Err...Easy ride? Not! 25 June 2000
Well, I was planning an easy ride. A ride that would ride around Air Itam Dam, go down back to Air Itam with a chance of having a cold dip in a man made waterfall when on the way down on the jeep track at the back of the dam. Instead of doing that, we all ended riding to Tiger Hill and continue the torture at Jalan Tun Sardun!
Since the Penang bridge was closed this morning for the once a year bridge run thing, I decided to stay overnight in my family's apartment in Tanjung Bunga. Don't want to miss the ride and having not riding for a month, Fatt my highschool buddy decided to tap in and asked if he could stay overnight in our apartment. Of course, I always welcome visitors to our apartment. Especially if you are a nice looking chic, hehe...
Anyway, we all met at ST house at 0730 hours. With 3 packs of Tiger beer in my stomach, I suddenly felt like I wasn't in the mood to ride. Hell, I was "only" planning to do easy ride. They just couldn't force me to do things that I did not want to do. We all proceeded to our usual breakfast whenever we do rides that start from Air Itam and 15 minutes later, we all off to Air Itam Dam road!
The ride up to Air Itam Dam was as usual, a twisting road ride with some moderately steep climbs. I found that I was struggling. Something wasn't right with me. Fatt was already way up front while I was struggling along the way. I finally made it to the parking lot after Fatt and ST arrived. I was surprise to see group of riders at the parking lot! It was like a carnival! With all flamboyant jerseys and some weird looking machines, I am sure we all made quite an impression!
Remember I metioned that I wasn't in the condition to ride today? I told the group they would have to go ahead without me. I decided to do the AID round as per plan that I initially came out. This is the mood thing. I will not perform well if I don't think I am ready for that. Togh luck for me, almost all riders protested! Some even threatened to quit riding if I turned. Hell, why are you guys giving me hard time? I am not feeling right okay??? "Come on lah, you have come to this far already!" Shit, the come to this far thingy again. With so much protests and no one wanted to voice out second opinion, do I have a choice not to go? Luckily, Francis was with me all the way. I virtually pushed all the way up to the peak! We stopped couple of times, chitchat over our problems with jobs and love lifes etc. Thanks buddy. Otherwise I think I would turn back, go home and enjoy in my dreamland!
It was a tough ride. Especially when I was not in the condition to do such long ride. The ride from Balik Pulau to Paya Terubong via Jalan Tun Sardun was always the toughest part on tarmac. It is not because of the climb. The climb wasn't too bad if you compare to the climb in Tiger Hill. It was the hot scotching sun that takes a toll on me. I had stop to stop halfway to cool me down. Man next I think I'm going to bring a mobile aircon unit!
The fun part is always the downhill part. Downhill on farmer trail is always a thrilling sensation to me. The mix of dirt and cement pavement add fun to the ride and make it a challenge to go fast! A slight hesitation will either catapult the rider into mid air and splash to the mud eating cow dung! No kidding. It has been happening all the time! Time time, we did not have any casualties. Partly because of most riders were very cautious about going down. One thing, it was dissapointing to see some part of trail had been converted to cement trail. Not saying it wasn't good but for moutainbikers, you know what I mean lah!
Makaning was done in Balik Pulau wet market. The Laksa was still one of the best in Penang. You wouldn't want to miss it when you are in Balik Pulau!
So what are we going to do next week? I don't know yet. I probably join Viper Ong if he organizes any ride. If not, lets see what happen first!
Stay tuned!