It was a clear morning with ambient temperature around 22°C when I departed from home. This will be my last ride and camp for the year and since it was monsoon season, we will stay away from rugged trails. After a few retreat from the riding group members, there’s a question if the ride will still proceed. However if I miss this window of opportunity, the wait for next year’s opportunity will be too long and difficult, so the ride will go on.
Qamarul was already there filling up his tank when I arrived at the petrol station. It will be just the two of us departing from R&R Rawang this time. This is second r&c ride for him and he had also invited a few others from GS310 rider’s group to join us.
We exited the highway at Tapah to enter A19 Jalan Lama Tapah towards Chenderiang. The winding road passes through magnificent limestone formation around Batang Padang and Sungai Salu Forest Reserve. The weather was mild in this area, despite the sun was shining brightly and rays of sunbeam passes in between the treetops and mountain high ranges.
Then we went west toward Parit through Malim Nawar and Siputeh and after crossing Cempaka Sari bridge, we had breakfast at a nearby foodcourt. I get the chance to know Qamarul better and I was pleasantly surprised when he said his family home was in Parit.
We continued north through Manong and Kuala Kangsar, then made a quick stop at Victoria Bridge, in Kampung Seberang Karai. The single track railway truss bridge is one of the oldest bridge in the country, build between 1897 and 1900 to serve the booming tin industry in Perak then. Closed for train in 2002, the bridge is now opened for pedestrian and motorcycle. Nowadays, it served as one of the historical attraction the state.
It was half past eleven and we continued towards Tasik Raban, where we met Shahidan and Izadique whom were spending previous night in Gopeng. We had lunch as a nearby stall and later were joined with Pakya from Parit Buntar and Firdaus from Kokdiang.
They are both on GS310. It was almost 2pm when we departed towards Sumpitan and Selama through route A6.
As were climbing the winding route near Lenggong deer farm, it was raining heavily and we rode slowly as there were a lot water crossings. We stopped on top of a bridge at Lata Tebing Tinggi to admire the view and taking pictures.
Firdaus with Pakya's bike
Then it was raining intermittently as we passed through Selama, Kulim and Padang Serai on our way to Lake Beris.
We went through Kuala Ketil and Merbau Kudung and made another stop to warm ourselves. Later we were joined with Zul from Sungai Petani whom is riding CF Moto 650 MT, an acquaintance of Shahidan and Izadique. We also took the chance to pack dinner here. It has stopped raining but the sky remained cloudy and windy.
We refilled our tanks at Buraq Oil’s petrol station in Kampung Merbau Kudung and afterwards we went through a shortcut passing an inner road and the team was separated. We have to stop and wait for Shahidan and Zul, whom had missed the small junction. We were regrouped again and rode to Tasik Beris.
It was almost sunset so I was riding hastily until I didn’t notice KW Mark, whom were waiting at a stall nearby Tasik Beris. Zul and Shahidan were behind me and we were regrouped later at the campsite.
Pedu Lake Opening (campsite)
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The surrounding of the lake is really beautiful, like a scene from a dinasour movie. Depending on the water level, there are openings with overgrown grass and vegetation but it wasn’t high enough to provide shade.
The lake was surrounded by mountain ranges and ridges with flock of birds flying low above water. It was almost 7pm when we finished setting up the large flysheet, collecting firewood and individual tents. Himalayan tour guide Shahidan, decided to sleep on a ground sheet with a thin cotton blanket as a cover and hope it won’t rain tonight. KW Mark was the fastest one to set up his tent, under 2 minutes with his folded tent. Riding from Alor Setar, he was on Honda PCX and brought KFC dinner box instead of roti canai for supply. Zul and Firdaus didn’t stay and left around 9pm.
We had dinner by campfire that night with bright skies and constant night breeze. Dried firewood burnt with an astonishing rate, aided by the breeze. Sharing his trips with the group, Shahidan filled the night with stories from Pakistan & India while Pakya jumped in with his documentary sightings, in-line with South Asia night theme.
Photo Credit to KW Mark
Photo Credit to KW Mark
I woke up around 6am for morning prayer and quickly grab my tripod for sunrise photoshoot. The outer layer of my tent was wet from dew, which made me wonder how Shahidan was doing last night. The morning view was clear with the sun rising behind surrounding mountain ranges.
I had instant noodle for breakfast while Pakya and Qamarul had bread with instant curry. Mark forgot to bring his slipper so he didn’t join us for a dip in the lake after breakfast.
Photo Credit to KW Mark
Around 8.30am the sun had risen above the mountain top and almost immediately we felt the heat as the campsite didn’t have any tall trees for shade.
Around 9am we were gathered for photo session and we said goodbye to KW Mark soon after.
Pakya followed us until Baling and he split soon after as he was heading towards Bagan Serai. We continued riding through Pengkalan Hulu and stopped to refill our petrol at Petronas Gerik.
Qamarul and I stopped at Restoran Tasik Raban for lunch and parted with Shahidan at Gerik. We lost sight of Izadique and entered the highway from Kuala Kangsar heading to R&R Tapah. I felt so sleepy here and stopped under a bridge for a quick nap and regrouped with Qamarul and Izadique at R&R Tapah around 2.30pm. We said goodbye to each other here and I arrived at Rawang around 4.00pm.
Ride snippets
Riders:
1. Rashidin Kawasaki Versys 650
2. Qamarul BMW GS310
3. Firdaus BMW GS310
4. Shahidan BMW GS1200LC
5. Mark Honda PCX 150
6. ZulTCD CF Moto 650 MT
7. Izadique BMW F650 Dakar
8. PakYa BMW GS310
Distance: 918km
Duration: 2 days
Petrol: RM120
Date: 23rd - 24th November 2015
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