KLMBH Epic Ride 09

Almost every event needs some kind of promotion to make it a success. It can be in the artwork graphic like below or the writeup that is so good you cannot wait to go. As for me, I made up my mind to go the moment I saw the promo flyer and now with the ride details, it is even more confirmed that by hook or by crook, I have to get my butt there on 10th April.

So far 6 have confirmed going from Melaka and 2 more are still thinking of it. Maybe this write up will seal the deal.
Taken from KLMBH forum. My favourite line on the last checkpoint "Welcome to Valhalla my friend"

Ride Description.
1. Check Point CP 1 -Comment: The first chicken loop for people on a short ride.Description: The first section aka CP1 is relatively easy and starts with a 1.7km road section to a oil palm plantation in Ulu Yam. The terrain in CP1 is moderately undulating and nearly fully shaded. This is the quintessential Malaysian plantation cross-country ride consisting of mature trees and well manicured trails. There is one river crossing between Ulu Yam and Ulu Tamu. The river is beautiful and scenic and is knee high most of the time. However, after a heavy rainfall, the river can be as deep as waist high in parts and fast flowing and therefore, may not be safe for unsupervised children. This is a fantastic warm up route. Come and stretch those cold muscles here and breathe the fresh air.Distance to check point : Approx. 16.9kmDistance from check point to Home : Approx 1.2kmClosing time: 11:45am(TBC)

2. Check Point CP 2(Water Point) -Comment: The second chicken loop for people on an intermediate ride.Description: The route traverses kampung roads through Kampung Genting Malek. There is also a small shop set up in front of the owner's house in Genting Malek for riders to buy drinks. This section is characterised by narrow single lane 'kampung' roads that meanders gently around small 'kebuns' and is relatively flat and shaded. There is a short single track section in a rubber estate just before check point CP2. Riders can replenish their water here at CP2.Distance to check point: Approx. 26.4kmDistance from check point to Home : Approx 3.7kmClosing time: 11:45am(TBC)

3. Check Point CP 3 -Comment: HYH's favourite route in Ulu Renning and the third chicken loop.Description: This section has been used in both the 06 hash and 08 Epic Loop 2. 6km of beautiful and shaded cross country riding through a mature oil palm estate. At the end of the ride to CP3, riders enter the village of Ulu Renning. There is a small shop here that sells drinks and some food. Riders can take a break here to eat and have their tea break. Riders on an intermediate ride can follow the main road back to the starting point.Distance to check point: Approx. 32.6kmDistance from check point to Home : Approx 6kmClosing time: 1:30pm(TBC)

4. Check Point CP 4(Water Point) -Comment: The fun starts here!Description: Up to this point, the ride has been civilised. The fun starts here! The first section is a shaded steep and steady climb on narrow premix road. There are some very good views of Ulu Renning here before we enter into a downhill section. The bottom of the downhill leads to a red metal bridge and riders will face the main climb on the Epic aka Hill Nos 1. The hill is steep. However, when the planets align and conditions are perfect, our stronger hares have claimed to have ridden all the way up. The subsequent downhill will lead the riders to our second and last refill point. Check-point 4 is located in a cool and shaded riverine picnic area, frequented by the villagers. This is a good spot to take a break and fuel-up before attempting to complete the remainder of the Epic. Riders can replenish their water here at CP4.Distance to check point: Approx. 38.5km(TBC)

5. Check Point CP 5 -Comment: Continuous climb in rubber estateDescription: The ride from CP 4 to CP5 is a continuous 5km climb albeit, on a relatively easy gradient. The trail is shaded by rubber trees and there seems to be a constant light breeze here. This is a lovely ascent, which has been used many times by the hash. We expect only the faster riders to make the closing time and the rest will be ushered through a chicken loop back to CP 1.Distance to check point: Approx. 42kmDistance from check point to Home : Approx 7.5kmClosing time: 2:30pm(TBC)

5. Check Point CP 6 -Comment: ‘First Among Equals'Description: You are super fit and strong. After 42km of fast riding, you are still fresh and you should be. You are the uber man/woman. You laugh at how easy our monthly hashes are. You want a challenge. And so, we will throw at you more hills, more sun, another river crossing, more single track, slippery and steep gravel roads...and you say, "Bring it on!." If this fits your bill, then our final route from CP6 to CP 1 is tailor-made for you. Welcome to Valhalla my friend.Distance to check point: Approx. 45kmDistance from check point to Home : Approx 6.7km

Cookie

It's been some time since I last updated this blog. It's not because of writers' block, in fact, there are some stories lined up in my mind that I want to share but life's reality always hits me that prevent all these from happening. The thing that we try to avoid but never possible, the word that brings shivers to some and changes :) to :( when you think of it. The mood swings that definitely comes after Sunday and called Monday blues. WORK. But like or not, it's the thing that brings the bacon to the table. Now that I am able to slot in some time between work, it's time to share this small news.

Our Miniature Pinscher, Cookie recently gave birth to 3 puppies. Unfortunately not pure breed as the father is Lexus, our Chihuahua. I don't think we will find any problem selling them off. Small toy dogs, cute and adorable, who can resist them. The only thing is to identify the cross breed. What shall we call them when they are half Miniature Pinscher and half Chihuahua?

MiniHuahua, ChiPinsher, MiniChi?

Earth Hour

This Saturday 28th March is Earth Hour. I am doing my small part by taking part and I hope you will too.

Just off your lights at 8.30 pm for 1 hour on Saturday 28th March

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.