The R@SKLs Like Penang – Day 1

A well-earned reputation for great food, and a very good annual cycling event, make Penang an attractive destination in August each year.

The R@SKLs started planning the trip to this year’s Campaign for a Lane (CFAL), at the end of May.  First a WhatsApp chat group for interested R@SKLs was created.  By early June sixteen of us had registered for the event (thank you Simon), and we had booked accommodation at the Tien Hotel-Residence (thank you TH).

By July flight reservations had been made, and a van to transport bicycles had been booked.  We had also ordered a new jersey, to be debuted at CFAL.

Photograph courtesy of CK Lim

By early August a cycling itinerary for Saturday had been agreed, and a dinner venue for that evening had been confirmed.  The R@SKLs were set for another Penang adventure.

The action started last Friday Friday morning, when fifteen bikes and assorted bags were loaded into the van for the trip to Penang.

The day had started even earlier for Leslie and Lay, who together with their friend Philip, were cycling from Kuala Lumpur to Penang.

Photograph courtesy of Leslie Tong

The next to start their travels were probably Ralf, Voon Keat and Aaron.  They flew to Penang from Hong Kong.

Photograph courtesy of Lai Voon Keat

Three colourful bike cases, and their owners, got to Penang around midday.

Most likely starting their travels at about the same time as the Hong Kong trio were Martin and CC, who drove to Penang.  This is Martin and his son, and of course a bike, just about to start the drive.

Photograph courtesy of Martin Lee

Danial and CK drove as well, but they weren’t leaving until Saturday.

The rest of the R@SKLs had to get to the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang for evening fights.  Which proved more difficult than anticipated for some.  Rain made the Friday evening crawl even worse than usual.

Photograph courtesy of Hsing C Pai

Luanne made it to the airport just in time for her flight.

Tomoe did not.  Nevertheless, she was determined to ride with us on Saturday morning, so she caught the midnight bus to Penang.

Photograph courtesy of Tomoe Suga

Meanwhile, the early arrivals wasted no time getting stuck into the famous Penang food.

Photograph courtesy of Hsing C Pai

Photograph courtesy of Martin Lee

Photograph courtesy of Hsing C Pai

And a bottle or two.

Photograph courtesy of Simon Soo Hu

Thomas, Zulfa and I were on a much-delayed flight, so we were the last to arrive.  The Tien Hotel was a welcome sight at midnight.

As was the newly-opened Residence, which was home to twelve R@SKLs, including Thomas.

Photograph courtesy of Tomoe Suga

Some stayed up late for a last glass of wine.  Most called it a night at about 12.30am.  The aim was to start riding at 7.15am.