Ramadan 2022 - Ride Siratulrahim

It has been 2 years since we underwent lockdown all over the world. Countries closed their borders to foreign arrivals and maintain strict social policies when it comes to social gathering. This was the effect of the global COVID pandemic. What started as the "Wuhan flu" soon took the world by storm as the infection rate multiplied exponentially all across the globes with the rising number of death cases due to the virus, led the world into a whirlwind 2 years full of uncertainty and despair. What used to be a norm such as travelling across borders has to be put to a halt as countries, one by one, announced the closure of their borders to foreign tourist in order to control the pandemic in their own countries. Prior to Covid, some 300,000 people streamed across the land border each day. Malaysians would typically travel south for manual labor in factories or to work as gardeners and security guards, while Singaporeans flocked the other way for bargain shopping trips, cheap fuel and cultural tours. Malaysia - Singapore border used to be one of the busiest border crossing in the world.

And now in 2022 after 2 long years, the borders are finally reopened (almost as normal as pre covid) and travellers like us are allowed to travel again. Being able to ride across the causeway allowed us to have a sense of freedom as Singapore being a tiny island has limited roads much less scenic roads to ride on. We had planned on an 3 day Iftar trip with 3 different groups of Ducati riders from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Johor. This ride will span over 3 days where we will attend 3 consecutive nights of Break-fast sessions with friends that we had not met for over 2 years. This will be a ride to resurrect that brotherhood bonding over the passion of the brand, Ducati.

Ramadan 2022 - Ride Silaturahim 2022

Day 1 - 14 April 2022

Singapore

We started off the three day events with an Iftar at Wearnes Automotive, the dealer for Ducati bikes in Singapore. Our group was cordially invited by Ducati Singapore (Wearnes) for a break-fast (Iftar) session with other muslim ducatistas at the dealership on the 14 April 2022. There were 30 riders invited to attend the Iftar session (Thank you to Ducati Singapore for the invite) from different groups and some of us had not met for over 2 years. Finally we get a chance to reunite and catch up with one another over the Iftar session.

Ramadan 2022 - Ride Silaturahim 2022

Day 2 - 15 April 2022

Singapore - Kuala Lumpur (300km)

Day 2 brought us on a solo ride 300km away to the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. This is also the HQ of Ducati Official Club Malaysia. It has been two years since we met with the members (close friends) of the club. I had made plans to rendezvous with some of them over Iftar in Day 2 in the city of Kuala Lumpur. This trip is akin to rekinling the brotherhood relations that we had pre covid and what better over a session of break fast in the month of Ramadan.

The ride up was less than significant although it feels like we had to restart all over again as a "newbie" on a long journey. I guess 300 km would be a good refresher training to get back in shape for long distance touring. We made a few stops along the North-South Highway of Malaysia, mainly for petrol and getting a respite from the heat of the day. Travelling when you are fasting can be challenging due to the weather. This is only the second time I had decided to go on a motorcycle ride during the fasting month of Ramadan, the first being my solo ride to Kanchanaburi / Sangkhlaburi years ago. This ride is more so for me to learn about the characteristics of my bike so that I could understand it better in preparation for future overland tours. The setting, handling and consumption were closely monitored by me throughout the trip so that I can understand it better. I paid special attention to the fuel consumption at various cruising speed so that it helps me plan my refuelling stops during travel. The bike handles very well on the wide open road however at high speed it can be a little thirsty in finishing up the petrol.

Once we checked in, we took a short nap and then a shower to refreshed my self before heading out to the malls. It was still too early to meet up with friends who are still working since it was a Friday. We had planned to meet up at around 7 pm for our Iftar session. Till then I occupy myslef walking and roaming around the city and heading into the malls for some air-conditioned comfort.

Ramadan 2022 - Ride Silaturahim 2022

Day 3 - 16 April 2022

Kuala Lumpur - Desaru Coast (380km)

We traveled all the way north and the next day we are traveling southbound all over again. This time we will be meeting up with the Southern Desmo for Iftar in Desaru Coast. But before we meet up with them, I will travel south back to Gelang Patah (3km from Singapore border) to rendezvous with the other Singaporean riders from Ducati Motor Club Singapore (DMCS) before we head to the meeting point arranged by Southern Desmo (Johor Ducati Riders).

After the meetup at Tebrau CIty in Johore, we rode up as a convoy along the Senai - Desaru Highway and headed into the town of Bandar Penawar. Desaru Coast, is a beachfront area in Bandar Penawar where they boast beautiful sandy beaches. Our event venue for the night will be hosted at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast. As usual we had group photo taking and all the talks with our friends from across the causeway whom we had not met for quite a long time. We also had a surprise wedding proposal by our very own rider, Faris to his girlfriend to get hitched. Luckily she said YES as all eyes were on him...hahaha. Congratulations to you both Faris & Anna.

From there we headed down to the restaurant where we had our Iftar session. The spread was sumptuous and everyone continued on intermingling over dinner.

Catching up over dinner was great but we wished we had more time to bond and rekindle our friendship...perhaps the next Red Raya Ride which is hosted by Southern Desmo in June 2022 for all Ducati Official Club Malaysia members. DMCS is also presented with a token of recognition by the VP of DOCM for being a wing/chapter of Ducati Official Club Malaysia. And we have been an official wing for the past 3 years back from the time we were named DOCMSG. On behalf of the club, Zamri, our current president, accepted the award for on behalf.

The night has come to an end and so has the short Ramadan Ride. We had covered about 700km over the past two days of travelling during this period during the fasting month of Ramadan. Prior to going back into Singapore, we had a short Tea session cum supper in Johore.