So I'm trying to plan a ride for my wife and I next February, and on the hunt for gpx / RWGPS / Strava routes or local knowledge re: the best / safest roads.
Right now tentatively we'd head up the west coast through Bahu Pahat & Malacca, then after a couple days in KL take a bus back to Singapore (where our luggage would be waiting.)
My wife is new to touring but she's Indonesian and familiar with the area. Trying to give her the best possible "intro to touring" experience.
Here's my first stab at the route…
by deepwat3r
1 Comment
I’ve ridden SG to KL but not the inland way you’ve plotted. However I have some notes that may be useful:
1. You might better follow the coast more closely just before and just after Muar. It looks like you haven’t chosen the smaller “kampung” roads there.
2. When you go to the bridge from SG, look for the motorcycle lane. But you cannot enter it from the aerial motorway dedicated to motorbikes…you must instead ride as near as you can to the checkpoint entrance on the surface streets and then move to the motorcycle lane. Last time I did it (a few years ago) this required a slight hopping of one curb because you’re basically pretending to be a car and then becoming a motorbike.
3. Going from SG to MY was much faster than the reverse, last I did it. That’s good for you, but still you should make sure you arrive at the checkpoint area with full water bottles and empty bladders in case you need to wait.
4. As soon as you exit the MY side checkpoint it is easy to get sucked into the motorway entrance because that it where most cars go. Make sure you don’t do that. I don’t have more specific advice, but I’d double check Google Maps and also Strava or whatever cycling maps to make sure you know how to go there. The first turn or two are critical.
5. I always rode up the coast via Pontian. But there is one very busy bridge if you head that way so I think your inland route may have potential to pay off if you check each segment of it carefully to make sure you choose smaller roads.
6. Bintan would be a good starter/shakedown tour before going to KL, if you can make the time. Take the ferry, stay 2 or 3 nights, ferry back. It is less hectic.
7. Most MY buses to SG will take bikes underneath in the cargo compartment if you ask nicely and maybe pay a few Ringgit extra. But the fanciest buses will not usually take bikes.