Rod's Ride into FRIM

I took our Dubai office Senior Executive Officer,Rod Smith into FRIM for his first ever mountain bike ride.

Rod, in his late 40's left me panting with his pace.

I knew that he went into the desert run on a weekly basis, but I would have never guessed he was so fit.

He later told me that he did the 3 Peaks challenge last year. I found out that it was climbing the 3 tallest mountains in UK, Ben Nevis, Snowdon and another one which I can't remember the name in 24 hours.
This explains his physical condition.

Anyway, he enjoyed the ride, Rover Track, Blue Pipe, Sulaiman Trail and back.



Rod at the end of the Dream Trail on Rover Track












At the Waterfall



















With bathers in the background















Coming down the track to Blue pipe

















Riding past me in Desert Run T shirt













At the MTB Track signboard




















Full view of the background

















Looking out at KL skyline




















Entering Sulaiman Trail












Better shot of the entrance. Sulaiman trail was wonderful, with all the golden leaves on the ground. I think it left it's imprint on Rod's memory. What impressed me most was his style of riding the bicycle, the standard British Policeman style, left foot on pedal, push off, bicycle moving, swing body and right foot on, just like Lat's cartoons. When asked, he told me that this was the way he was taught to ride bicycles as a boy. As the saying goes, there are somethings you never forget.












I finally took him to visit Bukit Lagong which is nearby, we drove there, to enjoy the stream and waterfalls.

I also showed him the Orang Asli village in Bukit Lagong.
















Rod enjoying the cool river breeze and waterfall sounds. Much better than the hot desert winds.

H1N1

Another blog update nothing to do with cycling. Ezad KTR sent me this ridiculous cartoon oncurrent affairs. Just thought I had to post it.

Beware of Bicycle Bandits

I was taking my wife to the grocery shop on Sunday morning when I came across 3 boys riding red bicycles in the opposite direction.

Nothing much in that, they looked very much the mat rempit hopefuls that are prevalent on bicycles these days. What caught my attention however, was the bicycles these boys were riding. At first glance, they looked like the normal souped up bicycle, I caught my breath however when I noticed the front shocks of these cycles, they were Mazorcchi's or Fox floats at least, Heavy duty, High end jump forks, very expensive.

I took another look and noted that the at least 2 of the bicycles were downhill full suspension bikes. I noted that all were painted red, hand painted very roughly that is, with red primer paint, not even normal paint.

Not to speak ill of anyone, but I knew those bicycles must have been stolen. What would a bunch of scruffily dressed boys not even 12 years of age be doing on bicycles that cost more than RM 7 k at least.

Well anyone who reads this and has lost, or has a friend who has lost a downhill bike, you might find your bicycle in Kota Damansara. I saw them in Seksyen 6, but I don't know where they are from. It could not be far from here. In the meantime, I"ll continue to keep my eyes open.

The nail that got me

I was halfway to RRI, just after the trafic lights at Pasar Muhibah, cycling happily away, when suddenly pooomp, and whooossh all the way.

The rear tire was suddenly wobbly and I found this stuck deep into the studs of my wheel. Luckily the rim was unscratched.

It was push all the way home, no spares no pump.

Try again tomorrow

Cycle log 15th May 09

Last week Eddy and Din did the RRI trail. I was not able to make it as I had a scheduled visit to the Selayang market. Dr Khairul had a trip to Perlis that day and was not available. Since the last posting on rides, we have been making rather regular trips into RRI and not other trails. The weather is hot and the thought of going the distance to other places in the heat is not entirely desirable.

At the moment, I am not sure where we will be riding this week. I have a scheduled ride in FRIM on Thursday with a colleague from our Dubai office, but Sunday is still open.

The group from Seksyen 4 will be riding the Seksyen 10 forest trail tomorrow morning. In fact as I write they are now doing the Kota Damansara Night Ride which will take them all round the place the mid point being Ikano and the Curve.

I gave up this ride because it ended too late in the night for my liking.

They now have their own blog now kakituariders.blogspot.com

Still a lot more to update

Cyclist turning to Biker

This posting has nothing to do with cycling. Arham was a veteran cyclist, long before it became a fad, cycling to and from work daily from Wangsa Maju to Ampang on his mountain bike from 1993 to 1996 when he bought his car.

Recently he asked me to take him round to enquire about a possible future 2 wheel purchase. And this is the result, a Kawasaki ER 650N.













Arham getting his road legs back again after testing the bike, courtesy of mechanic at Gentali.

I will definitely not be able to catch up with him on this baby.

Chengkau Revisited

I revisited Chengkau last week a side tour after my wife's old girls reunion week in Seremban. It's really been a long time since I visited Chengkau, a hiatus of about 19 years. The last time I was here was in 1990 attending the wedding of Din's elder brother.

The last time I was in Rembau was at his Al- marhumah mother's funeral in 99.

The great fire of Chengkau occurred in 2000. The remnant's of the fire remain until today. They have not demolished what was partially burnt. Also the shop owners went on with business in the partially burnt shop.

The Cina Chengkoi of Chengkau was no where visible during my short visit. He was probably relocated to a proper care institution by his parents to protect him from the angry local community and vice versa.

The scars of the fire are still visible both physically at the site and emotionally in the occupants of the town. An aged Chinese man, pointed out the sites of the fire and stories of it's spread while enquiring on my curiosity. He declined to have himself photographed as the Ah Pek in the partially burnt shop.


The row of burnt shops under the tree, remarkable how the tree itself recovered.










Still in use, the roof has not been properly replaced



The burnt down shoplots, not rebuilt


Very nice view of the contrast of the old and new.



The scars of the fire clearly visible on the roof.


The owner probably did not repaint the building to maintain the rustic burnt look. The Ah Pek inside the shop looked a bit too agitated by my presence to enable me to interview him further.






The new shop houses on the opposite side of the road.













The FV1 shop of Chengkau located in the old row shophouses on the opposite side.

















The famous Chengkau signboard at the entrace to the town.


















You leave this signboard to see the Chengkau signboard. It's located on the opposite side of the road. This is Din's hometown.

















The Chengkau Water storage tank built after the fire.

With regard to cycling, the area offers tremendous possibilities yet to be explored.

Road cycling is possible but you would have to beware of the cars and other vehicles as they travel at great speeds on the lonely roads.

Nearby Gunung Datuk (Grandfather Mountain) offers great possibilities of offroad trails. It's definitely one of the areas that we have to look into in the future.

Bang Aji's Food

This is also another overdue posting, (blaming it on the backlog) I remember editing the photos to make them clearer but somehow or rather I lost track of their location in the pc. (There must be at least double copies of every photo in the pc)

Anyway back to the storyline, after the tiring ordeal of the Putrajaya Challenge Park on the Chinese New Year Holidays, we adjourned for lunch at a newly opened shop owned by a close friend (affectionately known to us as Bang Aji) located at Giant Putra Heights.

Incidentally, it is very close to Bukit Cermin ( The fantastic downhill track) which I never hope to participate in, only to watch.

The food was sambalicious to say the least, Kudos to Bang Aji. I would not be putting it down here if it were not for the 2 factors, - Delicious food and old friend, this is a cycling blog after all.

Fariq and Eddy had the Nasi Kukus, Din and me had the mee cuun ( shortform for the Johor Mee Racon) Anyway, it was a delightful medley of Kelantanese (Bang Aji) and Johor (Emi) food. We had 2 fried keli compliments of the house. But we paid for the rest of the food (no point in taking advantage of a friend)

Anyway, for those reading this blog, do give it a try if you are ever in the Bukit Cermin area. I recommend it highly. Not expensive and filling the hungry stomachs.


Bang Aji wandering how Eddy and Fariq finished their meal so fast


Eddy inspecting any leftovers on the plate


The Mee Cuun, just after first testing


Din baloning his Mee Cuun, head and bones are all that is left of the keli on the right. It was starters for us


All that is left of the Mee Cuun, just the kuah, even that was finished after this photo was taken

Teluk Rubiah - Lumut Ride - December 08

This is one long overdue posting. I actually got the photos in February but because of the number of photos still pending ( in K'man's pc) I kept it for later. It was a memoric ride for K'man, Din and Taif.

In all 60 kilometers from Teluk Rubiah to Lumut, on the ferry to Pangkor, round Pangkor Island, back to Lumut and back to Teluk Rubiah.





Din on the ferry to Pangkor

Din standing on the waterfront




Seen here is K'man posing at the jetty.

They had a company trip to Teluk Rubiah as well as an event with the local orphanage at the resort.

Not seen in the photos is Taif who took the pictures.

Apparently the orphans really appreciated their presence and of course their cycling stories.

The 3 of them will be fondly remembered by them.

Frim Ride 28 02 09

This was one ride that was unforgetable, we ran out of breath halfway. Eddy forgot to bring any Buleh along, I forgot the Livita. Technically our energy levels were sapped.

I only took photos when we rested.




Eddy resting under shade of tree, catching breath and enjoying the cool jungle breeze.

















The view of the slope in front of us. It is all trees down there. No beaten trail for anyone to follow.












Energy recharged (not full) we are going riding again. Din has already left us here. We caught up with him later.

Fahmi's RRI Ride on new Bike - previous ride 15 03 09

I took Fahmi into RRI to test his new bike. Purchased from ABC where Uncle Ong measured him and tailored the bicycle to fit his size.

At the entrance into RRI we ran into the group from Seksyen 4 who regularly rides into RRI. First time I met Kudin after hearing his name being mentioned for so long.

No Photos of Fahmi cycling as I was too busy guiding him up and listening to his incesant complaints about the mosquitoes. Only managed to get photos at the top of the Radar tower. No msquitoes there


Fahmi at the tower, in background the riders from Seksyen 4




Fahmi at different angle, background the hills of Frim



Another angle with Subang Airport for background. (My wife scolded me for taking him to a dangerous place. Note there are no railings. It is a Radar tower after all)


Background Subang Airport again

The Chengkau Man rides

We finally got someone from Chengkau to ride. Hj Kamarulzaman, anak jati chengkau, both parents from Chengkau, rode the RRI track with me last week. He is set to join the club. All set for pairing with Din of Kg Selomak.

For me it was eventful ride as my first ride chatting non stop but not out of breath. Hj Kamarulzaman was quietly listening to my chatter. Later he admitted that he was controlling breathing as it was his first ride offroad.


First rest at scenic corner before Indonesian or is it now Vietnamese encampment


Posing for the camera with small stream as background


Petronas lubricant for daughter's Piranha bicycle ( a bit small for him)

Going up the track to the Celcom BTS


I'm trailing from behind


Massaging tired foot and legs after the climb at the peak (the former Subang Airport Radar station)