Planning dates for Penang trip

Guys, this blog will be used for spreading info, answer your FAQs, address concerns, work out logistics and discuss bike setup requirements.

(1) Currently we have a 3 week timeframe from Aug 24th (Mon) to Sept 13th (Sun). The impetus comes from Ron, whose workplace is shutting down for that period of time for renovations. Since Ron doesn't have much of a chance to get block leave at any other time of the year, and I've been telling him how good Penang downhill is for like gazillion years, his dates thus become our dates :)

So minimum, we will have Ron + me. Please use the comments page to post the dates that work for you within the stated timeframe and we'll see how we can accommodate as much as possible.

(2) I'll like to keep the group between 4 to 6 people for the purpose of driving up in the van. That number includes me. With 4 people and 4 bikes, everything should it in easy including personal luggage. With 6 people and 6 bikes, it'll get a bit tighter as I want to keep all the bikes in the van itself, not on a roof rack or bike rack outside the vehicle. Chances are good that we'll hit rain at some point during the 700km drive... so unless one of you want to volunteer your bike to experience 120+kmh wind and rain blasting at it.....

(3) My preferred dates would be to Thu to Mon. From experience, the drive can take anywhere from 5hrs (in a very fast car) to 8 hrs (with traffic jam here and there). So Thu will be for driving up, starting around 8am, so that we can avoid the worst commute jams around the KL area and subsequently across Penang bridge. Fri, Sat, Sun will be ride time. If my body hasn't been too bashed up, then Monday morning may do 1 more ride, then eat, go back to hotel to bathe and nap, and start driving back around 2pm, reaching Singapore before 10pm.

(4) I'll probably have one of drivers to also be a van driver - to split the driving duties, doing 1.5 to 2 hr shifts each time. The huge van takes some getting used to, so I dont' want to have to orientate/train too many people.