Derek Neoh's adventure in Gertak Sanggul, 28 October 2000
Pity you guys couldnt join us on the P Betong ride,we had a nice ride with lots of rain to cool us off at the end.We warmed up with an easy ride along the coast on a clean doubletrack,not more than 15ks.Then full of confidence we charged to the base to tackle the hill.What a surprise greeted us,the lower part of the hill which we remembered to be so overgrown has been cleared and turned into a banana plantation,price of Pisang Rajah must be good.The lower half of the track which was so dark and slippery is now quite easy to ride.No more slip-sliding away! Luckily the upper half is still untouched and retain the features we all had fond memories of. Fond memories indeed,most of us at one time or another has cursed its steepness and slipperiness,right Azmi.
We reached the top with the indescribable joy that we always feel ,oh what a feeling.
As promised the trail after that was magic and our KL friends became convinced that for once we were not out to kill them.
The cemented downhill track to G Sanggul is still as treacherous as ever but it did not claim any victims this trip as everyone was well warned.The KL riders insisted on stopping and savouring the beautiful seaview,out to P Kendi and beyond.The sea was flat as glass and shimmering in the sunlight.The wind was kind enough to blow onshore or else we would have been treated to the famous sweet smell from the pig farms there. Little did we know what was to come.Drawing the usual curious looks and stares from the locals,we satdown at the nearest coffee shop for a well-earned 100 Plus,but no Milo C for Azmi.After a nice usual round of chatting we turned for home,right into a strong headwind under threatening skies and someone remarked that a little rain will be very refreshing.Mother Nature was more than happy to oblige.The skies opened up soon it became obvious to our KL friends that instead of trying to kill them with killer climbs and super-technical downhills,we are going to do it this time with wind,water,thunder and lightning. Actually the ride back to P Betong was even more enjoyable,if that was possible,in the pouring rain which turned the track into streams and cleaned up our bikes for us.
Luckily the rainstorm ended as sudden as it began and we rode down that killer slope safely,to the P betong coffeeshop.
Azmi had to settle for Milo B. Betong style Milo lah.