It was a rainy Friday morning when I departed from Rawang around 8.15am. The rain has subsided in Rawang but in some areas along the way, it was still drizzling, filling potholes and cracks on the road with water. Zadiq has informed that he will depart later than scheduled RV time so when I arrived at BHP Karak, I was the first rider on site. I was surprised to see the crowd at the station, being a working day – I was expecting less people to be present. Around 9.00am, other riders began to arrive and after a doa and short briefing we departed towards Bentong.
The LPT’s road surface was wet with ambient temperature around 23°C so we rode slowly navigating the twisty highway. When we arrived at Bentong’s toll, we were surprised that Carlos didn’t arrive – even after a while. So Zadiq made a u-turn towards KL to find him around Berjaya junction.
He skidded and his bike went into the drain.. and he was helped by other road users to retrieve his Honda CRF250 Rally. Luckily, he only suffered minor bruises while his bike had a few scratches and went back towards KL. The rest of us continued towards Gua Musang through Central Spine Road and as we entered the newly minted road, ambient temperature was hot & humid.
We were regrouped at the food stall near Petronas Bandar Baru Gua Musang and we had lunch there. The weather was still hot despite it was forecasted to rain past noon. Drees & Mizi arrived slightly later as Drees’s had front tyre punctured and Zadiq arrived last. After lunch we continued towards Jeli through Jelawang and we had arrived at our first stop today – a homestay near Sungai Mekong, around 3.30pm.
Homestay Bonda GPS 5.714112, 101.788265
After resting, we rode out to Lata Janggut and continue along Sungai Long all the way to Hokkaido Glamping Park and trailhead to Lata Cuit.
We also toured along Sungai Rual from the new school on all the way to Kampung Orang Asli.
The park seems deserted maybe due to restrictions during the pandemic but the area was simply magnificent and recommended go-to spot for wild camping.
It was dark too soon before we could finish touring so we head back toward Sg. Mekong to have dinner. Zadiq – a Patin tempoyak fan, was disappointed when the boy said they have no patin fish stock, we ordered Siakap Tempoyak instead.
Early next morning, Jezz informed that their group has already arrived at Bukit Salor, a sunrise watching spot, so we rode out around 6.45am to join the activity. The trail up is concrete trail and the spot has decoration for selfies with brick plain was available on the hill with magnificent 360° view of Jeli.
Bukit Salor viewpoint GPS 5.721822, 101.767438
Trailhead GPS 5.712155, 101.759345
The only downside of this area is lack of public toilet or otherwise it would a perfect campsite for outdoor camping enthusiasts. Around 10.30am we rode out to another beautiful area at the edge of Pergau Dam reservoir -also known as Kashmir Jeli. However, the vast grassy area is now gated and restricted so we went to Sungai Pergau.
Trailhead Sg Pergau GPS 5.670528, 101.696655
We spend some time here to freshen up in the river and was told the hut was open for public and the area can be reserved for events.
Pokjak Kashmir homestay by the river (HP 019-5472371)
Around 11.30am we went deeper into the area along Sungai Pergau to find Lata Bobby. A trailhead heading to Lata Perah was gated and a short exchange between us and a local woman on-site confirmed that the trail wasn’t active for at least 5 years. Lata Bobby on the other hand is only reachable on foot although you technically see it from the steel bride.
Pergau Steel Bridge (Lata Turbo) GPS 5.662032, 101.690996
It was around 1.00pm when we went back to the homestay to freshen up and pack our gear for our 2nd night at Jeli. The proposed campsite was a clearing on the side of Sungai Renyuk, upstream of Lata Renyuk. We went for lunch at Bandar Jeli around 2.00pm, a mere 1km away from designated RV3. The weather was hot with ambient temperature around 38°C when we departed towards RV3 to find Razzie and Ross already on-site. They have ridden from Singapore on Friday and spent a night at Pantai Irama Bachok.
After a cancellation of a few riders from Northern region – Cikgu Joe & Ikhwan, Asoi was the only rider whom were at RV4 point – the trailhead.
Trailhead Sg Renyuk GPS 5.570514, 101.881232
The clouds began to look darker and heavy when we started to ride into the trail. The first 250m was compacted soil with crusher run and the first climb is a nice double trail concrete surface. The next a few climbs along another river stream, loose boulders began appear and Zadiq was the first rider whom fall here. He was helped to erect his bike and we continued riding the trail.
I was the second rider behind Cherq, whom were riding on a BMW F800 attempting to scale another climb, with loose boulders and slippery red laterite. He falls when his front tyre went over a loose boulder.
By the time he was back on the bike and at the peak of this climb, it was decided that we couldn’t finish this trail, with the remaining trailing bikes, which are heavy and less experienced riders. So, we have decided to make a u-turn and go to plan B – to camp at Sungai Rual which has large pool and big clearing for our group to camp.
I met Adi Warna whom was riding on XAdv 750 and Doc Azman whom was riding on KTM 690 Enduro on my way out. We reverted to the trailhead and it started to drizzle. Rain is another consideration, when we decided to make a u-turn – since Plan B campsite has a concrete trail all the way to the river.
The trail to Sungai Rual is narrow with overgrown vegetations but there is enough clearing to house at least 25pax at this campsite. It was around 4.30pm when we started to unpack and for this trip I have opted to sleep in a cot under a big flysheet, sharing it with Man, Jimm & Zadiq. By 5.00pm, we cool ourselves in the river and it was intermittently drizzling. The water was clear but not as cold as the streams of Pos Tuel.
Shahriman fried Ikan Terubok for dinner and we sat under the flysheet that night reconnecting lost communications since our last ride and camp. Jimm, whom had stayed awake for the past 20 hours managed to join in, when Khai started to share his recollection of work involving Somalian pirates and Korean delicacies.
That night it continues to drizzle intermittently and the river rose slightly. I was awakened around 6.20am and started to clean-up for morning prayers.
Mohdi started to prepared fried rice for breakfast while most of us had breakfast on the rocks. We went for another round of swim, this time at the deepest section of the river.
Around 10.30am, we had cleared the campsite, probably cleaner than our arrival condition. One advises I would like to share is please bring back your rubbish so we can prevent contagious diseases and preserve the spot. We were gathered for a last group photo before the team headed back in a few smaller groups.
(Photographer) Andy
Zadiq, Shahriman and I planned to go back through Gerik – K.Kangsar so went along Sungai Long towards Gerik.
I arrived safely home around 4.20pm and was delighted to have completed this trip safely without any serious untoward incidents.
Ride Snippets
1. Rashidin Modenas Dominar 400
2. Jimms BMW F800 GS
3. Shahriman BMW 310GS
4. Mizi Modenas Pulsar NS200
5. Drees Benelli TRK502
6. Ejat Sym VF185
7. Mohdi Kawasaki KLX 250
8. Zadiq Triumph Tiger 800XCX
9. Jezz Kawasaki Dtracker 250
10. Andy Honda CRF 250 Rally
11. Acit Honda CRF 250 Rally
12. Zool Honda CRF 250 Rally
13. Cherq BMW F800GS
14. Bamer Kawasaki Dtracker 250
15. Shah Piee Kawasaki Dtracker 250
16. Li Zali Honda RS150
17. Erwin Kawasaki KLX150
18. Abi Honda CRF 250 Rally
19. Ross Honda Africa Twin 1000
20. Razzie Honda Africa Twin 1000
21. Khai BMW GS1200LC
22. Zairul “Asoi” Hafiz Honda CBX500
23. Doc Azman KTM 690 Enduro
24. Boy Honda CRF 250 Rally
25. Rizal Honda RS150
26. Adi Honda XADV750
Date: 24, 25, 26 June 2022
Lowest temperature: 19°C (Campsite Sungai Rual)
Highest temperature: 38°C (Gua Musang)
Expenditures:
Petrol: RM80
Food: RM50
