Ride and Camp to Kampung Gusai - Ulu Tembeling

Following a successful adventurous ride by Jezz and his team, we have decided to retrace their journey – riding to the last known Kampung on the banks of Sepia River, in Ulu Tembeling. Flowing from the same mountain ranges that supply Loh River in Terengganu (a tributaries of Dungun River), Sepia River is one of the tributaries of Tembeling River and also part of Pahang River system. SK Kampung Gusai - in 2019, reported to have only 14 pupils with 12 staffs and categorized as Sekolah Kurang Murid Gred B. Previously, the villager’s main mode of transportation is through the river but recently with the opening of a concrete bridge across Tembeling River, land transport is becoming more popular but with off-road trails; at the mercy of weather. In the beginning, Jezz was appointed as an advisor to this ride but later he has decided to join as the number of participants has swollen from 12 people to 28 riders.

Participating from the north were Cikgu Joe, Suhail, Ikhwan and Cikgu Jasni, from the east are Haji Hilmi, Amran, Kojet & Joe while from Melaka we have Asoi, whom were riding on Honda CB500X. Riding from Klang Valley were Hashim, Azam, Shah, Fred, Mizi, Jeff, Drees, Jimm, Carlos, Zool, Mohdi, Rosdan, Usop, Saidi, Kojek, Pie & Jezz.

I made a move from Rawang around 8.00pm, slightly earlier than schedule so I have time for Isya’ prayer at BHP Karak. Tonight’s destination has no water source so the plan is to settle all water related activities beforehand. Around 9.00pm Yusuf arrived on his 390 adventure and once Jimm confirmed that he will join the group from Banting, we made a move towards Temerloh exit around 9.20pm. I am surprised to see the crowd at the station, a scene normally seen during our morning rendezvous. 

The traffic has relatively reduced once we passed Karak toll, with only a score of cars were heading east. We were blessed with good weather, as we haven’t passed any rainy spots on our ride – so far. Most of the riders were converging at two guesthouses in Kuala Tahan, led by Saidi and Zadiq, including riders from the North, whom has arrived earlier.

As we arrived at our 2nd rendezvous point around 11pm, there were flashes of lightning in the sky – may that not be at our target campsite tonight; I prayed. Jerantut town were literally dead, with empty streets and closed shops filled the scenery. Asoi mentioned in the group that he is at Mentakab having dinner, so we have agreed to wait for him. However, after an hour of wait, we’ve decided to make a move as further delay could raise risks from fatigue and lack of sleep.

As we made a turn into Route 1508 towards Padang Piol, we stopped as I need to turn on the spotlight. The road was pitch black with steep corners and I need extra set of light to lead the ride. Yusuf followed in a safe distance but visibility was limited and lights from our bikes were the only light source available on the road. We passed two herds of buffalos resting on the road just after Padang Piol estate. I stopped about 250 meters before the junction to Kampung Pagi, re-orienting myself before finally found the right junction.

Junction Kuala Tahan - Kg Mat Daling GPS 4.359495, 102.399043

The final leg towards Bukit Awan was the darkest of tonight’s journey, even with bright & powerful LED floodlight, we can only ride about 50km/h, as visibility was poor. Dimly lighted warning signs of road repairs can be seen from very far away beaming while the turns were short and sudden. Riders are advised to keep it slow and avoid the edge of the road as there were many landslide and unsupported road shoulder sections.  Around 1.00am we were finally arrived at the target campsite and after a few hours of riding in the dark, views of solar light poles around the area was really welcomed.

Bukit Awan Kg Pagi GPS 4.493024, 102.483085

Last piece of the puzzle to this place is a water source. On this visit no plans were visible to make that happen.

We slept under a wooden hut in sleeping bags as cold gust of winds, around 19°C was constantly blowing. Yusuf said he was too sleepy to put up his cot but I was adamant to inflate my 5” thick super-single air mattress.. and that with a sleeping bag – out of this world.

The next Saturday morning I woke up around quarter past six to a misty morning. Dew droplets started to wet my sleeping bag so I packed up really quick and around 7.00am- Zadiq, Mizi, Jeff and Drees arrived. Shortly after- Shah, Hashim, Azam, Rosdan and Jimm joined us. Shah whom was leading the pack, missed the spot- probably from the mist and disappear into the horizon before finally made a u-turn after realizing his team was way behind. The hope of seeing ‘awan nano’ didn’t materialize as the mist stayed even after we left the area around 10.20am. Yusuf’s drone recorded that the mist was as high as 510 meters from sea-level.

Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe

We went to the 2nd rendezvous point in Kuala Sat only to find that the place was closed so we went to another coffee shop for breakfast – where many of us agreed that their nasi lemak is tasty despite the modest presentation. At the shop we were invited to hang out at a nearby campsite managed by a mountaineer called Abang Alias. He had also invited us to book his team for a 3D2N expedition to a nearby mountain route called Gunung Milung Expedition with RM300 cost/head.

Warung Kuala Sat - Grocery store & petrol available here - GPS 4.523091, 102.589905

Gunung Milung Expedition - Abang Alias - +60179313220 

Photo Credit to Shah

Abang Alias in green shirt
Photo Credit to Jimm

Photo Credit to Jimm

Photo Credit to Ikhwan

Other riders whom spent the night at Kuala Tahan last night began to arrive at RV2 around 10am. Cikgu Jasni, that had recently purchased Honda Adv150 was among them arriving with a big smile, also Ikhwan on his brand-new Suzuki Vstrom 650, riding from Sungai Petani. After missing from yesterday’s rv point, I thought Asoi would be among the arrivals but none of them mentioned they saw him at the guesthouse. So, I have concluded Asoi will join another group- led by Zool that will attempt an alternate route going to Kampung Bantal.

Green alternative route - led by Zool
Graphics by Jezz

We took off from Kuala Sat around 11.15 am and the weather was hot with ambient temperature around 39°C. I was informed that it rains yesterday evening so I hope this hot condition will last, at least until we arrived, as attempting the trail in wet condition would be brutal. My first attempt to locate the steel bridge failed, so Zadiq came in for a rescue. We made a u-turn and located the bridge successfully as it is located inside a logging company premises.

Concrete bridge Kg Bantal to Kg Gusai GPS 4.489280, 102.649500

At the other end of the bridge I met Saidi on Honda Adv 750, whom decided to make a u-turn and not continuing to Kampung Gusai. The first section of the trail- after the bridge is an active logging trail, so it was maintained properly. It was made of red laterite with compacted pebbles on some of the climbing section. As we passed the logging area, it began to flatten but with slippery soil that could be worst if its completely wet. This section was half-wet when we passed through it and heavier dp bikes struggles to pass it. Rate of bike dropping increases in this section but with no untoward incidents and the team helped each other to continue the journey. Fitness is important to embark on a journey like this including safety gears like high cut boot and gloves because you won’t know the position of your hot exhaust tip once you’ve fall.

Photo Credit to Fred

Photo Credit to Fred

Photo Credit to Fred

Photo Credit to Rosdan

Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe

Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe

Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe

Photo Credit to Zadiq

Photo Credit to Zadiq

When I saw a cemented 4-foot narrow trail or also known as ‘Jalan Creek’ by the villagers I am glad to know we have finally arrived at the village. Nestled on the banks of Sungai Sepia, it is filled with wooden houses surrounding SK Gusai- a primary school. 

Upon arrival, I went to look for Tok Pat Ahmad- seeking his consent to spent the night at the village. I have also requested lunch of 18 people for our riders and later were served with tasty fried noodle prepared by his wife – Mak Long. This was the first time we get to taste her cooking.

Photo Credit to Yusuf

After a discussion, the team have decided to recce a sand bank to be the campsite and we went to the river upstream about 2km from the village's leader -Tok Pat house. The team helped each other as the trail has a steep slippery inclination but to our disappointment, the sand bank is not accessible to our bikes so we headed back to Tok Pat’s compound which has 3 chalets and a restaurant with plenty of open areas. 

Photo Credit to Shah

Photo Credit to Fred

Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe

Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe

Chalet & Boat arrangement: Syafik +60 14-937 6415

Food arrangement: Mak Long Ina +60 17-954 9031

Kampung Gusai GPS 4.530195, 102.664249

The only setback was most of the areas (facing the river) are not shaded and it could be as hot as 42°C in direct sunlight.

Photo Credit to Shah

Photo Credit to Ikhwan

Photo Credit to Ikhwan

The only store available at the village. Petrol is available here and prices of goods are being monitored by KPDNKK.

Photo Credit to Ikhwan

Photo Credit to Asoi 

Around 4.30pm the alternative group, led by Zool has arrived on scene. Among them was Asoi on his Honda CB500X, a ‘stranger’ among off-road biased KLX and CRF but I am glad he made it to this village. Later this team revealed their experience taking an alternative route and getting lost in the trail.

Photo Credit to Kadok

That afternoon we cool ourselves in the river which was at its low level.

Photo Credit to Fred

Photo Credit to Hj Hilmi

Some of us opted to sleep in chalets and its balcony while I have chosen to sleep on the river bank. Around 7pm, the sun has finally shaded behind trees across the river and we enjoyed the sunset over coffee. That night, Zool have ordered dinner from Mak Long and around 8.30pm, dinner was served. On the menu were ayam masak lemak, sayur campur and patin masak tempoyak. On the side were jering, ulam and sambal tempoyak. After a very long day with lack of sleep on the previous night, I went to bed around 9.30pm.

The next morning, parts of the river were engulfed with fog and the scenery was really majestic. We were having coffee on the river banks while waiting for today’s planned activity. Around 9am, our boatman arrived and started to load their boats with life jackets. We have booked 6 boats to navigate the river to a nearby upstream waterfall “Lata Raok”, including drinks and breakfast. Some of us took the option to tube down the river back to Kampung Gusai.

Photo Credit to Yusuf

The boat ride took about 20 minutes navigating Sephia River. My boatman for the day was a 60 years old senior with a great physic and he navigated the long boat with Yamaha 3.5hp engine skillfully. We crossed a few herds of buffalos wallowing in the river, minding their own business. I was informed that Sepia River is the border of Taman Negara and the view of the jungle is truly mesmerizing. Once the boat landed, it’s another 15 minutes’ walk to the stream and the water is really cold.

Photo Credit to Yusuf

Photo Credit to Ikhwan

Photo Credit to Ikhwan

Photo Credit to Yusuf

Photo Credit to Hj Hilmi

Photo Credit to Hj Hilmi

Photo Credit to Hj Hilmi

Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe

I hereby reclaim this land!
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe

We spent about 1.5 hours before started to head back and I opted for tubing. Mizi, Asoi & Drees started to tube down Sepia River around 11.00am. We have to use our hands to avoid dead wood and sharp rocks in the river bed. Also, we have to choose deeper parts of the river to avoid our bum greasing on the river bed, as the river is quite shallow. Unexpectedly, one herd of buffalos decided to cross a narrow passage of the river as we were passing. However, after we back-paddled hard, we manage to let them cross safely.

Around 12.30pm, we have gathered for a group photo. Kadok whom were riding on CRF250 Rally, decided to charter a boat directly to Kampung Bantal. His bike was laid out on the side and two boatmen including him boarded the long boat. Mahzir and two others decided to take the raft across Sepia River towards Kampung Bantal. However, as Jeff rode down the river bank on a wooden make-shift jetty he slipped and tumbled into the shallow water. He was helped and after a few tries, managed to start his bike.

Boat transfer to Kampung Bantal. RM150 one way

Photo Credit to Kadok

Photo Credit to Hj Hilmi

Photo Credit to Zool

The rest of us took the same route to exit Kampung Gusai towards Kampung Bantal. The trail was drier compared to a day before and we took less than an hour to arrive at the concrete bridge across Tembeling River. We continued towards Kuala Tahan junction and a nearby foodcourt for lunch. 

After lunch, we said goodbye to each other and I have joined Yusuf, Jimm, Hashim, Azam & Shah to ride back towards KL. The weather on that Sunday afternoon was hot, around 39°C but as we were joining the traffic on Karak’s highway, it started to drizzle - to my disappointment, it did not last long. The traffic heading towards KL was heavy and some of the strong-headed drivers zig-zagging on the lanes adding to the congestions. Our last stop was at BHPetrol after Bentong Toll plaza and we said goodbye to each other here.

It’s a memorable trip with a lot of adventures and let’s hope the village will retain its natural attraction and its younger generations will continue the legacy of their ancestors for many years to come.

Participants:

1. Rashidin Modenas Dominar 400 

2. Mizi Modenas Pulsar NS200

3. Jeff Modenas Pulsar NS200

4. Cikgu Joe Kawasaki Versys 650

5. Hashim Kawasaki Versys 650

6. Asoi Honda CB500X

7. Fred Honda CB500X

8. Azam Suzuki Vstrom 650

9. Ikhwan Suzuki Vstrom 650

10. Jezz Kawasaki D-Tracker 250

11. Pie Kawasaki D-Tracker 250

12. Mohdi Kawasaki KLX 250

13. Zadiq Kawasaki KLX250

14. Shah Wakdin Yamaha Super Tenere 1200

15. Jimms BMW F800GS

16. Ucop KTM 390 Adventure

17. Drees Yamaha Y15 

18. Cikgu Jasni Honda Adv 150

19. Rosdan Honda CRF 250 Rally

20. Carlos Honda CRF 250 Rally

21. Kadok Honda CRF 250 Rally

22. Zool Honda CRF 250 Rally 

23. Kojek Honda CRF 250 Rally

24. Joe Honda CRF 250 Rally

25. Amran Honda CRF 250 Rally

26. Hj Helmi Honda CRF 250L

DNF: Saidi Honda Adv 750, Suhail Keeway Tx200
DNS: Joe Kemaman Honda CRF 250 Rally