[Trip Report] Solo Bike Trip SIN-KL-PEN-CH-SIN : 3 to 7 Sep 07

[elephant]

SIN-KL-PEN-CH-SIN. 3 - 6/9/2007

 

First time travelling on my bike this far, prior to this the furthest I went was maybe about 20 km into JB via 1st link.

 

 

1st Day (Mon)

SIN - KL

ETD: ~ 0920.

ETA: ~ 1300

 

Managed to find my way to my hotel using 'Mapbook of Malaysia' just like it's title suggests - a very comprehensive map of Malaysia.

 

Accomodation

The Legend Hotel - booked via Wotif.com. RM230 per night

 

Pros: comes with a kitchenette, clean. accessible. has a MSCP. Free parking for Bikes. clean room and friendly knowledgeable staff. Just beside The Mall and PWTC train station. So well connected.

 

Cons: the shower tap came off in my hand!!. Hotel breakfast sucked (not for lack of variety but more abt the taste or lack of). Free Wifi cldnt be accessed sometimes - not sure why.

 

Ride to KL: After paying the requisite toll at 2nd link, I just headed in the direction of the arrow pointing towards KL. not too difficult.

 

2nd Day (Tues)

KL - PEN

ETD: ~ 1000

ETA: ~ 1300 - 1400 (not sure of timing)

 

Also basically followed the sign for Ipoh and then soon enough you will see the signage for Georgetown and a pic of the Penang Bridge. So just follow the signs.

 

Peangites are very helpful. Based on online reviews I was headed for Hotel 1926 along Jalan Burmah -(Reasons why I chose this hotel was its newly opened so shld be clean, and its a boutique hotel - wanted to find out what boutique hotel meant).

 

There is construction on Penang Bridge, I think they are gonna add another lane, so be alert on it.

 

Penang traffic is a headache for 'big' bikes, everyone and his sister is on a kapchai and they zoom all over the place so again be very alert if you plan to ride around.

 

I used Komtar as a navi point but Penang is not the easiest place to get around so I relied a LOT on local folks who guided me.

 

 

Hotel 1926 The heritage hotel. RM80 per night

 

Pros: Clean and functional, new and doesnt look like 'just another international hotel chain', very new and looks new, has a gated spot to park bikes so I felt safe, friendly staff and near to popular penang areas like Komtar, Esplanade and so on. I felt its value for money at 80RM a night (no brekkie) since makan spots are all over the place there. Free WiFi at lobby, worked very well on my P990i

 

Cons:

Although friendly, staff are new and seemed inexperienced, they have a '3 in 1' shampoo, body and face liquid soap dispenser in the toilet. Sounds a bit salah to me.

 

 

 

3rd Day (Wed)

PEN - CH

ETD: ~ 0920

ETA: ~ 1400

 

From Penang, I headed south towards Ipoh and kept an eye for the Simpang Pulai exit and soon enough there were more twisties than you can shake a kit kat at. Watch out for loose gravel and keep your eyes on the road, sometimes it just kept going and going so tiring, but if taking a shot at the corners is your thing, I cldnt recommend going up CH enuf.

 

Right now, there are a lot of europeans holidaying there, its cooling at night otherwise the usual strawberries, tea and stuff.

 

The Cameronian Inn, RM50 per night and RM1 for towel

 

Its at Tanah Rate and within walking distance of the makan and souvenier spots.

clean and functional place, but a bit quiet wen I was there, If you like your stay to be very quiet and not much human contact, this is the place.

 

 

 

4th Day (Thurs)

CH - SIN

ETD: ~ 1030

ETA: ~ 1945

 

Took the Tapar route out of CH, its basically another twisties filled ride down, keep you wits about and you shld do fine. In some of the places the roads are not in the best condition also.

 

MY pee pee needed to pee so I stopped a little way down and now, M'sians will be enjoying Newater (hehehe) . Anyway after the business, lo and behold there was a signage for Lata Iskandar - my Bahasa isnt the worlds best so I dont know what the Lata stands for, anyway there is a waterfall there, quite nice. But nothing to shout home.

 

After that, I just kept my bearings for KL, then JB and then Singapura and now home sweet home.

 

General Opinions:

 

- Drivers on NSHW hardly signal, so be alert

 

- You will know you are gonna hit a toll plaza at least 1km in advance, keep left and look out for the sign for bikes, so you can breeze thru free, I only paid toll at 2nd link and Penang bridge toll, the rest I just breezed thru.

 

- There is a lot of work going on in the NSHW, be alert and slow down when you see the road works sign.

 

- The road conditions on the NSHW are generally excellent, kudos to our neighbours for building a well planned and comprehensive highway system.

 

- The signs are thoughtfully laid out quite a distance away fr. your turn off so no worries on that.

 

- Knowing a bit of conversational Malay goes a long way.

 

- I remember as a small kid, Cameron was a lot cooler, so I hope we dont screw up the environment too much if not we will be the losers.

 

- Our Malaysian bros are very helpful and they were invaluable when I got lost somewhere in any of the places I was at

 

- I have to thank the various tips and advice from this website, esp the bros who I PMed and replied - Thank You!!

 

- Wikitravel is a great site to suss out reviews on the places and hotels.

 

- Only rained in Penang and on coming back otherwise pretty good weather

 

- Average speed: 130 - 140 km/h

 

- Bike: Super 4 Ver S. (didnt encounter any problems except one of the screws holding up my back licence plate came off, luckily I had another screw so that was not a headache at all)

 

- Get plenty of rest at night, During fuel / makan spots, Nescafe coffee in a can was my best friend. I tried livita, gave me a boost for a short while, after that I felt real tired, so wont recommend it.

 

- The urge to pee also helped keep me alert, basically dont be comfortable while riding, so you wont be lulled into a blissful but permanent sleep.

 

- Full faced helmet is very very impt, you will get kamikaze insects splattered on your visor.

 

[wait4me]

yes its great that they are expanding the bridge ..

[SBR750]

well done...

[elephant]

thks, it was quite empowering actually.

 

next I hope to make a trip to thailand....

 

ride safe

[ahben82]

wow bro cool man.

[Erotomania]

great adventure for another S4 biker.

[GuiNNeSS]

penang is easy to get around there r mainly onli 3 major rds leadin to other

parts of prnang frm komtar juz get lost a few times n u will get used

to the roads liao

[elephant]

Yeap well said koma,

 

I mainly used komtar which is a tall building... as a landmark to navigate around.

 

I got lost the first time... after that it wasnt too difficult

 

ride safe everyone

[sabbaha]

Well Done..2 thumbs up for ya! Another hardcore.....

[YZFx]

keep the touring spirit high!!!!!!

[THE BEAST]

nice...

[pktan]

General Opinions:

 

- The road conditions on the NSHW are generally excellent, kudos to our neighbours for building a well planned and comprehensive highway system.

 

 

Bro, just off topic abit.

 

The Tax Payer and the Car Drivers pay tons of toll money you know.

[elephant]

Bro, just off topic abit.

 

The Tax Payer and the Car Drivers pay tons of toll money you know.

 

Yes and your points is?

 

sorry dude... not sure what you are saying there

 

money has to come from somewhere to pay for the upkeep..

 

safe riding everyone