Roti Run through Malaysia en route to Thailand: 7 Jan 2013, Batu Pahat to Melaka

The route was flat and constant traffic.  Generally, the Malaysians seem to 
understand cyclists and motorbikes.  Oncoming cars who are overtaking sometimes 
come a bit close.  There was very little to see on the way.  Just grinding the 
kilometres away.  
Just before Muar, we were 50 yards back from a truck hitting an overhead 
electricity cable, sending a massive flash and sparks.  The impact broke the 
concrete pylon into two.  We decided to keep riding.
We made a pit stop after Muar at a very basic but good roadside nasi campur 
(buffet and rice) stall.  We met a young Chinese man, Wong, who worked for 
Skynet.  He was fascinated by our bicycles and insisted on taking photographs.  
Generally, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil are spoken.
Since our last visit some 16 years ago, Melaka has changed for the worse.  I 
cannot see any reason why UNESCO gave it world heritage site status since there 
is only one or two streets with a few Straits Chinese shophouses remaining.  If 
you want to ruin your city, just ask the UN freeloaders to pay a visit.  I 
wonder if the inspectors had declared their Swiss bank accounts.
We stayed in a everyday business hotel, the Mimosa.  The staff were very 
cooperative and we left our bikes in the lobby.
We visited an excellent bike shop called Sin Bee Hin (meaning new, beautiful, 
stylish) on Jalan One Kim Wee.  Saw some fit-looking Malaysian cyclists popping 
in for adjustments.  The shop has been going for three generations, having 
started out servicing the needs of trishaw riders.
Had a curry at a chetty ( South Indian) restaurant.  Chetties are Indian Muslims 
and traditionally were in the money business.
Total mileage: 97km