It was a month break during Ramadhan and everyone (including yours truly) seems quite anxious to embark on another adventurous weekend. Our original plan, finalised during the 2nd week of Ramadhan, yes that early - was to go to Pos Hau, Musang which has about 45km offroad track leading to an orang asli settlement, deep in Gua Musang rainforest. However intermittent rainy days leading to the ride weekend has shifted our destination, since the trail is now dubbed too adventurous for our group.
It was then, we have decided to ride to Kampung Rening,
a Semai community settlement about 40km from Ringlet, Cameron Highland which is
home to about 150 people. The village was once home to a resort funded by an
NGO called PEKA and hand-built by the villagers back in 2017 but the project
has never really taken off successfully. The villagers headed by Tok Batin
Abdul however, remained steadfast and kept their houses neat and tidy, which
received many outdoor visitors on a regular basis, even without the resort facilities. In my opinion, their village is
one of the cleanest and most decorated village I have ever been around peninsular
Malaysia.
Joining me for this month are Zadiq, Jezz,
Ejat and Ikhwan from Klang Valley, Cikgu Joe, Cikgu Jasni, Suhail and Mark are
from northern region while Bernard will ride alone from JB. Zadiq
and Bernard took off on Friday to stay at Sungai Koyan while the rest will ride on Saturday morning and all of us will met at a rendezvous point in Ringlet later that
afternoon for lunch.
It was 23°C with an intermittent drizzle when I rode from Rawang toward our first rendezvous
point for central riders – BHP Karak. The drizzle turned to downpour as I
approached Batu Caves with the road filled with pools of rain water and heavy
vehicles were splashing it all over so I have to ride slowly and I was 15
minutes late. Ejat, Saharudin (Wak Din) with Yusuf were already at the station
when I arrived, while Ikhwan arrived slightly later. Wak Din was there to pass
the sticker while Yusuf came to flag us off. He had put forward his interest for this ride but later cancelled due to other responsibility.
Around 8.00am we started to move towards
Karak highway and the weather was still gloomy with drizzle continue to pour
when we were approaching Genting Sempah tunnel. Magically the sky turned
bright and the road surface was dry when we exited the tunnel, giving the impression that we are
blessed to ride this weekend. Spots of cloud and mists were still shrouding the
hilltops and the view was magnificent when we were passing Bukit Tinggi and
Bentong. Maybe because of the rain, there were less riders on this highway that morning.
Instead of taking the normal route through
Bentong and Raub towards Sungai Koyan, this time we rode through Kampung Cinta
Manis towards Mempaga before making a right turn into Jalan Felda Mempaga –
Klau.
The road conditions were relatively good with a good amount of sharp bends and hairpin corners. Durian harvest around Sg Klau was at its full swing as many pickup & lorry loads of the king fruit swarming the area and my helmet was filled with the aroma. Too bad we don't have enough time and space to pack it on the go.
We passed through through Route C149 Jalan Ulu Gali – Lembah Klau and to Sungai Ruan before taking a right turn towards C151 Jalan Jelu – Bukit Pampung. The road gets smaller as we rode towards Dong on C144 and took the left turn to C159 Jalan Budu – Benta. Ejat whom was riding RS150 on Corsa S tyres done extremely well in this section and kept his pace right on my tail on the hairpin corners, despite carrying a massive top box fully loaded with supplies and kit. Ikhwan was closing behind him and mumbled that he was deprived of sleep and riding at slower than his normal pace. This is another potential interesting road with changes in elevation recommended to riders whom are seeking to perfect their cornering skills. The fun eased as soon as we entered the main road towards Gua Musang FT8 towards K.Lipis and the traffic increased.
We stopped for fuel and rest at Petron Sg Koyan around 11.00am and met with a rider en route to Ipoh from Jerantut.
Around 11.30am, we started riding to Ringlet through FT102 for our second rendezvous point. The famous road with wide sweeping corners and well maintained surface seems quiet that morning with only one group of cub riders passing us. The road condition seems unchanged since the last time I was there and still extremely fun to ride on dry condition. Ejat let us overtake him and Ikhwan’s rode behind me riding towards Ringlet at our own pace. Later we stopped at the intersection to ask permission from the guard's captain to ride through the gated road to Kg Rening.
The road conditions were relatively good with a good amount of sharp bends and hairpin corners. Durian harvest around Sg Klau was at its full swing as many pickup & lorry loads of the king fruit swarming the area and my helmet was filled with the aroma. Too bad we don't have enough time and space to pack it on the go.
Photo Credit to Ikhwan
We stopped for fuel and rest at Petron Sg Koyan around 11.00am and met with a rider en route to Ipoh from Jerantut.
Around 11.30am, we started riding to Ringlet through FT102 for our second rendezvous point. The famous road with wide sweeping corners and well maintained surface seems quiet that morning with only one group of cub riders passing us. The road condition seems unchanged since the last time I was there and still extremely fun to ride on dry condition. Ejat let us overtake him and Ikhwan’s rode behind me riding towards Ringlet at our own pace. Later we stopped at the intersection to ask permission from the guard's captain to ride through the gated road to Kg Rening.
Photo Credit to Ikhwan
Photo Credit to Ikhwan
Kg Rening Intersection GPS 4.410976, 101.591328
After obtaining the permission, we
continued to ride towards Ringlet to meet with the others at Gerai Makan
Ringlet
Ringlet Food Stall GPS 4.413870, 101.383068
We
are the first group to arrive on scene and towards 1pm, Cikgu Joe, Pidot and
Mark began to arrive. Jezz message me that he won’t be able to join us for
lunch and will go straight to Kg. Rening while Bernard and Zadiq will ride
directly to the guarded intersection.
We made a move towards Kg Rening around 1.45pm and waited for Bernard and Zadiq at the intersection while registering our details at the guard post. At this time, I was informed that Suhail will join us later at the campsite and we took off without him & Jezz.
The first section of the road leading towards Kg Rening is a tarmac surfaced road and after about 7km we met the intersection to Kg Rening & Terakit.
The next section started with a climbing trail on concrete surface and soon changes into loose gravel and compacted sand. Despite having some variation in elevation, the road surface remain generally flat and most of us having fun riding on it. There are bamboo trees on the road shoulder and it was really picturesque, reminiscence from cliche kungfu movies location.
We made a move towards Kg Rening around 1.45pm and waited for Bernard and Zadiq at the intersection while registering our details at the guard post. At this time, I was informed that Suhail will join us later at the campsite and we took off without him & Jezz.
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
The first section of the road leading towards Kg Rening is a tarmac surfaced road and after about 7km we met the intersection to Kg Rening & Terakit.
The next section started with a climbing trail on concrete surface and soon changes into loose gravel and compacted sand. Despite having some variation in elevation, the road surface remain generally flat and most of us having fun riding on it. There are bamboo trees on the road shoulder and it was really picturesque, reminiscence from cliche kungfu movies location.
The last section into the village is
through a steel bridge, despite its rusty look, is more than able to hold the
load of our group. This section’s surface is a mixture of broken concrete surface and
compacted dirt. The double trail is about 1km before we were greeted by a beautiful green scenery
of the Kg. Rening.
Kampung Rening GPS 4.498834, 101.582614
When we first arrive, I immediately look
for Tok Batin Abdul but he was not at home so we chatted with one of the
villagers (my bad - forgot to ask his name).
He informed that Tok Batin had rarely turn down a camping request and asked me to go and ushered a few potential campsites for the night. Soon after I returned from the recce ride on Ejat’s bike, we began to distribute souvenirs that we brought for the villagers.
It was a happy moment for all of us, having smiles all around us. Moments later, Tok Batin Abdul returned home and I sat down chatted with him and asked his permission to camp at his village.
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
He informed that Tok Batin had rarely turn down a camping request and asked me to go and ushered a few potential campsites for the night. Soon after I returned from the recce ride on Ejat’s bike, we began to distribute souvenirs that we brought for the villagers.
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
Photo Credit to Bernard
Photo Credit to Bernard
Photo Credit to Pidot
Photo Credit to Pidot
Photo Credit to Mark
Photo Credit to Mark
Photo Credit to Mark
It was a happy moment for all of us, having smiles all around us. Moments later, Tok Batin Abdul returned home and I sat down chatted with him and asked his permission to camp at his village.
Photo Credit to Ejat xpdc
Photo Credit to Pidot
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
Photo Credit to Ikhwan
A man of great leadership and loving father of 12 kids, Tok Batin Abdul recommended that we camp by the river upstream. The trail to the campsite passes through the abandoned resort and leads to a single trail about 200m before a drop to the river plain. We passed
through now debunked resort funded by PEKA, which sits high about
150m from the river plain.
According to Tok Batin Abdul, the villagers designed and built the chalets, common area and a big table based on their own creativity and it sad seeing it didn’t served its original purposes and give a steady income to the villagers.
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
Photo Credit to Pidot
Photo Credit to Ikhwan
Photo Credit to Ikhwan
According to Tok Batin Abdul, the villagers designed and built the chalets, common area and a big table based on their own creativity and it sad seeing it didn’t served its original purposes and give a steady income to the villagers.
There are two rivers at the campsite
merging into one with one was murkier than the other but both have beautiful
steady streams of water. We camped on the riverbed and the flat area at the
campsite is only adequate for 5 to 6 tents, while Cikgu Joe, Ejat and I opted
to set up hammock.
The area was also filled with mosquitos and flying insects so Mark & I started a campfire soon after we finished setting up camp. Soon after the flying bugs disappear and we had our high teas.
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
The area was also filled with mosquitos and flying insects so Mark & I started a campfire soon after we finished setting up camp. Soon after the flying bugs disappear and we had our high teas.
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
Jezz arrived with his kids soon after and
decided to cross the river to camp at a river confluence, with the odds of
having rising water level.
Bernard decided to join them and lifted his tent across the river. The confluence has a better view of the river with a small white waterfall 100m from the tent’s door despite facing a risk of having rising water level. The river water on the left side is crystal clear but the one on the right has slightly murky water. We spent the last hours of the day in the river cooling down and refreshing ourselves.
Around 6.30pm, Suhail arrived on his own after having a bit of drama repairing his bike in Bangi and riding it back to Seri Iskandar.
Photo Credit to Bernard
Bernard decided to join them and lifted his tent across the river. The confluence has a better view of the river with a small white waterfall 100m from the tent’s door despite facing a risk of having rising water level. The river water on the left side is crystal clear but the one on the right has slightly murky water. We spent the last hours of the day in the river cooling down and refreshing ourselves.
Photo Credit to Bernard
We were joined by local boys
Photo Credit to Bernard
Around 6.30pm, Suhail arrived on his own after having a bit of drama repairing his bike in Bangi and riding it back to Seri Iskandar.
Later that night we chatted around campfire
exchanging stories.
Pidot has learnt from his previous ride and came fully prepared with a complete sets of kits, along with sausage and meatball that we skewed over campfire that night.
The weather was clear and breezy, around 11pm we retreated back to our hammock and tents. I was awaken from cold later in the early morning and slipped into my sleeping bag.
Photo Credit to Mark
Photo Credit to Mark
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
Pidot has learnt from his previous ride and came fully prepared with a complete sets of kits, along with sausage and meatball that we skewed over campfire that night.
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
The weather was clear and breezy, around 11pm we retreated back to our hammock and tents. I was awaken from cold later in the early morning and slipped into my sleeping bag.
The next morning it was a misty with ambient temperature around 21°C but I woke
up too late to snap the magical moments. Before breakfast I went around the
campsite to take more pictures. We went back into the river soon after
breakfast and we took turn to answer the nature’s call behind a scatter of big
rocks downstream.
Around 10am we finished packing up our gears and we cleared the campsite soon after.
Photo Credit to Mark
Around 10am we finished packing up our gears and we cleared the campsite soon after.
Photo Credit to Suhail
We gathered for the last time at the
village and this morning we helped Jezz to distribute his souvenirs to the
villagers.
We departed towards Ringlet through the same road as yesterday but turning right towards Jelai Dam. It was a restricted area but all gates were opened so we just rode until we converged back to the main road FT102.
Photo Credit to Ejat xpdc
Photo Credit to Suhail
We departed towards Ringlet through the same road as yesterday but turning right towards Jelai Dam. It was a restricted area but all gates were opened so we just rode until we converged back to the main road FT102.
Photo Credit to Ejat xpdc
We passed through the foot of the dam. Since it is a photo restricted area, this is the best for reader's reference
We made another stop at Shell Ringlet to
refill and Bernard said he wanted to ride back to JB directly after that. Bernard,
who rode a brand new 1200GSA was the farthest rider in our group. Mark whom
rode from Alor Setar however plan to ride to KL after this so he’ll come down
through Tapah with us.
Just before we made a move, Pidot said his
bike won’t start and we immediately helped him. It was either battery, charging
coil or starter relay issue so we tried to eliminate possibilities by checking
one by one. At that time, we have identified that he had a flat battery, so he
rode Cikgu Joe’s bike to the surrounding shop trying to find a replacement
battery.
Photo Credit to Mark
He couldn’t find one so we helped to jump
start his bike by pushing and it worked to crank the engine. We rode down
towards Tapah for a lunch stop but when all of us arrived, Pidot is still
missing.
We soon learnt that his bike stall again on the way down. After lunch, Cikgu Joe and Ikhwan went up again to rescue Pidot while Cikgu Jasni rode to Simpang Pulai to buy a new battery.
We soon learnt that his bike stall again on the way down. After lunch, Cikgu Joe and Ikhwan went up again to rescue Pidot while Cikgu Jasni rode to Simpang Pulai to buy a new battery.
I rode back from Tapah around 2.00pm alone
as Mark has already made a move earlier. The highway towards KL traffic is
smooth although it was scouring hot with abient temperature around 35°C. I have arrived at Rawang around 4.00pm.
Despite being a second choice destination,
Kampung Rening is very beautiful, clean and blessed with fast flowing crystal
clear water. The inward road was a mild offroad trail with some climbing and
descending section, suitable even during rainy days. We had a blast riding
through inner road with twisties and interesting terrain. It was another adventurous weekend with great destination and filled good company, so I just can’t wait for the next
trip
Ride snippets:
Riders:
1. Rashidin Kawasaki Versys 650
2. Mark BMW F800
3. Joe Kawasaki Versys 650
4. Jasni Kawasaki Versys 650
5. Suhail Keeway TX200G
6. Izadiq BMW GS dakar
7. Ikhwan Kawasaki Versys 650
8. Pidot Kawasaki Versys 650
9. Bernard BMW1200gsa
10. Ejat xpdc Honda RS150
11. Jezz + kids Volvo XC90
Distance: 563km
Date: 22nd – 23rd June 2019
Average moving speed: 71.3km/h
Lowest temperature: 21°C (Campsite)
Highest temperature: 35°C (Tapah)
Expenditures:
Petrol: RM60
Food: RM24 – Lunch & dinner for me only
