Page 6 - CSC Newsletter

HOP onto a bumboat with your bicycle from Changi Point Ferry Terminal then get across to Pengerang for a weekend of awesome workout and
reward yourself with gorgeous seafood in Sungei Rengit. At the same time you can enjoy an exhilarating ride and experience the rural charm of
Pengerang. This was exactly what 24 cyclists from our club did last month to unwind and experience the joy of undisturbed riding over rolling
hills with no traffic jam, red lights, zebra crossings and without having to dismount the bicycle either. Well, maybe no zebra crossings but there
are different types of pedestrian crossings for elephants, wild boars and other animals. Pengerang used to be a coastal fishing village fringed
by thick jungle where wild animals roam and occasionally endanger motorists when they wander across roads. Prominent warning signs on
certain stretches were put up to caution motorists at these crossings. Over time, some of these wise animals have migrated to Singapore for a
better life. You may have read reports of elephants and wild boars in Pulau Ubin and more recently, families of otters that have ventured even
closer to our heartlands. These prominent signs to warn motorists of wild animals jay walking are still there in Pengerang but today they serve
mainly as popular photo stops for visitors, unless of course if you are extremely lucky or unlucky, depending on how you look at it; you can
come face to face with these unusual pedestrians.
While much of Pengerang is still quiet and idyllic, it is fast changing because of developments that are taking place to turn it into a natural gas
refinery and storage complex. Some land has already been acquired and cleared of vegetation. Some stretches of the road to Desaru are
dusty because of heavy vehicles plying up and down this once tranquil countryside. This is sad but is the price we have to pay for progress.
If you have not been there lately or never at all, then you should make a trip there soon before it is gone forever.

Our group made a rewarding midway stop on the way to Desaru at Batu Layar. The name in Malay means Sail Rock, an apt description of a huge
rock formation that is found there. It is a favourite picnic sport for the locals on weekends under the swaying palm trees, especially during high tide.
Our pit-stop was at a seaside refreshment kiosk where we had cold drinks and light snacks. The most refreshing was of course Magnum Ice Cream
which costs only half of what you have to pay for in Singapore.
Our accommodation that night was a fully furnished three-story apartment in Sungei Rengit. A stretch of seafood restaurants frequented
by Singaporeans is a five-minute walk away. We had our well-deserved dinner in one of them without burning a hole in our pocket. Robert
accompanied Irman, the only Muslim cyclist in the group to a seaside restaurant serving Halal food. The array of food stalls lined up next to the
restaurant had ikan bakar, sup kambeng, satay, asam perdas and other mouth-watering selections. It was a tempting local banquet and they
were spoilt for choice. Their dinner was comparable if not more rewarding than the 100km ride they covered during the trip. After dinner it
was a brief evening stroll down Rg. Rengit Main Street and off to hit the sack. With 24 of us in the group, the two-room apartment was packed
like sardines. Tolerance was at its best as no one complained about the thundering snores that vibrated throughout the night from almost
everyone. Despite the sleepless night, we were wide awake early next morning and ready for our next round of makan. The breakfast on
Sunday morning was another epic moment. Kopi Kow-Kow Siew Tai or Teh Tarek Kurang Manis with Roti Chanai, Chee Cheong Fun, Laksa,
Noodle Soup were devoured within minutes even though the seafood consumed the night before had barely made its way down. No one
counted calories or even bothered about their New Year resolution to slim down. Resolution had of course given way to temptation. They had
no reason to feel guilty as they had another half-day ride to Sabana Cove before heading to Tanjung Pengelih to take their boat ride back to
Changi Village. There was a final round of makan at the newly opened Hawker Centre where the best Nasi Lemak is served. So all you cyclists
and foodies, CSC Cycling Club is the group you want to hang out with for that perfect weekend escapade with invigorating exercise, glorious
food and great company! Come join us in our next ride.

The CSC Cycling Club organises many interesting events monthly. We encourage all CSC members and public
officers to join the cycling interest group. registration is free. For more information, please contact events@csc.sg.

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