The 27kms to the border were meant to be easy along bike paths (connecctors) and very few roads. As it turned out, there was a lot of roadwork around these connectors, so komoot’s directions via my GPS were confusing. Result was about 10 wrong turns, and when I added this to my late start, I was hungry and getting warm before the Woodlands Checkpoint. I did stop for a late breakfast at Woodlands, and then headed towards the causeway.
Luckily, I’d read a blog post (with pictures) from a guy who had gone this way recently. I still ended up taking the wrong path and then had to lower my bike about a metre and a half to the motorbiike lane, scramble on and get going before I held too many people up.
It all went like clockwork, including the Malaysian customs guy not believing that someone would ride a loaded bike through here. It went like this – you’re riding a bicycle with these bags on it, through Malaysia ? Why ? Where ? … repeat, repeat. He shook his head and let me through. Friendly guy.So, I was in Malaysia.
Ok, now to get some money and a phone card and go to the first town on my list. Money was easy, but I realised I was totally unprepared for this big country. No language, no idea of the exchange rate, and worse, I hadn’t checked the route in detail. Turns out that it went along a few suburban streets leaving Johor Bahru and then took major roads all the way – yuk. Silly me tried to improvise. At one point, I found myself surrounded my freeways. I shouldn’t have worried though, as the drivers here are really accomodating, even on freeways. They’re used to lots of motor bikes, as one of my friends had pointed out.I stopped for lunch at a local place, got off the bike and the heavens opened for 10 minutes. Welcome to Asia.
The people there were great – laughing at my good timing and wishing me luck when I left. I’d booked a room in the only place at Ulu Tiram, got there, confirmed that I could take the bike into my room, paid the money and when wheeling the bike in, they changed their minds and told me to park it on the street overnight. No way ! I got my money back , and for a split second, I felt good.
Then realised I needed a phone card to even find a hotel, let alone book one, and get to Kota Tinggi which was the next town.And this is what I absolutely LOVE about cycletouring. Major issue, it’s stinking hot, I’ve just done 60 difficult kms in my first decent ride in a month, in a new country, and now I need to find a sim card, some accomodation, and navigate there in the hottest part of the day. I wasn’t worried, because it always works out. Always. It’s a matter of getting things done. First world problems eh ?
I got a sim card from over the road, booked a place on booking.com, plugged the address into komoot and loaded up the GPS. Another 23kms to Kota Tinggi, checked into the hotel. Stored the bike safely away, showered, cranked up the aircon and relaxed. Day one was over.Later, I wandered around town, had some Roti Canai and got some snacks for the next day. I was starting to feel like I was back in the routine. Ahhhhhh.