Gunung Pulai ride 27.09.2009

I woke up at the sound of heavy rain pouring outside my house. It was 6am….and it was raining so heavily that I started to have doubts on today’s ride….messaged Boboy to confirm the ride status…while waiting for his reply…I went on to take my bath and then perform the Subuh prayer…..then checked my phone for any replies…none…so I called him…he answered and we decided to go on with the plan...hoping that it’ll stop raining when we reached Pekan Nanas….

Left home quite late….nearing to 7am….rushed to Boboy’s house at Pulai Indah….he was already waiting as I reached there…..we quickly installed his bike carrier on top my rear trunk...mount his bike and then waited for him to change…we decided to car pool today….much easier I guess…practical too as his carrier could carry 2 bikes at a time…since I have stashed my bike at the rear seat the night earlier, I decided to just leave it as it was…

We left for Pekan Nanas at 7.30am…..and reached our destination few minutes before 8am…we stopped by at Restoran Salam for breakfast and after that headed straight to Ah Fan’s and start unloading our bikes….

Starts paddling around 8.40am…riding slowly towards the Gunung Pulai Forest Reserve park some 10km away…it was a slow and pleasant ride for me…and since I’ve had my warmed up ride yesterday…the ride today seemed easy….I couldn’t say it’s the same for Boboy…he hadn’t ride for quite a while…his expression says it all….he looked awfully tired just after few km’s….

We decided to skip the P.U.B trail this time…. (again)…..as we figured that the trail should be inaccessible due to the heavy downpour earlier…and so we continued riding towards the Gunung Pulai park entrance…

Along the way…we stumbled upon Ah Fan and 3 other riders….they just got back from trail riding….must’ve started early…..as we rode by, we exchanged greetings and continued our journey to the destination….

It took us half an hour to reach the warung near the park entrance….we were planning to have a drinks before hitting the trail….it wasn’t long before another 2 riders came by…it was Abg Lokman with his friend, Abg Azhar….they joined us and a few minutes later, Abg Tahir from Pontian arrived.

Boboy invited them to join us to ride to Kaizen Trail…and they agreed….initially…I’ve had second thoughts at first as there were only 2 of us…now that there’re 5 riders…I’m more confident to ride the trail…..especially with 3 experienced (veteran) riders riding with us…..

We started by riding the Gunung Pulai trail first where we took a slightly different and treacherous route…..we were forced to push our bikes a slippery steep hill where Abg Azhar attempts to go downhill which he failed to accomplished….he was riding a hardtail…his previous successful attempts was on his Ironhorse full sus a few weeks back…the hardtail weren’t meant for downhill….I believe that’s the case….

Reaching the top…we continued riding thru the rocky trail heading the exit some 500 meters away…but not before going past thru some fallen tree trunks, slippery rocky surface and quite a steep and rocky downhill where I was forced to push my bike down….Boboy tried to follow suit Abg Azhar who downhilled the rocky terrain with ease….being an amateur like me…Boboy fells off his bike midway….ouch!

We continued heading towards the Kaizen Trail…and this time…I’m well prepared physically and mentally…and ride the initial stage with much ease…..reaching the steep uphill….Abg Azhar decided to scale the hill and once reaching the top, rode downhill…just to test his skills….and like the previous one, he managed to reach the bottom safely….

The next stage was quite difficult compared to the previous….we had to ride on slippery rocky surface and had to go thru (carrying our bikes) past some fallen tree trunks….we also had to be extra careful and watch out for “Pacat” or leeches…these small blood sucking creatures are not that dangerous or lethal…but they can certainly caused major discomfort…hehe….

We took a breather at the abandoned army bunker while Abg Azhar and Lokman went down the ravine to scout the area….while they were busy recce~ing…me and Boboy were desperately checking our legs and back for those leeches…..hehehe….

We were back on saddles after a 15 minutes break…riding towards the Kaizen Camp…..me and Boboy were quite relieved that they decided to exit via the camp as we remembered our previous ride there when we took the other exit….=p

We stopped for a while at the camp entrance to check on our bikes and search for any leeches on our legs…I even took off my shoes just to make sure I’m free from those slimy vermins….Abg Lokman and Abg Tahir were not so lucky though….but being a veteran…these little creatures are not a problem for them…a little heat from a lighter was all they need to get rid of these blood suckers…=p

The ride back to Ah Fan’s were slow due to gearing problem faced by Boboy….Abg Azhar and Lokman rides on leaving us at the back….

We reached Ah Fan’s some 40 minutes later and beginning loading our bikes on the carrier…and then heads for the warung opposite the Petronas station to join the other 2 riders.

We hanged out for a while and then begins our journey home…I’ve to drop Boboy at Pulai Indah and then heads straight home. Boboy was kind enough to lend me his carrier as my bike was too dirty to be stuffed in the back seat…

I need to hurry home as I have a wedding invitation in the afternoon….an old friend of mine is getting married….haven’t seen since the last day of school…that’s 17 years ago….

I’m seriously considering Abg Azhar’s invitation to ride at Desaru next Sunday…..have to check my schedules….in case the missus have raya plans for that day….

Meanwhile…the usual NR will resume next Tuesday night….I’ll be sure to attend it…anybody else interested?...

Back on two wheels.....

it's good to be back on saddles again....especially after a week off....it felt great cruising down the neighborhood with all the envious eyes watching you passing them...hahaha....(as if..)

well....it wasn't just me with the craving to ride while the Raya mood still on....a few guys I knew also suffers from the same fate.....one called me on second day of Raya asking for a local bike shop phone number....another messaged me yesterday morning asking when will the next NR gonna be....while another two guys were seen riding as early as the second Raya......I guess being a hardcore rider, it's kinda difficult to stay off saddles for too long.....sooner or later your bottom gonna itch....itching to get back on em saddles...as quoted by Akmal in his blog entry.......hehehe

I got back from visiting a relative around 5pm....thinking that the weather's good for riding...I decided to ride in the afternoon and started riding at 6pm.....the route was BBU-Bukit Serene-Kolam Ayer-Larkin-then back to BBU....not much...I guess around 10km or less.....

Since this is my first ride after a week off.....I decided to ride leisurely ...it's great actually...riding slow paced...just enjoying the ride.....the ride goes on smoothly......and before I knew it...I already reached the usual RV point at Larkin.....stopped there for a breather and a glass of Bandung Soda before starts riding again heading home via Larkin Industrial Area.

Reached home at 7pm....fulfilled and completely satisfied with my first ride...

I'll be riding again tomorrow...this time to Gunung Pulai with Boboy......will meet him at his place at 7am.....we're planning to ride to P.U.B tomorrow.....and maybe to Kaizen Trail as well if time permits....

Selamat Hari Raya

"kayuh roadie kayuh MenTiBang,
singgah sebentar ke kedai Ah Fan,
sempena Raya yg bakal menjelang,
salam ku hulur tanda bermaafan".....

hehehe....that's my pantun for Raya this year...I know....kinda lame~ish....but heck...everybody's got their own Raya wish...guess it's kinda natural for me to have mine related to biking...hahaha.....

tomorrow's the BIG day....it's Raya!....been looking forward for it whole year long....kinda like Christmas for some....well....every religion in this world has their BIG day's....for muslim; we have Aidil Fitri (Hari Raya)..Aidil Adha...and so on....

this also means that today's the last day for fasting...Ramadhan this year is coming to it's end....gone thru it...and not missing a day without fasting....YAY!....I've completed my mission this Ramadhan....to complete all the NR's without fail.....hehehe..that's from my biking point of view.....religiously...I've done my part too....so it's kinda balanced....staying healthy in both mind and body....=)

tomorrow's a new month in the Islamic calendar....it's Syawal....which also means I could eat as much as I wish....so many open houses to attend to......but....they'll be no cycling for at least 2 weeks....hmmm....gotta control my food intake....if not the whole month's effort will go to waste......hehehe

as mentioned before.....the next 2 weeks are gonna be a rideless weeks....so it's gonna be bored...and my Merida will be collecting dusts....but I guess a few rides in the neighborhood will be okay for the missus....if not....sorry bike....=p

gotta go now....1 hour to go to breaking fast....the last this year...

so...before I bid farewell....please take care....if you're too stuborn to put on hold riding....then ride safe....

"Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri"..may the grace of Allah be with you.....=)

NR 11/09/2009

it's 8:10am...since my working hour starts at 8:30am, I guess I'll just take the time to update yesterday's NR...

I reached home from work at about 9:45pm...called Abg Azhar and confirms that I'll be joining the ride and we set to RV opposite a primary school in UDA...I went in the house and quickly changed to my riding gear...took out the bike..tucked my daughter and left home at 10pm sharp...

I reached the RV point about 5 minutes later and shortly after that, Abg Azhar came with another 5 riders...and we continued riding to Larkin at a steady pace...I decided not to tire myself up and enjoying the ride...that was until I reached the MPTI hill where my front gear were giving me problem...I couldn't shift the gears which saw me struggling to climb uphill....

we reached Larkin some 15 minutes later and waited for the other guys to show up...after waited for a while...we started rolling at 10:45am...there were >20 riders riding that night....still a large number if we take into consideration it is already past half way into Ramadhan...maybe the crowd will be smaller by next week...I guess...

the ride was the same as always....relatively easy...as I've already memorised the route like the back of my hand...I memorised every pot holes, downhills, parts to speed up..to slow down...and so on...(we really need a fresh new route la!)...I faced little difficulties thanks to my FD but I managed to reach Danga Bay within a considerable timeframe...was riding steadily behind Reza until Lido stretch when he signalled me to overtake him and I dashed straight to the RV point with Reza giving me a chase at the back...=)

we took a 30 minutes break..as usual...and some of us (including me)..took the opportunity to get Ali's help to check on our bikes...this where my Topeak tool kit came into use...Ali checked my bike and commented that my FD setting was a bit off...he took a few minutes to adjust and it's done...I really need to master this repairing skills...couldn't rely on others to fix my bike right?...at least I should know some basics...need to work on that....hehe..

We were back on saddles at 12 midnight..heading back to Larkin...some of us part ways as they decided to went straight back home...me too...I left the group at the Bangunan UDA traffic light junction to ride straight home...reached home at 12:15am...stashed my bike, took a shower, perform solat and went to bed....

There will be another ride tonight...with PG Gerekers...looking forward to this one as the route will be different than the normal NR routes...actually Hafiz invited me to join them to Pendas tonight but I guess I just don't want to over ride myself in Ramadhan, riding long distances in the cold still nights...20-30 km is already suffices....

well...till tonight then....ride on..ride safe guys....

moodless afternoon....

I'm sitting at my desk...staring at the piles of documents in front of me...waiting for me to work on em....but I don't feel like it...I mean...I've no mood for OT today....perhaps it's because of my empty stomach....making all sorts of sound since mid day....well..just one more hour to go before breaking fast....but...that's not it....something's bugging me....

Akmal called at 3 something....asking about the parking space at Larkin...PG Gerekers planning for NR tomorrow night...he said that the usual parking lot at Danga Bay is no longer accessible after mid night...never heard of that...they were planning to park at Larkin but I suggested him to park at the Maxis parking lot near Danga Bay instead..I'm pretty sure that parking space is a public area..so there should be no problem for them to park there..it's a logical solution since it's located near the usual spot..and also easier for me to ride there..in case I decided to join them..hehe...

I will be riding tonight....the usual NR with Ali and his gang....so far I've never missed any of their NR except for the one to Pendas...and I noticed that my performance during Ramadhan has slightly declining compared to normal month's..probably due to foods I consumed during breaking fast..making me heavier?hahaha....

well...I guess it's kinda okay since my intention for the NR is more on building endurance and to burn those fat I consumed...=)

more like a late night exercise...haha...

Speaking of Ramadhan...so far I've no problem with the Ramadhan NR as I still have time to perform my religious duty after each NR..I mean I would normally reach home at 1am..and after a quick shower, I would perform those "sunat" prayers before I go to bed..

tonight maybe I'll be going home from work at 9...meaning no Terawih tonight...hehehe...well...got loads of things to clear...(excuse..excuse...=p)

6.21pm....okay..gotta go now...need to join my buddies for breaking fast...just have to avoid those spicy stuffs...really don't wanna upset my stomach especially while riding....then I'll get really upset....hehe....

but still.....something's still troubling me.......hmmm....

rideless Sunday....

well...I was supposedly be doing my work at the office but it's kinda bored with me the only person working....so I guess I'll work on my blog instead...have 2 pending posts that needs my attention...complete it..post it...done...you may refer to the 2 posts prior to this one...it's nothing actually...just me covering the Merdeka Ride and recce ride to Kaizen Camp trail....nothing special with those exaggerated riding experience...hehe...

I'm breaking fast at my in-laws house tonight...at Megah Ria....so I guess that eliminates the possibility of NR tonight...damn....was kinda bored actually...I need to let go some steam...I usually did it by riding....doesn't matter if there were no specific destination or route...I just ride.....

Didn't join Ali and his gang last night....they went riding to Pendas....crazy huh?...80km at night?...the thought of joining them crossed my mind...but thinking that the ride might ends at 4am...riding in the dark still night....with one escort....I guess I'm not ready yet.....hehe...some other time maybe...

I'm still trying to get my wife permission to ride the Burung Hantu Ride at Melaka on 24th October...she seemed reluctant to allow me to participate in the offroad NR...maybe she feels that I'm spending most of my free time with my bike buddies compared to spending quality time with her and Nana...I already assured her that the ride is safe..with blinkers marker and ride marshal and such but she just won't approve it...me?...I have my doubts also...hehe...I've ride in Melaka....I know how the trail was like...at night...it'll be super tough....with zero visibility...how the heck are we supposed to ride?...the blinkers are located every 50 metres...but in between, you just rely 100% on your own bike torch light....the only logical and possible way for you to survive this NR is to ride in groups...Hafiz assured me that the gang will ride in groups..no matter what and none will be left behind....rightt.......hehehe.....I really find it hard to believe...hahaha....plus...there gonna be 5 check points...everybody will be riding fast...to beat the clock....what makes you think they'll be waiting for a slow poke like me?....hehe...still...I'll continue to try to convince my wife again....I couldn't just sit still here while those guys are having fun over there....no way!....hahaha....hmmm.....

Looking back....it has been 9 months since my first ride...I remember riding to Pantai Rambah with Boboy...on a loaned bike...with Leman as our escort....it was a memorable experience...and painful one as well....first time riding....after years off saddles...my butt was sore like hell as I reached Pantai Rambah...haha....

Then there were other rides...before I started this log....like rides to Gunung Pulai....Seri Alam with Akmal and fellow Gerekers....to Bukit Indah trail and Pendas Laut with Mat Noor and his buddies...all off road rides...and my first NR with Gerekers before I joined Ali and his gang for their routine NR around town...I guess I have grown...no longer a newbie...but I still feels I've a lot to learn...well...aren't we all?you may view those riding pics from my Facebook and Flickr page...

http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=mohd+helmy+azhar&o=2048&init=ffs#/profile.php?id=1074012628&ref=search&sid=648532051.3577534956..1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21335280@N06/

uh..oh....it's nearing 6pm...need to go to my in-law's...don't wanna be late....breaking fast is at 07:12pm....haha...

so till my next blabbering session....see you guys....ride safe.....=p

Gunung Pulai Ride 16/07/2009

What started as a planned leisure ride to Gunung Pulai turned out to be a suicidal ride thanks to Boboy…the story?....goes like this……=p




We met at the usual RV point at Ah Fan’s…supposedly at 7am….I was late, reaching there at 7.15am..but Boboy..being his usual self..turned up at 7.45am..no matter…there’s still time…but we missed Ah Fan and his group who decided to start early…saw him riding past at 7.30am….would be nice to join him and his gang but since the El-Presidente has not showed up, I guess maybe some other time…



After a super quick breakfast, we started riding heading to Gunung Pulai park ...riding leisurely as planned, we even rode past the P.U.B. route thinking that since it has rained yesterday, the trail should be all muddied up and slippery…we decided not to ride the trail…perhaps after raya…



After a short 10km ride, we had a long stop at a warung near the park entrance….just chatting and having our second breakfast (no wonder lah? hehe)…before Boboy suggested that we try the Kaizen Camp trail…he claimed that the trail is not as tough as the Gunung Pulai trail…having trusted him as a guy with experience with Gunung Pulai surrounding trails, I agreed and we started riding.



I had my doubts when he took a wrong turn which leads to a dead end…I asked him whether he still remembers the route or not but he insisted that it’s ok and we made a U turn and goes on riding...first descending a hill…then crossing a stream…then riding thru some bushes…literally thru the bushes….I can barely see the trail as the not so small trees & bushes was as tall as I am…kinda reminds me of Bukit Indah trail but no matter…I guess Boboy must surely knows where he’s going…



We reached a steep hill where we were forced to push our bikes up hill…reaching the top, we noticed an arrow sign at a tree trunk suggesting that the slope that we just climbed up is actually a downhill route…with that kind of steep slope…I wonder, does anybody dares enough to ride it?....hmmm…

the steep downhill...

Boboy...right before I pushed him downhill.....haha

We continued riding, this time to a more visible and rideable trail…well mostly…riding thru the woods was not as simple as I thought…the trail were sometimes wet and muddy…but mostly rocky with a lot of fallen tree trunks which requires us to carry our bikes to cross it…and also some slippery surfaces which demands full concentration and a good control over the bikes….one wrong mishandling might sees us ejected from our saddles and land flat on our back or worse…head first like the one I experienced at the Gunung Pulai trail…haha….

Trail route?...what trail route?

I was being cautious all the time as this was my first time riding the trail…Boboy on the other hand, rides his second but he rode like he has ridden the trail thousands of times…he was damn fast (really)…I couldn’t catch up….he had to stop and wait for me a couple of times…..this I gotta hand it to him….he rode the trail, on the slippery rocky surface…going past small tree trunks with ease…me?...hahaha….I was riding too cautiously…not taking any risk I guess…and missed the thrill of riding fast in the woods…maybe Boboy was inspired by the vid clips he saw from Youtube….perhaps…=p

now there's the trail...and I thought we were lost!

From the trail condition, I could see that it is seldom used by people…as most part of it still covered with thick bushes…but still accessible…I was hit by some small branches along the trail….and luckily…I haven’t fall off my bike…yet….hehe…

Boboy and his trustee, XT/XTR equipped ride...=)

me and mother nature...sounds good....feels good too!

After a while, we reached an opening with a small abandoned army bunker…kinda creepy…but we took a breather there and some photo’s too…there were signs that somebody had set up a camp site over there, but I guess it must’ve been a week ago…I thought to myself…who’d be silly enough to set up camp at a creepy place like this?...

me..posing infront of the bunker...err...who's that ugly looking lady in white behind me?

Boboy...impersonating the ugly lady...no offence...hehe

We continued riding shortly after that, going past some steep slope then riding on the hillside beside the Kaizen Camp and finally reaching the end of the trail…but not before going thru an estimated 50 metres of tall bushes…having difficulties to navigate thru the thick bushes as again, I couldn’t see where I was going…there were some downhill…thru some rocky surface…which I had to push my bike down…

Not a good experience…if only the trail were well maintained…then maybe….=)



I was relieved that the ride was over…not because I didn’t enjoy the ride (well…not as much as I should have)…and not because I didn’t feel the thrill…but mostly because of the lack of security that I felt while riding the trail….but I guess..there’s where the fun is…riding the unknown trail….where every twist and turn is unfamiliar….hehe….just thinking about it makes me regret riding the trail….but doesn’t mean that I won’t try again…..after Raya…maybe…with larger group this time….hehe….just have to remind myself and fellow riders to wear long sleeves….my arms, legs and neck were itching like hell….haha….

merdeka nite ride

well....the much anticipated NR was finally over....just got back home from Larkin....reached home at 2:30am...after a quick shower, decided to start writing the event coverage...while it's still fresh.......=p

...................................................

Reached the RV point at 10pm sharp....seems like that most of the guys were already there...they came early....surprisingly....hehe

I started unloading almost immediately, assembling my front tires and gearing up…in less than 8 minutes....and when I'm done, I noticed that the car park was already packed with riders...I estimated that a total of 60 or more riders participating in the NR...whoa...a new record....not bad....there were a lot of new faces amongst the regular guys...some of em looked familiar....well I guess it's normal for us to meet these familiar faces who coincidently shares the same interest in events like this...and it's also an opportunity to make new acquaintance...and so…while waiting for the ride to kick off….errr…paddled off…I went on to greet some of those familiar faces…=)

After much delay...short briefing by Hafiz, a photo and interview session by the media (yup…that's right...the event was covered by both RTM and ASTRO)...we started riding at 10:50pm...we also have police escorts for the NR…well...actually he's one of the regular rider riding with his reflective official police vest...with approval from his superior of course...Hafiz has made the necessary arrangements with the authority for the NR...for safety purposes...an escort was one of the requirements......but I think, one escort is not sufficient enough to watch over 60 riders...let alone to guide them to safety...for that reason, some of the riders took the role as marshals for the ride...one of em was Nizam, riding a motorised bicycle (err...do I have this right?)....hehe

since the event was covered by the media....everybody was told to put on their best behaviour while riding...meaning that we were prohibited from racing or riding recklessly....darn it!...hehe...we were instructed to ride in pairs and in some cramped areas, to ride in single files...man!....imagine....these guys are used to ride fast and sometimes compete among themselves but this time...they were told to ride slowly....hehe....me?...I took the opportunity to ride extra leisurely....enjoying every seconds of the ride...hehe...

the initial riding route has been changed last minute….from riding to Stulang Laut for the Merdeka Countdown to the usual spot, Danga Bay…so the ride was more or less, considered as a routine ride for me…nothing special except for the media coverage…
speaking of which, has been covering the event from starting point, to the RTM junction, the traffic light junction at Kotaraya, along the Lido stretch and finally at the RV point at Danga Bay..

we reached Danga Bay with 15 minutes to spare before the count down…and so, we took the opportunity to take a break (not that we need any….didn’t even break a sweat..really!)…we gathered in the parking lot in front of Iskandar Investment office to wait for the countdown…imagine…the place were already packed with people and cars…for the countdown event…add in another 60 guys on bikes…the place was cramped….with all the noise and commotion…one could not say that he’s actually taking a break….me….I’m just enjoying the moment….watching people…chicks….hehe…..Mat Noor and his group came minutes before the countdown…kinda great celebrating the Merdeka ride gathering with fellow riders…

it’s finally 12am…and people were cheering the countdown….so were we….we waited for a while more before started riding again towards Dataran Bandaraya, a few kilometres away…we were riding in the traffic….the road was packed with motorists…all making way back home or just driving around town not knowing that it’s jammed everywhere…

reached Dataran Bandaraya some 15 minutes later...the place were also crowded…but I’m sure it was packed earlier for the countdown….there were a large group of “miniature riders”…kids on deformed looking bikes…which I believe was pretty stock when their parents bought for them….hehe….but I guess you gotta have some respect for these kids….they came riding from far…some even from Tiram…riding with no protection at all….I mean…no brakes (yup…you heard me right!)…no blinkers what so ever…no proper riding gear (wearing those selipar jepun only!)…and no freakin helmet!....I mean these kids must be crazy or something….with their odd looking bikes (pretty sure they won’t pass any safety inspections)….they truly are risking their lives…daredevil?....nahh….little devil maybe…hehe…

we hanged out for half an hour….just taking a break (again)…meeting other groups of riders….before we were on saddles again…heading to Larkin….

I hanged out with them at Larkin till 2.20am before leaving for home…

I guess the ride was more or less enjoyable….fun because of the large number of participants…hanging out with friends…making new acquaintance…and the less fun part was the slow paced riding….hehehe…and also the change of riding route….quite disappointed actually….=p

Well…they’ll be other NR’s….as a matter of fact, next Tuesday…same time..same route…same riding buddies….hey? I’m not complaining….it’s just that I really feel that we need to change the riding route a bit…to make it more interesting…..just my two cents on things…hehehe..