Monday, January 28, 2019
I had a motorcycle accident in July 2017 and have totally stopped cycling off road due to torn leg ligament that makes technical riding difficult and squatting almost impossible.
Life goes on and I have included my dear wife into cycling lifestyle and we now cycle tandem locally and touring.
Plans are also on the way on getting a touring scooter or motorcycle for us to explore places around Malaysia and later, Thailand and beyond.
I have decided to change the format for this blog to include stories of our travels and reviews of places and products.
The title of the blog will now be "Enjoying Life on 2 Wheels"
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Yielding On A Single Track, Who Gets Priority?
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.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Kayuh Lasak 2012
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!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Chiang Mai Cycling Adventure
The furthest so far that I have have ever been on a cycling trip is to Hatyai and much nearer but still in Thailand, Betong and down south, Singapore.
My cycling members from ECC have traveled a number of countries and some even cycled from Bangkok to China. I have always envied about joining them on their adventures and finally decided to go to Chiang Mai with 5 friends on a 5 day cycling trip. Why Chiang Mai, well, it's supposed to be the mountain bike heaven with the mountains and hilly terrain. Well, if all goes well, this may be the first of many more overseas cycling expedition to come.
I have done a rough itinerary for the 5 days but since this is a free and easy trip, we might change the plan as the days go by. Hope we can do as much cycling as we possibly can for the next 5 days.
Chiang Mai, here we come!
Sunday
After checking in hotel and setting up our bikes.i. Visit an ancient temple, Wat Prasing
ii. Visit another temple which is also a museum, Wat Ket Karam Museum
iii. Visit Tribal Museum
Monday
i. Cycle towards Hmong Village, distance 21km. Along the way, visit Umbrella Village and another temple Wat Phra Doi Suthep which is side by side.
ii. Have lunch or bring packed food along and eat at Hmong Village.
ii. After lunch and going around the Hmong Village, we start off road (Yippee!) Smuggler's Trail. 20km of downhill and pure XC trails towards Huai Tueng Thao Reservoir.
Then it's cycling back 13.5km on road to our hotel. This should take all day and estimate to finish around evening. Total cycling distance about 60km.
iv. Cycle and look for good makan and then do some night cycling around town.
Tuesday
Plan A (if we are going to spend all the time cycling and exploring around Chiang Mai town)
i. Cycle north along the river and do a loop coming back on the other side. Distance 60km.
ii. Check out the local bike shops.
iii. Free and easy after dinner. Maybe do some more night cycling.
Plan B (if we are going full cycling expedition)
i. Wake up early for breakfast.
ii. Cycle up north to Chiang Dao town. Distance 71km. All on road.
iii. Stay for the night.
iv. From Chiang Dao, cycle a bit more north and then turn East towards a small town called Phrao. Distance 42km.
v. Eat light lunch at Phrao (if can find because it is a very small town), then continue cycle East for another 24km. From my GPS map, the road looks interesting because of lots of zigzag. Hopefully going downhill!
vi. Cycle into off road trail. From the GPS map, it says 4x4 mountain track. Distance before we reach tarmac road. 61km! I have to highlight the distance because we would have cycled 85km already by now and there is still another 64km before we reach Chiang Mai town again. Total estimate distance would be 150km for the day.
Wednesday
Plan A (continue from Tuesday Plan A)
i. Cycle East 1 big loop. Distance 100km.
ii. or Cycle South and do a loop back.
iii. Finish early and relax the for the day.
iv. Maybe go to Night Baazar to see if there is anything interesting.
Thursday.
i. Shopping and pack bicycles.
ii. Arrange for transport to airport.
iii. Bye-bye Chiang Mai.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Of Mtb Jamborees and Races
Why? It is held in Melaka. So what's the big deal? It's organised by an event company and they are charging a really unreasonable fee of RM90. Then, the unveiling of the track, ....*drum roll*...
it's none other than our 2011 Burung Hantu track. We should be be feeling great that someone is using our trail but re-using the same trail and charging so much registration fee? Something is not right. Come on, don't you have any shame? We know you want to cari makan but not this way. Do your own reccee of the trails and better still, reduce the unreasonable registration fee.
A probe further revealed that although the event date is fixed and the starting venue is at a university, the university administrators have not received any application to use their facilities on that day. Well my fellow riders, think twice if you are thinking of taking part.
By the way, if any groups wants to cycle the Burung Hantu trail daytime on a weekend, do contact the Environment Cycling Club. I am sure they will be more than willing to lead the way.
Lately we have noticed the influx of mtb jamborees and races throughout the country. This is a good sign that shows the cycling community is growing. So much so that even if there are 2 events on the same weekend, both events can almost boast more of 1000 registrations.
The general registration fee of most event is RM50 with some exception where the organisers provide actual cycling jersey for additional RM20 - RM30. I think it is fair considering the number of manpower needed to organise and manned the events. However some clubs have seemed to have tasted the blood, so to speak and want more by charging so much more with little giving back to the participants in the form of goodies.
Last year I heard of 1 club which charged RM50 for their event and many seasoned riders felt shortchanged when the initial 40+km ride was shortened to only 37 km with mainly flats throughout the ride and made worse with a goody bag that contained 1 T-shirt and a packet of maggi mee. Ok, we also heard from new riders who showered praises of a good ride. Is it possible for future events to state "Suitable for new riders" so that we won't waste time traveling all the way and money with hotel stay?
Another thing that came to my attention is a coming event that charges RM80. It is a mtb race but why need to charge so high? There is nothing mentioned in their blog on what will be given for such an unreasonable amount of registration fee. From my understanding, the majority of us who are recreational riders will be subsidizing the prize money that professional riders will easily earn on the race day. Well, since I am not a professional rider or those that cari makan on events that has prize money, I will ride my usual playground and give a RM80 makan treat to my family.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Plentong Ride 13.11.11
Tommy Nelson (left) and me by the trail description
Distributing ride plates to everyone
When I was about 9 or 10 years old, my grandparents had 4 plots of paddy field. Those days we did everything by hand. Paddy saplings were planted by hand and so was the harvesting. The best time was just after harvesting, the fields still filled with water and you could play in the mud. Later during bath time, no matter how you scrub and washed with soap, you have to live with the mud smell for quite some time.
The ride at Plentong brought back memories of my childhood. Why? Because it was a muddy muddy ride. But don’t be mistaken, not that it was not a pleasant ride, in fact it was a fantastic ride!
This event is held nearing year end where the monsoon season is starting and the trails are wet, slippery and muddy. There were so many river/stream crossings that I lost count. True to what I heard, the single tracks are awesome and fantastically long. Just as you exit a long single track trail, cross a road or an opening only to go into another long stretch of single track. Did I mention that we’re cycling under the canopy of trees most of the time. It’s a mountain bike heaven in Plentong! If only there weren’t so many stream crossing. The amount of energy used up to carry the bike over a slippery bank takes up every ounce of energy that you are saving for the next phase.
When you have only 1 area to cross and there is a bee line of riders behind you, this is what happens. Everyone starts looking for alternative way to cross.
Helping Mei with the help of Tim, to repair her broken chain
I have been taking part in many jamboree & races throughout Malaysia and Plentong rates the best in my book. Toughest ride still goes to KLMBH Epic Ride in 2010.
My club riders were at the starting point early and we patiently waited at the starting arch only to be pushed back by late comers who conveniently took their place in front of us. Then a large group of riders formed their own starting point by the road beside the official one. The flag off was messy as both groups rushed into a bottle neck.
The organizers should also think of a better PA system. The speakers were placed at the wrong place (when it was working). Additional speakers pointing at the starting point would have been better. We couldn’t hear clearly the announcement and naturally will not pay any attention. Electrical failure that made the PA system stop during flag off stole the thunder that everyone was expecting. A contingency plan of a loud haler would have saved the day and best of all, an air horn will do a better job than any state of the art PA system that doesn’t work.
Other than the teething problems during flag off, the trail design is good. I cannot stop complimenting the single tracks that Plentong has. You guys are so lucky! The Check Point and Refuel stations are efficient and in my opinion, CP3 being the best, as the guys that manned it, brought the meaning of Check Point management to a higher level. They were enthusiastic, cheerful, helpful and welcomed every rider as if you are the Champion. As I was refueling my water bottle and had a banana, 1 guy will spray chain oil that my chains are crying for and one of them even quipped that massage is available. You guys rock!
The next few photos are dedicated to the guys of CP3. Never before a check point deserves so much write up.I wish the organizers would have put in more effort on the river and stream crossing. With so many participants taking part, it would have been helpful to put logs for us to walk across rather than making us go in. Maybe shave the banks to make it easier to go in and out. Last but not least, if all is not possible, put a rope where we can pull ourselves out of the river/stream banks. I heard a rider getting angry for missing the cutoff time as he wanted to finish the ride but was held up at most of the obstacles.
Overall, I would think the organizers did a good job. Minor hiccups are bound to happen and any complains or grouses should be looked into and taken as a lesson for improvement. Whatever it is, PLEASE organize another one next year. I am now a staunch supporter.
Note of thanks to the friends photos that I got from facebook.