The Great Outdoors

Why Fraser's Hill ? Again and again.

If you include the trip to just Sg.Chilling and also the one where I stopped at GAP station, this is the 5th time I am riding on this route. I have been to the peak thrice but I still love to ride here again. The route is cooling and even after noon, the route down is still cooling. That is off course, if you start from Sg.Chilling. If you start the ride from KKB, the part near the dam is going to be HOT!

The route up is considerably safe, not much traffic, sometimes we have the whole road to ourselves, quite near to KL, being just an hour's drive. We don't see much human contact which I see as the ideal as I won't have to be afraid of muggers. There are many stop points, starting with the dam's Visitors Center, Sg.Chilling Kelah Sanctuary, the waterfalls at the 22nd mile and finally GAP station itself where there's a cafe which is open everyday.

Parking in KKB is safe and if you are still doubtful, park in front of the police station. There are many parking spaces there. Ending the ride with a meal is also easy as there are many nice eateries here. The problem with riders are EGO mainly. Many shunned this route because they think it's tough. In actual, this is a very easy riding route. In the first place, Fraser's Hill is not a compulsory destination! The route is a more important criteria in riding our bikes. You can take a simple ride to the dam or do a picnic ride to Sungai Chilling. Sg. Chilling is just a mere 13 km ride. The undulating slopes of the route to Sg.Chilling will give you a good aerobic workout.

Once the initial part is conquered, then proceed to GAP or the waterfall or wherever along the route. There's no compulsion to finish the route. Likewise, if one rides in Hulu Langat 18th mile or Genting Sempah, there's also nothing there, right? It's just a place, a spot, nothing more. Fact is, Fraser's Hill route is so much safer than both mentioned riding venues.

On this trip, it was actually unplanned! We were riding a simple ride the day before and there's still two days of holiday. I was planning a ride to Hulu Langat but a fellow rider decided he wanted to bring his family for a ride to Fraser's Hill. So, I contacted my side and he did likewise. Meeting time and place is the usual and that's it. It's on.

My neighbour can't make it and another two was late so it was decided that they drive straight to the waterfall or GAP to wait for our riding party to meetup. During breakfast, we were undecided on where to start the ride as the weaker few was late. Then I decide to stick to the plan as there were still three riders who has never ridden here before.

We drove to Sungai Chilling which is 13 kilometers away and it took only 20 minutes which shaved off an hour's ride if we were to  start from KKB. I called the late riders to confirm their arrival. And off we went! The surrounding area was misty and cooling and we all took a slow ride to warm up. As usual, I will always be at the back and my wife was even slower as she was riding on her granny gear which I fitted in the night before.

The air was refreshing as usual here and this itself made the ride here worthwhile. The usual checkpoint is the waterfall, 10 kilometers away. The two late riders passed us and I told them to either park their cars at the waterfall or GAP. After a while riding, we reached the waterfall but they were not there, probably because there was no other car there. We regrouped and carried on.

At the small Indian shrine a few kilometers away, there was a small procession of a deity accompanied by drums and followers. They were on the way to the larger shrine near GAP. There was also RELA members to manage the traffic on the narrow road. The RELA saw us and stop the traffic from the opposite side and waved us to pass. This was the only spot where I had to pedal furiously pass the procession. Another few kilometers, the preparation for the arrival of the deity was in full gear! Tents was set up, the road blocked to one single lane and cars parked all along the road. We pedalled carefully with the help of more RELA members and this is also where I sighed a relief as GAP is just round the corner.

We saw the two other riders taking pictures on the hanging bridge and after seeing us they followed us. We took a rest at the cafe and I ordered a burger as I was hungry. Funnily though, I am always hungry riding this route. We continued to the peak and since Helen and Vincent are on 8 speed only, I am very sure they can't catch up with the rest. Except for Clement on 16 speed, the rest was either 24 or 27 speeders. Even mine and Lilian's foldies are 27 speeders. I took the back position and there were many cars that day. It was a long holiday weekend.

Problem with some drivers are, they think the road was built only for cars! These selfish drivers needs to be sent to Vietnam to rehabilitate their driving attitude! It seems like we are slowing them down. We were riding in a single file and far apart, what else do they want? Still they honked at us. Anyway we rode on without any untoward incident. Little by little, Helen and Vincent increased their gap with the front riders and at the 5th km out of 8 km Helen stopped for a moment and then started to push her bike, but just for a moment. 

The last 2 kilometers of the road up is actually easier as the gradient eased up a little and have some level parts. Finally at last, both of them cross the guard house and join the rest at the clock tower. I am very sure we won't be having lunch here today due the number of crowd so we rested and then took a few snapshots and left. I reminded them again and again, the road down is dangerous and do it slow. I can tell others but Lilian is a downhill freak! She was out of sight after a while and loud thunder made me chase after her. I never rode downhill this fast but today I need to catch up with her! After a while, lost between waiting for the others or continue chasing after Lilian, I stop at a spot where I can see a part of the road further downhill. I saw Lilian passing and then I waited for the rest. The rest was in sight and I started catching up with Lilian and I was expecting Lilian to be near the long bridge but she was not. I rode further and finally saw Lilian sitting on the roadside. She said it was quite eerie near the bridge so she waited near somewhere with sunlight.

We regrouped and went zooming down. We reached the GAP cafe again but then decided to have our meal (not lunch anymore) in KKB. Helen and Vincent folded their bikes and packed into their car and I wish goodbye to both of them. The rest of us, there's still another 20 kilometers to go, albeit easy coasting down. We regrouped again near the waterfall and a few kilometers from Sungai Chilling, I am still fresh after resting and coasting I pedalled all the way back to Sg.Chilling even if it was downhill.

Sungai Chilling was packed with visitors and there were others waiting for our parking spots. I reversed my car out and so did Clement for them to park in first. After securing their bikes, we made our way to KKB for our deserved meal. Before that I showed Clement where the famous pastry shop and they bought quite a lot. Then to the little coffee shop where there's nice 'curry mee'. It was not the 'curry mee' that made my day, it was the home made soya bean milk! Sold in 1.5 liter bottles, we ordered two!

We ended our ride here after the meal but I am very sure this will not be be the last ride here. Even now, a bike/hiking trip to the Chilling waterfalls is in the works! Planning with SC Chin and we just need a date. Until then..........

Chilling waterfalls, anyone? Biking and Hiking and picnic!