Woke up to a very cold morning. We were high in the mountains, above some clouds. The morning mist had burned off, though.
We started riding downhill and I was freezing! With the windchill, my fingers and toes had me concerned. Not that frostbite was possible, but I hadn't felt this cold since winter in America.
Eventually things started to warm up, but only after 20 kilometers. I kept waiting for a hill to climb to warm up, but it never happened. We just kept descending until we reached an elevation that was not cold.
Lemme tell you this was fun! We kept going down for 60 kilometers! Though we were only coasting (due to Garpor's spoke-situation), this was the longest downhill that I ever experience. Lotsa twists and turns and the scenary was just brilliant - lush tropical jungle foliage and flora.
Only until we reached to bottom of the mountain did it start to get hot - 2.5 hours later! The sun was blazing when we reached the town of Tapah. This is where Garpor and I split up - he returned to Ipoh and I continued south.
Throughout the descent down the mountain, distance signs to Kuala Lampur kept reducing. So much so, that I was entertaining thoughts of going the full distance to K.L. - 212 kilometers! Well, it was possible, seeing how the first 60 km was downhill and I didn't really pedal or expend any energy.
This thought diminished as the miles went by, though. Why? Well, it was really hot today. Hot and steamy. I probably could have made it to KL, but at what cost?!? By the time I reached Mallim, it was 2:30 and I still had another 80 kilometers to go. I saw a hotel by the side of the road and pulled in.
130 kilometers, 6 hours
FOOD: tostai (a thin pancake) with curry sauce, fried chicken, fish with green curry and rice, rice noodles with a red curry sauce, dinner will come after I finish this entry...
