West Malaysia loop ride

This is the second year that I have joined the West Malaysia Loop Ride, and i still wonder; why is it called a “west” malaysia ride when we actually travel all around Malaysia?

I was quite in awe of the first ride last year as it opened my eyes to quite a number of things. This year’s ride reinforced those thoughts.

I have to say that the WMLR (now in its 4th year), is not your typical touring ride. It is completely different from other touring trips whereby the NSHW is used to blast all the way at 200km/h to a destination.

That being said, I think its necessary to tell everyone what WMLR is, and isn’t.

WMLR is not a NSHW ride: Sure we might use the highway to link up to certain destinations on some days, but we try not to use it as much as possible unless necessary to make up for time or to shorten the distances within locations. The reason is simple: travelling in straight lines are boring, and this is not meant to be a straight line trip.

WMLR is more of a trunk road ride: That being said, the bulk of the travelling is done on obscure trunk roads cutting through countrysides, hills, mountains, lakes, and kampungs. This is the face of the real malaysia. We explore new, lesser known locations in the spirit of adventure.

Video: Shows a typical ride through a trunk road

WMLR is a dangerous ride: Danger is relative. One man’s reckless riding might be another’s skilful riding. In the trunk roads we ride on 2 laned roads most of the time and have to overtake a variety of slow moving cars and cargo trucks on a regular basis into oncoming traffic. We also have to stop along the side of the road for a variety of reasons such as changing into rain gear or taking photos.

We also face road conditions such as muddy, sandy, potholed, unfinished or a combination of all.

Sharp bends or long sweeping corners are also a mainstay of the routes we take. A certain amount of skill is needed to navigate through such bends at reasonable speeds.

WMLR does not have 5 star hotel stays and Michelin star restaurant makan: In this 4th installment of the ride, we stayed at guesthouses most of the time. Resorts and hotels are usually avoided to keep costs down and in the spirit of adventure. (Don’t worry, the organizer’s minimum requirement is hot running water and air conditioned rooms, so we are allowed a minimum standard in terms of creature comforts…. hahaha).

As far as food is concerned, we just eat whatever we find by the roadside. Be it coffeshops, roadside stalls or the occasional restaurant. Weak tummies beware! Bring more po chai and drink more water.

WMLR is not a slow ride: Again, speed is relative. We travel at speeds ranging from 50-110km/h. Average hovering about 80. It could feel rushed if one is not used to cornering at high speeds and overtaking trunk road traffic.

WMLR will push you and your bike to new limits: More so in terms of handling the bike through uneven terrain, bends, corners and in mountainous terrain. It demands certain amount of agility in handling the bike, accelerating to overtake heavy vehicles, maintaining traction through poorly maintained roads (and the occasional off road), and going through the ubiquitous corners. The weather will be perpetually be hot and humid, as we ride through the tropical climate. If its not blazingly hot, it would be very humid. Paul joked that to join the ride one must have a certain IPPT requirement.

Last but not least…

WMLR is about the spirit of adventure and riding with buddies