Folding Bikes - Paddy field endurance adventure..

Hey folks! Firstly, Greetings from Malaysia..:love:

Its nearing the Chinese Lunar New Year. Michelle and I are training with our Dahon Speed P8 and TR for a light touring ride in Southern Thailand in the Yala province this weekend. So, to get ourselves in shape, we had organised an 87km endurance ride along three rice-growing districts in our home state covering Tg Karang, Sekinchan and Sungai Besar. The heat and heavy rain did not deter us in completing our ride which took nearly 5hours 30minutes.

Here are some highlights of our trip in pictures. Enjoy!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3853.jpg

Its an early affair and the weather was rather foul as it started raining..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3856.jpg

There were nine cyclists in the endurance ride.. Here, two girls were setting up their folding bicycles...

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3857.jpg

Our friend brought his family and seen here is the daughter and his Dahon Mu P8 bicycle..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3870.jpg

Michelle (right) sharing a moment with a fellow rider

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3871.jpg

One of our friends and her foldie..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3878.jpg

Riding along a village road which is free from heavy traffic...

Sam

More pix..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3880.jpg

We made a halt as two riders had dropped out due to mechanical problems on their bicycles.. Here, a village boy observes with curiosity..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3882.jpg

The size of our group shrank from nine to seven riders..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3885.jpg

Checking satellite map on our next pullover..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3887.jpg

We were fortunate to have the participation of Uncle TT Siang - a veteran touring rider with plenty of experience on the locality..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3888.jpg

Resting befor we hit the road again..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3890.jpg

The cloudy day made it a breeze for us during the first 15km of the journey..

Sam

More pix..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3892.jpg

After riding for about 10km, we reached our first checkpoint - Sekinchan A village - one of the largest rice growing area in Selangor..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3896.jpg

The road conditions here are pretty rough..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3902.jpg

Bicycles are common transportation mode in the paddy fields..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3904.jpg

Riding through gravel and dirt roads was a test of the bicycle's sturdiness and reliability..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3906.jpg

Michelle leading the pack with her Dahon Speed TR

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3911.jpg

Our first rest area was within sight..

Sam

More pix..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3913.jpg

This is one of the most beautiful Chinese temples in the area..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3918.jpg

The riders taking a break and inspecting their bicycles..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3921.jpg

Breakfast time!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3926.jpg

Me, wearing a Dahon Pango Folding bicycle helmet..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3927.jpg

With my trusted Dahon Speed P8 folding bicycle..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3928.jpg

One of the cyclist with her support vehicle in the background..

Sam

More pix..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3930.jpg

By mid-day, the weather was beginning to show its ugly face..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3932.jpg

Another cyclist had dropped out due to leg cramps..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3936.jpg

We rallied everyone for a head count

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3939.jpg

The group at rest..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3940.jpg

A canal used for irrigation..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3946.jpg

The Samos and their Dahon Speed TR and P8

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3957.jpg

A combined harvester machine at work on the paddy fields..

Sam

More pix..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3958.jpg

It took nearly two and a-half hours to reach our destination and the bikes are seen parked as we took our lunch break..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3973.jpg

Our five-course meal..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3969.jpg

The riders feasting to a hearty meal..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3968.jpg

There's 'Kung-po' squid...

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3971.jpg

Deep fried mantis shrimps with butter sauce..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3975.jpg

Steamed snapper..

Sam

Last set of pix..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3976.jpg

From the town centre of Sungai Besar, our last destination, we toured a fishing village in the area...

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3979.jpg

A fishing boat heading to berth at the jetty with its fresh haul..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3982.jpg

Making some final adjustsments before the long ride back to where we started..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3985.jpg

We caught in heavy rain - five more riders have dropped out leaving the remaining cyclists to complete the ride..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3988.jpg

After an exhausting ride in the rain, we stopped for a warm cup of tea..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3990.jpg

Our bikes were put to test and passed with flying colours!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3992.jpg

It was a wet, wet day..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b153/sam_c_97/Tg%20Karang%20-%20Sg%20Besar/IMG_3995.jpg

Not bad for a day's ride.. Shy of 100km..

Sam

Congratulations on your achievement. The pictures are awesome.

I am V E R Y interested in learning more about the Brompton-isnpired white bike that you friend is riding, and also on the white nylon wheels. Any info on those?

Thank you.

It seems to be a Flamingo, with V Brakes and a Front Derailleur. Is that correct?

Hahahha!!! Yes, that's a Frompton - Taiwanese copy called 'Flamingo'.. :p

Well, thanks for your kind words buddy!

Sam

Great photos and story, thanks for sharing them! I'm craving kung-po squid now, it looks so spicy and wonderful!

Wah, sedap!

Hahah! Thank you guys!

Sam :)

as always. great pictures. you always document your rides so well.

Beautiful pics...I wish I could get out on the bike but we are in the midst of an ice storm here in NJ!!! Spring can't be too far away, can it!?! :(

great trip and great pics.... want to fold my Hasa and jump on Air Asia to follow your trail... :) , do you any other trip planned in the near future ?

great trip and great pics.... want to fold my Hasa and jump on Air Asia to follow your trail... :) , do you any other trip planned in the near future ?

Well Bapak Jogya, we have trips every other month.. hahah!

Sam