~~~~Dirt on wheels~~~~
The meeting time was brought forward to 9am, due to the over response of people wanting to attend. From 24 riders, it balloon to 34 riders, and so 3 changi ferry boats, much like the ones we took to Ubin, had to be chartered. A good 40 mins ferry ride with our beloved bikes, on fairly calm seas but only to have the calm before the storm. Off through the Malaysian customs, and somewhat, the sun feels so much stronger on their side. As on a small tar road, we ventured forward to the trails, and soon we were digging dirt up with our tyres. The pace got alittle faster, and the trails was dry, the way i like it. Only 20-30 mins into it, i felt a sudden drag, and soon later, my rear had a pinch flat. And boy does that suck, to start a long day of riding and having a flat so early, really disappoints the use of having a spare tube. Gladly, a few bikers stop and lend a couple of hands, even a good pump that made a whole lot of difference. Tube changed, and psi up to count, i was back on my bike, to the awaiting riders up ahead. Whew!
~~~~Sun Shine break~~~~
The mostly flat trail, finally lead us to a nice steep but short climb, but it was a scenic climb. As on the top we could view the palm plantation, and it was a very nice breather. The sun was really draining our strengths and wearing us down fast. Our camelbaks was the only watery salvation to our throats, but we took little sips to regulate it through the journey. The trail was begining to bite back, as being on a rigid bike, i had to absorb everything my front end took, but it was manageable. As we turn off, there it was, the steep hill, and steep it is so! But we had a choice, a shaded hilly trail through a forest but a longer route, or up the steepest one with the shorter route. I figured, i came all the way here, i might as well take the steepest, even if it meant pushing up it. Dang! it's not as steep as one would view it from the bottom, unfortunately the climb was way too long to push on, and to "save" some legs, pushing it up at the top was more logical than conquering it. But the fruits was the downhill, it was slightly long and rough, but it was worth the climb, because downhills trails are rare to come by, and it was superb!
~~~~100 Plus Degrees~~~~
~~~~Refilled + Rebuild~~~~
Soon later, we were told that town is nearing and all we had to do was to make it to lunch. 100 Plus with ice was endlessly flowing down our throats, finally something to cool down with. A few more pedals to the main town, we reached an overcrowded restuarant, with no patience to join the queue, we hop right on to another less vacant one. The fried rice was paradise, can't say much for the rest of the dishes, but what's important is we rested and we ate. The journey back awaits, camelbaks filled up, with ice some more! Full to the belly, we hop on our bikes for the long journey back to the jetty. This time it was a coastal route back, that tar road seems so straight and endless. But the unthinkable happened again, a flat on my rear, again! Just as in the begining with my first flat, a few riders lend a hand and that trusty pump was put into action. Way ahead, the rest have already put some KMs infront, i was soon trying to catch a glimpse of them, but there wasn't any. The road really didn't want to end, it didn't want where we wanted to go, it was just endless simple minded pedalling on the hot tar road. Finally, we could see the turn off, where the small Malaysia struture of a custom office laid. We made it! Sun burnt, almost too full, but not dehydrated. We got back into the boats the same way we got there, but exhausted and spent! No sooner, the offroad trails were memories, the onroad was still blazing with that image of shimmering tar. It only sank it on the boat ride back, the trip is over, and it was one hell of a ride!
~~~~Ready + Readied~~~~
~~~~SunBurnt Smile~~~~
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