I am glad I missed the Karnival Mtb 1 Batang Kali which is riddled with problems. Never before a jamboree is cancelled 90 minutes after flag off. You will need to search the cycling blogs to read about it.
Jasin Jamboree is ok with average cross country trails.
Pagoh Mtb Challenge is better in terms of trail as the organisers made sure there is enough hills to provide the challenge.
Every established cycling clubs has their own signature ride.
KOTRT with their Kayuh Lasak, KLMBH with their Epic Ride, my own club with her Burung Hantu night ride and PCC with their Presidential Ride. Once you create a branding for a ride, the high expectation of a good ride will be there. And I am happy to say this year's PCC Presidential Ride lived up to it's name as one of the best rides.
It is a long trail this year, some 67km of sheer mountain biking. From the start, on road cycling is short and it hits dirt trail just around the corner (literally speaking). My group started late so we join the pack almost at the back and the first hill was a massive jam with pushing the bike all the way until the peak. I was joking with my fellow ECC members that this is a pushing bike event and those who cannot push, will cycle.
The hills are long and plenty and after every uphill climb, there is the down hill reward. The single tracks are also plentiful and my heart was singing with joy whenever I maneuver through them.
I fell off the bike before check point 1, same spot as this unfortunate rider. The off road trail is on much higher ground to the tarmac road. I was confident in going through the section but the front wheel skidded as I hit the tarmac and injured my left knee. Not wanting to let the injury get in my way of completing the ride, I continued cycling with the blood flowing and it dried up after some time.
After check point 2, I was cycling with Ah Khiaw, Ah Sin and Ah Woo with me being the last rider. Suddenly at a downhill section, I passed Ah Woo and saw he was holding the bike and in pain. He had fallen off the front handle bar and must have hit his chest and shoulders as he landed. The pain was so unbearable that he couldn't talk. After resting, Ah Woo slowly regain his strength and was able to continue while withstanding the pain in the chest and shoulder. I decided to cycle with him and we both completed the whole 67km trail just after 3pm. A whopping 7 hours in the trails.As for ride difficulty, I would rate last year's Epic ride as my hardest ride I have even taken part in with also some 7 hours in the woods.
This year's Presidential is special with many inspiring stories. First was Ah Woo who was determined to finish despite his body in pain. Then there is Ah Meng who had mechanical bike problem before check point 1 and push all the way to complete the ride at 2.30pm. Imagine pushing and gliding whenever possible for some 50km off road. And that are stories I know and I am sure there are many more stories that will show the determination of the human spirit when pushed to the limit.
Oh ya, and I finally got to meet Akmal who was beside me at the beginning of the ride.
Akmal, if you're reading this, it was a pleasure meeting you.
Some of ECC members getting a well deserved restAs I was writing this entry, a message popped up on facebook of an invitation to a cycling jamboree. The thing that caught my attention is the group that is doing it has organised a jamboree a few months back. Now that almost every cycling club wants to organise a jamboree, worst is 1 club doing 2 jamborees in a year. It makes one feel there is commercial gain in organising mountain bike jamboree.
