Mt Erskine...Eat To Ride, Ride To Eat! 23rd July 2000
First & foremost mucho apologies 2 all( specially 2 Mathew's missus! I was informed she prepared some refreshments all neatly packed in the cooler box! ) who turned up 4 the Tikam Batu Ride,( all 18 of us apparently! )...only 2 b told it has been cancelled( sigh! ) due 2 unforseen circumstances! It was a blessing in disguise however when it rained early in the morning b4 we started off, else we would have gone over 2 the mainland only 2 b told of the cancellation much later! Well...everything happened 4 a good reason!
It was a good thing we came up with an alternative plan/venue 2 ride just in case something like what happened in the morning cropped up! Mt Erskine it is then! As everyone had gathered at the Green Lane Petronas St...some as early as 6.45 a.m. inspite of the rain, we decided 2 live up 2 our K.O.T.R.Ts motto! Makanlah! Everyone agreed 2 have Roti Canai 4 breakfast at Cherry Canai Stall by the lane beside the Mausoleum at Transfer Rd! Even our cool knight, ST drove all the way from his home at Paya Terubong 2 join the merry bunch! Just as we were finishing breakfast, Dr Francis called...telling us he was on his way over 2 the mainland meeting point by the Sg Dua toll...it was a good thing too that he called, else our poor Dr would've ended up waiting 4 no one that would turn up! He managed 2 turn back & meet us at Mt Erskine trailhead beside the Chinese temple.
We started off 4 the trail after the usual gearing up & unloading of our bikes. The kids obviously all pent-up 4 the ride, shot off at the trailhead with the "sarang labah-labah" sweepers trailing behind! A-ah youth! The trail wasn't as wet or soggy as we expected, which was a good thing inspite of the early morning downpour. Early on in2 the ride & we already have our 1st "casualty", who was about 2 "bonk" out after chasing & trying 2 keep up with the faster front group! It was Ah Tat, a newbie on his 1st ride here today riding on his spanking new mtb. His enthusiasm somehow kept him going with some help from Gary ( who offered 2 push his bike 4 him ) & mua. We finally caught up with the rest who waited up 4 us halfway along the trail. There were a few steep 'an slippery sections/climbs that challenged our skills...with shouts of encouragement, some of us succeeded whilst others just made it halfway. Nevertheless we finally gathered at the trail end b4 continuing up the slippery slopes 2wards the waterfall area.
After much stopping due 2 the "big" crowd jamming the singletrack climb...we got 2 the top. The kids were already going 4 the dip in the river while the rest of us just hung 'round, catching up on our breath! Phew! Pushing a bike up is more tiring than cycling it!
Soon it was time 2 go & we grudgingly pushed our bikes down the very same singletrack that we ascended earlier! Of course we had( READ past-tense! < Grin > ) a few heroes who attempted 2 ride down this technical & slippery section with humorous results I might add! Well, no one got hurt from the tumble/endo...yet! The ride back 2 the car park was however a very different story!
Due 2 the layout of this trail which encouraged fast descend...there is a tendency 2 "push" & go much faster than one would normally do! Well the faster u go...the harder u fall! Exactly what a few of us had the misfortune of experiencing! That's me included in the merry gang of cempedak cases today! There was this particular whoopy section where Gary shouted out a word of "caution"...TOO LATE 4 me though! I chest planted...one with mother earth! Good thing I got off lightly as normally the case when riding in the dirt as the loose soil in the ground makes 4 a very good/efficient "breaking" & soaking up of our falls!
I'm writing all this very candidly BUT I do hope( & pray?? ) those reading this article would NOT miss-interpret that the K.O.T.R.Ts are a reckless buch of "Yahoos" out 4 a cheap-thrill seeking ride! Falling &...I REALLY hate 2 say this, CRASHING is part 'an parcel of mtbking that is a acknowledged fact by all who participates & swing their legs over this two-wheeled contraption called a mountain-bike! We however have 2 take it upon ourselves 2 ride responsibly & safely 2 our best abilities & not forgetting 2 have the neccessary protection & gear b4 riding! 'Nuff said!
As with most of our rides...going off without a meal at the end of the day just wouldn't b right!? We had lunch at the Tomyam stall beside KFC at Larut Rd. The Thai/M'sian mixed food/dishes here are tasty & reasonably priced...so much the better 4 us! < Grin >
To sum up todays ride...although we had a "bad" start...what with the rain & the Tikam Batu trip being called off, everyone still had their fair share of fun, laughter...& food! Thank-u people 4 your exuberance, enthusiasm( showing up inspite of the rain! ) & 4 your understanding( with the cancelled mainland ride )! See u all at Sg Sedim 29th-30th July next weekend!