Day 1 - 5

Day One: Manchester to Singapore

After a 22 hour journey to Singapore we were hardly in any position, willing or not, to assemble our bikes and ride the East Coast Parkway to our hostel. Even our jammy upgrade to business class on our last leg could not persuade us to attempt such a ridiculous move. Besides, we had no map of Singapore and feared getting lost, which on our first day would have been too much to bear. Instead, we forked out for a mini van taxi and arrived at Frankel Hostel in the Bedak district of Singapore (carrying two bikes plus luggage to a third floor room!). Not much more to report from day 1; most the remaining afternoon was spent searching for ATM's and food.

Total kilometres: 12074 (only kidding; 0 miles)


Day Two: Singapore

Cycled to the south coast of Singapore and along the parkway; amazing views to the port, where the repercussions of the global downturn were also evident; literally hundreds of tankers and other vessels empty of cargo. We noticed many tents along the shore. We had heard that camping was allowed on weekends and national holidays but after consulting a passing police officers, we were informed that camping in this area, however beautiful, took a downturn at night with drugs, alcohol, fighting, theft and general unpleasantness. We decided not to pitch up. Bit of sightseeing around Singapore City later in the afternoon and we were whacked.

Total kilometres: 20


Day Three: Singapore to Johor Baruh

Left Frankel Hostel at a very early 7am – we had decided to go for it early as we had experienced the midday sun the day before and it was unbearable. The ride through Singapore was busy, but drivers were polite and courteous. Arrived at Malaysian border around 12pm and bagged ourselves a 3 month tourist visa (free). Our happy situation nosedived after this; got horribly lost in JB, nowhere sold a bloody map and we were given a bible by a Jehovah's Witness. After dining at a street stall, we were given directions by three Chinese fellas to Highway Three which leads to our next destination, Mersing. However, after experiencing JB traffic, with what we can only describe as the M6 doubled, we called it a day about 3 kilometers north of JB's centre. Whilst Lee Lee looked after the bikes, I looked at hostel rooms; the first was unbelievably disgusting (mattress on floor, moudly walls, questionable lighting and air-con) and eventually we had to settle for what I can only describe as a bail hostel and in the middle of the night, we met our first cockroach. Gross.

Kilometers: 53

Total kilometers cycled: 73

Day Four: Johor Baruh to Kota Tinggi

Oh my God................. after experiencing JB traffic yesterday, we decided to take the back roads to the furthest point to Highway Three of our (crappy) JB map. Big mistake. Big. Huge (guess the film). Although prior to the mellee, we enjoyed Kopi Sedak (ice coffee) with some locals, approximately 20 minutes later, we were in hell. After a wrong turn we found ourselves on Highway 17 with no way back and had a nightmare with heavy articulated traffic, precarious crossing of roads, and dogs chasing us. In a state of desperation, we flagged a taxi, who kindly escorted us to the right path, where we headed for the Carrefore shopping complex, and a way back to Highway 3. However, having filled up on supplies, we saw that to to get to Kota Tinggi, we had to cross three lanes of city traffic, travelling about 70mph. No way. After a desolate hour spent in a bus stop considering our options, we decided we had only one; not getting ourselves squished. No highway for us. Next stop the local police station; surely they could help? Wrong. After giving them their giggles for the day, we remained at square one. Next stop, an international hotel, who were much more obliging in supplying us with back road directions to our destination. However, this still led us to Highway 3, but luckily after the monstrous sight from the bus stop, and it soon became a dual carriageway and easier to navigate. However, we spotted a dog on the side of the highway, which following yesterday's experience, brought us to a nervous halt. After a few minutes deliberating at a safe distance, we decided the dog was not moving well and had likely been hit by traffic. We were safe, although it was difficult leaving a stricken animal. However, as Lee Lee says, it's a dog eat dog world. We arrived in Kota Tinggi, knackered and hungry at 7pm.

Kilometers: 81

Total kilometers: 154

Day Five: Kota Tinggi to Mersing

Mr Pumpy said Malaysia was flat. I want to find Mr Pumpy and rip his balls off. Malaysia is not flat, it is full of hills, big rolling buggers with no end in sight. We even get no pleasure out of the downhill bits cos what goes down, must come up. After 72 kilometers, we're done and we hitch a lift to Mersing on the back of a pick up truck. Whilst waiting for this, we're stalked by a wild boar.

Kilometers: 72

Total kilometers: 226