Down hilling Penang Hill - Sunday April 29, 2001

Rely on the KOTRTs to come up with surprises! That's what I personally think.

The statement "Down hilling Penang Hill" is enough to scare you. But, Hats Off to the KOTRTs members, they make you able to encounter the task, and even if you're a bundle of nerves, you still want to ride where it is ride able down the hill.

We grouped at the foot of the hill at about 8am. Azmi, Sup, ST, Derek,Annuar, his son, Zel, his brother in law and of course the Nuikar of the year (me, slow Faz) made it up to 8 riders, a mixture of Super Theng Kars and Super Nui Kar. We caught the 8.20am tram up the hill. Still owe Azmi RM4.00 for the fare. Reason why Azmi, ST and Derek took the tram was to accompany the new comers to Penang hill on the tram, they could have cycled up, no sweat for them! Azmi said so!

What I applaud most is the team spirit every KOTRT member had shown during the loading of the bikes onto the tram at the station, during the cross over and also upon reaching the top. We really look like a unit working together on the loading and unloading.

Breakfast was at the food court and pretty soon we were on our way towards the trailhead, after the Super Theng Kars put on their body armour, which caught me by surprise! The first section was almost impossible to ride (with the exception of Derek). The trail was too steep and slippery. Not to mention the leeches that started to crawl up some of the legs! Someone shouted not to worry, as the leeches will not suck the air out of the tires!

The trail was ride able even though sometimes we had to dismount and push up the steep climbs or get over obstacles such as rocks and tree trunks. We came to some cement trails and tarmac. Sup was warning the new riders about the green thing on the cement and tarmac at the start of the ride, moss, which are very slippery and can cause you to find yourself on the ground and not on your bike if you're not careful. There was also this bridge that got washed out and again team spirit saw us coming through unscathed, to the riders and bikes. I was tired but ST said I was not, as I was talking a lot! Maybe talking too much!

We stopped at 84 and posed for a photograph. We didn't waste much time and proceeded to the trail. There were hikers who looked at us in awe, thinking highly of us or thinking we're crazy. After the plateau, there was this trail with steps that led to a garden after some effort. We went through a "No Entry" sign, passed an orchard like farm and almost got chased by two dogs. The KOTRTs got together and chased the dogs away!

Not in the owner's sight of course. About 30 minutes later we were already at a small stream cum waterfall and that was the end of the ride. We finished the ride at noon.

As a new comer to the trail, I feel that I was really taken care of. You wouldn't dream of seeing me ride down some of the trails, it was pretty awesome. But with the coaching and safety reminders from the others, we made it. FYI, Sup did a great job as the sweeper!

Lunch was at the Thai food stall opposite Sheraton, not at Sheraton. Thanks to Derek who sponsored the lunch and his Udang Galahs, which Azmi walloped full heartedly!

Too bad ST had to leave early and did not join the lunch.

BUT! Too bad for those who did not join us........you missed one hell of a good fun ride!!!!!!

Faz