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Sunday 27 January 2013
Day 8. 27/01/13. 38.8 miles to Alor Setar
Had a long lie till 9.00am. Bliss. Mark Beaumont joined us for breakfast but couldn't cycle with us today as his bike is still at Heathrow Airport, he is very chatty and friendly. Malaysia towns are a nightmare to navigate and I got lost again. Crispin says he is putting a tracking device on me. Finished about lunchtime. Great to have an afternoon off. Mark came over and was chatting to me about my American trip then offered to carry my bag up to my room, yes please. The boys have put a new fork on Sue's bike so she will be cycling again. She is badly grazed but in good spirits. There has been an issue between the leaders and 4 cyclists, so they are leaving us to do their own thing. A pity. Malaysia seems more affluent than Thailand. Had a relaxing afternoon walking around the town, eating and shopping. One thing about a trip like this, you can eat as much as you like. Temps about 40*C , sometimes feels like you are breathing in a furnace. Better to be on Spike than off, create a breeze. BTW getting all E mails but sometimes can't get signal to reply. Don't worry, all's well. Bring on tomorrow.
Day 7. Sat 26/01/13. 85 miles to Kuala Perles
Goodbye Thailand, hello Malaysia. Had usual start and cycled to B'fast stop where we received information about crossing border. Girls had to cover legs and shoulders, smile, no photos, give no reason to be stopped. Border very busy with roadside stalls, people, cars, lorries etc. We took about an hour to get through which was good going. Then we reached the hill, 900 ft of hairpin bends, but only over about 3 miles, which wasn't bad. I cruised up in my hybrid but those with road bikes suffered. It was also heat of the day with no shade. On the way down the bends were very steep and tight and unfortunately Sue overshot and hit the barrier. She had to go to hospital, badly grazed and cut legs and arms. Her bike skidded across the road, fork damaged, we don't know if it can be repaired. She is a trooper and putting a brave face on it, but she will be sore tomorrow. After the hill I set off with Ray and Kate but Ray was suffering in the heat so they held back. I went on, on my own but started to run out of water, I had no Malay money to buy any. I wasn't far from the hotel so thought I could make it but realised I was overheating. I thought don't be silly and decided to shelter, stopped, and the truck pulled in behind me, perfect timimg. Sally poured a couple of bottles over my head, I drank plenty and quickly recovered. Unfortunately, en route, I took a few wrong turnings and gave myself an extra 18 miles !!!!!!!! Malaysia is lovely, forests, greenery, farms. Roads have no hard shoulder so traffic is close and fast. Went out with the young folk for a meal and walk about town. Great fun, they are such a good crowd. I love my roommate Hetty, she fusses over me, gets my bag, lifts my bike into hotel rooms. She is a star. Tired now, but lovely day tomorrow, only 30 miles providing I don't get lost. Enjoying myself.
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