Gunung Nuang...on a bike

"Adoi, Kita jalan naik bukan main susah, diorang naik d'ngan basikal?!".
The last words of a Pos Malaysia group that I heard as we began our 3km long climb up to the foot of Nuang on our faithful MTBs.
Upon arrival at 9am or so, about the same time as a large group of trekkers from Pos Malaysia were just about to leave up... their annual sports club outing apparently.
The ride up is really not for the weary and untrained. It is as steep as steep can be; even for regular walkers, what more for a bike. BUT... we had to do it, because as they say "it is there". Besides, now that the authorities are collecting a hefty RM1 per head, they've even leveled the route up to the foot with some beaten down earth and gravel.
Beaten down earth is good if not muddy or wet, or we'll be spinning wheels no end. Gravel is good, until it gets steep... and wheels spins are common as we try to ride up, but nothing that a little shift of weight cant resolve, a technique I learnt from an old issue of MBT rider. (good mag that!).
The ride up was about and hour long (long time for a 3km ride you might think). But imagine that it takes about an hour and 20-30 mins to walk up 3km.
Arrival at the "pondok", a quick 20min rest, a get-your-feet-wet-in-the-stream time, small-talk with whoever's there, and back on our bikes and downhill we go. A couple of downhillers we met along the way'd be really happy now.
Downhill can be just as dangerous if not more dangerous. Care to be taken and definitely brakes are to be well maintained if you're coming here. It was a quick 20min downhill.
Satisfied but not really that tired yet, we ventured into some "kampung" area, clicked some pics, rode nice and easy through the kampung (very nice). Another 8km, and then back we went. Fully spent, hungry, fairly tired.
And to think that the day before i spent the day in bed from a tummy ache.
This is what you need... a good sweat out. UP to Nuang... that's what i say... Up to Nuang... trek, ride... whatever.