“end of my home-leave” Ride

I was on my final two days of my annual leave – 15 days taken since 18th December. Though it is/was a very long holiday and home leave, I only managed to do two rides. And both rides were on the same route (but with slightly different final destination / makan place).

After the 25th December ride, Mzac was asking whether I wanted to do another one before going back to Sihanoukville. Honestly, I would have wanted to ride on every weekend, but there were too many things that I had to do.

In fact, I could only do the first ride only after one week of arriving back in Shah Alam. One day after touching down on Sunday 17th December, I drove to Kuala Terengganu and spent two days there – visiting my cousin, Syaiful Nazree at HSNZ whom was admitted after he had a heart attack (@43, a bit too young for this….) Alhamdulillah he is recovering now as I wrote this journal..,

Anyway, one day before today’s ride (i.e. on Friday 6th Jan), Mzac has gotten a list of riders committed to ride to Kuala Pilah for daging salai rendang – as suggested by Man Morini. By midnightm nine riders signed up.

So, some of us met up at RnR Dengkil – the 1st RV point. I was pleasantly surprised to see Nox and Krambit – whom were not on the committed-to-ride list – at this 1st RV/meeting point.

It was raining on Friday. We we not sure if Saturday brings more rain. We hope and pray that it doesn’t. But we made provision to move the RV time by two hours if it rained. Alhamdulillah the sky was brilliant. By the time I arrived at RnR Dengkil, everyone was already there – anxiously waiting for me I supposed.

Nox & Krambit (with his new steed, the Tuono V4)

Immediately after I filled-up the R1, we rode out heading towards Nilai exit, our second RV point. Batt66, Man Morini (our lead for today) and Don will be meeting the group there.

I vaguely remember that the R1 was already filled-up two weeks ago after the ride on 25th Dec. Thus this refuelled only costed RM5 🙂

Except for Wak-MT09 (far right), the others are regulars in SBM (the now-defunct forum). L-R: Zack, Arzeland, me, Sham & Wak-MT09. Chit-chatting on far left background – Nox & Krambit.

Batt66, Man Morini and Don was already at the 2nd RV point when we arrived. Moments later, Azni (Man Morini’s friend arrived, riding a Versys). Apparently two more guys will be joining us today. (Didn’t catch their names – one was riding the Bennelli TNT and the other was on Aprilia Shiver).

It has been a long while since our “hey-days” that we can see such many bikes on a ride…

Mzac constantly updating our Whatsapp group of the ride progress…

I can see the excitement amongst the group – meeting old riding friends. Some of us have not met each other for quite a while – more than four years even.

Batt66 trying out for size Sham’s GSA – he is planning to let go of his K13, and has not decided on what to get next

It was 9.45am sharp, as planned, when we moved out from this RV point. The route? exactly the same as our previous ride – from Nilai headed to Kuala Pilah, non stop.

As we were mounting up and getting ready to ride out, IdrusK arrived – yet another pleasant surprise. He later told me that the main reason he came was to meet up with me – thanks bro! much appreciated. And as we rode out, I saw Faizal’s bike up ahead. Apparently he was waiting for us at some distance ahead from the RV point. Both IdrusK and Faizal joined today’s ride unannounced! So, the final bike count was 16. Grand!

The ride distance was fair. Thus no pit stop were needed. With Man Morini leading the pack, we arrived at our destination, a stall by the main roadside somewhere in Terachi not long after. I did not look at the time but from Google map, it would take us about 45mins via LEKAS Highway to reach this roadside warung from Nilai.

Its a small establishment, oblivious to many. But the foods were marvellous! Assortment of lauk pauk – rendang daging salai, rendang itik, ikan keli goreng and pulut just to name a few. If other bikers were to know about this place, the owner would definitely need to expand.

idrusK went with nasi goreng + rendang daging salai

Faizal & Don giving two-thumbs up for the cheap & delicious durian
NOTE: Faizal brought his family to this same place the next day!

Man Morini did not mention to the group that this gerai also offers durian. I must say, it was a welcomed bonus for us. The price was cheap, @ RM8 per kilo. And the stock just came “dari bukit“- fresh from the trees!

rendang itik with ikan keli double – Zack’s brunch. Superliscious…

the “aerated carbonated” drinks is making a comeback and gaining popularity…

Sham & Batt66 picking the durian to take home…

Pulut with rendang itik…. yummmmyyy…

Batt66 and wifey – each pondering on whether the GSA will be the bike to replace their current K13… hihihihi..

Nox passionately explained to the three “newbies” about the benefits of owning a GSA… 🙂

Nox initially bought 7 durian. All could fit into one box. He later added 6 more. That’s a total of 13 durian! One of the many benefits of riding with the boxes.

L-R: Zack, Wak-MT09, Faizal & me

Its all thumbs up for the food, the chit-chat, the catching-up, and of course the joyful ride.

With a somewhat busy weekends for everyone, this half-day brunch ride is an ideal way of not missing out on getting together with biker friends and at the same time charge-up the bike’s battery 🙂

On the return leg of the ride, we headed back to our respective homes, only to wave at each other at various exits and branch offs.

For me, Mzac and Krambit, we made another stop – to AjiKTM’s shop (would not feel right not to since his shop is along the way to our homes).

Also and more importantly, I will be leaving the R1 at AjiKTM’s shop for a while – until next I get back home (from Sihanoukvile), which will be over a month from now… 🙂