Blast from the past...

Seeing that the past week have been a week long food feast and no rides.I trawled through some of the old files that i kept. This was one of the articles sent in for View from the Saddle. Dated probably 4 years back... Let's see if this brings back memories.

Superhuman, Inhuman , Barely Human or Plain Joe…?

   The definitive week for personal interpretation of your own mortal self. It’s the time of the year again to take stock of how much we have all managed to achieve within a year. Being a cyclist that is. The mileage,sweat,blood and tears sacrificed… Which category do you belong to?

Superhuman/ adj. having much greater power than normal

   We came across a few of these creatures last week during our trail marking session. As much as we suspect these critters being on the doping list, all pleaded innocent and insisted they are drug free. Watching them being able to ride up a hill that allows you to wave to your own car is not exactly very convincing now is it?

   We mere mortals were barely able to throw rocks at them as we TRIED walking up the same hill. Upon reaching the peak, be welcomed with a sight of the same critters still scouting for new trails to be included into the Presidential. Drug Free?! Pleaseee…

And we wonder why the world is filled with so many violent people. Looking at them, its not too hard to figure that out eh? Anyways…moving along.

Inhuman/ adj. not seeming to be produced by a human being and therefore frightening :very cruel

   This is a progression from being Superhuman, the next step up from it really. It was all confirmed when the same cretins insisted we extend and add 3 more hill climbs that allows us mere humans the chance to view our car from a different angle. From the rear that is.

   The hidden angle not mentioned was that you will need to ride past 2 rubber plantation, only ONE palm oil plantation, cross 2 streams, 1 monsoon drain and avoid the local canine boys roaming the same plantations. Inhuman?  Pardon me…  Subhuman sounds more like it.

 

Barely Human/ just. certainly not more than

   Exactly how most of us mere humans felt after having to keep up with the above mentioned. Its hard enough trying to digest whatever bits of air and oxygen we could squeeze into the leaky, wheezing thing we all call lungs. And here we have the same Superhumans sitting and staring at our bloodless face. Totally clueless… “How laa like this?!”

So which category are you?

I know exactly where I belong… Critical Point Number 3. Directing traffic and waving a little flag, all the while sitting on my garden chair. Same as last year’s. Which doesn’t take much explanation to exactly where I belong…  :P

For the rest of you guys… Enjoy the ride. Its not a race. Plenty of sceneries and views to take in. We really wouldn’t suggest you try petting the local canine gangs though. I honestly wouldn’t rely on the Medic to administer Rabies Shot.

Food and water will be aplenty at all Check Points. Do refill sparingly though. Please spare a thought for the rest of your mates coming in. Zombies really do scare us Ride Marshalls. Many get traumatized and do not return the year after. Kindly spare us …

Do leave some water and food for the backmarkers please. J

Interstate 2012

We care for our senior citizens...

Hi guys,

This is a specialty events for old cocks like you and I. Ok ok, it's more for old cocks like me ( Yellow Manta ) but if you are 41 and above, you may also participate. 

It's organised by the Sg Buaya Cycling Club and will be done on a route of 24km with many sections of very interesting singletracks. Trust me, PCC has been there before and the trails are really nice! Details as follows:

On behalf of SBCC members, I would like to invite you and the others PCC veteran members above 41 years to SBCC ROUND #4 - OLD TIMER MTB XC JAMBOREE (12 Feb 2012). For more information please visit http://oldtimerjamboree.blogspot.com/   

DATE                               : 12 FEBRUARY 2012 (SUNDAY)

START & FINISH POINT  : DEWAN KG. SUNGAI BUAYA (GPS COORD: N3 32.806 / E101 39.480) 

FLAG OFF                       : O8:30 am

TRAIL/TRACK                 : TRACK SURROUNDING SUNGAI BUAYA AREA

REGISTRATION FEE      : RM 50.00 

REGISTRATION CLOSING DATE : 31 JANUARY 2012

KATEGORI

CATEGORIES

>   VETERAN 'A'        -   41 TAHUN - 45 TAHUN (41 YEARS - 45 YEARS) 

>   VETERAN 'B'        -   46 TAHUN - 50 TAHUN (46 YEARS - 50 YEARS)

>   VETERAN 'OTAI    -   51 TAHUN KEATAS (ABOVE 51 YEARS)

>   VETERAN WANITA OPEN    -   41 TAHUN KEATAS (ABOVE 41 YEARS) 

      NOTA: Umur peserta diambil kira dari tahun lahir seperti kerikut:

                    >   Lahir pada 1971 - 41 tahun (Born in 1971 - 41 years)

                    >   Lahir pada 1966 - 46 tahun (Born in 1966 - 46 years)

                    >   Lahir pada 1961 - 51 tahun (Born in 1961 - 51 years)

For more info, please click http://oldtimerjamboree.blogspot.com/

Thanks Pete.

Best Regards & Cheers To All,

Capt Azmy

012-6109061


Updated list of
PCC Old Cocks.
Yellow Manta
Simon de'Guinness
Viagra C'hang
Steroid King Kenny
Voyeur Gerard
KY Chan
as of 20th January 2012

KIARA Ride 15th Jan 2012

KL’s Mecca for mountain biking. That’s what some riders refer to Kiara as. And damn right they are.

Don’t think there’s a more fun place in the Klang Valley to mountain bike than Kiara. Especially for me. It’s practically at my doorstep. Which begs the question why I’ve not been riding it as much as I should.  Perhaps, as with most things in life, we need variety. As the Law of Diminishing Returns dictates, increasing amounts of the same stuff will increasingly put you off that stuff, whatever it may be. Learnt that years back in Economics class.

Now what is it about Kiara that makes biking there so much fun? Of course it’s the trails, duh. Whoever built and maintains that network of fabulous singletracks, we got to take our hats off to.  And most recently they added another 200m of a new section to the Magic Carpet. To circumvent some newly put up fencing.  And I got to try it out last Sunday with the usual bunch of my ride buddies who believe, rightly or wrongly, that life is all about getting muddy and smelly on a mountain bike. Especially on a Sunday (or any off day). Anywhere, as long as it’s offroad. Never mind running into creatures of the ’other world’ (ask WC Chan). Or even king cobras, charging wild boars, heart-tearing bears (ask Simon Guinness), black panthers or wild elephants. As long as it’s off the road.

Okay, enough of my ranting.

Back to Kiara last Sunday. Despite a number of regulars not making it, we still had about 15 of us gathered at KSH Bikes. The Wrench called in to say he was having ‘exhaust’ problems and would be a bit late. By 8.30am, we decided not to wait any longer. Text him that we would meet him at the X Road.

So Choy, the fisherman-turned-mountain biker, took over the honour of leading us. First stop was the Office. Fun as always. At the end of it, Choy said to follow ride plan of Gerard (jeez, he wasn’t even there!) so up we went riding the Coronary Bypass in reverse. First time for me and I thought it was gonna be one helluva climb. But surprisingly it turned out to be quite easy to ride up. So far I’d only ridden it many times the opposite way. Meaning downhill and not up. Kudos to Choy and Gerard.

Next on the menu was this brand new section of the Magic Carpet. Great track! Most scary was that steep switchback left not too far into the track. Saw Choy attacking it only to grind to a stop, daunted by the steep drop all the way down on the right if anything went awry. But being the stubborn chap that he is, he backed up a bit and easily cleaned it second attempt. I took a look and decided to follow Sherman and Lena walking down it. Actually looks more scary than it really is. Next time maybe.

We regrouped at the X Road and caught up with the Wrench. Exhaust no more leaking. So he took over the baton from Choy and led the bunch into 2K and to do the Mission the right way. Which turned out to be the wrong way. You see, we always ride the Mission in reverse so that we get max pleasure riding DOWN those switchbacks. Now to do it the right way means riding UP those switchbacks. What kind of logic is this? Sure enough, the sudden switch of routine had Chan WC so whacked that he couldn’t continue with us for the rest of the day. But I thought I saw him chatting up a nice lady rider inside the trail just before he called in sick. Vincent Hew too, who did last slightly longer until the slopes of Twin Peaks, our next destination, when he shouted that he was calling it a day and turned around…

Up at the Twin Peaks, I was given the honour to lead the pack into Pure Quill which both the Wrench and Choy weren’t familiar with. Nice to be at the front of the pack for a change, for a residential sweeper like me. Except for a few sections where the undergrowth was a bit overgrown (I was thrown off when my bar got caught in a vine), Pure Quill remains pure fun. Even for KY Jelly who took a tumble at the broken ‘bridge’, which caught him by surprise. Guess he didn’t hear my shouts to everybody keep right…. Sherman was jabbed by some nasty thorns here.

Choy took over the lead again for Dirty Deeds, and took the pack all the way down Upper and Lower Shots for some 1^st class riding. By which time both Sherman and Brenda decided they had enough. At the egging of Choy the remainder of us decided to check out 4K. The last time I rode it must be at least 5 years ago so I was kinda keen to see how it was. Still plenty of scary sections with rocks and steep drops. Here is where our Kiara virgin, Kit, a college student riding first time with PCC, demonstrated skillful control. He rode down all those damn things and made it look like a stroll in the park on his Scott Scale HT!

To hit home we rode the Coronary Bypass and Office in reverse. But my entry into the Office was delayed by Kit, who suddenly encountered ‘exhaust’ problems and couldn’t hold any longer. Lucky for him I carried trail currency or he would have been forced to use the leaves…. Seeing as this was his first time riding Kiara (and being the responsible sweeper that I always am, ahem), I took the opportunity to practice some tai chi breathing whilst waiting for him. Not a wise thing though coz I thought I caught a sniff of exhaust smoke each time I inhaled deeply. Just as well King Kenny, Queen Debbie and a couple of other riders showed up to interrupt my tai chi. The buggers had just finished riding KDCF and were now proceeding to ride Kiara. Amazing.

Seems the next hash will be in Kiara. Nice. Hope I can make it.

Gong Xi Fa Cai to everyone!

Ride Report Courtesy of Yellow Manta. Happy Chinese New Year to all...!! Have a good year ahead.

The long march.



Loyalty Pledge


The Red Army fears not the trials of the March,

Holding light ten thousand crags and torrents.

The Five Ridges wind like gentle ripples

And the majestic Wumeng roll by, globules of clay.

Warm the steep cliffs lapped by the waters of Golden Sand,

Cold the iron chains spanning the Tatu River.

Minshan's thousand li of snow joyously crossed,

The three Armies march on, each face glowing.

                                                                  Mao Tse Tung'
                                                                  OCT 1935




There were rumours flying around the past month regarding a new recruit for the Chairman's Party. Kindly refer to attached photo above. So it is official now. I actually have photographic and documented proof.
I just returned from collecting my summon for Comrade Abby's wedding. She will be putting up roots here in Klang. Not more than 3 minutes away form where yours truly resides. It is still a toss up if this is mutually beneficial or just plain foolish. It is one thing letting me and Abby having a fight in a futsal court. It is another thing altogether letting us stay 3 minutes apart. Whose bright idea is this anyway?

Welcome Comrade Chan

On a serious note. Congratulations to both of you guys. Jeffrey sounded like a nice guy on the phone. Which is typical of most Klang dudes. On this he will agree with me i am sure. Ahem..
Spoke to the Senior Mr and Mrs Chan during the Sungai Long ride awhile back. They seemed happy and look forward to the wedding.Well, Ivan Basso was mostly just grinning actually. But i am guessing he has no complains. Mrs Basso is happy she can go touring in Taiwan after that. So its a win win situation for all involved i guess.
I am looking forward to the wedding next month. This will be a summon i know i will enjoy responding to.

Congratulations again...

Kiara Ride 15th Jan 2012

KIARA Revisited

Date : Sunday 15 January 2012
Meeting Time : 8 am
Meeting place : In  Front of KSH TTDI
Ride Distance total : Depending on Ride Leader's discretion.
Ride Description :
Kiara trail consist of everything both technical and suicidal. Plenty of single tracks with switchbacks. Climbing at the start towards the cross junction. Will usually start with the Office nowadays since this bit may be fenced up soon.Then most likely tarmac up to Cross Junction continuing towards 2K Reverse. Not killer technical or rocky sections but some climbs and switchbacks can be daunting for the weaker riders. If you have not tried riding the loops there give it a go as many have done so and now there are many groups riding there every weekend. The last time we headed towards Upper and Lower Short then threaded over towards Hartamas before looping back via school. Then its most likely Snake and Ladders towards Carnival back. 

Upcoming fence

Note: A team of 30 volunteers have just built a new 200 meter section to re-connect the Magic Carpet that was cut off by fencing the week before. Let's ride responsibly. Their hard work should not go unappreciated. Pat on the back for the volunteers!!

KDCF Ride:- 8th JAN 2012

I was out of commission for the previous ride. Busted one little nerve in the rear portion. It is a wonder what one small little connection can do to your entire system. Literally floors you.
To say i was limping was a huge understatement. At one point, i did look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame.The Yellow Manta might not be entirely wrong with his claims during Christmas dinner. May i remind you folks though, he had a few beer and plenty of peanuts. 2 bags of it. I can tell which other primate i know that is able to knock off 2 bags of peanuts at one sitting. Not too hard to guess really...
He eats them with a vengeance. I am pretty sure the peanuts had something to do with it. Its probably a Sungai Siput thing.Though i will still like to argue the part about how i look.
Anyhoo... I am still limping as this goes out. Moving along now.
Therefore, i had no choice but to annoy someone into providing a ride report for me.
More like begging actually. No one said this would be easy.

KDCF Ride Report:-

This is penned by "one of the girls".

"When we used to ride KDCF few times last year, day ride there has always been short, unless you go few laps. We tried it at night too, but didn't ride much since I lacked the technicals to even manoeuvre myself out of there daytime, let alone at night.

But last Sunday, it felt different after almost a year, pleasantly surprised by the nicely carved out single tracks, good mixture of switchbacks, roots, nice climbs and of course the downhill was fun and interesting.Went in once, tak cukup, didn't get to clear few rooty sections, Krankster suggested we do another loop, felt like riding in Kiara, if only they add more names to Temuan and Scout, perhaps sheep shank, clove hitch, bowline, halyard, overhand, figure of eight etc. Can't wait to explore the longer route if it ever materialises, many would soon be regulars here when that happens since there are the countable few places to ride near town nowadays. Not enough of the green in KDCF, try red, or reverse of both half ways if you like, like kopi susu. Steroid Kenny did it three times but not sure if it was more of the green or the red. Those who came would get what i mean.

Oh, don't forget Sungai Long, that could be my secret garden and hopefully at least half of it will remain a secret garden before they come bulldoze the whole area. It's like riding Broga, one of my favourites, thanks to Pow and gang for recceing the route. Pow asked to go back and try the shorter route which will bypass the streams and muddy section, to a banana farm and waterfall. Making a mental note for a Saturday ride there."

 

End Report...

 

Dark Days are upon us..

I understand your sentiment. The rate increase was a directive from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment which received endorsement from the Cabinet last year. We have deferred introducing the new rates as long as ......we can. FRIM now has to implement the decisions.

Thank you for your feedback. I am currently collating feed backs regarding the rate increase. I like to think that FRIM is a very open organisation who listens to our stakeholders and clients.

Please share with us what you would like to have in place to make the rate justifiable if we are not able to reduce the fees.

Regards,
Norhayati Nordin
Head of Corporate Management
DL: +603-62797555
Hp: +6013-2878831
Fax: 603-62770583

.2	Vehicle (per entry)
	Main Campus
	Car	RM 5.00
	Bus / Van / Teksi	RM 5.00
	FRIM Botanic Garden (KBG)	RM 2.00
1.3	Motorcycle without sticker (per entry)	RM 3.00
1.4	Mountain Bike Bicycle (per entry)	RM 10.00
1.5	Vehicle with Mountain Bike Bicycle *each carrying bicycles are charged RM10.00	RM 15.00
1.6	Camera "Single Lens Reflex" (SLR)	RM 5.00

Hmmm...
This can only happens here. A rate increase from RM3 to RM10 for a bicycle entry fee.
Funny thing is... It is actually cheaper to DRIVE in which will cost you RM5 instead of cycling in. 
And we are under the impression that loving nature is being encouraged. 
Under close scrutiny however.. This rate increase is only applicable to cyclists in particular.
Strange...
I personally do not enjoy cycling in FRIM nowadays. There was a huge boom is the presence of cyclists on the trails in FRIM these few years. Too many cyclists on hiking trails meant for hikers. It is sad to see kids standing still with fears in their eyes staring at bikes flying down towards them. Hoping they will not get knocked down. It is an accident waiting to happen really. I have personally been knocked by one idiot cyclist flying down the trail with total disregard of others on the trails.
That is not why we picked up mountain biking in the first place. Mountain biking came about because we could for once, take our bikes up the peaks of hills to enjoy the cool air and view.To actually enjoy the pain of riding UP a hill and getting laughed at in failure to ride up. It was all fun, be it riding up in pain or walking up in shame. There is one particular corner near the peak where a bunch of monkeys will always gather and announce your arrival loudly if you happen to walk up. Depending on which group of monkeys you ride with that day.
Mountain biking is not bombing down the hill weaving in and out of human traffic like a maniac. That is dangerous to all. Be it hikers or cyclist. Any mistake could result in dire consequences. There is nothing to be gained by being self centered and ignorant. Failure to understand that others also have the rights to enjoy the trails without having to look over their shoulders is very sad.

Having to pay a token fee to ride is greatly supported.The fee goes to the maintenance of the trails. We understand that resources is required to maintain and restore. The trails in FRIM is indeed next to nothing else you can find. And the trails have been properly cared of. Thumbs up...
But this increase in fee targetting only cyclist is a very odd move. Is it due to the sudden leap in cycling traffic? Therefore a need to cull the actual number of cyclist on the trails. Or is it because of the danger posed by self centered cyclists with no concern for fellow nature lovers? Can we have designated trails only for the cyclist to ride on?
Having designated trails to clearly separate cyclist from hikers would do all party much good.
Educating cyclist on the correct riding etiquette is also of dire importance. It is pointless having cycling trails with the same idiots riding it and not having consideration for others. Not to mention ripping up the trail we all so love in the first place.
Having to strike a balance in this case is difficult.
Punishing cyclist in general however, leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

What do we do ?

KDCF Singletrack Messabout 8th January 2012

KDCF Singletrack Messabout

Date : Sunday 8 January 2012
Meeting Time : 8 am
Meeting place : Specialized Malaysia
19, JALAN PJU 5/20A, THE STRAND DAMANSARA,, KOTA DAMANSARA PJU5,, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
GPS : 3.155511,101.591315
KDCF Trail head GPS coordinates if you want to meet there. 3.169237,101.580753
Ride Distance total : Single loop - 9KM starting from Specialized Shop. Kota Damansara. Double Loop will be around 13KM.
Ride Description :
KDCF trail consist of 2 loops of 2 to 2.5km long. All of it single tracks with several switchbacks. Lots of climbing at the start but will be rewarded with a superb downhill section back to the lake section. To do the reverse loop it will be a long climb back up the ridge and then again sweet downhill back to the start of the trail. Not killer technical or rocky sections but some climbs and switchbacks can be daunting for the weaker riders. If you have not tried riding the loops there give it a go as many have done so and now there are many groups riding there every weekend. Bonus is no reported leeches or hornets or wasp sections so far.

Contact person : Krankster Yong 012-225 9910 or Bok 012-210 2287

Sungai Long Ride.

It is a New Year...time for changes. Weird changes...
That i can tell you for a fact. Never ...and I mean NEVER in my years with this bunch of old clowns that i ever had Western Food as post ride meals. I probably have had eaten my share of squirrels and durians for post ride meals. But chicken chops and pasta as post ride meals. Uh Uh...Never in my small little brain did it remotely cross my mind. I am shivering still from the thought of it. I thought it was a bloody joke.
I actually had Bruschetta and Grilled Chicken Breast for chow. ( Mind you, it was good. Bruschetta could do with more garlic in it though..ok. We are headed elsewhere now.Chicken was spicy. A wee bit dry but huge portion. I HAD to put that in ...:P Will address this issue lower down the blog. )
The Yellow Manta was a different man altogether this time around... He ate like an old goat. He had SALAD for chow. How weird is that? Should we start calling him Eco Goat from now on instead? He had Dot and Choi! flanking him with a plate of seafood pasta on each side. How is it possible to focus on the salad? It is not right.
At some point later during lunch. Flash mob!!! Out of the blue. Old people started doing Tai Chi  moves. They were sharing the same table as us. You could hear them count watermelons. Please dont ask me why they were doing that.

"Pass one half to the right. Take a deep breathe... Pass the OTHER half to the right."

Yep...I did not hear things. I had Ice Lemon Tea then. And nope, there wasn't any real watermelons being passed. Only old people pretending to pass watermelons.
The lady cafe owner was getting a wee bit concerned.Its one thing to get business walking in. Its a huge cause for concern when a bunch of dirty looking people come calling. Then start conducting Tai Chi class right smack in the middle of your joint.
Combined age of Tai Chi group. A couple of hundred years old.

Sungai Long ... I rode the trail once. That was probably 7 years back. Back then , it was different. We had to hike in the river for a couple hundred meters before being shepherded into the jungle for a track skywards. In Sungai Long, the uphills can really be pointing skywards. Short steep uphills. I mean steep... It was not funny then, Not funny last Sunday as well. Man... It was steep and hot. Monkeys were laughing at us. I was expecting monkeys to start throwing twigs at us and calling us names. But i had Bulldozer for company, I knew i was safe.
Ride started well enough. Danny's attempt to inherit a Harrier failed miserably. His newbie friend wised up to his con. He walked away from it after 40 minutes. He knew for sure Danny was trying to give him a heart attack. Then steal his Harrier. Smart man... He lived to ride another day. Did i mention he is Teochew? Never ever pull that kind of stunt on a Teochew man, they can tell.... He was still at this car when we returned. Good man he is...All patient and calm. With a smile.
He tried to return Danny's favor. Only guy that nearly choked to death on his teochew cake was Alesi.
Never mess with a Teochew man...
I would know. My Grandpa is Techoew.

Riding trail pointed up mostly. We had plenty of time to catch up with each other. The future Dragon In Laws showed up. Have not seen them in a bit. They will be getting their upgraded title by February. Watch this space. There will be a review on that. With or without their consent.
Trails continue upwards from jungle tracks to tarmac.
Chit chatted with Bulldozer. Laughed at birds. Monkeys laughing at us in return.
More uphill.
Bulldozer still right next to me. Walking now.
Yep. You read that right. He was walking. I was witness to it.
Then came redemption from all the walking. Almost 10 minutes of downhill through rubber plantations, orchards, single tracks...Pure bliss. You ride pass stone bridges with moss growing by the side. Take corners with the river roaring by your side. Cross a couple of mini streams. Sweet...
Group gathered at the bottom . Head count done. No lost limbs. No leeches this time around.  Time for food... :)
  The ride was excellent. Kudos to the host. The tall dude with the jelly cakes at the end of the ride. Well done! The other dude with the 29iner bike. Well done as well.. Excellent host. And the rest of the Sungai Long boys. Leaders Sweepers and all in between. We had an enjoyable ride thanks to their hospitality. Note to self- Must return again. Wonderful host . Even better trails...

Feeding time

Post ride lunch.

Cafe in Mahkota Cheras. Its called Susan's Cafe i think. Lovely place. Simple. No fuss. Sit , order, eat, burp, do Tai Chi, pay. Thank you very much. Please come again.
Parking is a mess though. Good luck trying to get a spot. Food is worth the trouble.
Recommended.