RINR Round Island Night Ride (Full Moon)

View 1st RINR(Round Island Night Ride) 28 Feb 2010  organised by Nightrider and Stingray

This trail begins from Island Plaza as the first meeting point at 2015hrs.  From here we will head to Bayan Baru Kah Kean bicycle shop via Bagan Jermal - Jalan Utama - Scotland Road - Jalan Yeap Chor Ee - Jalan Bukit Jambul and then cut in from PISA to Sunshine Square. 

Meeting point at Kah Kean at 2130hrs, we will join another group of cyclists.  The peloton will then head out from Bayan Baru via Sg Ara and join up with the main road leading to the base of Teluk Kumbar traffic lights.  The journey there will be greeted by bystanders and other motorists who will cheer us on as the sheer size of the group will really turn heads.  More glamour than the Mat Rempits on their noisy motorbikes! 

With our blinkers on and bright lights attached to our bikes, it feels like a float procession during Chingay.

Riding at night requires a different set of skills... that is defensive riding.  Other road users i.e motorcycles, cars, busses, trucks will not be able to see us clearly so it would be wise to ride in the main group when on main roads.

Heading up Balik Pulau hill from Teluk Kumbar is quite challenging as there are no street lamps.  We have to totally rely on our fitted lights to see where we are going.  At this juncture, riders fitted with big bright front lights will have an advantage as their confidence will be better.  I was on a road bike the previous trip and my 2 units of Cat Eye 3LED Opticube fitted on my bike just couldn't light up the road bright enough for me.  I was tailing other bikes with bigger LED lights.  Thanks to stingray, I was tailing his backside almost all the way up that hill.

Coming down Balik Pulau hill will also pose chllenges to bikers as there is construction going on and some bends can be sandy.  Ride with care there. 

Then comes the best part of the ride.  The straight road from Pondok Upeh to Sg Rusa.  Perfectly tarred road stretching for more than 5kms.  This road is almost deserted at night and it makes riding exceptionally fun and relaxing.  The coolness of the night also adds to the atmosphere. 

Passing Sg Rusa, we head towards Pantai Acheh turn off and head up the Titi Kerawang hill towards 800m Tropical Fruit Farm sign.  This is where the real test for riders will come in as the stretch can be steep and dark.  The adrenalin rush you can get from riding in the dark with the far apart occasional lamp post can be fun.  This is where you push your stamina and strength as the feeling of "I Don't Want To Be Left Behind" will come in.  Just look in front of your bike and kayuh all you can to get to the top. 

Reaching the peak will be one of the most satisfying thing you will do.  We will stop for a short break to regroup and then head down to Teluk Bahang.  The time during the last ride was at 0030hrs.  Cool breeze coming from the jungle will be a reward for the group.  Coming down the hill is quite safe as any oncoming vehicles will be identified from far away because of their headlights. 

The group will then regroup at the Teluk Bahang mamak shop for a quick refill then head back to Tg. Bunga via Batu Feringgi.  This road can be a bit intimidating as the traffic is back with cars and busses plying this route.  Care and defensive riding skill must be applied again. Ride ended for me at 0130 at Tg Bunga market.  The rest of the riders will head off to Island Plaza and Bayan Baru respectively.

I would recommend any rider out there who has been round island before and can be self sufficient to join this ride as it would be a very different feel riding at night with the cool night breeze.  However, the element of darkness is still there so I would advise for really bright front lights, back blinkers, a flourescent vest with reflectors and of course a mandatory helmet will come in handy during this ride.

I would rate it at 4.5 if there is a half rating due to the lighting.

2nd RINR Saturday 27th March 2010

3rd RINR Saturday 29th May 2010   more photos..