Sat nite makan-makan at Safari a-aand Sun ride at Pg Hill, 15/16 July 2000
1stly...4 those who missed out on Sat nite's satay feast at Safari...u should've been there! Not so much that the satay was superb...rather it was the turn-out of those who came 4 this makan/gathering made it worth the while!
And should I forget my manners on Fri nite, a VERY BIG THANK-U should b accorded 2 Mr Suprianto 4 his generous helpings( FREE pulak! It doesn't get any better than this! ) & servings of satay that kept coming out till we had 2 request he pull the plug! Needless 2 say 4 a satay lover such as myself( I have been looking 4ward 2 this all day! ) it was yum-yum, specially the satay perut! It was so-ooo tender & smooth! B-U-R-P! I could still feel/taste the tender morsels the following day!
Even though we didn't get 2 have our nite ride cum bar-b-cue on such a nice moonlit night( sigh! )...all was not lost as we still got together, had a ball exchanging ideas/opinions...constructive comments/feedback as 2 regards of the K.O.T.R.Ts rides, activities & future plans.
Perhaps we should have this kind of gathering more often? Not necessarily at Safari, though I find that over here we get 2 sit in a relaxed atmosphere, food binge in the midst of discussing our mtbking adventures, mishaps...& the occasional on the side "bird watching"! < Grin >
Sun ride...here goes!
We had 23 people turn up 4 todays ride! Ah Oon & Ah Hwa were the only 2 heroes who rode up 2 meet us via Botanical Garden, whilst the rest took the tram up! As we were in a big group, we had 2 take the tram up in groups of 10, 9 & lastly me & Sup. We had our usual ice-kacang/food stop at Madam Ah Moi's and our group photo shoot, a "small briefing" as 2 who would lead & sweep the ride...& it's off the kids go with our Sukma rider leading them in tow! Did I mention we were also entertained by Oon on his descending prowness down the flight of steps by the food court just b4 the photo shoot!? Syabas Oon!
We were soon on our way, riding 2wards "Roger Peng" trail so aptly named after a friend who forever left his "mark" there! < Grin > It was however, more of a hiking event from here as the trail was not ridable due 2 previous land erosion & undergrowth! There was also the uncalled 4 phobia of leech attacks as exaggerated by someonelah( we all know who he is! < Grin > ) which got some individual worried, checking his "behind" at every stop we made! Needless 2 say the condition of the terrain was too dry 4 any leech activity! Phew! What a relief!
After much climbing & grumbling, we were soon heading down 2wards Clairemont Station where we regrouped & on 2 Viaduct Station via the steps beside the tram lines. Our German rider 4 the day, Ben, rode down this flight of steps whilst most of us carried our bikes! Good 4 u Ben!
Overall there were no mishaps/tumbles, not counting my little "encounter" with a protuding bamboo branch which nicked my helmet real good & a puncture on someone's spanking new mtb as he did the final descend 2wards Hye Keat estate! Good thing Sup carried a spare & our bike doctor, Gary very quickly fixed the puncture. Oh, there was also this one segment where a few riders enthusiasm got the better of them & the pack overshot one turn & ended up having 2 push their bikes up this really steep climb! No one complained when they were dashing down this particular segment earlier though!
Summing up...although todays ride which was leaning more 2wards the leisurely side & a little slow paced, always understandably the case when in a big group...was enjoyable 4 me...( & dare I say it 4 everyone!? ) as we had fun riding together! Although time & time again we ride our mtbs...waking up so very early in the mornings( we don't wake up so early even when we have 2 leave 4 work! ), leaving the warmth of our cosy bed & putting behind us the week's accumulated work related stress...soon forgotten the minute we swing our legs over our mtbs & head out 4 the hills & trails...I think that sometimes we overlooked the most fundamental reason we mountainbike...and that is 2 have good plain FUN! NOT so much so the challenge of climbing that bit of very steep section or the thrill of a technical descend well executed...rather just getting together with our friends...mtb kakis & BOND! Mtbking simply transcends all social, religious & political barriers! Wouldn't the world b a better place if everyone just got together & mountainbike instead of bickering over trivial issues!? We'd WISHED!
See u all next week if we do the proposed Tikam Batu ride with Viper Ong & crew!