Singapore Bike Asia 2009

Sounds interesting. Anyone want to go with me. We'll share the cost of lodging.

Yippee!! I will be going to the event with Keong.

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Something interesting that caught my attention in Yahoo news. The largest fresh water sting ray caught. Read about it here.

Asahan Ride 15.2.09

Saturday evening: I sent a sms to Lee CH asking if he had any plans for cycling and he replied "No, any suggestion". I had always wanted to go back to Asahan after the last charity ride we had with the Rotary Club of Kota Laksamana about 3 years ago.

Fortunately my reply to Lee was enticing enough for him to agree going even though it was a longer drive to the ride site (1 hour from home).

We met at 7.30 am, loaded my bike on his car and off we went going through Bemban, Jasin and to Asahan. Asahan is a town at the edge of Gunung Ledang (Mount Ophir) located on the Malacca boundry.

The initial ride was easy as I brought Lee through a small jungle patch and came out by the dam. We then cycled to the waterfall but the sight that greeted us was way different from what I last saw. The constant flow of fresh cool water wasn't there and all that's left was fallen trees along the route and stagnant pools of water everywhere. The only conclusion I can derive on is that the flow of water has been diverted elsewhere. Or else how can a waterfall dry up?

It was uphill climb after that all the way to the orang Asli village. It happens that there was another ride at the same time by another group of bikers happening at Bukit Tampin. It looks like we have our own share of uphill ride.

Most of the houses are now government built brick houses but there is 1 house that is still in it's original condition. It sits on stilts and the walls are lined with bamboo strips.

It was tough cycling up the single track into the jungle area and after some time we decided to make a U turn as going further meant going deeper into the jungle.

Going down as a breeze and payback for the tough climb.

Taking a rest on a makeshift hut

Lee feeling exhausted and taking a much needed break

The highlight of the ride was meeting these children. They were initially shy and followed us from a distance. Every time we looked back, they will duck down to hide. But after a while they gathered more courage and came when we gestured them to come as we wanted to take a photo with them. The reward for them was my single bar of chocolate flavoured protein bar which was eagerly shared. What impressed me was the oldest boy (the tallest in the photo)who is obviously their leader gave everyone a share first and took his last. What leadership qualities he has!

Single track heaven. Everywhere you look, it's single track but most of them stops abruptly.

Many thanks to Lee CH for accompanying me on this ride. It was a short 13km but a satisfying one.

Kulim here I come!

2009 first outstation cycling event for me.

Kulim Mtb Exploration 2009 held on 8th March 2009.

I am more particular now of the ride condition after the disappointing ride in Taiping but looking at the organiser's recce photos, it looks promising. So, I preparing to ride 54 km. Anyone interested to join me?

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The mother of all Jamboree.

We're giving recognition to the Knights of The Round Table (KOTRT) who started organising large scale mountain bike jamboree since 2002. They took a break last year and they're back with another much anticipated event of the year. Why I am promoting it so early in the year? Well, after suffering their first jamboree and couldn't get enough of it, I went back year after year, each time bringing more and more Malaccans with me. Free all your commitments and go to Penang for the ultimate mountain biking experience, 5th & 6th December.

2004 Jamboree with (from left), Jeff, Jessie and Siew Peng
Who says it's all suffering when you attend KOTRT's Jamboree?

Be there or be square!

Exploring Malacca town

I have to confess that I am not an early bird. I would rather stay up late and watch some movie or documentary than sleep early. So much so that when I really want to sleep early so that I can get up early for a cycling activity, it always fails and I end up lying in bed with the mind unable to switch off.

A long time cycling buddy, Lim HT sent me a message just before CNY and asked if I wanted to join him exploring Malacca town as he had been away on work assignment. "OK" I replied back, "What time?" and the reply came "7.00 am meet at your place". Alamak, that means I have to wake up about 6.40 am!

Anyway, I managed to get up early and showed Lim HT the new developments of Malacca.

Spice garden

Waking up early to see the sun rise warming up the cool dawn was nice experience not mentioning the sight as well.

Board walk.
My favourite ride area that I am proud to say that after sharing the route to the other Malacca riders, it has become a regular night ride route.


This was my first time riding over the recently built wooden walkway by the river front. The landscape areas around the tourist belt has changed so much within the last year or so.

Interesting sight where the pigeons seem to fight over each other to cling on the wall. I guess they are after the minerals in the walls.

Another sight of the river front.

Monitor lizard swimming by

A replica of a water wheel that our CM saw in Jordan

I have to thank Lim HT for the early ride. As a local boy who only pass these areas mainly at night, it was a nice change of perspective.