Taman Negara Dragon Slaying! Part 1

Another major event has past and now it is time to pen or rather 'blog' it down. This blog will serve more as a post-mortem to the ride and hopefully riders will become aware of situations that arises. Organizing events are not easy but the passion for rides and especially rides that were never done before is exciting though.

In actual, the plan to Taman Negara was already in plan since I started riding foldies. Off course, me and wife can't just do it then. We need more experience and skills riding not to mention the mentality and stamina to sustain the length and conditions of the ride. A fellow rider, a good friend, Encik Zolkaplee Ahmad has already did it but he did it ala 'touring style'. He rode from Kajang to the south, Kuala Klawang, then to Karak via Kuala Pilah and then to Temerloh and finally Jerantut and Taman Negara before doubling back to KL! Something I would never do, hahahaha!

Why? First we have to look at ourselves! I am a creature of comfort, I need my sleep and also double stressing my body is not fun for me. I may need the exercise but hurting my body in the course of exercising just doesn't compute in my mind. Just like hiking where I was active in before. I enjoyed the hikes but my knees were disintegrating before me.

Carrying the bikes to the jetty.

It was Zol who told me about the condition of Jerantut to Kuala Tahan road and from his info I gather that it is going to be hazardous for bikes. So, after a check in Google 3D, I saw another secondary road running parallel to the main trunk road. For that you need to cross from it's nearest place from Jerantut which was Kuala Tembeling. I finally did a 'recce' trip with my car and determined the route and also to secure the services of a boatman who is willing to accommodate the whim and fancies of a riding group. All that done, finally the day arrives!

The first group going off!

I kept confirming with the boatman almost every 3 to 5 days, making excuses of enquiring just to make sure. On the eventful morning of 21st June, all 28 riders were there. I went round, collecting the boat fare and paid the boatman. We all carried the bikes down a few flight of stairs and made our way to the jetty.

Carrying the bikes up the sandy banks of Pasir Tambang.

It took 3 trips for the boat to ferry us all across to the banks opposite. It was misty and cooling in the morning. From this bank, we can hear the laughter and din from the first group who have landed on the other bank. A handshake with 'Boroi' my boatman and we were off! Alas! one of the riders tyre was punctured! Before we even started off. There was another rider helping to change the tube so I went around chatting with other riders and taking snaps. That's lesson one, check the bike before a ride!  It could be a 'snake bite' from the spokes, a faulty rim tape etc. From there itself, I have wondered if the inner tubes she brings will suffice? Luckily, that was the only puncture from her on that trip.

Almost raring to go!

Later, we took a group photo and this is the only group photo that we took that was complete on the whole journey! I asked Cikgu' to give a small briefing and off we went. The most important message that needs to be address was our main regrouping point is a place called 'Labu Sentral'. The initial 'kampong' road was uneventful but a very pleasant ride. We were warming up and chatting while riding and at times 3 to 4 abreast but it is OK as the road is quite deserted. By the river banks, the road is a gradual undulating ride, nothing harsh.......yet! 13 kilometers down the road, we stopped at a small convenience store to refill our water bottle and I received a call from the boatman. There was another rider who have just arrived!

A lonely rider on a long winding road!

"Just Arrived" or JA was late. The boatman asked me what do we do with him? I asked him for solutions too. He can send JA to Labu Sentral by boat but it will cost JA RM200. Nope! So, if he still insists on riding, Boroi will send him over and he will try to catch up. That was what he choose to do.

Cikgu came over to me and told me that he don't want to lead as he can't catch up with the front pack. He was a bit flustered! Neither can I catch up with them too, so I just told Cikgu to let them go ahead. Slow riders, I can accommodate and sweep but fast riders, they have to take their own risk. In fact, organizers might have to be choosy on what kind of rides to include them. It is all about teamwork and also the term 'mentality of the herd' comes about. Why don't you ride alone or with a more appropriate rider who can match up to your speed? Because you need the security of the 'herd'. Then you must conform to the speed of the herd. 

The ladies not looking the least tired!

As we rode on, I received a call from a rider. On the phone she told me someone had a bad fall and she was lying unconscious in the middle of the road. Description was blurry on the spot but here's what happened.

She felled and till now we still don't know how she felled. A local guy on a motorcycle rode to the front pack and told them we have a casualty and two of them rushed back to the spot. Before they arrive, two other riders was already on the scene and carried her to the side. She was foaming on the mouth which means she's in trauma. They got the help of the locals to send them to the Clinic in Kuala Tahan. Her companion followed too and so the bikes and two riders were out of the ride. By this time we were actually in Labu Sentral. The funny thing is, we were ALL SUPPOSED to REGROUP in Labu Sentral. Guess many were affected by the sun, huh? Only the small group were there. I called up Boroi and he told me JA was already on his way.

Hungry riders crowding around the 'jagong' stall.

We rode on, assuming everyone except the fallen one is OK. At the junction where the 'kampong' road meets the main trunk road to Kuala Tahan, we saw the front pack gathering around a corn stall. We stopped too and took a rest. From here onwards, is the second harder half, 30 kilometers of harsh midday sun and busier road with lorries and tourist buses passing by. Also the peaks of the dragonbacks will be highers here. The rest in my next blog!

Part 2 click here!

Taman Negara Dragon Slaying. ( Part 2 )

This now becomes the first full regroup point. Around food! With all riders accounted for except two who should be already in Kuala Tahan. Once everyone is satisfied resting, we rode off to the left. Almost immediately, we were greeted with big holes on the tarmac! Also the major dragon backs starts almost at the same time. The dragonbacks here are more intense, plus the sun at high noon, it was gruelling! 

Big holes on the road!

The sun was really hot now and the it gets more tiring from here onwards. we rode one dragonback one after another in many, many succession. I have to warn another fellow rider who brought his son for the ride to be extra cautious on this road as there are timber lorries plying the road. I must commend on the small kid for finishing the ride without any problems. Cikgu was at the rear sweeping and a few other experienced riders were at the back as well.

View from one of the bridges.

About 8 kilometers down, we saw a small row of shop and within there was a small sundry shop and THREE eateries! We are stopped there without any instruction to do so. The tummy now rules the actions we do. We all sat at whatever places we can find almost occupying all the seats of the 3 shops. A cold 100plus is now a bonus! We rested for quite a while here. Actually a few has shot off very far ahead already. One had been called back via handphone by her group and when she turned up, she was complaining about how much hills that she had covered.

Later, very sluggishly, we all stood up and went for our bikes and started off. We rode slowly but surely as we don't want to make the ride unpleasant as the main objective of our ride is to ENJOY nature and the sun is part of nature too, right?

It's a long long road!

Our splintered group, splintered even more. I thought we should at least group up and so I headed into the shade of the plantation. We bantered around and chatted for quite some time here. All was accounted for except two riders. We waited over an hour replenishing our body with liquid and I had a few dates. My bananas are all consumed already.

A deserving rest while waiting for the back markers.

Then we decided that we can't wait anymore we carried on over another few dragon backs and it goes on and on and on. It was hot and we were doing an average of 16 km/h only with the climbs. As we were nearing the airport, on the right side, I saw a folding bike. Then I saw a few more and then many more. The front group was resting here, waiting for regrouping. At last , I see some responsibility among riders. We are still 8 kilometers away from our final destination.

More dragonbacks!

After another hour or more, we were still waiting for the last 2 riders. One rider then borrowed a motorcycle and rode off with another riding pillion to back track, looking for the last markers. We waited for quite a while before the motorcycle showed up with the last rider riding pillion. They have traded places. We then found out that after the last rest, he suffered cramps, one leg after the other one and he was pushing his bike uphill rather than riding and rolling down the slopes. He did that for the past 8 kilometers!

The first group who made reservations with Rainbow guesthouse made off first as the guesthouse was getting desperate.  Another group called me on the phone telling me they have already checked in. The motorcycle went off again now with another fresh rider meet the other 2 riders there and eventually they all showed up. We thanked the motorcycle owner and let the 2 riders take a full rest. It was already past 3.00pm now. It doesn't hurt to be late than later anyway.

At last!

Finally the last group made off to finish the last leg of about 8 kilometers. This is the hardest of the whole journey as there are 3 major dragon backs here with the last one the hardest. Slowly inching our way, me and Lilian then reached the last peak and waited for the rest. Another rider suffered a cramp here and sat down to rest. After seeing all the riders, I zoomed down the last slope and waited at the junction to our hotel. we stayed at the Xcape Hotel which was formerly the Woodlands Hotel.

Finally, we can confirmed all are checked in and my plans for the riders to ride to the last point near the jetty to have a group photo has been scuttled! Now we won't get a shot with the bikes. After reminding them to meet at the lobby at 7.00pm for dinner, me and company then went for a deserving shower and rest!

For Part 3 of blog, click here!

Taman Negara Dragonback Slaying (Part 3)

The view from the canopy bridge, spectacular!

After the night's dinner and a good rest overnight, me and wife woke up at 5.00am which was a wee bit early. I have to get up as going back to sleep makes me feel lethargic when I wake up again. After a morning bath, I walked to the restaurant but it was not open yet, can't even get a cup of coffee. The security officer was snoring away on the lobby's seat. We then walked back to our room to watch TV.

At 7.00am we walked out again and some of the other riders were already there. Also later the restaurant opened and we had our complimentary breakfast but it was ......lousy! After that we walked to the Ranger's kiosk to register ourselves for the levy charged for entrance to National Park. RM1.00 per person and RM5.00 for a camera permit but that lasts a month.

Getting registered!

After all were registered, we walked to the jetty and the boatman was there already. The first boat seated 11 while the second boat took 10. The boat ride was pleasant and was quite near. We disembark near a small jetty and started walking up the stairs to the Canopy Bridge. Seems we were the first group. We took a group photo here and waited for the facility to open.

We were the first group!

We were having fun bantering and laughing and all of a sudden, a white coloured chimpanzee jumped out of nowhere and snapped loudly at us, " Please be quiet and respect nature". For all I know, nature is never quiet, in fact nature is thunderous. There's thunderous roar of the waterfalls, the loud ultrasonic calls of the insect. And this chimpanzee told us nature is quiet! He must be deaf! In fact his scolding us was even louder than our bantering.

The wild chimpanzee!

Feeling like he was not respected, he then took out a name tag and hung it on his neck and came to us again and declared that he was from the Malaysian Nature Soceity and we should respect his authority. OK, OK, we obliged and one of us tried to take a picture of our group and was doing a silent mime telling us to smile and hold up our hands, all in silence. This made the chimpanzee even more furious but can't do anything but to scowl at us. In fact his was the only unpleasant incident that marred our perfect outing!

Exciting canopy walk but gets bored after a while!

Although we were first there, we allowed the other group to go first. Then we took our turn. It was scary at the beginning but later it started to get a bit bored for me. I quickly finish the 650 meters of canopy bridge and had my two feet solidly planted on the ground. At the other end, we regrouped slowly and then started walking back to the boat.

Regrouping after the canopy walk.

At the boat, there was a discussion on whether to go to the rapids and we decided that one will go and the other will head back. Alas, the number of those going overwhelmed those who was not going. Then I decided to give up going as well to balance out the boat. So, maybe next time, I will go for the rapids. We reached the shores and then after collecting the fare and paid to the boatman, we walked back to the hotel to pack up but not before we went for an early lunch. After eating, we headed to the hotel, took a bath and then stared checking out and regrouped at the jetty.

Arriving back to shore!

Boroi was already waiting there and one bike was already in the boat. I folded mine and my wife's and passed the bikes to Boroi. One by one the rest started to appear and all foded their bikes and passed to the boatman. We chartered three boats with one boat carrying our bikes. We boarded and all three boats started off for Kuala Tembeling again.

Loading for the trip back, no more riding!

The first boat!

The ride was fun and it took more than 2 hours to reach Kuala Tembeling. we did pass a few spots where we rode past yesterday. As it was Sunday, there were many anglers along the river. The view was quite scenic and if only the river was more filled up. It was quite shallow and at one point, a boat has to be pushed. Some dozed off on the boat catching up some sleep.

Our precious!

We reached Kuala Tembeling at 2.35pm and after unloading our bikes, I started carrying mine up all the way to the car. Many others opted for the electrical winch where the locals charged RM3.00 per bike. After packing the bikes in the car and waiting for all to be ready, we set a place to have  alate lunch. I called up New Tokyo Restaurant to check if they are still open and after confirming it was, we made our way there.

Food from New Tokyo Restaurant.

We ordered a few dishes and one specialty this area are river fishes. we ordered an exotic wild fish and had it steamed and ordered a few other dishes. The second group that arrived also made similar orders. It was quite a while before they started serving and when it came, it also dissappeared the same moment. We were all famished!

After settling the bill, we said our goodbyes and drove back to KL. Till our next ride, I am anticipating!

Some New Routes , Sungai Lembing !

Sungai Lembing Ride

Sungai Lembing entrance arch.

The last time I have visited Sg.Lembing was like 35 years ago, give and take a few years. I was there in Kuantan visiting a friend unannounced and he was actually joining a group of friends who were visiting Sungai Lembing for an early hike up the Panorama Hill to view the sunrise. Those days, it was not named as such! That was also the first time I walked up Gua Charas when there was no Indian temple within the same cave.

Fast forward after so many rides, I was gamed on visiting Sungai Lembing again. What better way than to ride there, we see more, we do more and we spend more time riding. Before we really invite friends for the ride, I must be sure of the routes, the accommodation etc.

One fine day after planning with Chris Ng, we finally did it. We started the day with meeting Chris in Bukit Bintang market for my daily dose of opiate! " Ah Weng Khoh Hainan Tea ". After breakfast there, I carried my bike and bags over to Chris's car. Chris will be driving, so nice! Thank you Chris!

We hit the Karak highway and on towards the east and by the time we reached the Kuantan exit near Bukit Goh, it was almost 9.00am. We choose a spot beside the toll office and set up our bikes and this will be my first trial riding with a carrier and bag at the rear. I choose the Hyper Gear waterproof bag as it seems more practical as I don't have to worry about rain!

My home made pannier and rack, waterproof too!

We started off! The sun was shining bright already and we rode slowly to warm up. Then we speed up a bit, riding at an average of 18km to 23km an hour. There was a few small undulating slopes but it poses no problem. We reached Pancing town in a short while and saw the police station on the right. We have to turn right here towards the huge limestone formation jutting right in the middle of a flat vast expanse of land. The road was plastered with fresh biological land mines laid by the herd of cows. Cow herding must be the main job around here!

Chris with the limestone formation at the back.

We don't have to go off road here as there is a good tarmac road leading straight to the temple in Gua Charas but it sort of go in a big arc around the limestone formation. We saw a small shortcut and rode through the plantation. We then found ourselves at the foothills of the limestone hill or formation. The staircase was new but the staircase that I used to ascend to the mouth of the cave somewhere above on the cliff of the formation was still there. There was a caretaker there now but those days I met a Buddhist monk inside the cave.

The staircase leading to the cave mouth on the cliff.

Chris took the first hike up while I waited at the foothills. After 30 minutes, Chris was still up there.......somewhere ! I decided that I will climb on the real actual event and will skip it for this trip. Chris showed up and he was quite ecstatic and said it was kind of mystical and erieeeee...... I said, " Let's go ". Chris asked me to walk up and I said I am not going up. Chris then explained that he promised that he will be paying for the donation when I climb up because he did not carry any money! Chris passed me some notes and I climbed the stairs. Up and up and then after slotting in the donation and entrance, including my own, I started up higher again. The metal staircase was vibrating under my weight! It was not this hard the last time I visited. Then again at that time, I was like 21 years old!

The mystical ray of sunlight from the ceiling of the cave. 

Like Chris described, it was musty, damp and dark. I keep going deeper and deeper and finally reached the 'Sleeping Buddha'. The ray of light that I saw on my last visit was more magical those days, then it was pitch dark in there and we need torch light to venture inside. Now there are some artificial light within. I was waiting for the ray of light to shine onto the 'Sleeping Buddha' but the light crept so slowly, I just make do with a few photos and left. It took me almost a full hour to join Chris at the foothills and I was panting by that time.

I rested a while and then we set off again. I am now looking for the bridge was was so visible in Google map. Found it easily and we cross the bridge and the river view here was beautiful. We trudge slowly along the loosely laid gravel trail and it was hard. At some point we need to push our bikes. As I followed the trail I have mapped out with a software, the directions and locations were different! Generally, we were heading in the right direction though.

The bridge that lead us to our ordeal!

As we rode 'bumpily' along, we decided to get back onto tarmac road as soon as possible. I have mapped out 2 routes, one shorter and one longer on the Garmin and these are mapped based on the bridges I saw on the Google map. We can only get back after we cross back to the opposite side! So, I re-routed my Garmin to the shorter route and we were suppose to look for a river and the bridge. I directed the GPS 'to go' to the bridge and it was only 1.2km away but there were no trails and we hit the river edge without bridge. While Chris waited, I even walked on foot and trespassed into an orchard. I opened up the fence to check for a bridge. We failed after many attempts and I was really tired and the heat was unbearable!

We back tracked to the main bigger trail and I looked for a shade to rest while chomping on some bread I bought earlier in Pancing town.The bread tasted terrible and it was now 1.00pm and I was hungry and my guess is, "so was Chris". Chris was chomping on some cereal bars. We refilled our water bottles as I was lucky to buy another bottle earlier.

We rode on along the bigger trail and although away from the bridge, it was in the direction of our intended destination, Sungai Lembing. After another  hour or so, riding in the heat on uneven bumpy trails, the path merged with my intended mapped route! Except that this is the longer route. So, we are saved but we need to put more effort to reach the second bridge which was much further. At about 2.40pm along the trail we met a lorry carrying palm fruits and we stopped him and asked for directions. He told us that we were just reaching the edge of his kampong and the bridge is further down. We were overjoyed and rode on with a sigh of relief!

Chris looking tired!

But his description of further down took us another hour before we rode onto tarmac..........and finally, the BRIDGE!  We saw a small kampong cafe but it was not open. The friendly lady cook was there and I asked for 100 plus and ice. Although not open, she obliged and we sat there relieved from the heat and tiredness. Chris had 3 while I had 2 and a little breeze was blowing and this made us lazy! We sat there longer and by this time the 'cafe' was opened. We ate chicken chop as that's what was available at that time. 

We left that spot at 4.30pm and started off for the main road. The main road was quite near and then I discovered that we were just a mere 4km away from Sungai Lembing! I was shocked and at the same time happy. Imagining that we have ridden so far on the off road trails in the God forsaken plantation. After a while, we rode into town and without much discussion, we rode straight to the hotel. We wanted the best there and I decided Riverview Hotel was the best in Sungai Lembing. I have already researched and mapped the location in my head and I found it easily. It was actually quite far from the main town center passing a huge graveyard. 

An old iconic tree of Sg Lembing.

We reached the hotel and ...........it was FULL! The lady was nice though. She called up a few other accommodations and even rode on her moped and took us to the place. It was another 10 minutes away actually. It was here that while hopping onto my bike, I stretched a wee little bit and a painful cramp hit me on the left calf. I nearly fell over and the resisting of the fall has stretched my muscle even more. It left a painful feeling on my calf muscle but I still had to catch up with the lady and Chris. My calf is still hard when I was writing this blog!

This is the first time, in my years of riding that I had a cramp. That's because I don't race against time nor do I want to catch up with others. This time I think was 'my state of mind' during the ride was to get onto the right path and fast! I did not notice that my muscles was tense. We got to the home stay and Chris checked out the room. It was basic but 'super clean', no exaggeration here! We agreed immediately and just like that! No registration , no payments! We carried our bikes into the room and rested as we can't take our bath just yet! We were so heaty and hot, the thermal shock might break us into pieces!

I then ate some dried fruits that I brought and then after our baths, we rested and took a nap. It was late evening when we woke up and we rode our bikes out to hunt for some food. As good as many has described Sg. Lembing food, there's nothing much to eat in Sg. Lembing at night. Unless you want to ride all the way to Kuantan for food which was highly unlikely. We found the place which bakes Kg.Java coconut biscuit and each of us bought 3 packets. Then we just went to one restaurant and to be fast, we just repeat the earlier order of the next table, to make our meal fast!

It rained very heavily when we were having dinner and we laze our time till the rain stops and we quickly rode back to the homestay. It was dark now and we were without lights and we have to pass the graveyard. Maybe we can do a 'Halloween Ride' here...............woooweeeeeeeeeeee! We even overshot our destination and have to back tracked and we got chased a few dogs!

The moment we opened the gates to the homestay, it started pouring again. The heavens gave us a small window to get back and I am thankful for that. We chatted for a while and I took a shower and went to sleep.

The scenic river in the morning.

It was 6.30am and Chris was slumbering away. I cleaned up and switch on the lights.......hehehe. The polite way of saying, " Wake up, wake up!" We got ready and a man came over and we paid him and left. What's for breakfast? Off course the 'san sui towfoo'. We had that and it was actually really silky and nice. As for the other 'yong tow foo', it's normal lah but the silky towfoo is miles apart from the regular we had in KL. After breakfast and some coconut biscuit purchase, we rode to the bus station.

Yummy! "san sui towfoo"

Yong tow foo noodle.

I and Chris decided that we don't want to ride anymore after yesterday's ordeal. So, we planned to take Rapid Kuantan back to the toll station. But alas, the driver wouldn't allow us to board which incidently is allowed as mentioned by a lady there at the bus station.  @%###**)(@!  driver!

We decided to wait for another bus, then finally we decided to ride back out. Chris was like the "Flying Brommy", riding at an average of 23 km/h and me with a slight pain in my calf had a hard time catching up. The road was not that bad with slight and gradual 'dragonbacks'. But there is one killer slope though but only one. After an hour, we were already in Pancing, near where we detoured to Gua Charas. We stopped for a 100 plus at a chinese coffee shoppe and then continued on. In another hour we were already at the toll station where we parked the car.

We can actually take a bath here and change into fresh clothes but we opted to just clean up and changed. Off we went and we are planning to have our lunch in Yik Kee Restaurant in Karak. That we did and it was not a dissapointment.

Yummy and fair priced at Yik Kee Restaurant.

So, the post mortem after the ride. I failed to locate the bridge was because I did not set a GPS coordinate for the bridges and also the waterway we saw was not a river! It was just a small and long pond! Unless you want to mountain bike, we agreed that it is not suitable for folding bikes. So, the event will be all main road and maybe a small detour into the 'kampong' and not into the plantation. Our ride will ride straight into Sungai Lembing and with that, riders can actually still go for the 4WD ride to 'Rainbow waterfall' and then next morning they eat the 'san sui towfoo' breakfast. On the ride back, we will detour into Gua Charas and this is the perfect time to view the ray of light on the Sleeping Buddha. So, this is a recce not wasted!

Until the next riding event!