We been to Kenyir before using the road from east coast. Now that the new link from Gua Musang is 'ready,' we tried get to Kenyir from this link. Simpang Pulai to Gua Musang is already well-known as one of the most exciting motorcycle road in Malaysia. Sadly, part of the road been neglected and as result, potholes and sink-holes are fast appearing as new features. To make matter bad, there are little signs and markers warning road users to keep a look out.  Never less,  the new link from Gua Musang to Kenyir is enticing enough to get everyone excited. It is not everyday we get a new road to ride on. A quick check on Google map shows part of the link is 'missing' from the map. After all, the road is actually still under construction and yet to open to public. The new link would officially cuts through the unspoiled and breath-taking mountainous Titiwangsa Range. This range is 350km long and hosts 7 out of 8 highest peaks above 2100m in Peninsula Malaysia

With the usually very un-reliable weather forecast from Malaysian meteorological, we were told to brace for thunder-showers though out the 3 days ride .  Despite the other me telling me to ignore the forecast and opt for wearing light  jackets and pants, I decided to don the very hot waterproof gear. David Lee aka Mr Cordura came with his missus. It has been years he last rode on any overnight trip with us and I could sense the nervousness in him when he took the corners especially with an equally nervous pillion on board.  The ride to Simpang Pulai was quick and uneventful. We had a quick breakfast stop at the chinese coffeshop before fuelling  to hit the fun part of the ride. The road was partially damp indicating rain on the area earlier. The temperature continued to drop gradually as we slow worked our way up the hill.  As usual, Sam and Chin rode like their tails were on fire. I was in the mid pack trying to secure some distance before stopping to catch some pictures. We eventually stopped for a break just before turn off to Kampung Raja.  The weather was superb and everyone was on a jolly mood. The second part of the ride to Gua Musang took a u-turn when Ben, riding through a closed section of the  road marked for repair,  hit a stone and somehow sending his bike airborne across a 'road island.' Besides road rash, Ben dislocated his left thumb. The bike suffered broken brake lever, foot peg and a few dents ..  As I expected, Ben decided to press on to Gua Musang after Ivan Mohan made a few road side repairs. We continued on to our lunch destination. At Gua Musang, Ben was visibly in pain and decided to make the decision to ride back to KL. Again, he was adamant to  ride back instead of putting his bike on a lorry home.  .

The Gua Musang link (Route 8 to T156) to Kenyir Resort is new road.  The road is technically still un-opened to public. Even part of the road is still unmarked in Googlemap. The  'missing' link actually cuts through oil palm estate  for about 30 odd km.  For once, our mostly clean dual purposes felt at home as the road was pretty much in bad shape. Overloaded trucks laden with palm kernels  basically messed up the road surfaces causing parts of the road infested with massive depressions and potholes.  Some part of the road was even un-tarred leaving bare crushed gravels as the main road layer. Tan riding a ZX636 with a pillion  was  trying very hard to stay straight on the road.  The sports-tuned suspension was not cut to be ridden on the poorly surfaced road.  Meanwhile, I could see Richard was having a hard time too navigating his heavy two-up  R1200RT  through the un-paved stretch. 

The patchy link turned beautiful in a flash.  This part of the route turned out to be one of our favorites in our three-days ride. It has great turns, dips and rises following the contour of the Kenyir Lake.  Imagine extending the short but great stretch along side Semenyir Lake/Dam in Hulu Langat by 40 odd km with practically zero traffic .  One thing we needed to keep in perspective, was that the road was still technically not opened to traffic. Hence we were riding on the road with no motor insurance coverage.  The good part was it was probably the only 'road' in Malaysia with no speed limit as the police cannot issue speeding tickets on un-opened roads. 

I been trying to look out for wild animals especially wild elephants on previous rides through Grik-Jeli highway without much success. For once, I not only spotted one  but two elephants apparently drinking or cooling themselves near a shallow part of Kenyir Lake.  The lake  covers 260 km² and contains 340 small islands, which were actually highlands before they were flooded and more than fourteen superb waterfalls plus numerous rapids and rivers. The lake now form part of the national park with protected animals roaming  freely. So, it would not not take much effort to spot wild animals around the water holes.  We finally arrived Kenyir Lake main jetty area at about 5pm.  The ride been great so far saved for Ben's very unfortunate crash.  Incidentally, Ben riding alone, reached KL much to our relief. We finally called his family to inform them about Ben's unexpected return.  The check-in into Kenyir Resort & Spa was prompt and professional. They even prepared iced green tea and cool towels in anticipation we would be sweaty and thirty. We were. Excellent.

It did not take long before we were taking cool dips at the pool overlooking the lake.   Somehow, we were the only ones enjoying the cool clear pool despite the reservation department reported full house bookings. No crowd and no AH1N1 virus worries.  Guessed a fair few decided not to turn up. 

We had our dinner at the resort as it was too much an inconvenience to venture out for food.  Turned out the buffet spread at RM40 a person was a good deal. Contrary to our previous experience where we only get to order expensive and yet poorly cooked ala-carte items, the buffet spreads were done well befitting a rated resort hotel.  We carried on our dinner well into 1030pm with constant visits to the coffee pot and cakes & pastries section before adjourning to our respective chalets

In  all, we had a pretty eventful day. We had a nice combination of long straight stretches of flat road to hilly roads with lots of nice curves.  

We started the day early as we planned to take a boat cruise. The breakfast served did not disappoint again.  Everyone except Chin joined the boat ride. The boat ride which lasted 45 min  took us around the jetty area.  The boat could use some upgrading as most fittings were old or in dire need of repair or refurbishing. Anyway, the first timers  enjoyed the ride tremendously.  Well worth the one hour spent. So much for trying to sight  the much rated arapaima gigas, the supposedly gigantic two metres long fish that over turned a boat causing a drowning last June .  The local natives claimed some arapaimas were released into the lake some dozen of years ago. If indeed true, the fish would have grown full size given  the vast lake with plenty of room and food to thrive upon . But little known facts about the fish  which the media portrayed them as giant and aggressive , they are quite gentle given their sizes.    

We got ready before noon as the rest of the day would be spent riding casually along the coastal road to Kuantan.  Chin proposed an exit making us riding real north to Kuala Terengganu instead of south to Kuantan.  Chin didn't even realise he had lead us to KT when the lady at the petrol kiosk told us the round-about would lead us to Mydin Mall.. so much for the guy who rode on the Silk Road in Xinjiang earlier this year.

As it was lunch time and coincidentally the holy Ramadan month, finding a food outlet in KT was quite difficult.. we decided to pressed on to Dungun.  Chin managed to direct us to the Chinatown. which we managed to find a Chinese restaurant still serving lunch. As it was past 230pm, we gladly accepted whatever they can cook up. Matter fact, the lady boss did not look pleased when we rolled into her restaurant. As we suspected, we would have eaten into her TV break time. Anyway, we expected simple check from simple meals served but we ended dishing out RM203 for fried noodles, fried rice, stir fried vegetables and one  steam fish. Never less, we got our lunch to continue south bound to Kuantan.  Riding along the coastal road was extremely pleasurable. It was hard to describe riding along the scenic road with South China Sea beach barely metres away.

As I rode on past Kemaman town,  Ivan was at the traffic junction waiving.  Some decided to stop (again) for coffee at Hai Peng which was famous for its white coffee.  As it was already past 5pm , I was more concerned about getting into Swiss Garden Resort and Spa as early as possible to salvage some R&R time at the pool before dinner. To my dismay, the check-in for corporate guests was moved back into the main lobby. Like everyone else, I had to wait for my turn at the counter to get the keys. So much for the complimentary cool drinks served at the old cosy private check-in room . No welcome drinks and a short but very unpleasant tussle with the bell-boys manning the reserved parking bays,  I  was  dead-pissed off at the service rendered.  I was originally assured of two parking bays for the bikes by the sales team but somehow the bell boys claimed they did not get the message and hence refusing us to park at the slots originally reserved. As I was collecting the keys from the reception, David rolled in with Ivan. Somehow, Chin with Sam and Ivan Mohan got their bearings lost again searching for the hotel and were last to check into the hotel.  David, meanwhile got lost searching for his room at 8th floor. There was no 8th floor at the hotel as the highest was 4th. The  long day apparently taken some toll on the guys.  Fortunately, all were restored at the pool.

We made dinner reservation at my usual restaurant at Jalan Alor Akar some 1 km before reaching downtown Kuantan. The place as suspected, was packed to the brim with diners which was not surprising when a big steamed Patin fish only cost RM32. Our dinner with 8 dishes including a plate of large prawns came to RM250. With a big group, it was wise to call up for reservation as big tables accommodating 13 - 14 persons were only a handful. We adjourned back to the hotel's pub to goof off the remaining day. Incidentally, it was Merdeka Day eve and we all celebrated Merdeka shouts with hands holding the beer mugs. The pub even gave out complimentary independence day 'birthday' cakes. David, well-trained up in Saigon's pubs was visibly enjoying every moments giving a preview of what to expect in Saigon in a couple of weeks' time.  Phang, Ivan and myself would be heading up to Saigon to catch up with Andy and David.

The original plan on the  3rd day called for some serious backroads riding. Unfortunately, most did not feel like riding and we chosen the quick route back to KL via the East-West expressway. On the plus side, we had more time at the breakfast table to relax before checking out.  Lunch was decided at the Chinese restaurant before Genting Sempah. The ride from Kuantan was fast and furious  as the road was relatively clear of traffic. We made it to the restaurant at about 2pm and were pleasantly surprised to bump into YS and Gang . 

The highlight, of course, was to ride to Kenyir Lake via Gua Musang. We even catch a glimpse of some wild elephants.  Everyone including 1st timer, Mrs David (Cynthia) had a jolly time riding along some fast stretches and some very bad unmarked roads . .. Again, time to plan for some new rides again