The Great Outdoors

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