Yielding On A Single Track, Who Gets Priority?

Last month on 10th November 2012, Tay KC and me together with our families attended KLMBH annual dinner. It was a fun event as it was held at a venue with a pool and what do you expect when you get a bunch of mountain bikers who has good sense of humour and camaraderie? Wet! Well, at least the outgoing and incoming committee members, some guests and winners of the lucky draw including Tay KC who won a free bicycle.

The following day was more interesting as we got to cycle Kota Damansara community forest reserve led by Winston and some friends from KLMBH. 

After we finished cycling and chatting while waiting for the rest to come out, an individual rider came up to us and blew his top that he almost crashed into another cyclist coming from the opposite side. The trail in Kota Damansara are all single tracks (sweet) and this rider was going on a downhill gradient when he crossed path with another rider cycling uphill. He claims that as a rider going down in faster speed, the other rider should yield and give way.

I believe many of you including me have never crossed our minds on this subject as who is to give way on this matter. Winston shared with the rider what is the universal understanding practised in US. I looked up Google "yielding on a single track" and got the same answer as what Winston told this rider.

The rider cycling down yields. Why? It sounds dangerous right? Well, the reasoning behind this is that it is harder to get going again on a climb than on a downhill.

So, there you have it. No more quarreling over who gets the right of way. If you are in a cycling group or club, please share this news to everyone.

Since we are on this subject of Trail Etiquette, I might as well add that as a cyclist, it is our duty to yield to hikers, people walking on the trail and animals such as horses, cows, etc.

Last photo is a note to myself. Never inspect one's fork on while moving on a tarmac road going downwards. Makes one look stupid doing the front endo before hitting the off road trail.

Kayuh Lasak 2012

By now those of you who went for Kayuh Lasak last Sunday are probably licking your wounds or massaging the over strained leg and other muscles/areas that you'll never think that will get cramps :). (ask Ah Sin)

This year's Kayuh Lasak is one of the best in terms of distance and difficulty. I am disappointed for not being able to get all 10 CP stickers - The only Kayuh Lasak without complete stickers (except for 2003 which is a long story). Missed out CP8 NOT because not fit but rather didn't reach the cut off time in time due to the spirit of brotherhood and keeping company to our friends who were experiencing cramps. I feel it is worth giving up the trophy of feel good over friendship. That inspires me to want to try to complete the whole trail of KL12 one day as I heard the trail from CP8 to CP9 is fantastic.

Thanks to my fellow members who went as your friendship counts a lot and the memories will last a lifetime.

To KOTRTies, it's been great knowing you guys since the very first, The 1 Hill Ride and going every year since then. I think it was a good move to have the last 2 previous rides start at Balik Pulau and the finale (hopefully not) back to where it started, Youth Park.
Thank you for: initiating the idea of a properly organised mtb jamboree in 2002 when one would think it's crazy to drive all the way to Penang just to cycle, the meaning of hardship of pushing up and going over obstacles, to learn what is fear when the moment comes, the indescribable exhilarating thrill when bombing down what is seemingly endless single track downhill, etc and the most important, the opportunity to get to know all of you. Thank you!

Some photos of yesteryears to share with everyone.

When it all started, year 2002. Didn't even have a proper jersey, used something of t shirt material that looked like one. Now the cupboard is full of jerseys! Notice the smaller group of riders which made cycling much much more enjoyable then.

Meticulously hand drawn map of the ride, year 2003

 It took a lot of persuasion to get friends to go.

2002 - 3 from Malacca took part (Thierry, his son and me)

2003 - 2 (Tan Kwang Meng and me)

2004 - 6 (Loi Wen Chong, Kristin, Siew Pheng, Jeff Wong, me and another young rider)

After that year, Loi being the bike shop technician, spread the news of Kayuh Lasak and 2005 onwards saw a big leap in numbers going from Malacca.

The initial 2 years had pre event ride that was on Saturday. From 2004 and the next few years saw interesting activities such as treasure hunt as the photo above. 

I am still searching for the old photos of 2005 onwards. Till then, it's a jump in time to 2012

Thank you Azmi and all the lauchiow of KOTRT for 10 good years of mountain biking in Penang. Only 1 hill right? That's what you said the very first time!