TonyBKK;276009 wrote: Hi All!
Group of friends are planning a ride to Malaysia from Thailand at the end of March, beginning of April and we'd love to get some advice on recommended routes and biker friendly places to stay.
We're all on road bikes / sport bikes so we're looking for the best twisty roads and smooth pavement Malaysia has to offer
Cameron Highlands is our primary destination but we've never been there are aren't sure which are the best roads.
We want to do a loop, entering Malaysia from Sadao on Highway E1 and returning to Thailand via Betong- something like this:
Seems like Ipoh might be a good place to stay our first night.
Here's a short loop that looks interesting, but I'm curious to know the condition of these roads-
We'll have three or four days in Malaysia and want to pack in as much riding as we can.
How are the roads north of Gua Musang? D29 and 66 up to Jeli, the 4 west to Gerik:
And are there many/any hotels along the way?
We're very flexible and would be most grateful for any suggestions or advice on best routes and places to stay. While I'm tempted to just "wing it" some of the guys HAVE to be back to work on time, so it would be best if we can figure out a firm itinerary before we leave.
Thanks in advance!
Tony
Hello Tony,
First thing first. Police officers are generally polite to big bikers. BUT do slow down and Q up for your turn at the infrequent police road block. If you guys are wearing helmet, they have no reason to stop you. There are occasional speed trap set up at approx km200-250km mark area (Penag to Taiping). This stretch from border Sadao/Bkt Kayu Hitam, all the way to Ipoh or Berinchang is a straight boring fast hiway. The official speed limit is 110kph. But bikers tend to somehow not see all those 110 signs dotting the NS Hiway.
Route wise, I think you got it pretty much button down.
Do take 10mins detour after crossing the border at the main junction of E1-81. Turn west/right hand to Route 81and depending on your time of day, be rewarded with a vista just at the crest of 81 (not more than 500m from junction). On a clear day, you can prob see all the way to the coast line with an amazing landscape, dotted with distance limestone hills amidst acres of green or yellow sugar cane plantation...
The Twisties are only from Ipoh/Simpang Pulai to Cameron Highlands/Brinchang. This is basically short twisties but fun too. Try going during week days as weekend tendto be crowded with cars & buses from the cities. All scaping the urban heat for the highland cool...There is a Shell station here.
And You MUST tank up at Brinchang (last major town before heading east) to head towards Gua Musang/.
The long sweeps here will guarantee you guys grinning from ear to ear. Gua musang has a few petrol station. Go to the town and its a cowboy town of olde. Go check out the railway station and then you will know why its called Gua Musang ( Fox's Cave)...yes, there is a huge cave just next to the station.
Tank up here too. But there will be smaller petrol stations along the way. Departing here will take you to Route 66 enroute to Jeli. Passing Jeli will take you uphill along the spine of Malaysia. They called it the Titiwangsa range. The highest point here is worth a little rest. Coffee shops here do have refreshment. The air is cool and again, you can be rewarded with greens as far as the eyes can see. Who knows eagles will be soaring above you too.
Watch and pay attention to the Wild Elephant Crossing signs. Along this stretch of East West Hiway, are centuries old ellie crossings. The wild ellies will stop at nothing to cross the road and they get spooked easily. If your group is lucky enough, pls stop a distance away and let them pass first, lest the bull might think you blokes are after his gfriends! HAHAHAHAH!
After another long sweeping mountainous route (grinning again and again), you will reach the junction of Grik and thereafter to Pengkalan Hulu. the road here is a combo of straights and short dangerous twisties with lateral settlement along the way. Kids on bikes are common. Ditton old fella too! All helmetless of course! Last tank up before you enter Thailand again via Betong...
Betong to Yala is an adventure ride. This stretch is mini Mae Hong Song for us Malaysians.This is NOT a dangerous stretch in terms of meeting fanatical extremists all eager to behead you.. AHHAHAH. My scariest mo was a ride with good Old' Gary Schackter, some years ago when we were tailing a long convoy of military vehicles on a mission. We cannot overtake as the road is narrow and there were so many kind of armed vehicles from humvee to ATv armed to the teeth. My personal fear was road side bomb then...
Anyway, we did stop at a few roadside stalls to lengthen the distance between the armed convoy and su...the muslim villagers told us to ride/travel in the day time. No one knows who is in control at nite. An advice we took/take seriously.
If you are keen, get hold of Gary and have my mobile contact. I more or less have biker friends along the whole route you are taking...
BTW, there are plenty of hotels in every town in Malaysia. Those along the shop lots are usually around Rm60-100/nite. We usually park just outside the hotel and they more often than not have 24hr security guard...And if you are into Rm100-200 range, there are plenty of 3 stars for your creature comfort. Forget the massage..they cost a bomb and not as relaxing as LOS...
Good luck and Enjoy.
~ joko~on the GO!!!!!!!!