Three Hill ride? 09 September 2001

Pounding head ache, 5 hours of sleep and cooling temperature. Don't I have an excuse not to ride. In fact, if it was not because of Kulim Lee and Maverick, I would cancel the this morning. But no choice lah, news already spread out that I was going to lead a ride at Sungai Ara Farmer trail, so I had to drag myself from my air con room and met the rest at the meeting point. There were about 20 riders from Kulim Lee, Maverick and Nuikars. Tough luck for us. The coffee shop that we were supposed to have breakfast in Sungai Ara was close for the day. Most of us had not had breakfast yet. Luckily Annuar knew the place well. So we managed to squish in one little roti canai store not far away from the coffee shop. I decided to try the rice since the stuff shown there looked delicious(it was!). After a quick breakfast, without wasting any time, we proceeded to the trailhead.

Seriously, if there wasn't Annuar's son's help, I would be in trouble to lead the ride. Amount the riders, I was the only who knew the trail besides Annuar and his son. The initial ride was okay. Sungai Ara waterfall trail is always friendly to newbies. Did I say newbie? Among 20 riders, almost half of them were newbies. I could sense something was going to happen for this ride. The coffee shop incident already hinted this was not going to be a smooth flying ride. I let Zel, Annuar's son to lead the fast pack to the first regroup point, and I took my time to enjoy the breeze along the way. After a brief stop, I decided to make the group moving again since the time was getting late. We started late, 9am. The weather looked like it was going to be hot. So I had to make sure that we cleared the first two hills before ten. Lady of luck was not with me. One of the Nuikars broke the chain during the first climb after the regroup point. I was the only one with chain cutter. So I had to stop and help him to fix the chain back. It took us 10 minutes to fix the chain. I couldn't wait for any longer. So I told him, I would have to chase after the leading group and would meet him at the second regroup point.

There was still no sign of that rider after I reached the plateau. There were few riders at the top. They decided to wait for me since they did not know the way. I asked them to continue the journey first, and I would wait for the one who left behind. Time passed by, and there was no sign of him. Look at my watch, it was approaching 10. I realized that I would have to cut the ride short and forget about the ride on the Paya Terubong farmer trail. I really feel sorry for Lee and Maverick since I had promised them that I was going to bring them to enjoy a technical downhill at the Paya Terubong. But judging from the time and most of the riders were newbie, I decided that two hills were more than enough for them.

Five minutes had passed and still no sign of that rider. I decided to make move and let Richard and Andy to wait for him. Yeah they were with me since they would like to take some time to enjoy the view. One thing good about this track is the view is breathtaking. Most of the riders that first visit the track always stop to enjoy the view. I had no mood to enjoy because I had left the group to figure out the way, and I had to tell them I had decided to cut the ride short. I finally met up with the group. It turned out that that guy who broke the chain broke the chain again. He must be shifting the gear under load. This is a big no no for any type of bicycles. No matter how expensive is the chain, it is definitely going to let go if shift under load/stress.

Thing was not getting okay after the second regroup point. Two riders skidded and fell on the way down to the junction to the Sungai Ara farmer trail. One of the riders broke the handlebar of his Diamondback, which means he was definitely out of the ride. I think I got the message clearly now. I had to cut the ride short, or there would be more mishaps at the subsequent ride.

I told the riders that we would have to cut the ride short because it was too hot to ride under the sun. I could some disappointments from some of the riders. But for the sake of their safety, I had to do it!

We finished the ride half an hour before noon. It was early for any rides that organized by KOTRT. But what the hell, safety first. I did not want to play a fool with someone high up!

No makan this time. Everyone was so anxious to go home. We were talking about possibility of visiting Sungai Sedim next week. So far, I have few tentatives and one confirm. So, Sungai Sedim anyone? Let me know!

Stay tuned!