Enjoyable ride today with a mix of main and minor roads. Rode past an interesting shrine to zebras and red fanta. It would be interesting to know history of such a creation.
One section on road had a rubber plantation close on both sides of the road. The branches came together to create the feeling that we were riding through a cathedral.
Check out my ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/845572474/
Today’s ride was up there with the best so far. We started the ride with limestone outcrops on both sides of road.
After about 5kms on the main road we headed down a side road that promised to be shorter and quieter. As the road went it got narrower and rougher, until it ended up more like a rocky walking path. However, it was extremely quiet with only rubber plantation farmers seen along the way it made for a welcome break compared to yesterday.
Once we joined back with the main road we past many signs for caves and waterfalls. The limestone outcrops makes for amazing geological formations, so we visited as many as possible along the way. The caves with rivers running through them were the highlight and also a welcome cool relief.
Check out my ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/844582016/
Unexciting ride along a highway all day. The big advantage was the shoulder was so wide we could ride side by side. Also, the road was in good condition, so we made good time with an average of 20kph.
When we called into a 7eleven to purchase a Thai SIM card the boys were treated like a boy band with all the female workers crooning over them and taking pictures.
Check out my ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/843433488/
Rode back to the ferry terminal in Kuah. The highlight of the day was riding through the rice paddy fields and then finding a nice restaurant in rain forest for morning tea.
After taking the ferry to Thailand, we arrived in the middle of torrential rain. It was raining so hard the windows of the ferry looked like waterfalls. Luckily, the rain mostly subsided while we were unloading the bikes, so we weren’t completely drenched.
Check out my ride on Strava:
https://www.strava.com/activities/842263529/
https://www.strava.com/activities/842751634/
We island hopped to Langkawi yesterday, so started the morning in Kuah. Rode to the south west corner to a town called Kuala Teriang. Compared to other days it was short, but had a few steep climbs. Also, found some quiet tracks, one with a river on one side and rice paddies on the other.
Check out my ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/839994322/
Had another great Warm Showers stay, this time at Adrian’s place Titi Teras Village House. The other cycle touring guests were very welcoming, friendly and informative. Below is Mateo,cyclist from Italy, saying goodbye.
We headed back up the hill we rode down a couple of days earlier with some trepidation. However, riding back didn’t seem as bad. Maybe because we knew what we were in for or because we hadn’t spent six hours climbing ropes beforehand.
After descending from the mountain we called in to a Butterfly Theme Park. It was world class and so much more than butterflies. The below butterfly was enjoying my thick layer of sweat, built up from the riding over the mountain.
Check out my ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/838757970/
We broke the day into two halves. First half was leaving George Town via the northern coastal road. Once we got past the built up area the coastal road was very scenic, winding around the bays. We stopped at an adventure theme park called ‘Escape’, just after turning in land. Thought we would spend a couple of hours to lunch, but had so much fun six hours later thought we better complete the second half of our journey.
The second half was one big hill. It was our first significant climb of the tour. Basically up hill for 8km, then down hill for 7km. An amazing ride through jungle mountain pass that I would recommend to any touring cyclists.
After having 10 very active hours we were all scattered when we arrived at our accommodation.
Check out my ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/836942928/
An easy ride today after the big effort yesterday. Road through rice paddies on the outskirts Butterworth with Penang in the background.
Caught a ferry from Butterworth to George Town. We went on with all the other motor bikes. The charge per bike was 1.40 RM (47c), so for less than $1 the four of us travelled to Penang.
Check out my ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/834590665/
Longest day so far. Started early from Simpang and weaved our way through the suburbs with the mountains as a scenic backdrop.
Another hot day with us taking shelter at a bus stop while so local workers looked on in bemusement. 
The afternoon was hilly and cooler, with the clouds slowly building until they released their rain. This time we took shelter from the rain under a bus stop. 
Robert really came into his own today. After a stern talking to from Julie about only doing the bare minimum, he really pulled his finger out. For the first time today their tandem was the first up hills. Consequently, we have a shot of Patrick and I climbing a hill.
Check out my ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/833723883/
Slow start to the day because of thunderstorm. We waited until it had mostly passed before braving the day. Being a Sunday the roads were quiet and the rains made it cool, so very comfortable riding conditions.
Found a nice place for our last rest break. Julie also found a good way to get a great smile from Patrick.
Check out my ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/832267713/
