EZ Riders: A Tough Grueling Ride !!!

The Twelve Cyclists

A Good Friday weekend is a good opportunity for another long ride to Sedili Besar. On 29 Mar 13, we managed to gather twelve riders and two support vehicles. The plan was, the ladies will cycle to Sungai Rengit, four guys will ride to Balau and five guys will attempt to ride to Sedili Besar.

The twelve of us took the ferry at changi point to Pengileh Jetty and started our ride to Sungai Rengit. As there was a huge traffic jam at the causeway, our support vehicles did not arrive early as planned.

At Sungai Rengit, the three ladies waited for the support vehicles while the first and second group continued to ride northward. The first group will head to Sedili Besar while the second group targets Balau.

Fortunately, there were some clouds and haze and the weather was not as hot as we had expected.

There were much development slightly after we passed Ramunia. There were heavy trucks and alot of earth works which made certain parts of the road dusty and muddy as the workers sprayed water to clear the earth from the road.

As we moved along, the weather became hotter and hotter. When we reached the Desaru circus, the support vehicle had not arrived and we carried on, with our water running low. Eventually, Tommy's support vehicle, with Karin and Lim, arrived and replenished our liquids.

With our support team - Tommy, Lim and Karin

All smiles when the support arrived

Bananas to replenish our energy

Karin and Lim, hard at work distributing bananas and drinks

With our subsequent climbs and the hot hot weather, the casualty starts. BC had to get into John's support vehicle due to suspected heat exhaustion and did not want to take a chance. As John's car did not have a rack, Boon Hiang took over his bike and rode for about 5km to meet us and Tommy's vehicle at the beach car park. At the car park, we loaded BC's bike onto Tommy's car and the remaining 4 riders proceeded to Sedili besar.

I cannot carry on

Boon Hiang took over and rode BC's bike here

With the two support vehicles

One good shot before the bike goes on the rack

Preparing the rack

Yes, that's my bike on the rack

OK, top up your water and let's go

After lunch at Sedili Jetty, the 4 of us began our journey back to Sungai Rengit. The sun was scorching hot and the road was emitting heat which sapped our energy.

As we began our climbs again, more casualties, as Dennis and Chee Hwee felt that they did not feel very well to push on. In the mean time, Tommy had left to pick up Tham who was suffering from cramps. He decided to send both BC and Tham back to Rengit then come back to support us.

When we found a good shade, Dennis and Chee Hwee decided to wait for Tommy's vehicle. At that point we were about 50 over km away from Rengit and the plan was to have Tommy bring them forward by 30km.

While they waited, the remaining 2 of us rode on. Our intention was to meet Tommy on the way, replenish our water and ask him to pick up the 2 riders waiting for him. We also thought about having Tommy bring us forward after he had transported Dennis and Chee Hwee.

By the time we met Tommy, we had already passed Balau. We topped up our water and after letting them know where to pick up the 2 riders, we continued our ride.

We kept plodding along and did not stop to rest as Jason was feeling the cramps coming on and decided that if we kept going at an easy pace without stopping, he should be able keep the cramps at bay. Once we passed all the slopes and had only 20 km left, we decided to ride all the way back. Tommy finally arrived with the 2 riders shortly and the 4 of us rode the rest of the way back to Rengit.

After 9 hours and 45 minutes, it was pure joy and relieve when we reached our hotel. It was also great to be greeted by the rest of the team. The second group had completed their ride more than 2 hours earlier.

It was definitely the toughest ride we ever had and one that had the most casualties. It was also good that all of us came back safe and sound. In the words of Dennis, "we should know our body and know when to call it quits and live to ride another day."

We have to thank Tommy, John, Karin, Lim and Boon Hiang for their wonderful support. They kept us well hydrated, helped to ferry the casualties and, most importantly, kept us safe.

The day ended on a high note as we celebrated Chee Hwee's birthday at the seafood restaurant.