Day 5 Cycling across Titiwangsa, from Jeli to Gerik

Cycling across Titiwangsa (蒂迪旺沙山脉) will be the toughest segment of our adventure. This is Day 5 of our East Coast ride.

Do read our previous posts from Day 1,2 (Kuantan to Dungun), and Day 3, 4 (Terengganu to Kelantan to Jeli) too.

Cycling across Titiwangsa YouTube video :

Our 11D10N itinerary: (Actual cycling is 8 days)

Day 0 – Van to Kuantan
Day 1 -125km Kuantan to Dungun
Day 2 – 76km Dungun to Kuala Terengganu
Day 3 – 160km Kuala Terengganu to Kota Bharu
Day 4 – 90km Kota Bharu to Jeli
*Day 5 – 121km Jeli to Gerik (via Titiwangsa mountain)
Day 6 – 55km Gerik to Betong (one segment is steeper than Titiwangsa)
Day 7 – R&R Betong (tuk tuk to Skywalk)
Day 8 – 106km Betong to Georgetown
Day 9 – Penang RI (Round Island)
Day 10 – 10 hours coach to SG (or Larkin)
Day 11 – Reach SG

Click below to view our 11D10N “Cycle to Penang” photos.

Custom Google Map 11D10N

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Do take note there are two Titiwangsas in Malaysia. We are referring to the one running parallel to Thailand, between Jeli and Gerik (also known as East West Highway)

Be careful elephants Titiwangsa route 4

This is the highway (route number 4) which is famous for elephants!
(We heard elephants are more active in the evenings)

Elephants will walk along and ON route 4, news reports below showing elephants visiting R&R! (Some say route 4 is famous for tigers and ghosts too!)

Wild Elephants Titiwangsa,  Image credit Google Map

The highlights (or landmarks) of route 4 (Titiwangsa) would be :

-Kelantan Perak border
-Titiwangsa R&R (peak of first mountain)
-There are two huge climbs
-Banding reservoir (or Royal Balum rainforest in between the mountains)
-Expect to slog 2000m+ elevation over 120km

Titiwangsa Perak elevations

What do you need to know before attempting titiwangsa.

1) (Titiwangsa is not for newbies ). Not only about fitness but road handling confidence too. There are lesser road shoulders, and expect trucks. Exercise caution with high speed downhills, expect bumpy surfaces and sharp bends.

2) Constant climb 3, 5, 8% elevation (to confirm) for 40km till you reach the peak R&R. I am not sure of highest elevation. Those with Garmin or sports computer would know the elevations forecast, so they can prepare in advance.

3) No rest points after Petron stretch, 13km after Jeli town. For that matter, no shelters from the elements too (rain or sun). Ensure you have  two full water bottles.

4) It took us 4.5 hours to reach the peak, and 10 hours to cross the mountain range (120km).

5) The road shoulders are narrow. And those segments nearest to grass can be mouldy and slippery. Cycling YouTuber Alvin slipped and crashed along B- road (Gua Musang).

*6 Refer Google Map link (image below, Right to Left). The first Red marker (18km after Jeli town) indicates start of 43km climb, until you reach R&R. The second red marker indicates climb 10km after Banding lake (Royal Belum).

 

Cycling Strava Perak Titiwangsa

7) Just follow route 4 for Cycling across Titiwangsa ( Strava link)

8) Titiwangsa mountain range also hosts a few of the G7 mountains for hiking. Maybe one day, I will climb “Gunung Yong Belar or Gunung Hulu Sepat”.

Cycling across Titiwangsa

Day 5 – Cycling across Titiwangsa started at 0700.

Whole stretch of road is enveloped by thick mist. Ensure good illumination so other vehicles can spot you.

Endless brutal climbs, followed by more climbs.
We were rolling 10-15kmh slow and easy, just keep the momentum.
Remember to hydrate.

Titiwangsa route 4 slopes

(Ironically, I walk up the slopes only in Day 6’s (towards Betong direction). Slopes were steeper, but maybe I was tired after conquering Titiwangsa).

Front and rear smallest gear, and grind.
Slowly and surely, you will get nearer to the peak.

You will pass by the border between Kelantan and Perak (map).

Titiwangsa Kelantan Perak border

Remember, it is the journey (and company) rather than the destination.
Want to go FAR, go with good kakis.

After 43km, 1037m and 4.5 hours, we reached Titiwangsa rest stop (aka the peak).

Titiwangsa rest point R&R (Peak)


Lunch was Nasi Kerabu (blue rice). Load up our energy and calories.

After the PEAK and a good rest, expect non-stop downhills up to 10km! It is very easy to roll 60kmh+, but take note of road conditions.

We were rolling down fast, and you might hear your ears “popping” due to sudden decrease in air pressure. (this happens to me for both mountain descents).

The next checkpoint would be roughly 30km away, Royal Belum (Banding Reservoir). You will pass this “tunnel” before the first reservoir sighting.

There is one more tunnel after the reservoir.

Videos of Titiwangsa cycling (Perak)

Scenic Royal Belum reservoir. Some folks would live in the resort (or boat houses here), just to soak in more fresh air and scenic views.

Cycling to Royal Belum Perak

You will pass two bridges, which are narrow. Be careful of vehicles if you are stopping for photos or videos.

Perak Royal Belum homestay

Immediately after the second bridge, you will start climbing again. I did not take any more photos, check out the videos instead (links).

Take note downhill from the second mountain has more potholes and uneven segments. It is definitely more risky to go fast.

Ride until 怀疑人生! (literally life doubting)
The green background (Petron) provided a bamboo-like zen space for us to chill. (no need to zoom into our cui3 faces)

Cycling across Titiwangsa is a CHALLENGE.
Cycling with our pannier and saddlebags made it tougher!

We are very near to our homestay in Gerik town.

Homestay for the night (photo taken after checkout).

Homestay Gerik Perak

 

We need a good bed and dinner to reward ourselves.

Gerik is a small town, but we did see some interesting sights. Shops, eateries. There seems to be a lot of food options.

We are only 50km from Thailand border, add another 9km to Betong town.

Hunting for dinner, we are starving.

Dinner at Restoran 113 Yi Yi Shan (Gerik).
Special shoutout to the fresh sotong!

Good food Gerik Perak

This ends Day 5 of our trip. Happy that we have cleared the toughest segment. Day 6 and 7 will be R&R in Betong Thailand!

Blog summary:
Day 0, 1 and 2 – Van to Kuantan, then Dungun and Kuala Terengganu
Day 3 and 4 – Terengganu to Kelantan to Jeli
Day 5 – Jeli to Gerik (Titiwangsa)
Day 6 and 7 – Betong and R&R
Day  8 and 9 – Cycle to Penang, then Penang Round Island

Meanwhile, let us share more tips about bike packing in Malaysia.

It is a must to have some basic bike maintenance skills. We had 5 to 6 punctures (and one tyre tear) over 11D10N. Tubes (or TPU) and pumps are necessary, spare tyre maybe.

Going downhills for extended periods can wear off your rim or even disc brakes. Overheating would render the brakes less effective.

Cycling repair puncture tyre Malaysia

Sam is a master when it comes to changing tyres. He can change GP5000 tyres (on high profile rim) with his bare hands!

It is always good to have some weather forecasts ahead. This helps you to have Plan B, or maybe detours. I am using app “Windy”.

Weather forecast app cycling Malaysia
iphone weather app

I have share more bikepacking tips in my Seoul to Busan solo ride (from 2023) -> https://sengkangbabies.com/sports/bikepacking-4-rivers-day-2-to-yeoju

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*Do follow our cycling adventures here -> https://sengkangbabies.com/tag/cycling

YouTube: Additional videos from our overseas trips:

YouTube: Chill at Pontian 笨珍

YouTube :Cycling to Forest City and boat ride (my best Johor trip yet)

YouTube: Cycling to Elephant Rock (Bukit Batu Gajeh)

YouTube: Cycling to Malacca

YouTube:Cycling to Putuo Village

YouTube:2023 Cycle to KL (5D4N)

Cycle to Desaru and Sedili

(Preview) Cycle East Coast Kuantan, Kelantan, Titiwangsa, Betong, Penang

Day 5 East Coast – Cycling across Titiwangsa

Cycling In Taiwan (250km from Hualien to Taitung)

2023 Nov 7D6N Solo Seoul to Busan Four Rivers trial.

Do pop by our Road Trip to Penang 2022Dec YouTube:

 

 

Day 3 Cycle to Kelantan and Jeli

Cycle to Kelantan via Terengganu, then cycle Kelantan to Jeli.

This post will share Day 3 and 4 of our journey. The first blog post covers Kuantan to Terengganu. (refer to our custom Google Map and GPX).

After Jeli, Day 5 would be dreaded 120km of climbs across Titiwangsa, from Jeli to Gerik. You can refer to our preview YouTube and photos with links below.

YouTube link: 11D10N Cycle to Penang, via East Coast and Betong

YouTube: Cycle 120km 2000m elevation across Titiwangsa mountain range

Click below to view our 11D10N “Cycle to Penang” photos.

Custom Google Map 11D10N

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Kelantan always sounds mysterious to me. Kelantan might not feature on most folks’ itinerary. Most will settle on Terengganu’s white sandy beach.

I have not even thought of driving to Kelantan before, so cycle to Kelantan is a BIG deal.

From Singapore, my perception of Kelantan is only amplified during election times  and green flags (PAS).  Can we still find beer at night? Any night life around towns (Pasar Malam?)

Day 3 Biking Terengganu to Kelantan

Although it is 180km, but the flat road made it easier. But it can get hot after a while.

Our 11D10N itinerary: (Actual cycling is 8 days)

Day 0 – Van to Kuantan
Day 1 -125km Kuantan to Dungun
Day 2 – 76km Dungun to Kuala Terengganu
*Day 3 – 160km Kuala Terengganu to Kota Bharu
*Day 4 – 90km Kota Bharu to Jeli
Day 5 – 121km Jeli to Gerik (via Titiwangsa mountain)
Day 6 – 55km Gerik to Betong (one segment steeper than Titiwangsa)
Day 7 – R&R Betong (tuk tuk to Skywalk)
Day 8 – 106km Betong to Georgetown
Day 9 – Penang RI (Round Island)
Day 10 – 10 hours coach to SG (or Larkin)
Day 11 – Reach SG

0600 Breakfast near to our hotel “Good luck restaurant

We went under Terengganu’s most famous bridge again. Majestic and grand, day and night.

Before we reached Warung Pok Nong (our dinner from day 2), we stopped at the side to admire the rising sunrise and egg yolk.

At the 45km mark , we met a local cyclist. It is rare to spot cyclists along Terengganu. Coffee and tea break at Ke Kedai Makan Kak Moh (Tepimasjid) Kg Telaga Papan. He warned us that the route towards Kelantan would be warm and humid.

We know the East side (Peninsula Malaysia) is famous for the following. Nasi dagang, Nasi kerabu (blue) and Ikan celup tepung (deep fried seafood, which we enjoyed at “Warung Pok Nong”).

But there is more kueh and food to discover.

Hydration is always important for us. Although “East” is relatively flat, we normally roll 30km before we pitstop.

(I have mentioned before. As Singapore cyclists going to Malaysia, lesser traffic lights stops mean we forget to drink more regularly!)

Road is flat and 20, 30km really pass by easily.
Petrol stations and convenience stores (7-11, 99) are our best friends.

Humid and hot, we deserved some Magnum indulgence.

Short detour to visit a famous “Moscow Mosque” (Masjid Lapan Kubah). Although there is some renovation going on, the colourful domes are still visually stunning.

Late lunch for us, bandung and ice milo never failed to recharge our sore body and mind.

Below “stick like” piece is your Keropok Lekor (fried fish cracker).

You will encounter many bridges across wide water bodies.

1630 – Reached our spacious loft homestay ‘CASA HIJAU KOTA BHARU. ”

Quickly unpacked, and we headed for Chinese food (again!). Restoran Jet Mun is popular for birthday celebrations and other happy occasions.

It was a short touch and go to Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
But the city has shown me enough attractions for a return trip.

Day 4 Kelantan to Jeli

Recovery ride from Kelantan to Jeli, as the next day will be a 128km with 2000m elevation across Titiwangsa mountain range! (YouTube video end of page))

We definitely need a chill ride, I can feel my quads and glutes getting sore from consecutive days of cycling.

Checkout from our homestay.

Kota Bharu City is waking up

Cycle to Kelantan

On a side note, I found all the different mosaic, motif of the Mosques fascinating. Every one is unique.

Breakfast at famous Kopitiam Kita (7000+ Google Reviews and counting!)

Kopitiam Kita Kelantan

I have only seen this type of egg and toast in Terengganu and Kelantan. The four corners are kaya.

Their signature teh tarik, love the bubbly foam.

If time permits, there are two famous Buddha statue in Kelantan. Wat Phothivihan (Sleeping Buddha) and Wat Machimmaram (Sitting Buddha).

We headed South towards Jeli.
Very often, we are cycling parallel to the Malaysia Thailand border.

Sense of anticipation, as we are so near to Betong (Yala) (one of our pit stop).

Even the condiments along the Warungs have Thai words (imported from Thailand?)

Just like Singaporeans going to JB to stretch our buying power, Malaysians cross the border to Thailand for more savings and variety too.

Quick break, food and coconut ice cream dessert before reaching Jeli.

Pose at the signage, before we took a small detour into the kampong road. Love the padi and green fields.

Water break, and Teh O Limau Ice is our favourite drink.

Welcome to Jeli. This is a small town, with limited amenities.

We suspect there are limited b&b hosts in this town.
But we just need a good rest to recharge before Titiwangsa.

Watermelon to quench our thirst.

Not a chapel nor a convent 🙂
We stayed at OYO Nun Hotel.

The administrator gave us a lift into town.

D’ Sofia Cafe for our dinner.

We have already covered 450km + on Day 4.
So far the trip has been very rewarding.
New towns, new sights and food.
Love all the explorations.

Blog summary:
Day 0, 1 and 2 – Van to Kuantan, then Dungun and Kuala Terengganu
Day 3 and 4 – Terengganu to Kelantan to Jeli
Day 5 – Jeli to Gerik (Titiwangsa)
Day 6 and 7 Betong and R&R
Day  8 and 9 – Cycle to Penang, then Penang Round Island

 

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*Do follow our cycling adventures here -> https://sengkangbabies.com/tag/cycling

YouTube: Additional videos from our overseas trips:

YouTube: Chill at Pontian 笨珍

YouTube :Cycling to Forest City and boat ride (my best Johor trip yet)

YouTube: Cycling to Elephant Rock (Bukit Batu Gajeh)

YouTube: Cycling to Malacca

YouTube:Cycling to Putuo Village

YouTube:2023 Cycle to KL (5D4N)

Cycle to Desaru and Sedili

(Preview) Cycle East Coast Kuantan, Kelantan, Titiwangsa, Betong, Penang

Day 5 East Coast – Cycling across Titiwangsa

Cycling In Taiwan (250km from Hualien to Taitung)

2023 Nov 7D6N Solo Seoul to Busan Four Rivers trial.

Do pop by our Road Trip to Penang 2022Dec YouTube: