A ride to Cheng Ji Chang, 2 July 2000
The weather this morning was unbearable! It was so hot. I was like a candle under hot afternoon sun, a total melt down! We were supposed to do long ride this morning. Seeing four out of ten riders were in no way condition to survive the torture, we decided to cut the ride short!
Ten riders, including a newcomer to the K.O.T.R.T, Jack Lim an aircraft pilot decided to join the fun this morning. After a quick breakfast at 1997, our usual breakfast joint, we proceeded to k3 at 0830 hours. I don't I need to elaborate about how teruk was the climb at K3 here since I have mentioned it before at my previous journal. The ride this morning was different. It was hot! I don't know why. I didn't feel normal. The weather looked hot, and it was much hotter than other days! I thought I was the only one who felt it weird. I saw Ben and Fatt, my high school were sitting on the cement track gasping for air! It was really not my day! We three virtually struggled to the top! Later we met Jack on his green Santa Cruz, also struggled to get to the top. With four of us, and the rest were no way could be seen, we decided to do it easy since temperature was not at our favor!
We finally finished the K3 climb and cross over to Hilton Hut after so much of agony. We had one casualty during the descending to the Hilton Hut. Weather started to change after the two hours of hot scotching sun. The dirt trail leading to the Hilton hut was wet and slippery, especially when there was cement cover singletrack. I had no problem to "hantam" the dirt part since it was always my favorite trail to ride. Riding on cement trail on raining day was totally different story. My front wheel started to give away even I only applied a small press on my front brake level! I nearly crashed at one corner! It happened so fast. My front wheel gave way. I went panic. I applied rear brake hopefully I could gain control on my front wheel. No luck. The rear wheel skidded to one side when brake was applied. Lucky me. There was no one behind, and my Diamondback went back to normal after I released both brakes. How it happened still puzzles me. I can't blame on worn tires since front still good and rear still look 90% brand new! Oh speaking of casualty, my high school buddy, Fatt was not that lucky. I wasn't there when it happened. Apparently, his bike went too fast and he was panic and "Zap!!" Both brakes applied and the rest was history!
After a short break at Hilton hut and Kodak moment, ST suggested to continue the ride by going up again, a short but steep uphill climb! I could see the faces of some of us, especially those who struggled at K3 just now, turned bloodless! I was no way in better condition! Hell, group decision always win, what to do? Three packs of beer still bothered me and this is a point of no return. I just couldn't say, "f*&k it. I am going home!" What I could do that moment was to see how thing goes. If I was really not in the condition to continue, I would turn back!
The climb was as terrible as K3. I decided to pretend to take pictures after fast climb, leaving most behind and stop to gasp for air! Oh I met Viper Ong during my short break. He was going up steady and followed by Daniel, who was trying to outrun Viper Ong! We decided to follow them to check out what were they up to.
There was a left turn to a durian estate before the final climb to the farm house. The track was going downhill to a temple, which I had a bad feeling that climbing back up would a big problem! We were greeted by group of riders who were there before us. Dr. Francis was one of them. A pleasant surprise! We had little chat. ST was discussing some future events that we have been in our mind with Dr. Francis to see how things were going to work out(What plan? Check K.O.T.R.T homepage for updates!). After a short break, we decided not to join the durian fun and rode back to Air Itam via AID road.
Honestly speaking, it wasn't the toughest ride that I have ever encountered. I was just not in the condition to continue. If the weather were not that hot and I had enough sleep, I think I could do it better. So, what's next? We are planning to do Sungai Ular if we don't go to KL. Wanna join us???
Stay tuned!