Around 4 weeks ago we were planning a ride to a sandy bank of Sungai Paka about 150km northeast of Kuala Lumpur. The weather at that time was pristine and we were reading posts about crystal clear waters in the rivers of Terengganu. However, it took a surprising turn when Met Malaysia issued a severe weather warning earlier this week, which states a monsoon surge is heading its way towards the east coast which potentially will bring strong winds and continuous rain.
After a few cancellations, only 6 riders were committed to continue, including Cikgu Joe and Suhail from Seri Iskandar, Perak. Jimm, Syahril and Zadiq will join me from RV1 and we plan to depart from Karak on Saturday morning.
It was a drizzly morning with ambient temperature around 24°C when I departed from Rawang on that Saturday morning. When I arrived at BHP Karak, Syahril and Jimm were already there and the drizzle has subsided. Zadiq arrived slightly later on his KLX250 as his scrambler is having issue with air leakages.
We took off around 8.20am and it was a misty ride through LPT with normal traffic condition. The weather started to get hot as we passed Temerloh and the highway’s road surface was immaculate. As we took the Seri Jaya exit heading to Sri Makmur, the road condition was bad with depression and potholes. There were a lot of lorries carrying sand and palm oil on C19, it may been the reason of deteriorating road condition. We rode from Kampung Belimbing towards Felcra Sri Makmur and we stopped at Smart Petrol Station to refill.
We then took a left turn on C106 riding along Pahang river towards Pekan and the road condition was slightly better than route C19 but we were riding cautiously as there were sand lorries, monkeys and cows on the road that morning. I remembered when I rode on route 82, which is on the other side of the river, there were even wild hog crossing.. perhaps the river is too wide for it to cross to this side.
The weather was clear with cloudy skies when we arrived at Pantai Sepat for a quick photoshoot. However, it is sad to see rubbish left over so I want to take this opportunity to urge all readers to bring back whatever you brought to your picnic.
We crossed Kuantan through Jalan Air Putih heading towards route 3486 Jalan Jabor Lama, which is a very interesting section, with hairpin corners, exciting elevation and a brief cut through Hutan Simpan Semambu.
We rode cautiously as there were a lot of sand crossings and dirt on the tarmac surface. At the junction with Route 14, we turned left towards Cheneh and stop at Shell Cheneh for refill.
The sky started to get darker and cloudier as we made a move and my gps set lost its satellite signal here. After a few wrong headings, eventually we made it to the intended route 2686 Jalan Mak Lagam heading towards Chukai.
When we crossed Sungai Kemaman, the river was swollen and some low areas has already flooded. From Pasir Semut towards Ibok, we turned right to route T13 and we have encountered submerged road as Sungai Ibuk was already flooded.
After a brief discussion, Zadiq was selected to test the depth and current of the crossing water and eventually we all followed. The water is about 2 feet deep and we fought the current to make it across safely. The weather was still clear although there were groups of dark clouds making its way in-land. The final leg of the first half was completed when we entered LPT at Kertih and exited at Paka heading to Felda Kertih 4. At around 2.30pm, we made it to RV3 for refill and lunch.
Masakan Panas GPS 4.571599, 103.319752
Cikgu Joe reported that he had to reroute when he couldn’t cross Kuala Berang due to the flooding. Suhail in the meantime, encountered yet another bike breakdown when his engine oil dried and the engine stalled. Cikgu Joe finally arrived at RV3 shortly after- soaked wet. He started riding from Seri Iskandar in the early morning and braved the rain from Lojing to Kertih.
At lunch we have agreed to go to the trailhead for a survey.
As we were just starting to make a move, I notice my rear wheel was flat, so we went to a nearby motorcycle shop to patch it. Luckily it was just a small hole and we continued riding towards the trailhead on route 122.
We arrived at the trailhead to find that the river was swollen engulfing its bank. After riding about 300m on the trail, we found a group of 4x4 team, trying to pull a submerged Hilux. We decided to camp at Pantai Kemasik and revert back towards Felda Kertih.
As we rode into Jalan Batu Puteh T127, we crossed Jambatan Ranggon and found that the road was submerged. One local boy mentioned that there were at least 2 more points where the road was submerged.
We decided it was too risky to attempt a crossing so we decided to reroute toward Tol Paka. We found Suhail on the way there and made a move towards Tol Kertih. The weather has cleared as we arrived at Kemasik Beach and we have picked a spot to camp for the night.
Pantai Kemasik GPS 4.415072, 103.456370
There is nearby toilet but you need to ask the operator to keep it unlock with some payment.
The wind was strong but still acceptable as we were setting up tent and hammock. Around 6.30pm when we have settled down, we were seated and having dinner, re-connecting what were lost among us, since the last time Syahril joined us was R&C Ahning last year. Suhail also was sharing with us what happens to his bike prior to his arrival to this campsite.
The weather remained clear with a few short drizzles until 3.30am when it started to rain heavily. The night storm was a mixture of horizontal rain water and strong winds until our scantily clad flysheet were flown away and my sleeping bag flew as soon as I stood up. Cikgu Joe, Zadiq and me took shelter at a nearby food court and Suhail eventually joined us while Jimm and Syahril remained in their tents.
It stopped about an hour later but the strong winds continued. I tried to sleep at the food court but its too cold so I returned to my hammock until sunrise. The following morning, Jimm woke up and ask; is there somebody reciting Quran last night? Suhail answered its him but that is all he hears before returning to sleep. Amazing.
Later Jimm went out to get breakfast and returned with Nasi Dagang, some kuih with Tea and Coffee.
After breakfast we were regrouped for a photo and head to Kuala Kemaman for brunch. We went to Aziz Satar restaurant for seafood celup tepung.
GPS 4.213944, 103.436189
About 11.30am we went back through Cherating and entered LPT at Jabor. It started raining as we passed Gambang and we rode cautiously slow as the rain got heavier. It got super heavy between Gambang and Seri Jaya with a lot of water crossings. We stopped for refill at Shell R&R Temerloh and my bike wouldn’t start.
We jump start it with a borrowed cable from Shell and donor battery from Syahril’s GS. We said goodbye to each other at Karak Toll and I have arrived home safely around 3.30pm.
Ride Snippets
1. Rashidin Modenas Dominar 400
2. Jimms BMW F800GS
3. Zadiq Kawasaki KLX250
4. Syahril BMW GS1200LC
5. Cikgu Joe Kawasaki Versys 650
6. Suhail Keeway TX200G
Date: 26-27 February 2022
Lowest temperature: 23°C (Campsite Kemasik)
Highest temperature: 30°C (Temerloh)
Expenditures:
Petrol: RM120
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