BMW Motorrad Club Malaysia Family Days 2012
Last year was the first year in Motorrad Club history families of riders joined in the Annual Motorrad Days
The event, held at Lake Kenyir Resort, was very successful.
Last year was also the first year Minesh, the newly elected President, organised the event.
For the Motorrad Club Malaysia ( McM ), apart from the AGM, the Motorrad Days in some form or
another is a mandatory annual event.
Essentially the Motorrad Days became a family event following the template of the Harley Owners Group ( HOG ),
where buses are provided as family transportation and members of the family are encouraged to join in.
The Event Venue chosen must have facilities that keeps the children entertained.
The Venue must be of a quality that will give a Resort kind of ambience, with good food and service.
Although the aspirations are the same, McM is not as cash flushed as HOG, and only very modest financial support is
given by the Brand Distributors. Hence, the participation fees can be significantly higher compared to HOG Members,
but very good value to the Motorraders. From check-in to check-out all the meals are included.
This year Minesh and the Commitee decided on Hyatt Kuantan after scouting around many other places.
We also decided to build a ride on the first day of the event as the journey there is just over 200km, too short to be fun.
I was assigned to design the route so I planned a detour of just over 130km, stopping at Gua Tongkat and Gunung Senyum.
Police escort was also arranged to RV with the convoy after we exit the highway. Lunch was by the sea, and after that we rode to Hyatt,
just 20 km away.
After 2 nights in Hyatt, we rode to Sg Lembing, a disused mine that funded the British war effort during the 2nd World War.
Police outriders were also arranged.
We rode home after that.
It fair to say that everyone had fun. The Hotel was great, as was the food, staff polite and ever helpful. Facilities superb.
And the participants came from Singapore and Phuket, and that gives a special meaning to the Event.
All in all, more than 160 participants turned up. There were almost 100 BMWs, one Chartered Bus, and a number of cars that followed.
The Pictures below tells the story better;
As we were RVing at BHP Gombak Toll, the Penang Boys were already heading South, and our Singapore buddies were also on their bikes,
heading for Hyatt. The Phuket riders, initially 5, but reduced to 3 bikes after one rider was down with flu,
and the other could not get his registration on time,also left Sg Petani at dawn.
BHP RV
Group Photo
We rolled off at 0800, 30 minutes behind schedule
After 105km, covered in 50 minutes, we regrouped at the Temerloh Toll booth.
Another 35km was covered before we reached the turnoff to Gunung Senyum.
I always found the short 4km ride on the Gunung Senyum access road as kinda special. Maybe it reminded me of
the road near my kampong when I was a toddler.
Gunung Senyum means " Mount Smile in Malay.
Apparently, sometime in the late 1800s, the then Sultan Ahmad of Pahang was travelling to Kuala Krau in Temerloh. As he passed by the area,
Gunung Senyum area can be seen fairly clearly as it was the only high ground in the area. He then asked his men if they knew its name.
The men looked at each other and just smiled. Seeing that the place is nameless, the Sultan named the mountain Gunung Senyum.
The 478 metre high Gunung Senyum is covered by vegetation of the Dipterocarp variety. Not exactly a mountain in the usual sense,
its actually a concentration of Limestone outcrop, formed more than 300 million years ago.
It has two main extrusions called Gunung Jebak Puyuh and Bt Terus. The area became a Forest reserve of almost 800 hectares in the early 70s.
It is surrounded by plantations all round. Recently there were news that the area will be quarried (!) but nothing came out of it so far.
There are about 20 caves there, depending on who is counting. The more prominent caves there are Gua Taman 1, Gua Taman 2, Gua Angin and Gua Terang Bulan.
The Gua Makam Tok Long has a myth attached to it. Apparently, Tok Long, a local resident caught a dove with golden tail feathers.
One day the bird flew towards Gunung Senyum and Tok Long ran after it, deep into the caves where he met 'Orang Bunian" ( fairies )
and he suddenly lost his ability to find his way home. He eventually married one of the Fairies.
After a long while, his memory slowly returned and he asked his fairy wife to return to see his family, but made him promise to tell no one about the Fairies.
When he got back, everyone wanted to know what happened. He blurted out the story of the fairies.
When he returned, he searched in vain for his Fairy wife, and eventually died in the cave, which was later named after him.
Gunung Senyum
Drinks and Refreshments
Cold Towels
Checking out Gua Terang Bulan
On my earlier visit i found plenty of luminous ferns. It was still there.
We spent about 45 minutes there before heading to Kota Gedangsa, the location of Gua Tongkat.
Gua Tongkat is yet another Limestone outcrop which has numerous caves. About 40km by road from Gunung Senyum, it has the only cave ( arch )
that has a narrow tarred road that passes tight through it, with numerous stalactites above. Not as popular as Gunung Senyum caves, probably
because its heavily forested and has a dark brooding atmosphere hanging over the area.
We stayed ther for 30 minutes taking photos.
Jovey on his Explorer
Maznah on her R1200 GS Rallye
Probably the only Boxercup Replica to pass thru the cave
Then it was time for a group photo.
Then its a 1 hour ride to Gambang RnR to RV with the bus and cars.
From the Gambang Rnr we will ride the highway for another 30km before exiting towards the Toll booth to RV with the waiting Police.
They will escort us to our Lunch venue, 35km away.
Gambang RnR
The Gambang Exit was the only turn after 35km of highway so Maznah decided to do some pannier scraping action on her GS Rallye.
Gambang Toll RV with Police Outriders.
Faizal on his 16GT
On my GSA
Just 10km South of Kuantan, Pantai Sepat sits near Cerok Paloh. The beachfront is about 6km long with picturesque Casuarina trees lining the coast.
The Kampong road is well paved, but not busy, so perfect for riding in a convoy.
Heading for lunch at Pantai Sepat.
Cris, a Chilean who left his country 2 years ago, is halfway through his RTW ride. He met Faisal ( K16GT / F800GS ) rider when he sent his bike for service at Auto Bavaria.
We met him at a presentation on Riding in New Zealand, and he decided to join us for this Family day.
Pantai Sepat Lunch.
I had a solo ride on the beach
But got myself into Trouble. Eddy & Sean eventually helped me out.
After lunch we headed for Hyatt, the Police again clearing the road ahead.
Parking lot was full of our bikes and vehicles.
We checked in smoothly, the work handled by Justine, Nora, the VP's wife, assisted by her daughter Halina,
a 650cc ER6 rider pining for an S1000RR. Mona also lent a hand.
Goran, Witayya and Burt arrived 2 hours later.
Kids were already in the pool within 10 minutes of check-in.
Verdict so far
In the meantime, the Hall was being prepared for our dinner tonight
Kids again the first to check out the picture quality and the view from the stage.....
Dinner was a casual affair. Alan, a 'shim' from Penang Dragged herself Queenly throughout the night.
Shehe did a good job of keeping proceedings funny. Food was good.
Minesh at the mic. Just words of welcome. Short, sweet.
Dinner
Eddy's family, the Sidhus, and my Family
Sharan, AB SA and Family
Singapore Table. Mark Dilip Tan, Tom, Vincent.....
Maznah, Capt Amin
CC Lee and Lim Wai Poh
Alex and family
Janna, Cee Kay, Sunny Puan, Wen, Sani and families....
Penang Tables
Cris the Chilean Rider, with Faisal & Terry Teh
Alan interviewing Sean's son.
Donald, David's son's turn
The Gangnam Competition
Maznah was also called up
President's Turn
The first night ended on a simple note. Some went to the club, some went for beach walks, others opened bottles and cans of the Devil's brew
and had fun throughout the night.
Last year was the first year in Motorrad Club history families of riders joined in the Annual Motorrad Days
The event, held at Lake Kenyir Resort, was very successful.
Last year was also the first year Minesh, the newly elected President, organised the event.
For the Motorrad Club Malaysia ( McM ), apart from the AGM, the Motorrad Days in some form or
another is a mandatory annual event.
Essentially the Motorrad Days became a family event following the template of the Harley Owners Group ( HOG ),
where buses are provided as family transportation and members of the family are encouraged to join in.
The Event Venue chosen must have facilities that keeps the children entertained.
The Venue must be of a quality that will give a Resort kind of ambience, with good food and service.
Although the aspirations are the same, McM is not as cash flushed as HOG, and only very modest financial support is
given by the Brand Distributors. Hence, the participation fees can be significantly higher compared to HOG Members,
but very good value to the Motorraders. From check-in to check-out all the meals are included.
This year Minesh and the Commitee decided on Hyatt Kuantan after scouting around many other places.
We also decided to build a ride on the first day of the event as the journey there is just over 200km, too short to be fun.
I was assigned to design the route so I planned a detour of just over 130km, stopping at Gua Tongkat and Gunung Senyum.
Police escort was also arranged to RV with the convoy after we exit the highway. Lunch was by the sea, and after that we rode to Hyatt,
just 20 km away.
After 2 nights in Hyatt, we rode to Sg Lembing, a disused mine that funded the British war effort during the 2nd World War.
Police outriders were also arranged.
We rode home after that.
It fair to say that everyone had fun. The Hotel was great, as was the food, staff polite and ever helpful. Facilities superb.
And the participants came from Singapore and Phuket, and that gives a special meaning to the Event.
All in all, more than 160 participants turned up. There were almost 100 BMWs, one Chartered Bus, and a number of cars that followed.
The Pictures below tells the story better;
As we were RVing at BHP Gombak Toll, the Penang Boys were already heading South, and our Singapore buddies were also on their bikes,
heading for Hyatt. The Phuket riders, initially 5, but reduced to 3 bikes after one rider was down with flu,
and the other could not get his registration on time,also left Sg Petani at dawn.
BHP RV
Group Photo
We rolled off at 0800, 30 minutes behind schedule
After 105km, covered in 50 minutes, we regrouped at the Temerloh Toll booth.
Another 35km was covered before we reached the turnoff to Gunung Senyum.
I always found the short 4km ride on the Gunung Senyum access road as kinda special. Maybe it reminded me of
the road near my kampong when I was a toddler.
Gunung Senyum means " Mount Smile in Malay.
Apparently, sometime in the late 1800s, the then Sultan Ahmad of Pahang was travelling to Kuala Krau in Temerloh. As he passed by the area,
Gunung Senyum area can be seen fairly clearly as it was the only high ground in the area. He then asked his men if they knew its name.
The men looked at each other and just smiled. Seeing that the place is nameless, the Sultan named the mountain Gunung Senyum.
The 478 metre high Gunung Senyum is covered by vegetation of the Dipterocarp variety. Not exactly a mountain in the usual sense,
its actually a concentration of Limestone outcrop, formed more than 300 million years ago.
It has two main extrusions called Gunung Jebak Puyuh and Bt Terus. The area became a Forest reserve of almost 800 hectares in the early 70s.
It is surrounded by plantations all round. Recently there were news that the area will be quarried (!) but nothing came out of it so far.
There are about 20 caves there, depending on who is counting. The more prominent caves there are Gua Taman 1, Gua Taman 2, Gua Angin and Gua Terang Bulan.
The Gua Makam Tok Long has a myth attached to it. Apparently, Tok Long, a local resident caught a dove with golden tail feathers.
One day the bird flew towards Gunung Senyum and Tok Long ran after it, deep into the caves where he met 'Orang Bunian" ( fairies )
and he suddenly lost his ability to find his way home. He eventually married one of the Fairies.
After a long while, his memory slowly returned and he asked his fairy wife to return to see his family, but made him promise to tell no one about the Fairies.
When he got back, everyone wanted to know what happened. He blurted out the story of the fairies.
When he returned, he searched in vain for his Fairy wife, and eventually died in the cave, which was later named after him.
Gunung Senyum
Drinks and Refreshments
Cold Towels
Checking out Gua Terang Bulan
On my earlier visit i found plenty of luminous ferns. It was still there.
We spent about 45 minutes there before heading to Kota Gedangsa, the location of Gua Tongkat.
Gua Tongkat is yet another Limestone outcrop which has numerous caves. About 40km by road from Gunung Senyum, it has the only cave ( arch )
that has a narrow tarred road that passes tight through it, with numerous stalactites above. Not as popular as Gunung Senyum caves, probably
because its heavily forested and has a dark brooding atmosphere hanging over the area.
We stayed ther for 30 minutes taking photos.
Jovey on his Explorer
Maznah on her R1200 GS Rallye
Probably the only Boxercup Replica to pass thru the cave
Then it was time for a group photo.
Then its a 1 hour ride to Gambang RnR to RV with the bus and cars.
From the Gambang Rnr we will ride the highway for another 30km before exiting towards the Toll booth to RV with the waiting Police.
They will escort us to our Lunch venue, 35km away.
Gambang RnR
The Gambang Exit was the only turn after 35km of highway so Maznah decided to do some pannier scraping action on her GS Rallye.
Gambang Toll RV with Police Outriders.
Faizal on his 16GT
On my GSA
Just 10km South of Kuantan, Pantai Sepat sits near Cerok Paloh. The beachfront is about 6km long with picturesque Casuarina trees lining the coast.
The Kampong road is well paved, but not busy, so perfect for riding in a convoy.
Heading for lunch at Pantai Sepat.
Cris, a Chilean who left his country 2 years ago, is halfway through his RTW ride. He met Faisal ( K16GT / F800GS ) rider when he sent his bike for service at Auto Bavaria.
We met him at a presentation on Riding in New Zealand, and he decided to join us for this Family day.
Pantai Sepat Lunch.
I had a solo ride on the beach
But got myself into Trouble. Eddy & Sean eventually helped me out.
After lunch we headed for Hyatt, the Police again clearing the road ahead.
Parking lot was full of our bikes and vehicles.
We checked in smoothly, the work handled by Justine, Nora, the VP's wife, assisted by her daughter Halina,
a 650cc ER6 rider pining for an S1000RR. Mona also lent a hand.
Goran, Witayya and Burt arrived 2 hours later.
Kids were already in the pool within 10 minutes of check-in.
Verdict so far
In the meantime, the Hall was being prepared for our dinner tonight
Kids again the first to check out the picture quality and the view from the stage.....
Dinner was a casual affair. Alan, a 'shim' from Penang Dragged herself Queenly throughout the night.
Shehe did a good job of keeping proceedings funny. Food was good.
Minesh at the mic. Just words of welcome. Short, sweet.
Dinner
Eddy's family, the Sidhus, and my Family
Sharan, AB SA and Family
Singapore Table. Mark Dilip Tan, Tom, Vincent.....
Maznah, Capt Amin
CC Lee and Lim Wai Poh
Alex and family
Janna, Cee Kay, Sunny Puan, Wen, Sani and families....
Penang Tables
Cris the Chilean Rider, with Faisal & Terry Teh
Alan interviewing Sean's son.
Donald, David's son's turn
The Gangnam Competition
Maznah was also called up
President's Turn
The first night ended on a simple note. Some went to the club, some went for beach walks, others opened bottles and cans of the Devil's brew
and had fun throughout the night.
