y Scout Troop, the Second Kuala Lumpur, had planned to go to Singapore. We
decided to cycle there as a test of endurance. Preparations were made.
A car which would carry all our belongings was to follow us. Drinks and food were also to be carried so that we could have refreshments at various stops which were on schedule. We decided that while cycling each of us was to wear a white T-shirt with the Scout emblem and our group’s name printed in the front, and a pair of white shorts instead of our Scout uniform, which was to be used only when we arrived in Singapore.
The great day arrived. At dawn nine robust boys were cycling along the road leading southwards. Being in high spirits, we cycled fast. Just outside town, one of the bicycles had a puncture. Fortunately we had brought along a mending kit. After half an hour we were on our way again. This was only one of the half dozen punctures we had throughout the trip.
After about four hours of cycling we approached the towering Mantin Hill which curbed our high spirits a bit. None of us had the intention of pushing our bicycles up. We were determined to conquer it. The road up winds and twists. At every corner we kept deceiving ourselves that it was downhill around it. Finally we reached the top. I must say that the thrill we had on descending Mantin Hill was worth the tough climb.
The country before us was hilly. The road was like a giant snake, twisting up and down. We had passed Seremban and were on our way to Malacca. Near Malacca the roads were straight flat. Some of us found it hard to cycle on flat roads; we preferred hilly regions. This may be owing to the fact that if you cycle uphill you may rest while coming downhill. Also the speed in descending the slope will help the bicycle halfway up the next hill. You cannot, however, rest your limbs if you cycle on a plain.
In the evening we reached Malacca where we stayed overnight. We felt disinclined to wander round the town for our legs were stiff and sore. Worst of all we also suffered from sunburn.
The next day we had another exhausting journey to Rengit, a small wayside town about 90 miles from Malacca. In this section of the journey we had to cross the rivers at Muar and Batu Pahat by ferry. The concrete roads of Johore were also a blessing to us.
On the third day we were eager to get started. Our spirits were heightened by the thought of reaching our destination. We sometimes thought the road before us would never come to an end. We counted the milestones one by one. The trip was a good test of perseverance.
Throughout the whole journey the scenery was the usual type that everyone sees in the Malayan countryside. Numerous rubber estates with their never-ending rows of trees, the padi fields with their waving stalks, the grim Malayan forest with its towering trees and the beautiful but treacherous mining pools formed the main scenic attraction.
Finally after two and a half days of cycling, Johore Bahru and the Causeway came into sight. Our hearts throbbed with excitement as we crossed the causeway. We felt light and happy that we had achieved our goal. We had reached Singapore.
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