Tuesday, February 17, 2009

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.

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