway track and I almost topple over.

I quickly put my feet down to stablise the falling Frost. Wah lau, my feet cannot touch the floor at all!!! Because the floor of the railway track is sunken in one. My feet are just tangling in the air.

I vaguely remembered hearing shouts going on all around me.
I thought I was going to fall over liao. But strangely, Frost did not tip over.

It is because of the rest of the people standing there holding onto Frost that prevented it from falling over.

It is like the Class2A and Class bumpy course all over again. Only this time, it is the real thing.

And it would be an extremely bad time if the train choose to come at this time.

I clutch in, rev, clutch in, rev. I felt Frost's front wheel went over bump by bump over the track, the first log, the next log and finally the opposite track. Before I knew it, Frost was freed of the railway track and heading down the opposite slope.

Safe at last!

Amazingly, the whole convoy managed to cross over without a single bike falling.

This railway crossing was really exciting. It is like those 4x4 country side crossing, a bit like Drakar Rally.

But no thanks, I wouldn’t do it again.