Bentong- Cameron Higlands-Ipoh : Christmas day 2011

MERRY X'MAS!! 
I'd always dreamed of private jetting to Paris for lunch and perhaps Rome for dinner within a day. Errr....living the lifestyle of the rich & famous...haven't you thought of it before? Com'on..be honest! You did, didn't you? Well, too much influence from reading too many romantic novels in school and perhaps a super overdose of western movies. But this Christmas, I did just that!! I dined at 4 different venues in 600kms of solid riding in what I would call almost a perfect riding day except for a short spell of rain towards the 3rd leg of our journey.

The early birds -(from left Sam, Alex & Rocker57)

The group meeting point

Group gathering at NKVE. We embarked on our first leg to Bentong for brekkie at 7.42am. By 8.14am, we arrived at Restoran Big House for our breakfast. Each ordered & paid for their own meals, mine was paid for :)   Today, I decided to be a free loader and let Rocker57 pay for all the meals!

Ready to Vrroooom!!

Riders were Alex, Sam, Vincent & son, Tong, A Peng, A Yat and Jim. An enthusiastic rider, Jim joined for breakfast and then he had to rushed back to KL for Xmas shopping with his girlfriend. Now, that's PASSION to ride in huge capital lettering!! Jim, you are truly a die-hard rider, undeniable! And yes, a pleasure to meet your acquaintance.
Vrooom, Vrooom and we are ready to ride to Cameron Highlands via Raub, Sg Koyan, Ringlet, Tanah Rata. It was a ride that Rocker57 and I took during the recent Hari Raya holidays on our return trip. It was scenic & a truly cool ride. All the riders enjoyed the ride as the road conditions were good and the view, breath-taking! Oh, I almost forgot. Eric & his young son, joined us at Raub.

Brekkie at Big House.

Complimentary snapshots from Sam for the ride from Sg Koyan to Camerons (below)

enroute to Ringlet.

Glorious sky, beautiful winding roads

Happy riders!!

 

 

 

Regrouping at Ringlet (lone riders started to trickle in & regroup 5 mins before noon!) The ride from Sg Koyan to Ringlet was long, winding and perfect for bikers to enjoy their "Rossi's twists & bends" and "Lorenzo sprints". What saddened me was I saw several deforestation, hopefully it is for vegetation expansion and not illegal logging! 
I simply loved the greenery and fresh air. But alas, as we left Ringlet, we were caught in the frenzy of vacationers! Although, I think the vegetables, flowers and strawberries welcomed the carbon monoxide, the homo-sapiens are choked with the excess of it! Phew...all I could breathe in was burnt tyres and fumes from the exhaust! Lucky we decided to eat in Tanah Rata. The ride from Tanah Rata to Brinchang was arduous and horrendous as the bikers had to weave and maneuver carefully alongside hundreds of vehicles lined along both sides of the single lane roads in Cameron Highlands.

Delighted bikers waiting to dig in - Lunchtime!!

Regrouping at Ringlet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eric left on a different route while the rest trekked their way down to Ipoh via Simpang Pulai exit. A Yat and A Peng was no where to be seen...their Lorenzo sprints turned out to be a marathon between them both to Klang!! Vincent & son also left the group after refueling at the petrol kiosk near Simpang Pulai. They rejoined Eric & son at Sungkai (to soak in the hot springs) while the remaining bikers Tong, Alex, Sam and us turned into Ipoh to savour some coffee and bread on toast. A short break, and off we go again...on the road H.O.M.E!!! We rode together until Ulu Bernam R&R. Then, each went on their separate ways & individual speed. VROOOOoooOOOM.... 

After the drizzle - welcome sunshine!

 

 

By 6.15pm, we arrived home. After a good ride & a long journey, Rocker57 and I ended a great Christmas ride with Japanese cuisine after unpacking & a quick shower. We were famished! Its hardwork for both rider and pillion, you know. I know, because I was there. So, when will you be joining us?