Amritsar Express

To Desaru, Johore, Malaysia, 175 km. It's true: the Amritsar Express does exist, despite the Indian's denial. He is spotted plying the Tanjong Belungkor-Desaru-Tg Pengelih route. I keep pace at 42 km/h but soon drop behind. The other roadies shoot past at 37 km/h, I manage to hang on longer, but soon it's a solo ride for me until I spot the stragglers from the 14-strong group. This is my first ride with the Charity Bike n Blade bikers. Some of the bikers are older than me, but kick my butt. One of them is E, 56, on a Litespeed racer. One of his rims costs more than my entire bike. Riding at a more sedate pace is M, on a rigid Specialized Stumpjumper. It's 15 years old; he rode it for 2.5 months across Canada - all 4,000 km of it.
Tech note Replaced front tyre (Panaracer Pasela) with new tyre (Panaracer T-Serv).