We had almost one month break from our last r&c trip and this time we plan to ride to Sungai Kemaman upstream, near Air Putih. It is a famous spot for fishing kaki whom are looking after freshwater fish and on certain peak season it is always occupied. It is situated about 200km northeast of Kuala Lumpur and connected to the main road via 18km offroad trail. Leading us to the spot will be our local guide Joe that had followed us to a couple of previous rides.
Our first rendezvous point is at BHP Karak, where four riders will meet, including Fred whom had switch to a proper dual-purpose bike from a naked bike. Four of us had already departed on Friday to camp at beachside near Monica Bay in Kemaman, one will join from Gambang and one will have to cross into Malaysian border to get to the third rendezvous point near Air Putih.
The Chendor gang
It was a rather warm Saturday morning when I departed from Rawang around 7.00am with ambient temperature around 25°C and it was still dark. The road leading to LPT highway was relatively clear and by the time I passed Batu Caves, there some cloud formation hovering above Ulu Kelang. Fred was already there when I arrived and Ikhwan arrived shortly after. Around 8am, Man arrived and we took off immediately after that.
Riding passed Genting Sempah never failed to amaze me with the surrounding mountains and on that morning a slight overcast greeted us on the downward bend towards Bukit Tinggi. The highway surface is in excellent condition and we enjoyed riding the bendy highway. The weather soon started to get warm after Lanchang and we’ve made a stop at Petronas R&R Gambang.
Mohdi arrived shortly after around 11.00am and said he will join us for lunch but will not be able to ride to the campsite due to other commitments. Ikhwan pulled a scare when he dropped his bike at the station’s parking and broken Fred’s rear registration plate in the process. “Small matter” – Fred says but we had a good laugh nonetheless.
We exited the highway at Kuantan to meet Kurt Hafiz whom was already waiting for us and we continued riding towards Felda Bukit Goh before turning left through Felda Bukit Sagu cluster.
Passing through YTL cement factory brought my childhood memories as this is where I learn to ride bicycle when I was 10 years old. Riding through the vast palm oil plantation, another slight overcast ‘followed’ us until a point where we stopped for a group photo.
Terengganu State Border Lookout
GPS N4.03237° E103.14221°
Passing through Felda Cerul and Kampung Banho, we turned left and a slight right into T124 Jalan Mak Lagam heading towards Binjai. Mohdi arrived first at the third rendezvous point and informed that it was closed so we shifted to a restaurant in front of Petronas Binjai.
The rest of the team from Chendor Beach arrived slightly after and we had lunch there. We were also joined by 2 local riders on crf 250.
Double Whammy
As we are having lunch, Fred informed that he had to return home for a family emergencies and our friend from Singapore couldn’t ride to campsite as his leave on Sunday was cancelled.
Photo Credit to Saini
Photo Credit to Saini
We said goodbye to Mohdi, Fred and Singaporean biker and started to ride towards Air Putih around 3pm.
The weather was hot and humid with ambient temperature around 38°C and my mesh jacket helped the airflow around my upper torso. However we couldn’t get the right amount of air as the road leading to the trailhead is being upgraded to prevent the yearly flooding from Sungai Kemaman. Plenty of detour, temporary small bridges and traffic diversion were on that small road and we had to ride slowly until we passed the main interchange between FT14 and T8.
Passing through a concrete bridge in Kampung Teladas reminded me of a scene from Gua Musang and Joe informed that in during flooding season, it will completely submerged.
We arrived at the trailhead around 3.30pm and we started to reduce our tyre pressures and secure our equipment properly.
Trailhead Sg Kemaman
GPS N4.24632° E103.19158°
The first section into the trail is made of big and loose rocks with a slight climb. We passed through private lands and cow herding farm. Then it turned to forest trail with red laterite surface and during this hot season, we face no difficulty passing through but it may be a different story if it is wet season.
The trail is running parallel to the river and soon we came across a vast clearing. It is now clear why the river is often became the source of flooding, as the buffer zone were reduced to make way for plantation. The trail surface in this area is red laterite mixed with loose rock but in most areas it is relatively flat.
I stopped to let the group passes and as soon as I started to speed off to catch up and that is when I ran over a few ruts and my rear tyres took off. It causes my top box detached from its fixing catches and flown away. No damages sustained but I rode slowly after that to catch up with Tom, whom has been waiting for me. The rest of the group continued and we were separated from them.
We rode on until reaching a gated trail, where two repair workers were on site. They were also surprised to see us and I asked if they saw any riders passed them. When they said none we knew we have missed a junction to the campsite, so we double back looking for the rest. That is when we met Syaril and he led us to right path. We have strayed 9km further northwest from the designated campsite.
It is around 4.30pm when we arrived at the campsite and I tried to cross the first river. With some help I managed to cross it. However I failed to cross the 2nd river and my bike dropped when the front wheel hit a massive rock in the riverbed. Kert and Ikhwan helped me to bring the bike back to the riverbank and we let the bike dry for a while.
Photo credit to Qamarul
The river seems easy but it has plenty of big sized rocks which are slippery and the current is also relatively strong. I choose to erect my tent by the river next to Suhail, Saidi and Zaidi while the rest had chosen the upper side of the riverbank. The river has some deep sections, some believed to be around 15m deep and the rest is fast flowing rapids. The water has mild temperature with crystal clear colour at the time of our arrival.
Block 8 Kemaman River Campsite
GPS N4.26284° E103.11351°
That night we have dinner by the campfire and chatted through the night. The sky was clear with stars clearly visible with occasional breeze sweeping through our campsite. We have dinner of packed food from the lunch place while Syaril cook egg with vegetables. Around 11pm we retreated to our tents, while Cikgu Joe and Qamarul opted to sleep in hammock. The site by the river is definitely felt cooler than the upper site, despite the bigger campfire we have on the side.
The next day, I woke up around 6am and started my morning routine. The camp was covered in mist but not as heavy as the last 2 weeks, according to Joe whom had been here with a different group. Ambient temperature was around 23°C and the breeze blowing by the river felt very cold. We had breakfast of instant noodles and we went into the river for bath afterwards. Despite the chill weather, the water isn’t as cold as Pos Lemoi.
Photo Credit to Ah Tom
Around 10am we pack our equipment and this time we had to cross 2 rivers on foot to carry our stuff across. I tried to turn on the ignition of my bike and after two tries it started running – what a relief.
Photo Credit to Ikhwan
Joe, Syaril and Qamarul whom had crossed the river yesterday faced no difficulties crossing it today. Suhail however, facing issue with his clutch when he crossed the river and despite a few tries from us to shorten the clutch travel, it just failed to engage.
The logging crew (from left) Cikgu Joe, Qamarul and Ikhwan
Ikhwan dropped his bike on the way up
After a short discussion we had agreed to split. Joe, Syaril, Cikgu Joe, Kurt and myself will depart first and look for help in Air Putih, while Man, Ikhwan, Saidi will stay with Suhail. Qamarul offered to buy some food from Air Putih and he will return with the supply.
Team members that stayed
Photo Credit to Joe
We took about 50 minutes to reach Air Putih and we (Cikgu Joe, Kurt and I) when straight to Geliga for lunch while Joe and Syaril went to look for a 4wd to carry Suhail’s bike out.
It was a hot midday with ambient temperature around 38°C when we passed Chukai and went to Geliga to have satar and keropok.
Kak Nab Satar GPS N4.20898° E103.43660°
After lunch we said goodbye to Kurt, so Cikgu Joe and I rode through Cherating towards Jabor LPT interchange. Traffic were smooth but the weather was so hot, my double visor helmet seems inadequate to filter the heat burning my cheek and stopping for red light felt like a torture. Lucky I have swap to mesh jacket for this ride to ensure enough flow of air. We rode through Genting Sempah towards Gohtong Jaya since Cikgu Joe was heading to Seri Iskandar. By 4.30pm we reached Ulu Yam junction and I said goodbye and rode back to Rawang.
Photo Credit to Saidi
Photo Credit to Saidi
Joe returned with a 4x4 to bring out Suhail's bike for repair in Kemaman. Qamarul returned with food suplies for the waiting team members.
Photo Credit to Qamarul
Ride snippets
Riders:
Rashidin Kawasaki Versys 650
Ikhwan Kawasaki Versys 650
Man BMW 310GS
Kurt Hafiz Kawasaki Versys X250
Cikgu Joe Kawasaki Versys 650
Johamly Yamaha CRF250
AhTom Kawasaki Versys 650
Syaril Yamaha CRF250
Zaidi Yamaha XT660
Saidi Yamaha CRF250
Qamarul BMW 310GS
Suhail TX200G
Didn't make it to campsite:
Saini Honda NC700DCT
Fred Honda CBX500
Mohdi BMW GS1200
Distance: 778km
Duration: 2 days
Petrol: RM90
Date: 29th Feb - 1st March 2020
Average moving speed: 82.8km/h
Lowest temperature: 18°C (Campsite)
Highest temperature: 38°C (Chukai)
