The Melting Pot of Malaysia

Cycling Through a Pandemic is a project sharing the stories and perspectives of cyclists from ten countries around the world, who embarked on journeys in their home countries during the pandemic. This is Ekaputra Jabar's story.

Up the coast from Klang to the island of Pangkor, we enjoyed this route at a relaxed pace over a few days. It follows mostly quiet roads between coastal and agricultural areas, highlighted by the expanse of paddy fields through Sekinchan and Sungai Besar, in an area known as the rice bowl of Selangor. We enjoyed a stop slightly past the midpoint in the historical town of Teluk Intan, known for its leaning clock tower built in 1885, and of course for its culinary delights, especially the prawn and chicken curry noodles.

Along the way, we sampled the melting pot of all the different cultures of Malaysia. From the Malay villages that dot the agricultural countryside, to the Daoist and Hindu temples along the coast, and also through quaint Malay and Chinese fishing towns, there are rich sensory and cultural experiences that this part of the country has to offer.

In total we covered roughly 300 kilometres (186 miles), including the occasional sightseeing excursions. We spent three full days of riding, starting from the historical port town of Klang, and finishing at the island destination of Pangkor on a short ferry ride. A day or two to explore the island of Pangkor is highly recommended, as there are many things to see as a historical destination of its own. Although Pangkor Island is rather small and can be circumvented in just 20 kilometres (12 miles), the terrain is extremely hilly, especially at the north-eastern part of the island with double digit gradients that have left a permanent memory imprint on many cyclists across all disciplines!

When it comes to accommodation, it is recommended to book ahead. There are plenty of great places to stay along the way, from small hotels to Airbnb accommodations. On Pangkor Island itself, the beaches of Teluk Nipah and Coral Beach, and Teluk Dalam are the best places to stay. Teluk Dalam is the quietest in the area, but slightly further away from cafes and restaurants.