Anyone got any advice on cycling the west coast of Malaysia. I have already done the east coast and I am wondering if the west is good, what route to take and has anyone got any good links?

Hi, first let me introduce myself here. I m from Malaysia, a new member to this website.

The west coast is pretty much developed , that translate busy roads and high traffic volume, However if you need to cycle, there are still good roads and interesting places see.

I presume you start from Kuala Lumpur , head south to Port Dickson. From Port Dickson there is the good road heading south. You may start cycling from here. The road is ok , with some bends and low hills. no problem.

Port Dickson - Linggi - Pengkalan Balak - Masjid Tanah - Sungai Udang - Melaka (town)
you may ride into melaka town. Bicycles here are still abundant and so are the trishaws. Suggest stay a couple of nights here at Melaka, there many guest house and good hotels. Nice food and nice people. Its a historic town since it was once under the portuguse, Dutch, Brtitish and Japanese authorities. There are many historical artefacts to see.

After melaka, head down south again using the old road towards Muar - Batu Pahat - Rengit - Pontian - and finaly Johor Baru. The roads from Muar to Pontian is pretty safe to cycle and most vehicles have taken the new hiway PLUS .

till then

abg acid

hi bikefreak,

sorry for the long silence, my laptop went busted. it took me a long time to relocate this website url.

Definitely the east coast is way much better. laid back lifestyle, especially the kampungs or the small fishing villages. The clock seems to stop here and you dont need to cylce fast to keep off the cars behind you. But since you have seen the east coast, maybe you would like to see the west for a change. There is a a landmark on the southernmost west part of this peninsula where the whole of asian mainland came to end. Its called the southernmost tip of the asian mainland, and you will be issued a certificate if you came here. wouldnt that be nice to show your friends that you have cycled to very end of the great asian mainland.

The cameron highland?.. not really easy grades here, but still it is not all the way up, it winds most of the way and sometimes desecnds as well. Yet, amateur cyclists have done it before, and I dont think it will be a problem to you,... (looking at your codename bikefreak hehe)

After 30 km from the foothill, you will already be at Ringlet, plenty of hotels and guesthouse here. The tea plantations are spectacular amongst the hills. You may stay overnight here. You may even proceed another 15km uphill to Tanah Rata, a more pleasant small town.

Regret I hadnt ridden my bicylce to cameron highlands, but I had many times rode my motrcyles up for holidays,.. once even tried on my moped.

West coast attraction.
1. penang island, especially georgetown, its historical with small streets , but December full of farangs. Nice beaches too
2. The lake garden of taiping, very colonial. (british legendary retired town)
3. Cameron highlands ( tea plantation and cool atmosphere, trekking into tropical forest)
4 Fraser's Hill, very colonial, briitish retreat during the old days, tea house, cool tropical forest trekking etc (grades are even greater, but its only 7 km all the way up,.. one way road for every alternate hour, meaning you have to finish cycle within 1 hour for the 7 km stretch or else you will be caught up with vehicles coming downhill)
5 Melaka ( historical town, some farangs )
6 Tanjung Piai, the southern most tip of asian mainland (near pontian)

beaches.
1. Batu Feringgi (penang)
2 Teluk batik (Perak)
3 Blue lagoon , Port dickson (negeri sembilan)

If you cycle form north, stick to the coastal road and you will meet all these places stated.

Fact, do not cycle in december-january,.. its north east monsoon season,.. it dont rain, but it pours trust me,.. all day long hehehe

acid