The Slumber Ride
by Azmi "the chief "

The alarm went off! It was 5.50am, time to get up. I struggled from bed very reluctantly, my recovering fractured rib added to the reluctance! As I sat on my throne, I was thinking to go or not to go for the Bkt Selambau Ride with the Knights (Rin, Chen, Moon and even ST!) I will decide after I lighten my load I said to myself. Actually I was packed to go, even my bike was loaded in the Ranger the night before. I suppose the thought of riding 100+ km after almost a month off the bike would make anyone think twice about going! Never mind, Rin and Chen assured me they will accompany and ride hand in hand with me (keeping my fingers crossed!). This was going to be my “come back” ride. After unloading, I called Rin to inform him I will meet the crew at our usual spot on the mainland. The sky was clear and a hot ride was imminent!

We arrived at Jab Perhutanan car park and set about getting ready for the ride. Kulim Lee shouted to everyone to get ready to move out in 10 minutes, yea right! There were still others who arrived after us. Kulim Lee gathered his flock together for a short briefing of the day’s route and key junctions to take. The cat was let out of the bag! The riding distance was going to be around 140 km! It was a slightly longer route than the old one we took. Yikes! What have I gotten myself into!?

I have not joined the mainland ride for quite sometime but all the friendly familiar faces were present and counted for. There were also some I have not seen before; Mr 40 was one of them! You have to join the ride to know how he got that name! :) What surprised me was to see him ride without a helmet! Someone quipped that may help him go faster? I guess that also explained why some people rode without gloves that day! :) Mr “AAM” Ahmad was also present on his kapcai and he provided towing service to who ever got dropped out of the peleton. I was informed he was instrumental in “assisting”(towing) a lot of riders who completed last week’s Bukit Sumpitan Ride. I believe a lot of riders also owed thanks to him for completing yesterday’s ride.

I rode at the back of the second peleton together with the Knights and some other tail enders. This brings me to our favourite topic of riding hand in hand. Rin and Chen were in their best behavior and true to their words, it was hand in hand riding most of the way, well, almost...even when the pace picked up. Chen also did his bit but occasionally he would “wander” all the way to the front with the fast pack! Well, I suppose once in a while we need a representative to ride with the fast pack? :)

The pace picked up speed but the strong head wind only made it a struggle if you dropped out of the peleton. However, if you ever need a “tow barge” to haul you back with the peleton, Mr Chong Beng would be THE best candidate! It was also a bonus Mr “AAM” was around and he made sure the tail enders got back in the group. There were three rest stops and the waiting time for the tail enders was short, thanks to the AAM service. Even the slow(er) riders arrived at each of our stops, tired but not worn out! Everyone was in jovial mood.

Halfway into the ride, the guys were already talking of the bawal fish curry road side stall in Lunas. After the final rest stop at the Shell Station, it was a 10+ km ride back to the car park. Rin rode ahead to the bawal shop and reserved lunch for the crew. It started to trickle on our way back to the car park. We caught up with Rin and we quickened our pace in the impending shower but the rain did break our mini peleton. Just as we arrived, it rained cats and dogs! But the rain water flowing from the roof gutter was put to good use; we used it to clean ourselves up! J It was a good thing Rin reserved food for it was quite late by the time we got to the bawal shop. How about 3.45pm for lunch! Actually, the bawal lunch didn’t turn out so well but the sambal and ulam made up for it! Anyway, it’s the company that counts!

Yesterday’s ride was a good example of what KOTRT is all about. We had Food (no ride is complete without it!), Fun (the rider’s antics provided most of the entertainment!) and Fellowship (we rode hand in hand most of the way, almost!) The 3Fs are very much alive and well. Sometimes we just need a gentle prod to remind us of our roots! Thanks to Kulim Lee for organizing the ride and keeping the flock in check. Not forgetting Mr “AAM” Ahmad who provided so much relieve to those who got dropped!

A personal thank you note goes out to our crew (especially to Rin and Chen) and Chong Beng without which I surely would not be able to keep up with he peleton!

Syabas KOTRT!