Antara Gapi Ride August 2009

It's been a very very very very long time since I updated the blog. Many things have happened, many trails ridden. So much to do but so little capability.

Anyway, one step at a time.

I did the PKNS Antara Gapi MTB Challenge in August, my first ride on my new Norco Bushpilot. The Kona went to Melaka to serve Anson ( I hope he is happy with it)

The ride was well advertised, no one wanted to participate at first but Dr Khairul persuaded me to join in. In the end he did not turn up. So I joined Ezad and the others of KTR for the ride. It was a memorable ride for me as I managed not to finish last this time.

Anyway the pictures.






The stalls at the start, breakfast set, Nasi Lemak plus Hot Tea RM 2.00 only




My Number



Ezad and Khalili in the crowd




I am the Fox man




Registration counter





Setting up, group photo at parking





Joining the crowd





Many teams and many colours, no sign of Dr Khairul





The ride is on





Into the offroad trail





Climbing into the rubber estate, traffic jam now





After exit from rubber estate, on road, not sure of what is ahead.





Climbing steep hill, (you really should try this)





Now into Oil Palm estate





Outside oil palm estate on village track





Into another Oil Palm Estate





The notorious downhill (imagine the RRI radar road without the tarmac)





Now the pushing begins





Trying to catch breath after pushing





Push again





and again





Group pushing photo





Group pushing photo from rear




Another rear view plus worn out pushers resting under Oil Palm tree





The push continues





Ezad, I don't want another push photo





Ezad posing, we are almost there I think





Tired pusher posing





There are still other pushers





Resting butterfly on hand of resting pusher





Pushers resting while pushing and in pushing pose





Proton T bolt overtaking Proton T Blaze in push mode





Aiyaa, tarak habis tolak laa





Resting pusher going to assistance of tired pusher now turned walker





The pushers succeed to the top ( or so we thought)





They tricked us, still pushing





The final summit, no more pushing I think





I was wrong





The mid point of the trail, PKNS refreshement lorry. Very decorative





Escort riders at lorry, the apples have already been finished.





Disappointed escort riders drinking orange juice.





Can take away ahh?





Into another Oil Palm estate





Route beside ex mining pool turned into lake





Finally the finish line. 29 km later




Posing on the stage, Rosli and Khalili were top 100, Ezad and me top 500.




Ezad resting, Khalili giving the wife the good news

KDFC Scout Trail Time Trial

I found this in Fakawi Tribe. For us, we're too old to race, probably be there with the spectators.

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