MALAYSIA PENINSULA RIDE >2500 KM (KEMBARA MERDEKA 2007)

[Nugroho]

This is the second time I and my Red Multistrada joined in a ride on the Malaysia Peninsula. Compared to similar event last year with 147 participant riders, in this year 2007 the event was participated by 300 riders and 50 of them are Indonesian riders; 10 are Singaporean and 2 Germany. Of course, the rest are Malaysian riders, coming from all States in Malaysia. We have been invited officially by the Malaysian Government to participate in the tour to celebrate Malaysia 50 years of independence and this convoy was arranged by Superbikes Association of Malaysia (SAM).

The bikes of the Indonesian Team were sent by sea and loaded into the container on August 11, 2007 at Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta.

This time, we will start from Johor Bharu city then ride all over Malaysian States in the Peninsula and finish in Kuala Lumpur. This is our route map:



August 19-20, 2007 Jakarta – Singapore – Johor Bahru

Most on the Indonesian Team members departed to Johor Bahru via Singapore. Singapore is chosen because Johor Bahru is located at the bottom (south) of the Malaysia Peninsula in the border with Singapore and therefore closer to be reached from Singapore. We departed at 08.30 p.m. Jakarta time and after collecting all luggage, exit from Changi Airport in Singapore and directly crossing the border Johor Bahru by Bus. It takes some time to get all clearance from Singapore and Malaysian Immigration and custom check points until finally, we arrived at the hotel (Zon Regency) at 02.00 a.m. in the morning. Finish with the room arrangement, we still need to arrange for some T-Shirt, Jacket and Helmet distribution and finally finish all arrangements by 03.30 a.m. Uh.. that was exhausting and I was so sleepy…

[Nugroho]

Monday August 20, 2007 Bikes Unload and Ride Preparation

Not getting enough sleep, I have to weak up, have some breakfast and get ready to go to the Sea Port to take our bikes. In the breakfast place I met many Malaysian riders friends (who I can not recall all of their names) but sound very familiar faces to me. Many of them also join the similar ride last year and also join the tour we arranged from Medan to Bali last April (Le Tour de Indonesia). Nice to meet them again…

Leaving the hotel to the Port at 09.30 a.m. we then unload the bikes from the containers, passing the custom and port clearance.









The unloading process take some time and a light rain was fall down during the unloading process. Finish with all custom and port clearance, escorted by some Police and Marshall Officers we ride to the hotel about lunch time which was continued by an official Tour Briefing.

[Nugroho]

Monday August 20, 2007 Bikes Unload and Ride Preparation


The first convoy movement was made in the evening for an official dinner with the Johor Sultan.









After the dinner and welcome ceremonial we ride back to the hotel and filled in the gas full tank to make sure all bikes ready for the move tomorrow. Cindy and I did a last checking and packing not to rush in the morning, and then went to bed…

[Nugroho]

Ride Day 1: August 21, 2007 Johor Bahru - Melaka

Weak up early morning (at 05.30 a.m.), have a short morning pray, take a bath, have some breakfast, check out from the hotel and get ready. Morning briefing and some stretching exercise sound would become our routine morning activities:

[Nugroho]

Ride Day 1: August 21, 2007 Johor Bahru – Melaka

We started at 09.00 from the Hotel and rode to Melaka.

[Nugroho]

Ride Day 1: August 21, 2007 Johor Bahru – Melaka

After riding about 2 hours for 131 Km, the convoy had a short break in Batu Pahat at 11.10 a.m.



Cindy was interested to take a picture infront of a Malaysian bike fully decorated by Malaysian Flags:


Besides meals and drink, we also were offered to try a very tasty, fresh and sweet fruit called ”Pulasan” (read “Poolisun”) similar to what we call “Rambutan” in Indonesia with ticker skin Hm... that was fresh and yummy….

[Nugroho]

Ride Day 1: August 21, 2007 Johor Bahru – Melaka

In half an hour the convoy moved further.



The convoy movement some how can not be fast enough. This is danger since the participant could easily felt sleepy. I tried to eat some candies not to get sleepy and saw some riders was stopped by the Marshall because they were sleepy and rode unsafely. Although Police Helicopter escorting us along the way, since it did not fly closer enough to us it did not help us that much in fighting with sleepy…






We then stop again in Muar at 12.50 for a luch break.

Moved again at 13.50 to Melaka and before entering Melaka city, we again have another break to filled in the gas fully. It takes time we have to learn to be patient since filling in the gas for more than 300 bikes at once definitely takes time.

Finally we enter into Melaka city.


I guess this fisrt day ride is a kind of adjustment for the riders as well as for all officers involved. The convoy still rides in a bit slow rhythm.

The total journey for the first ride day from Johor Bahru to Melaka is 262 Km.

[Nugroho]

Ride Day 2: 22/9 Melaka – Kuantan

Considering a longer trip for today, the convoy start earlier in this morning. After breakfast, check out from the hotel, morning briefing, and light exercises, the convoy start the ride from Melaka to Kuantan at 8.00 a.m.



First Break for 1 hour in Port Dickson (95 Km from Melaka).

[Nugroho]

Ride Day 2: 22/9 Melaka – Kuantan


Rode out side Port Dickson we met quite good twisty road lumayan... that was nice. Although we still can not ride fast, the twisty road was good and not boring.

[Nugroho]

Ride Day 2: 22/9 Melaka – Kuantan

Not ride to far (only about 67 Km), the convoy have another break for filling in the gas in Kuala Pilah at 12.18 a.m. and further break in Muadzam Shah (126 Km form Kuala Pilah) at 04.30 p.m.









Arrived in Kuantan, we went directly to M.S. Garden Hotel, the place we spent the night di Kuantan. The hotel is good, with big size room.

This second riding day from Melaka to Kuantan, crossing from the west coast (Malaka Strait) to the east coast (South China Sea) of Malaysia Peninsula was 394 Km.