Chrismas Eve Morning Tōge

Tōge (峠, also spelled touge) is a Japanese word literally meaning "pass". It refers to a mountain pass  or any of the narrow, winding roads that can be found in and around the  mountains of Japan and other geographically similar areas, like the Nordschleife in Germany. 

 These passes have become popular with street racers and motorsport enthusiasts, because they provide a challenging – albeit dangerous – course. 

(Quoted from Wikipedia)

While the sky was still dark this morning, I was awokened by a call from @r3aperz. In my grogginess I was puzzled and annoyed at his calling me so early in a Sunday morning, then it dawned on me that I was supposed to meet him and a few other mates at 7am for a Tōge drive, and it was 6:58am. Long story short, 40 minutes later I met the group waiting by their cars. I sheepishly exchanged morning greets with them and off we go.

Our route starts from batu 14 (14th mile) Ulu Langat and goes through a two lane mountainous winding road. At one point it goes around the Semenyih dam before leading off deeper into the jungle all the way to Titi in Kuala Klawang. This route is known to many local motoring enthusiasts and bicyclist alike, and many fondly to refers it as the Kuala Klawang International Circuit (KKIC).

KKIC is my favourite Tōge grounds followed closely by the Sempah-Bentong route. While the Sempah route consists mostly of tight turns on narrow roads, the KKIC starts with tight bends from Batu 14 that opens up to straighter high speed stretches and fast sweepers as we approach Titi. After Titi the roads open up even further to multilple lanes per direction, before tightening up again towards the Broga Hills. 

These winding roads found in Malaysia usually cuts through the rainforest. In the morning it is usually devoid of other motorized traffic, or very little of them. For those reasons, itcould be a very scenic drive if you actually slowed down to take in the ambience. Just be extra careful of monkeys crossing the road!

As mentioned, this route is favored by many car groups/clubs/enthusiasts. Almost every time I go, we would encounter other car groups. This morning, it's a bunch of GTRs parked by the road.

My route today only went as far as Titi, where we stopped for breakfast and I went back via where we came from, while @Jun04035 went on towards Broga.

It's just 5 cars this morning. The largest group I have joined was 13 cars if I remember correctly. There are car groups here that like to organize huge Tōge convoys with hundreds of cars, but I am not particularly keen to participate in these drives.

Unfortunately, this morning I was out of my game, partly due to my shot dampeners but mainly because the roads were damp. I have had unpleasant experiences tackling wet corners so I was extra cautious - Wet roads are very unpredictable, grip can just go without warning and suddenly you will become a passenger in the driver seat. Just ask @aaronleang :P. 

One thing that annoys me to no end are cyclists that ride like they own the road. Look, I have no qualms about sharing the road, it is a public road after all and I usually give cyclists a wide berth. But be smart - give way when a faster, heavier vehicle is coming up behind you, instead of acting like an ass by staying in the middle of the road when there is space to give way.  It's not like I am threatening to run you over, I'd happily wait until you have space to move out of the way, as long as you ACTUALLY TRIED to move out of the way.

Look at the example below from this morning, where there is ample space outside the solid line, but that smartass in front refuses to move aside, forcing cars to overtake him by driving over into the opposite lane!

Anyway, Tōge by definition means spirited driving on winding roads, but safety always comes first. I've seen enough accidents of inexperienced drivers trying to be a hero but ended up in a ditch or on the side of the mountain. The roads are unforgiving if you drive like a nutjob - there is no prize for first place, nobody will be impressed if you endanger yourself or other road users. Drive within your limits and have fun, nobody has to get hurt. Just chill and enjoy the drive!

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