A Wonderful Agony!

After going back to cycling as a pastime and also for sweating it out, I have invites for rides to Fraser's Hill. Because of my slow pace of riding and also doubts about my own fitness and endurance, I have always avoided those time consuming rides. After hearing many adventures of the rides, I decided to do it on my own and not seeing those rides on Facebook.

I started initially with an easy one. I first checked out the last stage from Gap to Fraser's Hill itself. I, Lilian (my wife) and Mabel (my daughter) went one day and did just that. It was not hard at all! Seems the ride from Hulu Langat to Genting Peras was much harder. Then another week, I did from Sungai Chilling to Fraser's Hill and also it was within my capability and then another week, I did Kuala Kubu to GAP. I was supposed to go for the peak but after resting at GAP, I was a bit tired and also my thighs were aching. I did another KKB to Chilling ride with Ah Fatt and it took us only 90 minutes. I have actually wanted to guide Helen and gang to do this ride and continue doing until we can finish the whole route, just like I did. If we all can do this, we all can do any ride together. It may take 3 times or 4 times or even 5 times but eventually we will finish the whole route. But getting all riders together seems elusive! Probably, they are mentally blocked by the uphill route. Clement was also initially hesistant, not because of himself but his wife but after doing it, both husband and wife completed and find it not that hard. After this, there's no hill they can't cycle!

Then, finally I caught hold of a few other regular riders and I decided to do it again. Clement wanted to do it that Sunday, so I called up a few. Initially Helen was going but then at the last moment Vincent backed out! So, there were 3 riders that won't be going. Anyway, the plan is already in motion and that morning, I drove to Kuala Kubu Bahru and on the way I saw 'Ah Fatt' riding to the meet up point. I called also Zolkaflee and it seems he's already in Serendah. That made 6 riders altogether. Two couples (Clement and wife and me and wife) plus 'Ah Fatt' and Zolkaflee. Before we left, a group of Ori bikers arrived. It seems they are planning the same ride too and among them was Norman, a familiar cyclist. Zolkaflee arrived a bit late and as soon as he arrived, we started off. 

It took quite a while for Lilian to warm up and luckily the morning sun was cooling and I was riding slow with her while the rest speed off. Just before we reach the dam, a few Ori bikers overtook me. A call from 'Ah Fatt' telling me they were within the dam compound, so I turned left into the dam. I rested a took a few photos before we continued again.

Regrouping at the dam.

Just outside, on the main road the Ori bikers was regrouping. We rode on after wishing them. It's quite near from here to Sg.Chilling, our next regrouping point. As usual, due to Lilian's aggravating back pain, we rode slow and soon part of the Ori bikers overtook us again. Two groups has already merged into a single group. Not long after, we reached the old Bailey bridge and there they were, waiting for us. We took a few photos and I enquired if Norman has pass us. Just as I mention him, we saw him riding towards us. He threw his bike to the side and had a group photo with us.

Sungai Chilling

Off we went again and this time the next regrouping point will be at the waterfall at the 22nd mile from KKB to Fraser's Hill road. Sg.Chilling is 12.8 km as recorded on my GPS. So, the next check point is another 10 km but this time is all uphill. Ah Fatt told my wife to carry on riding as he says bike riding is a form of therapy for back pains! And he added," It must be an uphill ride". As we rode on, a member of the Ori biker had a cramp! I was just passing and asked if they needed help but they say it's OK. So, we carried on but Ah Fatt and Zolkaflee and also Clement was rushing down to see if we are all OK. I must appreciate this examplary biking camaraderie spirit. Although not our group, we all must still assist! They were OK, it was just a cramp. I did notice though, when their last rider past, her seat was too high and at every stroke of the pedal, she was pulling her calf muscles.

On and on we rode and the GPS was recording 21.5 km. I was relief that I will be able to rest  and it's only another 500 meters. But alas! the GPS was recording 23 km then 24 km but the waterfall was still not in sight. Finally, after a turn, I saw Zol's bright orange fluorescent shorts and I heaved a sigh of relief! I took some shots of them and rested a while and off we went again.

A very fit couple, Clement and wife.

The strongman on the right and the best sweeper on the left!

Next will be lunch stop at GAP. That's another 10 km ride! The road is still winding up with no downhill or level road. Me and Lilian was the last of the combination of two groups and we really took it slow, really slow. Halfway, another group emerged! They were all on road bikes with green jerseys. As usual, we rode past a small shrine and this marked that we have another 5 km or so to ride. After 3 km, the inclination gets easier and finally I saw the fence of an old building, then another shrine on the right and that marks the destination is just round the corner.

A deserving breather at the GAP cafe.

We rode past the GAP's cafe and hollered to others, " We need to piss ". The toilet is past the cafe. We joined them later and I just can't eat anything at this stage. I refilled my water bottle and had a cold 100PLus. I saw the lady rider (the one who suffered a cramp) just going up the hill. I rested another 10 minutes and off we went but not before Clement, Ah Fatt and Zol asked my wife if she wants too. Lilian said it's OK.

We inched up the hill, stroke by stroke, turn by turn. The ride up this part seems really harder from my last visit! Lilian was already really tired at this juncture and I can only coax. After all, there's only a few more kilometers. At the 4th km mark, I saw a couple sitting by the roadside. They were cheering for us. She was the rider that suffered the cramp. I must admire her spirit! Even after suffering cramps, she still carried on. I tried to motivate her by saying, "Another 4 kilometers more and after two, the road gets level". Initially, I thought so too! Lilian was tired and we stop to have a bun each and the couple overtook us and this time we cheered for them.

After resting, we carried on and I saw the couple pushing their bikes now. We rode and pass them but very slow. I noticed that pushing the bikes covers 3.5 km/h and we can only ride 5 to 6 km/h. I teased her saying, " Everyone is laughing at the peak". She replied, " Let them, I am happy just to reach the top". I gave her a thumbs up and rode past her. We pass the 3 km marker then 2 km and finally the ultimate 1 km marker. A few hundred meters after that, I saw red flower blooms and I called out to Lilian, " I can see flowers already". Ah Fatt and Zol was at the guardhouse waiting for us.

The customary shot!

Clement was hungry and went for a bite with wifey. We rode to the sundry shop and I filled myself with another 100Plus. After a deserved rest we went to the customary photo at the clock tower. After that, I heard from Clement that Norman(the other group)  wanted to descend with us and he's waiting at the food court with the rest of the Oribikers. So, we have to ride uphill again to the food court (another groan from Lilian). We were supposed to have lunch at the eatery there but Norman told us the workers are annoyed at the packed crowd. There was no empty table anyway, so we decided to take lunch back at GAP. Zol misunderstood us and thought we were having lunch at the clock tower! That was why he told us to carry on and he will catch up later.

The 'angin' shop where all the Oribikers were having lunch.

We descended and we were on the route that I hated most about this trip. The new road down is not all the way down but a very badly designed road with uphills and downhills and longer and also has many bridges. The weight of me going downhill on this stretch must have stressed the tires as I had two punctures here. Not one but two! Lilian was grumbling as she was just after a high climb when someone shouted ,"Pancit, pancit!" She was carrying the other spare inner tube and she rode down while grumbling. Hahaha. Ah Fatt and Clement help me this time to change the inner tubes and after that we carried on and there's still no sight of Zol. Just as I was about to ride, Zol called and asked us about our location. I told him we are almost near GAP and he was suprised! He thought we are still on the peak. The Ori bikers have all past us, including Norman who was even faster to leave when ask to help us. Hahaha!

We reached back at the GAP cafe and ordered a few 'mee goreng', that's only what they have as it was late. It was nearing 4.00pm now! We still have to wait for Zol to regroup. The Oribikers have left! Zol regrouped after a while and said it was eerie riding alone at the road down. After eating we zoomed down and I took it slow as my tires were under inflated and Clement was behind me all the time. Zol was waiting for us at one point and together we rolled down while the first pack, Ah Fatt, Lilian and Clement's wife was nowhere in sight. There was not much pedalling here, just coasting down. 

We regrouped at Chilling and there's still two more uphill to go. The first one was easy but the second one to the dam is higher. The ride climaxed at the apex of the last climb! After this is again all the way down, much faster than the previous descend. Ah Fatt said this is the first time he rode the whole day! Hehehe, thanks to me and Lilian.

Almost back to town I stopped at a junction where Ah Fatt always take a short cut home. He has to cycle another 7 km! I baded goodbye and me and Zol rode on to catch up with the rest. Since it was 'puasa' month, I told Zol to go back first and Clement and wife together with me and Lilian had another late lunch before departing back to KL.

It's not what bikes we ride but it's who we ride with. I must thank Ah Fatt and Clement for being such a sport. It was fun although punishing and I call this "A wonderful agony". It was really a very enjoyable ride, best I had so far!

It's almost 1100 meters climb in 40 kilometers.

A Beginners Ride on An Advanced Route

GENTING PERAS (Selangor.NS border)

The 5 foldies belonging to us

I have met Helen on the internet. She was asking around for recommendations on what folding bikes to get as she was just starting to ride. I, off course a Dahon rider recommends Dahon FIRST! She finally settled for a Dahon Speed P8 for her husband and she chooses a Tern Link 8 speeder. They also have another pally who choose a Dahon MU P8.

When I first showed them around Putrajaya for their inaugural ride, they were really slow! I was yawning on the ride, hahaha! And it ended after sunset. Then on the second week, I changed Vincent's original brake sets to a better brake system. Helen has to work so she didn't turn up and I took them around Putrajaya lakeside and this time they were quite adjusted to their bikes. Ong Lay Hoon and Steven joined us for that ride. The rode an extra 40 kilometers, to and fro from Puchong. For the beginners, we did a 20 kilometer loop around the lake. The I decided to take them to Genting Peras. They were OK but I think they just agreed blindly, hehehe.

They were a bit reluctant but I cajoled them into the ride. I told them to do the first stage first which is a 12 kilometer flat route till the Semenyih junction. There's only a last slope at the end. Before the ride I chatted with another new rider, Earl Ku. He is not really new actually, except the last time he rode was 15 years ago! He also got himself a foldie but a 26 incher. We made a date to ride together and I also roped in Zolkaflee, my neighbour. He is a very reliable sweeper and caring rider.

All 7 of us met in Hulu Langat 18th mile. Set up our bikes and after a 'leak stop' for Helen, we were on our way. I took the last position to sweep. There were many other riders that morning and as usual road bikes seems to like this route. It was a cool morning as it rained last night, in fact, there was a slight drizzle when I drove to the meeting point. We all took it slow and they were enjoying a 'kampong ride' for the first time. Finally we came to the last climb to the junction and Helen (this is her 2nd ride) was struggling but she made it.

From left : Earl Ku, Vincent, Zolkaflee, Helen, Lilian and James.

All of them looked so fresh so I decided to take them to the hilly ride! I convinced them by telling them, " we just ride as far as we can and if we can't complete, we turn back". As usual I was sweeping Helen at the rear and Lilian and Zol taking the lead. At the 4th kilometer point (there are markings painted on the road), Earl Ku stopped and he was gasping. I told him to rest for a while before continuing. I told Helen to go on first. Then Earl told me he can't carry on. As the others are all so far in front, I told Earl to rest and then head back down to the junction and wait for us. He agreed and I rode off to catch up with the others. A little ahead, Zol was chatting with some kids on the roadside. I told him Earl gave up and I rode ahead to catch up the others.

Helen was not far ahead and I followed her at the back. Lilian, James and Vincent was out of sight. So, we slowly trudged up. I can see Helen was tired but was quite determined. She rode quietly, concentrating on the ride and I kept motivating her with phrases like, " there's a level road in front " or " it's quite near already " and finally, I told her, " this is a no return point ". I mean, we are almost there already, we should push the bike up even if we can't ride, hehehe. The last slope, she suddenly stopped and she told me, she needs a rest. 

I suggested we change our rides. She agreed! Mine has an upgraded double chain ring so I adjusted to the smaller chainring for her to ride while I took over her Tern 8 speed. It was still OK for me as I was still using the bigger chain ring all the way up. When we continued, she rode for another 15 minutes before she stopped again. I already saw the sign post at Genting and I told her to push on. Then she said she will push and we swapped bikes again. I rode and joined the rest while she struggled the last meters and she rode the last few hundred meters. She made it! It's her second ride only.

As usual, merry bantering is a must while resting at the destination. After 20 minutes and 'Kodak moment' , time to push off. Lilian rode off, down hill is her favorite. Just before I can mount, I saw Zol riding up! I thought he was keeping Earl company, obviously not! He rode to me and told me Earl was just beyond the bend. His legs are cramped! I told Zol, he gave up already and Zol motivated him up!

I told Zol that he might as well push the whole remaining distance as it is so near. At least he made it too. That he did and at last, we saw Earl pushing up his bike till the signboard. Finally they all made it. Then I saw Lilian ridng up AGAIN! Hahaha. 

Time for some nice and cooling 'barley' drink. I cautioned them about the down hill riding. Off we went, Zol and myself keeping to the back at all times. Almost near the junction, the cover of my torch light came flying off! The tire pressure must be a bit too much! I spent 5 to 10 minutes looking for the lens and the cover and finally found it!

The slow ride continued from here till the small town and at the last few kilometers, I can see Helen is really tired. Still we have finish it. Slowly we met up with James and Vincent and it seems Vincent had a fall when he was trying to answer the phone. Nothing serious though. Lilian was missing not in sight at all. Later at the 'coffee shop' she told me she needs to 'pee', that's why she was rushing. We had the famous 'barli botol' at the  'coffee shoppe' but seems 'nasi lemak bungkus' has all been sold out. We promised to ride again next week and bade goodbyes.

For a more detailed trip analysis, click ;

http://www.brytonsport.com/mapTrackView/2?id=3695363