Epilogue: Singapore-Malaysia

Dang.

It's over. The thing about biking trips I've noticed by now is the pattern: It goes slow the first few days then super fast then

 you're done and closing up shop before you even realize it. Then you're depressed because it's over and you have to go back to your job.

Holly and I were hosting some Warmshowers guests the other day and they asked us "why Malaysia?" I asked myself that, too. It's not a country that you see featured on IG with all the reels. It's still developing. And it's extremely humid. I don't want to be like those loser traveler enthusiasts and influencers that say it's an underrated place to go but it does have it's charm. And while I hate the hose bidets for the most part I did find them handy and missing them when we got back to Japan. They were great for cleaning the Bean's poopy underwear and bum. And since the White Dragon will be at that stage soon, I want a bathroom with both Japanese and southeast Asian bidets. 

My left hand is still quite numb. This is normal after doing biking trips for me, but I think this will last a long time as it seems there is more extensive nerve damage than previous trips. Hopefully by our next trip I will have obtained the coveted butterfly handlebars or something similar. Also, this was the first trip I got blisters on my bums. That was annoying and painful. 

Since the kids are older they would fight a bit over each others toys and I had to occasionally yell at them. Then after I yelled I'd quietly be pedaling and think about how I'm a terrible dad. Biking gives you a chance to think about stuff in real time. 

This trip we had no flats nor broken spokes! Our rebuilt wheels paid off. We only had one flat on the trailer an that was because we let the tire get too thin and it got flat from friction rather than a puncture. So does that count. I give my resounding, "No!"

And the question you're all dying to know, How long did we ride for? We biked exactly 1,100 km or 683 miles, over 17 days. Which was about the distance of our Taiwan trip. Makes you think huh?

I don't know what our next trip is. There are a few factors at play now: (future) kids, school, desire, going back to my mission - Paraguay, We have biking trips in the wood works as always but not firm dates yet.

And like I always disclose for each trip; we spent roughly $3,700. Ironic for being in a 3rd world country. But flights ate up nearly half that cost.