Almost 150?

While on the highway last night, I think I pressed the throttle too much.

Way too much.

I finished the 140kph meter, and did a further estimated 20 or 25 extra undisplayed kph. That's around 160 or 165kph total.

Calculating that for every kilometer reflected on the meter is actually 0.9kilometers on the road, I reckon I actually did 144 to 148kph!

That's a new personal record.

The previous owner did mention once that the Mini can reach 150kph. I don't doubt that now.

But it was not a pretty experience. The car chassis was totally vibrating. I got myself a prolonged nervousness that stays for 10 minutes after I ease off to 90 again.

I think the floorboard needs replacing first, before another reattempt can commence.

I will stay at the stipulated speed limits from now onwards, except for overtaking.

The Test Drive

Other than a 180 degree spin near the end of the journey, the ride today was uneventful.

It's not so epic either. I don't have so much time, and I do think this much is enough.

The 272 metered kilometer (or 244 corrected kilometers) ride took about 4.5 hours excluding breaks. This covers mainly the southern side of Selangor.

Pre-drive, I did a general check on the engine, inside the radiator, the oil level and electrical connections.

What shocks me, was two loose spark plugs, at locations 1 and 3 from radiator side. This was promptly tightened. Lucky me!

No wonder the area around the particular spark plugs are a little bit oilier than the rest.

And then, a full fill up of the tank, which registers almost 20 liters. This is exactly the amount to use, which when the amount is up, will see the gauge registering the middle level. Bought some bread too after that.

Then, at approximately 8AM, I am off, to Salak via Putrajaya-Salak Tinggi highway.

This was followed by Sepang and Sungai Pelek, and by accident I went instead of Morib, to Bagan Lalang. This mistake was well received though, as I did enjoy the brief view of the sea, and the construction of the marina lodging.

These are the next few towns and notable villages.

• Tanjong Sepat
• Morib
• Banting
• Jenjarom
• Telok Panglima Garang

Arriving in Klang, the weather was already warm. It's almost 10AM by then.

As I came near Kota Bridge, I knew I made a significant mistake. It was a traffic jam, which I am aware of but forgot to recall.

I thought it would be fine. But then I saw it.

The first result of the test. Zero oil pressure at idle. One burden.

Then the clutch, probably getting a bit too warm, decides to bind together a bit. Oh no! Extra burden.

I am not to be put down so easily though. I played with the clutch, and pressed the throttle to more than 1500rpm. That should kind of a temporary solution until I cleared the city congestion.

Middle of the commotion, I found an opening heading to Kapar. So I followed that instead, not anticipating any proximity of clearance if I still head to Federal Highway.

Not far into Jalan Kapar, I finally did found an entrance to enter NKVE, with a non-memorable name. I followed that.

Via NKVE I attempt to enter the Federal Highway. Then I head to Shah Alam.

At first, I plan to head to Sungai Buloh and then Rawang via the Monterez route. But instinct told me I am maybe too tired already. Plus I have not eaten much. And I need a drink.

A brief stop at Shah Alam cures this. And I am off to Sunway and entered LDP, Putrajaya bound.

Near Bukit Puchong, I decided that I need a little more old road cure. Thus I entered the alternative road to Cyberjaya via Bukit Puchong Industrial Area.

Near the exit of this road is where I did a stunt that went too far. A 180 degree turn.

I think I cornered at 60kph. I am sure the bend I was about to enter was a 115 degree bend.

The back went outwards faster than I can blink. No amount of steering correction can contra this ultimate type of oversteer.

No harm was done to me and STELLAR.

My heart did stop for a while I think. PHEW!

Mentally noted, I must do it again under controlled condition.

Cyberjaya time, I strolled around a bit. And I went back. Arrival is at exactly 2PM. And I went to sleep mode.

For the next one, I will plan a better ride, utilizing as minimum highway as possible, including even those freeway around me. I plan to drive to the northern side of Selangor for this one. A northern Negeri Sembilan ride is an option too, for it has more Federal road than I can imagine having in Selangor.

Did A 140

Only two out of five departments are open today.

By the way, I tried the new KL-Putrajaya highway today.

Some of the prominent points I gathered during the drive was:

• It will be 10km before I even entered the highway.
• Max speed at first will be 60kph, and then 90kph.
• There's a rest area almost immediately, which is the aptly named Seri Kembangan R&R.
• The first exit will be Bukit Jalil, and the first landmark I see there was Sports Complex, and then Endah Parade.

Will try it again on my way back.

By the way, I ended up doing 48km, almost 6km more than my usual one-way mileage. So I guess, back to taking the bus then...

Driving STELLAR

I drive once a week now.

Last week it's on Friday. This week is probably the same too.

You know what? All the monotony of bus-hopping just disappeared, in one single day.

I founded out the cause of the cooling problem. It's the radiator cap. It's not protective enough anymore. I need to replace it, then see if it persists.

If it doesn't, then the problem is solved. Then I can go long distance again. To site, to holiday, to wherever.

Another thing is, the steering rack and hub ball joint needs attention too. I feel I must make a budget for those.

Or should I just swipe my Citibank? It seems all too easy short term, but in the end, Arrrrrghh!!!

Drive Itinerary

Itinerary

• 8.40am: Departed from Pulau Serai at northern Dungun. My cousin Azammi's house.
  
• 9am: Just past Bukit Bauk Polytechnic area at southern Dungun. About to enter Bukit Bauk hill road.
• 10am: At Kemaman outskirts. 7 minutes stopover at uncle Abu Bakar in Chendor, and 15-minutes refuelling at Cherating.
• 11am: At the infamous diamond-shaped intersection near Kuantan. The one 10 kilometers before the clove-shaped intersection.
• 12pm: At Kampong Sri Jaya in Maran district.
• 1pm: At Temerloh Industrial Park in Mentakab.
• 2pm: At an unknown spot on the Gombak-Bentong historical road. KL is around 66km away.
• 3pm: Near to Terminal Putra LRT at Gombak.

Highlights.

• No tolls are involved, except Sungai Besi-Kajang 1.80rm toll.
  
• Used several historical roads, namely, Kijal-Perwaja old road, Perwaja-Kemaman Supply Base old road, Kuantan-Karak old road and Gombak-Bentong old road.
  
• STELLAR shines in overtaking. I think he's more eager in a new skin.
• No traffic on the Gombak-Bentong old road until Kampong Orang Asli Gombak. I love the loneness.
• No stopover at all from Cherating until Kajang toll. About 400 breathtaking kilometers. Unlikely for a Mini, I know.
• Two police roadblocks at two unrecalled locations, and a single-vehicle accident near Gambang traffic light junction near MEC City doesn't slow me down.
  
• I still see most of the vehicles I saw before, all the time. Most that overtakes me. And those vehicles that I overtake, I didn't see most of them anymore. Either I'm too adventurous or they are really sedately-driving.
  

I'm tired. Gotta get some sleep now.

He Managed

The trip last night took a mere 6 hours and 20 minutes, excluding one brief stop. No toll was involved, thus it's full-fledged challenging. Nothing uneventful happened, I'm utmost pleased to say. The ride was basically well flowing.

I was worried something might break, but STELLAR managed well. We had a small break after 300km of non-stop driving at a Petronas just before Club Med Cherating, for prayers and drink.

Arrived at around 8.30pm or something and finally had my full meal called luncher (lunch dinner). Had only a kebab before the trip, just after my Friday prayers, so there.



A car so proud of his stickers. Location, at Tok's house.

This Morning

Mini engines are heavy. They need all the oil they can get. And the carburettor needs warming up too. So before moving off, I usually will prime the engine a bit with oil, and the carburettor with fuel, for a minute or two.

I usually use my MWalker MP3 player in the car. Since the engine are way noisy, I need more than just a radio and speaker in my car. And rather than spending so much on audio, it's better having a small but audible small unit with earphone.

The drive today was pleasant, albeit surprising. I was expecting to be late, as I had to stop at BP for 20 dollars of fuel. And I really wonder where are all the traffic, especially at the usually jam-packed Pandan Indah stretch was? I was driving at 105kph at that stretch today, where I usually crawl at 5kph. And I managed to spent only 40 minutes on the road. And I arrive before time.

Logged in and out, and then went to Projet to get my free copy of The Sun, and two nasi lemak. Felt hungrier today I guess.