West Malaysia loop ride

I woke up early this morning — 5am again. After a rough night in what can only be described as the homestay from hell, I decided to start my day with a shower. There was hot water — one small mercy — but the room and the house itself were still as awful as the day before.

There wasn’t anywhere comfortable to sit or write, but I still wanted to collect my thoughts, so I just spent some time outside, enjoying the cool air and reflecting. For a moment, I thought I heard rain on the roof — but it turned out to be something else. No rain. Not yet.

Soon, everyone was up and ready. Danny had joined us the night before, so today we were riding as a group of four. I decided to ride tail-end, giving me the freedom to take it slow, snap some photos if I could, and simply enjoy the road without the responsibility of navigation.

Steam Bread and Beef Noodles

Breakfast was just around the corner from where we’d explored the night before. While the others were ordering, I stepped out to take some photos. When I came back in, there was steamed bread with kaya and butter and a hot kopi-o-kosong already waiting for me.

The bread was soft, fluffy, and fragrant — a refreshing change from the usual toast.

The shop itself was old-school — one of those no-frills Malaysian coffee shops with just a noodle stall and a drink station.

Tony and Danny had pork noodles.

Alex and I went for beef noodles.

All of it was simple and super satisfying.

On the way out, I noticed a bright red fire engine parked nearby and took a few photos before we headed out for the day’s ride.

Into the Trunk Roads

Our destination today: Malacca.

We decided to avoid the expressway as much as possible, opting for the scenic trunk roads. We started off with a short stint on the highway, but once we peeled off — that’s when the ride really began.

There’s just something about trunk roads.

They’re cooler, thanks to the shade.

They’re more dynamic, with curves and elevation.

They feel more… alive.

Tony and I had around 100km of range left. Alex had just topped up the night before. We figured we’d find a petrol station along the way — but since we were off the expressway, it wouldn’t be guaranteed. I left it to Tony to sort out while I focused on the road ahead.

The Sunday Stretch

It being a Sunday morning, the roads were relatively empty for a good stretch.

There was a real sense of freedom — just us, the road, and the landscapes rolling past.

Eventually, traffic did pick up — at one point, we were stuck behind a convoy of about 10 cars and trucks. But the road opened up again, and I remember one uphill stretch with two lanes, where the corners were so wonderfully fun to ride.

Being at the back of the pack, I had no one to chase and no one to hold up.

I just rode. Slow, easy, and content.

Running Low

As we continued, I watched my fuel range tick down — from 100km to about 30km.

Then, we took a turn onto a road not marked in our GPS. I figured Tony was taking us toward a petrol station. And I was right.

We pulled into the first one, but it only offered RON 95 — which we couldn’t use on our foreign-registered bikes. So we rode a little further down the road and found another station that had RON 97.

While we were there, we saw a banana stall. Danny pointed out that earlier, a monkey had snatched some bananas from the stall. It was a funny mental image — and one of those quirky little moments that makes these trips memorable.

Navigation Crossed Wires

Back on the road, I saw Tony calling me mid-ride.

That’s always a strange feeling.

When I picked up, he said, “You guys overshot the turn!”

I hadn’t seen any turn in my nav app, and neither had Danny. But apparently, Tony and Alex had made a left that we missed. I raced up to catch Danny and led him to a nearby petrol station where we could wait.

After about 10–15 minutes, Tony and Alex arrived.

It turned out our navigation systems were showing slightly different routes, causing confusion. Still, we regrouped — and off we went again.

Rain, Rain… and More Rain

As we got closer to Malacca, the skies darkened, and the rain came.

Heavy. Unrelenting.

Tony pulled over, thinking I needed to pack away my camera (which I’d already done earlier at a traffic light). No one put on rain gear yet — we decided to press on.

Three minutes later, the rain intensified even more, and Tony led the group into a row of shophouses for shelter.

Unfortunately, Danny didn’t see us turn in — and just like that, we were split again.

A Rainy Reconnection

The rain was too heavy to backtrack, so we decided to stop separately and wait it out.

After about 20 minutes, the rain lightened — not stopped, but lightened enough.

We pushed on, and soon we reunited with Danny at a Petronas station.

The Airbnb Saves the Day

We debated what to do — wait out the rain, or push ahead and see if the Airbnb might let us check in early.

I made the call, and after a short delay, they confirmed the place was ready and we could check in anytime.

That was all the encouragement we needed.

When we arrived and saw the house, it felt like a weight lifted.

Now This Is a Homestay

Talk about contrast.

After last night’s disaster, this Airbnb was exactly what we needed.

A proper terrace house with parking for the bikes.

Clean, spacious, working air-con, no mould, no grime, no nonsense.

Everything just worked.

We took showers (yes, again, even after the rain), laid out our riding clothes to dry, and then headed into the city.

Coffee, Croissants, and Conversations

Our first stop was Calanthe Art Café, known for its 13 states coffee.

We had laksa, satay, samosas, fried squid sticks — and great coffee.

It was the perfect way to warm up and unwind.

We stayed there for what feels like more than an hour, chatting, relaxing, and I was working on the blog from the day before.

After that, we went looking for what we jokingly called “ang moh coffee.”

I knew just the place — French Brown — and led the group there.

French Brown Vibes

At French Brown, we ordered a round of espresso drinks — cappuccino, flat white, black — and Danny threw in truffle fries for good measure.

Then we got tempted by the croissants, which the café is known for. Danny hesitated, but I told him, “Just go order it. You won’t regret it.”

We talked about life, food, and plans.

At one point, I said, “You guys should come over for curry in May.”

And just like that — we had a future gathering planned.

Exploring Malacca on Foot

We walked through Jonker Street, taking in the historic architecture, colourful storefronts, and a mix of old and new that defines Malacca.

Tourists were everywhere — local and international — and the streets were alive.

At one point, I saw a man selling nasi lemak, rendang, and Malay cakes out of a motorcycle box.

Beautifully enterprising — and I was tempted to buy some.

We also walked past stalls renting out sarong kebayas, traditional outfits for tourists to wear while exploring the heritage zones.

It was kitschy, but charming.

Dinner and Card Games

Later, we headed to a Hakka restaurant for dinner. On the way, Danny pointed out places he’d been to — naan and butter chicken here, curry fish head there. It was like a personal food tour.

Dinner was great. Simple, comforting, and satisfying.

Back at the homestay, we decided to play cards — a game of Chua Tai Dee.

Some of us had forgotten the rules, so there was relearning, laughter, and lots of fun.

Eventually, it was time for Dinner Round Two — naan and butter chicken, of course.

Back at the house, Danny showered, geared up, and rode off into the night, heading home for work the next day.

“There’s only so much one can experience before the heart feels full. This journey has been just the right length.”

Full Hearts, Warm Cups, and the Night Before the Last

Today has been a really good day.

The riding was enjoyable, the roads were kind, and the weather — mostly — held up.

Riding at the back gave me a new kind of freedom. I didn’t feel the need to rush. I didn’t feel the need to check on anyone.

I just… rode. And it was good.

Having Danny with us today added something new.

Familiar and unfamiliar at once — but warm, natural, easy.

And now, with tomorrow being our last day, I find myself full.

Not longing for more.

Just grateful.

This journey has been exactly what I needed — a balance of solitude and connection, of road and rest, of reflection and friendship.

I can’t wait for Day 6 — and I can’t wait to go home.

Oh — and yes, we now have a catchphrase for WMLR 2025:

“Wait till you’re my age.”

(Courtesy of Alex.)

Where it came from?

We’ll leave that story for another time.