Taman Negara Trip, 08-11 June 2001
Before I start, on behalf of KOTRTs, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following:-
- Derek & the organising team( both Penang & KL ), for initiating & organising this Taman Negara trip...
- Sup, for his artwork, design of the Taman Negara "One With Nature" t-shirt, fantastic trail illustration & Satay, all of which this trip couldn't do without...
- Gary, for his artistic touch/work on our Wira Pagi & Wira Kembara crowns...
- Adli & Tom, who unselfishly "sacrificed" their ride to assist us with sweeping & helping out the riders...
- Shi Fun, who generously went out of her way to provide us with 100 Plus's & other canned drinks...
- ST, Sany, Fuji, Adrian & the other Group leaders for their cooperation & assistance in TN logistics...
- Paul Kok, for his down-to-earth write up, coverage of this trip & also doing double duty with the sweeping team...
- Alan, our web guru & media medium...not forgetting his < Slu-urp > delicious secret recipe marinated chicken...yummy!
- Rosmah, our very own Florance Nightingale, though, thankfully the trip did not warrant usage of the 1st Aid Kit she brought...
- The kind canteen folks, namely Kak Yang & her kitchen staff for keeping our stomachs satiated!
- Last but not least, to all participants who made this trip a success & memorable one!
Day 1: Friday 8 June
The things that one would do for mtbking.....waking up at 3 am in the morning ( when most M'sians would still be sound asleep! ) to load up bike 'n gear & to meet up with the rest of the KOTRTs at the Juru rest stop. Sup was already waiting for me at the gate when I got to his home. Malik's apparently on the way to meet us. It was a quiet drive across the bridge, there weren't many cars on the road at this time of the morning! When we arrived at the rest stop, none of the crew were in yet & we thought we were late! Everyone turned up soon enough & after a quick breakfast, we were on our way to Genting Sempah to rendezvous with the rest of the mtbking community going on this trip. Yess! After months of planning, Taman Negara here we come!
The Penang contingent was late getting to Genting Sempah as one of our Penang drivers was misinformed of the regrouping area. He presumably waited for us at Ulu Bernam thinking we would regroup there when we were actually already waiting after the Rawang toll. We felt bad when Sany called, informing us they were already at Genting Sempah while we were still stuck at Rawang! We finally got in to Genting Sempah with mucho apologies flying but did I detect some red faces still?
< Grin > Sorry folks! This is bound to happen whenever we're travelling in a big group.
Derek gave a short briefing before we pushed off for Jerantut, our next town for regrouping. It was a good thing too that most of us had our walkies & hand phones on as the convoy broke up on the way to Jerantut. Some drivers were uncertain of the junctions that they come across. At Jerantut, we filled our ice boxes & stomachs while some of us even had time to dash into the local supermarket for tidbits & other stuff.
The drive to Kuala Tahan/Camp Nusa was long, winding & bumpy. Luckily the weather favoured us & it wasn't so dusty. When we finally arrived at the FELCRA junction leading to Camp Nusa, the 4wds parted company with the rest of the convoy. Derek lead the cars in to Kuala Tahan for the boat ride to Camp Nusa while ST & self lead the way in for the 4 by 4's. As we drove in, Sup & ST put up signboards, marking the junctions for the following day's ride. The previous day's rain made driving up the logging roads an uneasy task. Malik wasn't so lucky as his Land Cruiser experienced difficulty ascending the steep & muddy road. His 4wd lost power & slipped.....much to ST's horror who was following behind! It wasn't long before the walkies were buzzing calling for help to assist Malik. Matt offered to help as his 4wd is equipped with a winch. However all's well by the time he got to Malik as they managed to get the vehicle out & moving again.
After a few more corners, we greeted the Camp Nusa sign board with relief & proceeded to unload our bikes & gear. By then, those taking the boat from Kuala Tahan also arrived & it wasn't long before the commotion & huh-hah started with everyone checking in. However, with Derek's wit & juggling < Grin >, he managed to sort things out. Camp Nusa came alive with our presence as everyone was busy settling in at around 4pm. Everyone cheered when Tom, Cassie & Adli came in on the last boat. They cycled all the way from Taman Tun Dr Ismail to Kuala Tembeling before catching the boat ride to Camp! It was soon time for dinner & the all important briefing for the following day's ride to Kampung Pagi. Derek's briefing gave much thought to everyone on the perils of the timber trucks that would be plying the very same road we're sharing with on Saturday. After handing out the the numbers & the "One With Nature" t-shirts, everyone called in early, getting much needed rest for Saturday's onslaught to Kg Pagi. Lights out.....zzz!
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Day 2 : Saturday 9 June
Everyone was up early, eagerly preparing for the ride & challenge that awaits them! Those who opted for the long ride departed as soon as the 1st boat came into the Nusa jetty. I was on the 2nd boat out. When we got to Kuala Tahan, we quickly unloaded our bikes & gathered at the road ahead before starting the ride. Unknown to everyone other than the organisers, we have 2 crowns to be given out among other souvenirs.....one for the 1st rider to reach Kg Pagi called Wira Pagi( Warrior of Kg Pagi ) & the other...Wira Kembara( Expedition Warrior ) ie. for exemplary & outstanding performances echoing the spirit of mtbking camaraderie. It was a 3+ km tarmac ride out from Kuala Tahan to the FELCRA junction.
The weather today couldn't have been any kinder, cool morning breeze blowing & the terrain condition was ideal. I could see the anticipation swelling up in everyone's face as we cranked inwards.....towards.....the 1st steep climb! Adoi! The sweeping/back-up vehicle was already at the base of the climb, with Paul Kok of Bicycling M'sia clicking his camera away as riders rode by. Just before the 1st climb, Tom came zooming by, almost as if he's got a motor between his legs! And he was with the last boat out from Nusa! So was Kenny in hot persuit. Whoa! They're fast! Tom's ride however fizzled out when he stopped to assist Matt who had problems with his seat clamp. I could see a lot of riders already clearing the 1st steep climb, some were pushing, huffing & panting while for some it looked so-oo easy! After what seemed like cycling forever, we were once more greeted by the Camp Nusa signboard.....indicating that we're at least halfway there.....phew!
After riding a few kilometres from the Nusa signboard, what I saw in front of me was a sight for sore eyes! I didn't expect it but we actually caught up with the 1st group lead by ST & those who went on the short ride lead by Derek. It was good to see everyone but our joy of reunion was soon cut short by the all familiar rumbling sound of the.....timber trucks! Aa-rgh! It was a long massive column of trucks that snaked itself along this hill road. We waited till the column moved on & even before the black soot cleared, we cycled as quickly as our legs could carry us, hoping to cover as much ground before the next column of trucks approach us!
It was a good 2 hour ride from the Nusa signboard before we saw the signboard
of.....Kg Pagi. We rode in to the warm accolade of the Kg Pagi folks who were there to give cheer & support to the riders coming in. Chilled 100 Plus's( compliments from Shi Fun ) & biscuits were on hand.....it was a real life saver after such a long ride! The boats were already waiting to take the riders out to Kuala Kenyam for lunch by the time we rode in to the riverside jetty. Everyone arrived safely albeit a spectacular entrance by one of the riders when his front wheel washed out & he endoed right in front of us! Ouch!
We rerouted our lunch destination at Kuala Kenyam to Kuala Trenggan after Derek discovered Kuala Kenyam covered with scrubs & waist high lallang. It is sad that such a nice spot has been left to the elements & not maintained by the local authorities! Packed lunch never tasted so good & after a brief rest everyone decided it was time to get back to Camp. Derek had a nice surprise for everyone when we got back to Camp. He had arranged freerides on his jet boat for us. Whoosh! Almost everyone tried the ride while those who didn't, just enjoyed the sights & the evening sunset...
Come dinner time, Kak Yang & her kitchen crew were busy barbequing the satay 'n chicken that Sup & Alan prepared. Worried that the food we brought from Penang would go bad, I was elected the official food taster. Voila! By now the marination has really seeped in, making the meat even tastier! After filling our stomachs, we held the surprise award presentation to the participants & souvenirs for the group leaders. After much deliberation & thought, the following awards were given out:-
- Wira Pagi, went to Kenny, the 1st to ride into Kg Pagi.
- Wira Kembara, went to Adli for going out of his way to help fellow mtbkers throughout the ride.
Souvenir lay-out plans were handed out to:-
- The Group Leaders ie. ST, self, Chong Beng( Penang ), Sany, Fuji, ( KL ) & Adrian( S'pore ).
- Shi Fun, for the most "refreshing" person on this trip.
- Paul Kok, spirit of volunteerism & media coverage.
- Eileen, voted most deserving rider.
- Ingrid, the most die-hard lady rider.
- A special token of the trail-layout was presented to Derek as Chief Organiser.
With the ride finally behind us, we chatted under the stars of the Taman Negara sky till the rain came & everyone made a beeline to their respective beds.
Day 3 : Sunday 10 June
Breakfast was consumed wholeheartedly knowing there would be no riding today & some had a long journey home. Those staying back had other plans though. We are to trek to Abai Waterfall with the Nusa guide Rosli. The group soon broke up as the people up front were much fitter & faster following the agile Rosli. We soon realised that we've taken a wrong turn when the trail we took seemed to take us further up hill & away from the sound of the waterfall. Luckily for us we stumbled upon a Orang Asli family. We introduced ourselves & found out that the Orang Asli's name is Sner. Sner was on his way out with his family & offered to guide us in the right direction to Abai Waterfall. I gave his son a bar of chocolate as that was all I had on me then. The kid happily accepted my gift & we're on our way. We parted way after we reached the river crossing & that was when we heard the sound of the front party who were then already on their way out!
It was a relief to see Rosli our guide, who waited at the falls in case we turn up. Personally, I was a bit disappointed with Abai as I had expected a picturesque 'fall. Anyway, we made the most of it & everyone freshened up in the cool( cold for some! ) waters of Abai. We knew it was time to go when our stomachs started growling & making funny noises. The trek out was much faster, thanks to Rosli who showed us how to place our footing making it easier to get across the rocks at the river crossing. We even have time to visit the Orang Asli turpentine processing area & Rosli explained to us the arduous tasks this people have to go thru' to make a living.
From Penang, there were only Derek, Su Aun, ST, Alan, BE Tan, Fatt & self who stayed back. Sany, Rosmah, Fuji, Hulk & Chew made up the KL crew. For me, today's lunch was the best meal I had since I got in here. Kak Yang fried the left-over bbq from Saturday nite & it was one sumptuous meal everyone enjoyed!
The latter part of the evening was spent "lepakking" by the sand bank admiring and enjoying Mother Nature's tapestry. Dinner followed soon after, but our jovial chatter was once more interrupted by the rain. It poured cats & dogs this time. We were concerned with the following day's drive out of Nusa Camp as it would be difficult to traverse the rain soaked logging roads.
Day 4 : Monday 11 June
Time to pack up, head back to civilisation & the "grind"! Our concern with the overnight downpour did not go unfounded as the road condition was bad. We were the first vehicles travelling on the road today. We had a few "hairy" moments, luckily with a bit of luck & skill.....we managed to clear the tricky & slippery section safely without any incidents. Lesson learned here.....it's easier & safer to go in by boat to Nusa Camp than to drive! We were informed by the folks at Nusa that this was the first time ever that a 4wd group had driven in!
We stopped by for lunch at Mentakab & it was time to bid adieu
to KLites. Parting is such sweet sorrow.....but we shall meet again!