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Woke up at 4.30am on the morning of 21 Nov 2010 (Sunday) and headed out for what was to be an easy ride. Many had said that in Sepang, oil palm estate, how bad can it be?
Alas... how wrong everyone was!
Not only was the ride undulating... it was downright HILLY, and coupled with a night of rain before, muddy! What started as a "nice n easy" 42km, turned out to be one of the most gruelling and difficult trails I've ever been to. Although the climbs were not as formidable as the ever famous "antara gapi" trails, nor even Steroid or Pines at FRIM, the climbs were good MTB climbs worthy of mention. UNTIL... we hit the muddy energy sapping places.
There was one point where I had to lift the bike on my shoulders, which is normal for most MTB trails, but to lift the bike and then try to climb out of a muddy ravine about 8 feet high, with my feet constantly slipping and me falling back into the ravine is not what I can call MTB-ing. There was one point where my feet sank right in to my ankles and the only way i could get my feet out again was to NOT PANIC, and gently and slowly drag them out again. Remembering that I didnt have anything to hold on to. How the others got thru here is a wonder. THIS to me, was the MOST difficult part of the entire ride! At one point, I was worried about being leech food! ("ahoy leeches... someone trapped here for our nights feed", I could almost hear them shout in glee)
Well, all was well, after much much struggle, sweat, I managed to climb out. A few others behind me had the same struggles too. The big and heavy would have real problems getting out.
Scenery-wise, not much to say, just a few glimpses of our KLIA (KL International Airport), and some hill-view into 1. more oil palm trees, 2. a road or two and 3. a chinese cemetery.
Well, what can I say about the Sepang Jamboree?
Rideable, fun (without mud), challenging at some points, nice single trails, thorny on tyres (I got a flat a day later), good and nice climbs, a few but not enough downhills. But still, a place I just might take a drive out to again.
Any takers?
If you were riding this trail, take a look at the 12 min clip, you may just be in somewhere, being overtaken by me of course. Click on video clip below (or link on right).
