My First Bike Adventure In Malaysia!
by Janson Chah Jien Shen
(Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia)
Janson's bicycle
Well I'm a 19-year-old boy from Malaysia who dreamed to cycle far with my bike. Here's my story of how I came about finally doing a trip; My inspiration, my equipment, my preparation, my trip. Basically how it all started and how it went on...
Few years ago, I told myself that I'm going to circle Malaysia with my bike. I had no idea what I was talking about. All I know is that I was inspired by a fictional character from a Japanese animation who cycled the whole Japan in a month. I was mystified. I felt like I could relate to that character and made myself a promise - to cycle a great distance from home. Perhaps a trip for self-search. A pursuit of youth.
That sounded really ideal and fancy..
Until...
Days passed and still no action taken. 3 years gone by in a flash since the original idea came up. Initial plans were to go on this bike trip with 2 other friends who have since left the country or just couldn't come along.
I finished my foundation year in college and decided to work for a good 6 months before continuing on my studies in university. And days pass easily when you're working. Months went by and I thought to myself that if I were to work for 6 months, there wouldn't be enough time for me to go on the trip. So I started planning.
As determined as I should be, I sent in a resignation letter. So that I could leave the company earlier to pursue this personal dream of mine. I went online at work to look for ideas or a basic guideline to how I should start, as I was and still am an amateur in cycling. To my very delight, I came across this wonderful site Peter has put up. I must tell you how much the information and effort Peter put into this site have fortified my confidence in a bike trip. All his cycling stories and collective bike adventures of other cyclists have exponentially motivated me further.
So I've decided to cycle from Petaling Jaya, Selangor up to Penang.
I emailed Peter in hope of a response that would guide a new aspiring and clueless cyclist in the routes and/or a general guide to long-distance cycling. Peter generously answered my questions and guided me with great precision. Also had a friend - Derrick, who's a regular cyclist himself, to guide me in further detail regarding equipment. I had a mountain bike.
I packed my backpack, readied my heart, and went on the road. My first or second hour on the road passed and I felt that something was wrong. I checked again and noticed that my seat metal bar is starting to bend. It was bent to an extent that if I continued cycling it will just snap. I was in Sungai Buloh at that time. So I called a friend (since I was not that far away from the state yet then) who stays around there and is familiar with the area to help me in search for a bicycle shop. After an hour of search, I'm lucky to have found a shop. They changed my metal piece and gave several advices to continue on the road. Changed my tires to touring ones. My previous tires were mountain. Bought a spare tube and went on my way.
Met friendly stall owners on the way when I stopped for drinks to quench my thirst. One piece of advice is that when cycling in Malaysia, do not worry too much about bringing your own water as there are many stalls by the road side. Water is extra weight so a 500ml bottle should hold enough between stops. And I say that only because I don't have that nifty bottle holder thing on the bike frame. Though experienced cyclists should have a bottle of water at all times. I continued on and 6 more hours passed by unknowingly. One thing I noticed is that if you're cycling and not driving on the road, there's a higher chance to notice a variety of unfortunate roadkill animal bodies. The stench is impossible to miss.
I arrived in Sekinchan and settled for the night as the skies are getting darker with grey clouds ready to drop water bombs. Stayed the night and could've found a cheaper inn to stay at if asked around the town. I did not do so as I thought that the Harbour Hotel was the only lodging around. Do ask the locals for hidden homestays or cheaper inns to stay at. Travel at a budget as luxury is not what we're looking for in a bicycle adventure. Innkeepers usually offer to keep the bike for the night in storerooms so you can sleep knowing your bike is in safe hands.
A day has gone and day two started with me leaving my dirty clothes behind. Weight is a very important factor in long-distance cycling. My first day of cycling killed my back (as I carried a backpack on my back instead of having racks), blistered my ass and strained my thighs. Always have a deep heat rub ready for before cycling, while you're cycling and after cycling. Day two it is and experience have thought me the hard way. I decided to get to Teluk Intan and look for a good place to get equipped. A shop that you could not miss even if you closed your eyes is the JTC Bike Centre, Teluk Intan. I got my speedometer, helmet, bike trousers, blinking lights and a new saddle. Less friction on the ass and a great way to keep track of my speed is the way to go. Cycled till nightfall and arrived at Sitiawan. Called Peter up and gave him a heads up that I'm in town! Stayed the night in SK Hotel.
Met up with Peter in the morning. Had a light breakfast and Peter pointed me out the way to Penang, my final destination. That was my third and final day up. A supposedly 7 days of leisure cycle up shortened into a 3-days hellish ride. Keep in mind that a hellish ride isn't necessarily bad, it trained my determination and perserverance. Bring some music along and that should be the greatest companion on the road. Sing to yourself if you're not so much of a gadget person. Look around and observe nature if you must. Take your mind off everything else and enjoy the road. 180 kilometers seemed like forever to me and trust me when I say the last 5 kilometers feel like a day of cycling. Food is essential. Eat continuously. One of the advices I got from Peter is to bring some bananas so that you can stop to eat for energy. Energy bars are alright but bananas are really quick for emergencies.
Malaysian coastal or trunk roads are bicycle-friendly. Slopes are minimal and riding is truly pleasurable and enjoyable.
10 hours of persistant cycling brings me to my final stop, Penang. Along the way I've learned a lot, met people and burst a tube. That's inevitable but luckily for me I had a spare one handy. My left crank keeps falling off so it's good to have some tools ready just in case. I didn't get the chance to cycle to the island side of Penang as I was in a rush.
The next day, I cycled down to Taiping and some changes in plan called for a ride home with my mom. Now that's a whole different story.
That's about it now, I really hoped that I could've boiled things down in further detail but you should really go on a bike trip to find all that out for yourself. ;) It's an experience that must be earned, not read.
Infinite thanks to Peter, Derrick, my bike Junior, all my family and friends who have supported me on the trip. And so concludes my first ever bike trip. I'm certainly looking forward to cycling greater distances in the future.
The end.
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Janson has his own blog with more stories and photos: http://cyclingup.blogspot.com
