A ride around the island is the main reason for our trips to Penang. Okay, maybe the food is the main reason, and the round island ride is the excuse to come to Penang. Either way, a group of R@SKLs and our Penang-based friends gathered outside Tien Hotel.Residence at 7:15 am.
Pai and I were not among them. We planned to cycle back to Tanjung Malim, starting on Monday. We took the weekend off from riding.
The annual organized ride is not happening this year because of COVID-19. The route for the morning was very similar to the one used during CFAL. With a couple of detours led by our Penang friends.
As always with our round island rides, the outrider boys accompanied the group to provide directions and stop traffic and junctions.
Many thanks and kudos to Serena and TH, who once again were fabulous hosts. They took care of all the arrangements in Penang for us. Accommodation, food, weekend activities, the works.
The detours were into the paddy fields of Balik Pulau.
The rest of the route was familiar to anyone who has ridden around the island before.
No ride can be complete without a yum cha stop.
The festivities continued with drinks and dinner at Tien Hotel.Residence.
There was plenty of food. Char koay teow fried to order, pasembur, samosas and fried cauliflower.
We had Simon’s birthday cake for dessert.
I had a craving for nyonya kueh as well. The kueh stall was closed, but Geetha and Vanessa found an apom vendor. It took a while for him to whip up fifty apoms.
There was some leftover char koay teow in takeaway boxes for anyone who needed a late-night snack.
I just needed my bed.
Old Roots, New Routes 
Love the outriders. Its like riding Le Tour.
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