Jogging the Kiara Trail

Came out of the car and lo and behold... my back tyre was flat. Bike that is.
And here I was at the foot of kiara, eager to start my weekend trail search. Alas, got out my jogging shoes and ended up jogging the trail up at Kiara. The rain-all-night-before didn't help either.
Jogging up the hill seemed a lot harder than cycling, although joggers would think otherwise.
As it turned out, after the 800m jog up, I was well warmed up and ready for the forest trail and up the rocky path to the "balcony".
Wow, I hadn't perspired as much as that in a long time. Drenched from head to toe. THing about MTB-ing is that we get wind in your face on the downhills, but not jogging. No no no... Jogging is sweat going up and sweat going down.
And now, back home... my whole body is aching! (must be the enormous amount of "vibrating" my "extras" were doing.

Sg Sendat ride..

This is a late entry of a ride we did at Sg Sendat; a little forest area after the town of Rawang, sometime in September 09. Total distance was about 22km.
For some reason the rides around here, like Antara Gapi are nice and hilly. The climbing section of this ride was not extreme, but it was LONG !!
This ride was especially memorable because we had a puncture, we got lost, I got stung, and I finally figured why I needed a Garmin 60Csx! (still looking for a cheap one tho).
The trail itself, like most malaysian terrain was filled with earth, gravel, mud, streams and some dangerous corroded downhills, forcing us to get off our bikes and push.
Again, while all terrains are seemingly similar geographically, and hard to record on a blog... I still must say that EACH ride is different and enjoyable. The freedom, the air (or mud) in your face... nice... so nice.

Kiara NEW found trail...

Last week, unfortunately, my gang all had last minute stuff; however, suffice to say, I went to kiara and found a "new" trail.

After the crossroads (rest point at 2k loop junction) if keep going straight downhill, then a left at the bottom T-junction, about 50m down, the trail starts on the right side and goes around the circumference of the walking tarmac road. I kept going ... and in the end turned up at the foot of the "rocky" climb up to our rest place over looking the science centre (lets call that the "balcony").
It was a nice single trail.
I took a break at the balcony... then went back down the same way... only to discover when i reached to 2k loop that i'd left my helmet UP at the balcony!
Wah lao,... i did the rocky climb again!
Total covered about 15km.
If you're wondering how come I can ride and not know that i'm NOT wearing my helmet?
Good question.
You see, I have a 'good morning' towel tightly wound round my head to absorb sweat... hence... the helmet sits on top of that, making me unaware that it's even on. Other than the "tuala"... I am "tua-lah"!

:-)

Downhill in Kiara, Twin Peaks

Taken with the VholdR Contour HD helmet Cam, no editing.
Coming down the from Twin Peaks.

Riding the Giant Anthem

The first noticeable thing as soon as I got on the Anthem was the feeling that the bike was always surging forward... almost as if it were pulling me ahead. This gave me the immediate thought that hill climbs would be fantastic on this bike. I remember reading reviews about how "the Anthem X3 would leave lighter bikes in its' wake on hill climbs..".
Having never rode on a full sus before, I was eager to see what it felt like in an off road situation. And when I did, my breath was taken away, not from any climbs, but from the incredible feeling (or NON feeling) of going down steps, over roots, across rutts and rocks and things. In short, the Fox RP2 rear shocks did an incredible job in absorbing whatever I threw at it. I had the whole thing recorded on my VHoldR Contour HD helmet Cam... and am embarrassed to show it to anyone cos of the hopeless "wows", "ooohs" "ahhhs"... which can be heard on video... of me in helpless wonder and amazement.
Next test as far as I was concerned are climbs. The Anthem is built for climbs, the 3 pivot on the Maestro technology is meant to maximize every single downstroke on the pedal and transfer enough energy over to the wheels, giving optimum pedal power.
Hmm.
Well, all I can say is.. I was not disappointed. It's really no wonder that the Giant Anthem X series was voted bike of the year for 2009!
No regrets, no turning back.
Now on to the bigger climbs...

Giant Anthem X3

After much hype and hullabaloo and review after review, I've finally got it. Albeit not the top end 24lb Anthem X0, but the lower end X3. Consolation is, the frame's the same and will give me a great time in slowly upgrading it. But mainly cos it's that much cheaper for the same incredibly light frame.
I've replaced the original Suntour XCR forks for Manitou R-Seven increasing my travel from 80mm to 100mm while reducing the overall weight by a hefty 0.6kg.
Got myself a set of XPEDO flat pedals weighing in at 416gms.
The weight of the bike from 29lbs down to just under 28lbs.
The great thing about this bike is its upgradability; which will eventually be the wheelset, cogs, crankset. My goal will be to achieve X0 status; long way to go tho.
Just a short test ride up the road from the bike shop (Tat Seng), and I could immediately feel the difference from my Giant Iguana. It was amazing how easy it was to ride and how fast it felt. Can't wait to get it out there and get a feel of the Fox RP2 rear shocks.
Both front and rear shocks are massively adjustable...although HOW to do it still eludes me at this point in time. (gulp!) the forks are supposed to be "air" filled at different PSIs depending on terrain. My goodness, I learnt today that that there is a specific PUMP to fill the forks with !! (gone are the days of coil springs!)
Anyway... I'll definitely keep you posted after my next scheduled ride on Saturday where I'll be taking this new thing for its first ride... Where? Beats me... but who cares !!

Later..

Crazy Hazy day out...

Today was a nice ride. Unfortunately marred by haze. Look at how bad it is behind us in the picture!! Somewhere there are the twin towers...albeit hazed out!
5 of us set out to Kiara with a nice warm up climb and the 2k loop. Some short rests and finally up to Twin Peaks and back to the Kiara tarmac loop.
Our group of 2 is now a nice 5 - 6; good group to cover each other in the future.
In time, the newbies will be smokin' hot!
Word of motivation for those newly starting...
See a mountain, see a good climb... DO IT! That's what its there for and that's what your bike's for anyway!!
Catchya Later!!

Looking for A New Mountain Bike

Looking for a new MTB?

I'm looking at the Giant Anthem X series... Nice with the Maestro Suspensions

Kiara Forest Part II

<http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=101047704672703881734.00046a8ded1ab2a2df95f&ll=3.155557,101.638041&spn=0.034537,0.038624&t=p&z=15> 

The link above is where I went this weekend. Another attempt at getting lost in the forests of the Tmn Tun/Kiara/Hartamas/Penchala region. But this time a little more prepared as we seemed to have a better bearing on the routes. 

Unfortunately I was not able to "track" the routes but only managed to get my HTC and its weak GPS to pick up a signal. Hence only the 2 blue dots on the map. 

As I learn, and try out new stuff... maybe I'll be able to route out the entire area and create a new map for the world to see. 

Time to get my Garmin Trekker fixed to my bike now. 

Keep following this site... :-) 

Kiara...the jungle in the city...

I can tell that I'm gonna be addicted to the trails found in the "jungles" of Bukit Kiara / Hartamas / Tmn Tun / Segambut!

For the first time, we attempted going in from the Sri Hartamas path in an attempt to get to Tmn Tun. The map you see on the left is actually an old one taken from another site done, I believe by Pat Brosnan (I think that's his name). 

It was really an invigorating ride. Not that technical, but great 25%-40% climbs and downhills. But make sure you go during dry weather. Some portions were quite muddy and it was then that I wished I had flat pedals. I still have the phobia of getting my feet stuck in the clipless pedals while trying to pedal through deep mud. 

There were numerous trails crisscrossing and forking here and there, but we managed to "agak agak" our direction. Bumped into a father and son team and asked them for directions. Unfortunately they themselves were looking for "tmn tun"!

After about 1 hour plus of cyling and trying to figure the right direction to take, while at the same time trying to make sure we remember our way back (in case we had to turn back), a final steep climb, and lo and behold, I hit a tarmac-ed path!! Immediately I realised where I was when I saw the all too familiar path. "Hey, we hit Kiara lahh!!"... with a small sigh of relief!

A young lady taking her morning jog must've heard me. "Lost?" she giggled as she jogged pass. 

"yeah!!.. but not anymore" I sighed as she passed me. 

Looking back on the path we just came out of, I noticed a sign saying "P7"... something i'll remember for a long time. 

We did a small loop at kiara, and decided that it wasn't such a good idea to go back the same way, so we decided to take the road back instead. But not before I stopped over at "ah leong's" and invested on my new rm140 flat pedals !! hahahaha.. Muddy or no Muddy... no more phobia for me!! 

We headed back by road. 

I know... from now on... I'll be seeing more of "P7" (and all the other "P"s in that jungle somewhere). 

Thinking of starting some mountain biking?..

Getting started on your mountain bike:

1. How much should you spend?
Find a decently priced bike. Don't get something from Carrefour or Tesco. Those can be dangerous and unreliable. For starters, something in the region of 1,600 - 2500RM will be enough. Brands are no big issues. At that price you can get some pretty decent bikes from Giant, GT, Merida, Cannondale, etc.

2. Do I need shockers? (shock absorbers)
Most mountain bikes come with front shockers and this is good. You dont really need a dual suspension (dual sus) unless you're planning to be a serious downhiller. So get a hard-tail.

3. Do I need disk brakes?
Nah! They make your bike heavier. Normal V brakes will do.

4. Anything else?
Well... make sure the saddle (seat) is nice and comfy.
Make sure the frame you get suits your height. Best way to test this is to stand over the bike with the middle bar running under your jewels. Make sure there's a nice gap between the bar and your "ahem"... else...well... you know...

5. Other necessary necessaries...
a. HELMET a MUST. NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THIS. GET A GOOD ONE.
b. Gloves VERY NECESSARY.
c. Cycling shorts... useful cos they are padded in the right areas which are good if you're going on some long rides.
d. Jersey... good set for quick drying.
e. Shades... to protect your eyes. NEEDED.
f. Water bottle (try to get a free one with the bike if you can)
g. Shoes. You can wear good stiff-soled shoes.

All in all... you'll be making a fine investment with very little maintenance cost... but HEAPS TO YOUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING.
So go get your bike now !

See ya !

A Hidden Stream in my own backyard

As I was "pantang-ed" from attending or having any form of CNY celebrations from the recent loss of my dad, there was not much else I could do but to try to take my mind off things for a while and go for ride around my neighbourhood.

I rode out with intention to take a 30-40km ride in the hot afternoon sun to hartamas, kiara, etc etc.

Along the way I rememebered that there was a path uphill somewhere in the Matrade area where a bulldozer had created. The hill looked formidable enough and fun. Somewhat Steroid (FRIM) like.
I found it... off the main road and into some forest area.
Dried up earth, bumpy, but rideable.
It started off easy enough, and then some points were quite steep. Although surrounded by forest and nature's sounds, and never before ridden by anyone, (I'm quite sure), but the bulldozer had to stop somewhere i thought. I continued on. Quite scary, yet the unknown was just too tempting.
After one very steep climb where i even had to get off the bike (bumpy and steep not conducive at all!), there was a steep downhill.
I lowered my seat for better stability, downhilled... woohoo...
To my utter amazement, i was behind the Matrade building (about 200m)and right in front of a little stream. Separated from Matrade by forest of course and no way to actually get to Matrade.
I took a picture; rested... and tried to look for a loop back to my starting point. But there were none.
I had to backtrack.
Total about 8km.. but felt like 30km! I headed back. Tired but glad i found a little off road, a little stream, a little fish... right in my own backyard.