As we set off for our last full days cycling in Malaysia, we looked up and there was no blue, just these grey / white things called clouds. Our first overcast day in a long while.
We liked this sign
We carried our bicycles down a flight of stairs loaded them up and started by 9:30 am. Our bicycles have been carried up a few flights of stairs recently.
The short day of 33 kilometres retraced some of yesterday out of Pontian along the main road but we soon turned off onto our favourite small side roads. Along one of these a scooter rider stopped for a chat, his local mosque was just down the road so we followed him there where we sat in the shade drinking cool tea talking about lots of things. He was called Ideal and worked in IT.
Mmmm which way? Dirt track or small dirt track?
Trying to look as though we know what we are doing, Ideal and Martin
Even though Pontain is only 26 kilometres from Benut by main road, we chose a route of 40 kilometres in an attempt to avoid traffic. It worked, most of the day we followed small side roads and enjoyed the whole journey, yes there was still a little main road riding but only short stretches.
Burning the undergrowth
We could not get into the homestay until 3:00 pm today, so once we had checked out it was time for some bicycle maintenance. Janet’s needed the axle plate tightening, this is a result of a long term problem with the Rohloff hub which will be going back to Germany when we get back home. Mine was just a repair to the saddle, it has actually worn out.
A scene from today
Another gentle start today as we are in no rush. To begin we followed a couple of main roads, past what seemed like dozens of huge shopping malls (probably only two).
Bridges over a roadside ditch (which go to houses)
Today was a reasonable days cycling, certainly the first 35 kilometres was along almost traffic free roads and tracks, but then we rejoined the main road for 25 kilometres more, this was not so nice but still OK.
Lovely cycling even some shade
Due to the comfortableness! of the bed (King Koil Mattress for reference) we had to prise ourselves out of it this morning. Once up we walked over the road for our breakfast then finished packing (taking around 30 seconds) to start out for 9:30.
A nice view out to sea
After a luxurious night of sleep, the bed here is the most comfortable we have slept in for a long time, it was breakfast time. Our breakfasts are included in the price here, they were served over the road in their other property, it was a nice “american” style cereal, toast, jam, tea, coffee, etc.
The old and the modern
As it was only had a short day today we tried to delay our start but still managed to leave by half nine, not very good at stopping in bed.
We continued along the small beach road, no traffic and lovely sea views this continued for a while until there was an army checkpoint, we now know the route planner cannot distinguish between a public road and one through the middle of an Army Base!
Cue the cat photograph, feeling very pleased with itself
Another restful nights sleep and we were good to start today’s cycling. What an excellent day it turned out to be.
The first part followed the main road, it was a good surface with a good shoulder and almost no traffic, win win. As an extra bonus much of it was next to the sea with some nice beaches.
Large sandy beaches
Cycle Travellers 