Yesterday I did nothing, just walking about and visit the market. I also fixed my wristwatch, the chain link had broken and it cost me nothing.

The local markets are often popular and important for farmers

This day started well, good breakfast and easy cycling. The road is winding and the surroundings are full of plantations.

Just before Batu Gajah I meet a happy Malaysian gang on a bike. As usual, they want to take some selfies and I don’t say no. Most have some kind of mountain bike, hybrid bike and one of them has a Fatbike, they are all going to Batu Gajah.

A gang of malaysian cyclist stopped for selfies

The road continues fairly flat but the plantations of oil palms and bananas remain. I also see started oil palm plantations and it doesn’t look nice.

Eventually after 35 km I arrive at Simpang Pulaj and there I stop just after the exit at a street bar. It seems very popular because it is almost full and the staff runs shuttles between the tables, the kitchen and the dishes.

I was´nt  hungry but coffee and two ice–filled glasses of Cameron Highland tea, which tasted lovely in the heat.

Then off and now the heat has come to some kind of peak, because it feels like you’re sitting in front of a fireplace and also the climb begins and it becomes both to work uphill with the pedals and to steer the bike uphill when it’s steepest.

I had planned to fill up with water in the next village, Pos Slim but for some reason I miss the turn–off.

 

It will be to continue to fight uphill and my thoughst and hope is that there will be some small stall along the road where I can fill up or buy water. Unfortunately I am disappointed, not a single village or shop and I do not have much water left, barely half a liter.

After 50 km I arrive at a waterfall, Sinju Fall, river Raya and I park the bike at the guardrail and walk down towards the waterfall. I sit down at the edge of the stream on some rocks and take off everything except my shorts and T–shirt and crawl into the water which despite the current was quite warm.

After 50 km I stopped when I saw a waterfall , Sinju Fall, beside the road…Oh my god, I love waterfalls. 

Here I sit for probably half an hour and enjoy the surroundings and the cooling off before I get on my Long Haul Trucker for more climbing upwards!

Half past three the rain comes, not much but a little more than drizzle and it feels liberating. The heat drops drastically The heat drops drastically which I do not oppose.

The road continue upwards km after km, not very steep but still upwards. The heat and humidity force me to do some small stops.
At one of these I get a tip from to guys, roadworkes to fill water from a pipe that water flows from the rock. First I was suspicious but the water looks very clean, tastes good and I was in dire need of refilling my bottles so I’m taking a chance.

After replenishing, I just have to continue the diabolical climb uphill and unfortunately there are also few places where I can camp.

An opportunity arises after one of many slopes, an electric power station that is open and has paved surfaces. This place will fit my needs I thought.

I steered the bike in and was just about to lock the bike to one of the masts stanchion when I discover that the place is a giant haunt for spiders.
No small spiders either, some are dm big, and many they are also, maybe a hundred of them.

This electric power station was a home for hundreds of spiders

I left the place quickly to find a less spider–popular spot. The surroundings especially on my left side just get more and more powerful and the mists from the rain rising up towards the mountain tops make it a bit dramatic views.

 

Dramatic views over Cameron Highland rain forset

Next attempt at a large green area above the road where there are also a number of small houses, mostly similar to barracks, but with some nice green areas around but two old ladies and an elderly gentleman just waving their hands in the negative and I understand that they do not want any tented Scandinavians.

It is now just after half past six and it is hurrying to find a suitable place before darkness falls, but it does not look good.

On the right side of the road only slopes upwards and dense rainforest, on the left it plunges straight down hundreds of meters. The small green area that exists is occupied by the road barriers.

Just before 6 pm I saw two distance signs, one on the left side and the other on the opposite side and here there is room for my tent and the sign pole will be perfect to lock up for my bike.

After almost 70 km cycling I found this green spot to pitch up my tent

The problem was to take the bike from the road down into the ditch and up the other side, it will be difficult but it is possible.

At 7 pm my tent was pitched up, a half–cold beer and two loaves of bread with sausages. Then I plug in the earbuds as usual and listen to one of many downloaded SR programs.

My program of choice tonightis about a gang, the Blekingegade gang in Denmark that belongs to KAK, Kommunistisk Arbejdskreds that carries out lots of mail robberies to send the money to the PFLP, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Outside, the trucks thunder past and I could hear that it’s hard for them too. I’ve set the alarm for 07:15 because tomorrow will also be pretty hard. Have about 40 km left to Cameron Highland and to the top of the mountain.

 

I wake up just before 8, the traffic has kept me half asleep since maybe half past six. Before I leaft the hotel, I asked for hot water for coffee, it will be my breakfast today in the morning.

Then carry all the stuff down, pack the bike and pull away around 10 past nine. Getting out of Kamunting is no problem. Just follow the thoroughfare for three or four km and then turn left and keep an eye out for signs that show Ipoh.

When I arrive in Taiping, I hade two choices, take the right road towards Kuala Kangsar or straight ahead along road 60 towards Beruas.

It will be the last option, although I don’t really know why, it just turned out that way.

The road is crooked and surrounded by oil palm and banana plantations. The traffic is sparse and the road is good but I can’t get rid of the heat!

There will be a few stops for water and ice refills. In George Town at Abu Garcia I bought a new waterproof bag to keep food and drinks in, have also thought about begging or buying crushed ice in plastic bags as cooling. Almost every roadside vendor always has a box of ice bags. Works pretty well, keeps the water reasonably cold almost a whole bike day. I’m thinking of covering the bag inside with aluminum foil, but that will have to be a later operation.

The further into the day I get, the heat increases and when it also stops blowing completely, it sometimes becomes almost unbearable.At half past two I cycle into Beruas and stop at a lunch restaurant along the thoroughfare with the Chinese–sounding name Kong Heng.

Lunch in Beruas

The restauran was almost full booked. I order the simplest from the menu, fried rice, chicken pieces and tomatoes.

Continuing after 40 minutes of lunch, follow road number 73 and later along the Sungai Perak River towards Parit.

Sungai Perak River

A few small stops to shade yourself from the sun and some water refill. The road is still curvy and the plantations never end.

Typical road between Beruas and Parit

But it’s a fun road to ride on, always exciting to see what shows up after the next corner. In front of me I also see the mountains that I have to cross or through to get to Cameron Highland.

It will be a challenge that is good enough. Graphhopper Maps, another map app I have on my phone, has drawn up that it will be climbing for just over 70 km! 

The area is awesome green and beautiful and known for its tea plantations so I just have to experience this. It will take as long as it takes.

There will be a last stop and a wet cold towel over your head about 10 km here from Parit. Stop at a large tree that provides some shade. The ice in the bag comes in handy now, wet the towel as best I can and put it over my head.

Necessary rest from heat

I arrive at Parit just before half past six  pm and feel worn out much like the day before yesterday. Staying at the city’s only hotel, which is located on the Sungai Perak River.

My hotel in Parit, Lanai Cempaka Sari @ Parit. Newly built and fresh

Later in the evening I took a round in the neighbourhood.

Today’s distance: 83.0 km            Travel time: 05.02 a.m.                 Total time: 07.25 t.m

Maximum speed: 44.4 km/h       Average speed: 16.5 km/h

Max temp: 43 0 °C                              Medium temp: 37 0 °C                  Min temp: 27 0 °C

See Yeah Later
// P-G, The Global Cyclist

The first day after 7 weeks in George Town could be felt in my legs, before I reached my destination for the evening my legs cramped several times. Additionally, the heat and humidity were brutal.

I was also accompanied by the traffic police, who pointed out that I was cycling where I shouldn’t. They safely guided me for the remaining 6 km to a turn-off.

Late afternoon I cycled into Kamunting and choose a cheap two star hotel for two nights.

Today’s distance: 119.0 km               Travel time: 06.53 h.m           Total time: 09.13 h.m.

Maximum speed: 38.2 km/h            Average speed: 17.3 km/h

Max temp: 43 °C                                    Medium temp: 35 0 °C           Min temp: 23,0 °C

See Yeah Later
//P-G, The Global Cyclist

Today Saturday 22 december I slept to nine fifteen before I went down to breakfast, each step I took hurt. After breakfast I went to the big shopping center at the Komtar Tower and left my Huawei as they would change the glass to the back camera. Cost me 30 MYR, about 60 sec and the switch took no more than ten minutes.

I stopped at the bicycle workshop to pick up my Long Haul Trucker that I had dropped in for a rear cassette and chain change.

Shimano rear cassette 

I also bought a new tyre as a spare

8000 km, the Shimano cassette and chain had managed so far so it was time for a change.

On my way back I passed my favorite pub on Love Lane,they alwas serves 2 beers to Happy Hours price, 15 Ringgit or 32 SEK

My favorite pub at Love Lane

After returning from Penang National park and Monkey Beach I felt dull and tired. Later aching neck and back, and the morning after I woke up with fever.

Two days I was completely out of power. All I’m able to do is rest, googla with the computer and eat in the evening.

This picture is copied from ifl science website today 

After my visit at Pinang Hill and The Habitat it wa a day like ”I didn’t do a thing”, just walk around and drinking beer. Tomorrow I will cycle up to the very north part of Pulau Pingang and then a rainforest walk to  a popular beach, Monkey Beach. It not so far, just 20 km cycling and 5 km walk.

Gurney Drive is the most expensive area of Penang. 2000$ per square meters if you want to buy an apartment

See Yeah from the deep of rainforest
// P-G, The Global Cyclist

Have slept unevenly for several reasons, first the heat and then that the air in the mattress was not enough. Maybe there is a small hole somewhere, will check that up later
Outside everything seems calm and only the occasional motorcycle sound I hear so I fall asleep again pretty quickly.

When I finally decide to get up, the sun is at its best preparing for today’s activity but it’s still like me a little tired in the morning. The air outside is lukewarm and no brown-white racals is visible.

It will be sunny even today

Few minutes after 8am some workers come and visit, they don’t talk much, just want to know which direction I had choose. I cycle back same way and the small bridge over the canal. At next junction I turn right against Alor Setar.
A quick stop at a bar for coffee and map review. Just outside the village a sign for Butterworth tells me to turn right.

This is a huge agricultural area, its green all over.

Large rice fields succeed each other but also planting oil palms. Banana trees everywhere, 13 out of the dozen.  The heat rises, so does the humidity , some short stops.

There will be a few stops along the way to shop and look for shade. At 2 pm I cycle through a small community, the Guru, and have no plans to stop right here but at the outskirts of the community I saw a sign advertising Guinness and then it comes to a complete stop.

Old vs Modern bicycles

Can they really have Irish beer, I have to check. It’s a Chinese restaurant or fast food place and I get hungry when I saw the rice bowls and chickens hanging upside down at the chef’s house.

Rice, chicken and a anchor beer. They couldn’t serve my guinness

I order a portion and ask about the advertising sign above the bar. They don’t have any Guiness but Tiger beer and that will have to do. Eat with a good appetite and the throat gets its from the cold beer.

After three quarters of an hour it’s off and I already feel more alert, if it’s because of the food or the beer I don’t know. Just short after 5 pm I enter Sungai Petani which seem to be a fairly large city because the traffic intense.

When I now cycle through the city, I tried as much as possible to visually look for a serious bike dealer but see no one and a search
in Maps.Me gives no tips either.

At one of the traffic lights, a car signals for me and points to my rear wheel and then he turns in front of me and steps out and says..

 – Your rear wheel wobbles
 – Yes, I know, but I could not find a bicycle workshop , a serious one.
 – Follow me, I know where You can find what you are looking for he said

and then he jumps in the car and drives around the block and up towards a residential area that seems to belong to the slightly wealthier part of Sungai Petani.

Just what I’m looking for

A sign in front of a gate with the text Option Bicycle and some nice road racers’ bikes in the window makes my pulse beat faster. The man in the car walks in and a younger guy comes towards me and he says something about my rear wheel.

The mechanic waves me and the bike into the store which is a nice sight to see. Well sorted, tidy, Shimano stuff etc.

The workshop that is located inside has everything that a workshop should have and also seems to have the stuff in order. Stylish, expensive and carbon fiber racing bikes stand on the floor and hang from the ceiling.

Bicycle workshop mechanic assemblying my rear wheel

He promises to fix my rear wheel but has to remove the rear cassette and it takes some time. I realize that it’s probably pitch black when he’s done, so I’m doing research with the guy in the car for a cheap and close hotel.

He checks his mobile phone and gives me a suggestion of Merilton hotel just 1.6 km from here.

I told the mechanic that I could pick up the bike tomorrow. It’s already too dark to continue and that he also looks over my brakes which have been getting worse and more worse the past few days.

Merliton Hotel 3***

The hotel is a three–star hotel and breakfast is included. Room two hundred eight with flat screen TV, shower in the toilet and AC. I have the essentials cloth with me but forgot the adapter for the electrical outlets.

There is not much visual difference between Thailand and Malaysia wall sockets  but the distances between the wall sockets hole are wider here in Malaysia which is why my connectors pin do not fit. At the reception they don’t have any either, and I need some charging.

What do you do then. I’m not going back. On the small table next to the wall TV there is a kettle and if you lift the kettle itself there is the socket that provides power.

You have to fiddle a little with the middle slot, and I do that using a cap from a Coca-Cola can. I’ve already drunk the contents!😊😌

Now I can take my adapter, insert the wide pins into the other small slots, and voilà, I have a charger.

”Where there’s a will, There’s a way”

Tomorrow I get to sleep in because the bike workshop doesn’t open until half past eleven, but on the other hand it’s only about 40 km to Butterworth and the ferry boat over to Pulau Pinang and George Town

See Yeah Tomorrow from a bike with new spokes and adjusted rear wheel, Yippee Ki–Yay

 // P–G The Global Cyclist

My visit to Kampung Aman or UniCiti Alam was not one of my favorite memories, quite boring. Now my plan or route is southwest towards the coast and on to Butterworth and the island of Pulau Pinang.

I also need to fix my rear wheel, lost three spokes. My hope is to find a bicycle workshop in Sungai Petani.

I cycle through small villages, along smaller roads, sometimes so narrow that it becomes crowded to meet cars.

Tight and narrow road

People living here make their livelihood from agriculture and plantations. In villages near waterways or ponds, fishing is practiced for both personal consumption and sale. Handicrafts, homestays, tourism, cafés, and small shops are also common sources of income.people who live and live here get their livelihood from agriculture and plantations, in villages near waterways or ponds, fishing is practiced for both personal consumption and sale, hadycrafts, homestays , tourism, cafes, small shops.

Dried fish for sale

In Kampung Simpang I stopped for coffee and sandwich at a crowded bar. Then I cycled back but on the other side of the canal to the sea.

Down here it’s lots of fishponds and small fishing boats lies beside the small piers.

Small local fishing boats beside the piers

This is one of several canals from Sungai Besar

Next to another canal near some pumping station I found a place to pitch my tent.

Dusk comes pretty quickly so I ate my supper with the headlamp on.

The thunder god TOR can be heard throughout the evening and he also sends out his lightning bolts

While listening to some downloaded program, I remember I left my GPS on my bike. It is completely dark outside and when I crawl out through the tent opening with the light from the headlamp I see something crawling around the tent. I turn towards and see that it is a snake about 1 meter long that is wriggling.
Stands up and now see that the snake is crawling up towards the tent and the opening… says something like it should not enter the tent.

The snake coils away towards a small wall and I follow with the headlamp and see it snake into the bushes. I myself crawl into the tent quickly and make sure all the zippers are closed. Don’t want unexpected visitors.

Can’t remember if I brought the GPS with me!

See Yeah Later
// P-G The Global Cyclist