Winter-ish ride at Hilton Falls

It was about 5c with some light snow.

- under construction - Dec 26 2015 stay tuned.

Mountain biking vs Road biking

After so many years of mountain biking, I decided to try my legs at road biking. Why? Long story.
It seems that where I am, here in Canada, road biking is big. Every day, while driving on the road, I'll see road bikers. Coming from a city where biking on the streets can be suicidal, I've never had the desire to ride on the road, and its taken me almost 2 years to be convinced that it was fairly safe to road ride here in Canada. How come? Let me explain...
Here in Burlington, Ontario, there are bike lanes along the road. Drivers are not as stressed out and therefore don't have a 'killer' instinct and are almost always very polite and forgiving. Some say its because the insurance is crazy and the punishment for an accident is very expensive. Rules are very strict. If you hit a bike, without question, you're highly likely to be the one in the wrong. Driving is a privilege, not a right. So... with all these in mind, drivers tend to be more careful and less reckless. Hence it is very safe to ride on the roads, well, in Burlington or the GTA anyway. Toronto is another thing altogether, and I won't get into that.
Anyway, after one and a half years here, I decided, get a road bike and try it out. How hard can it be anyway (or so I thought).
I got myself a Giant Full Carbon (TCR) road bike from Kijiji, connected myself with Mountain Equipment Corp group and started riding on Saturdays.
My first outing was an utter failure! I thought I was fit. How wrong I was. Getting left so far behind the rest of the group was an eye opener for me.
Let me give you an idea. When I ride on the road on my mountain bike, I'll be doing about 21-25 km/h for a good workout. When I ride on the road bike, my speeds would be anywhere from 26 - 38 km/h! And I still get left behind. Road riding is hard work, and long!!!
While mountain biking demands short spurts of strength for climbing those hard and steep hills, road biking on the other hand demands long endurance and strength. In addition, the gears on a road bike are designed for speed and not big hard climbs. So when there is a climb, I have to be in shape and very strong. And then repeat it for 50km... as compared to 25km on a mountain bike.
2 hours in total.
So what's my conclusion?
I love it both differently.
Mountain biking, I can do alone, any time, any weather, any terrain, and fun manoeuvring through rocks, roots, holes, mud, jumps etc, riding in one area mostly, can be scenic too, the after-ride clean up can be extensive.
Road biking, in a group - else it would be too boring, dry weather, not winter, only road, and nothing but straight roads, covers a big area and sightseeing is nice, not much clean up other than your shower.
Both work different muscle groups and different fitness buildups. I won't say which demands a better fitness level because it depends on the individual and the type of ride you're doing. For me, I like climbs, and while road biking climbs are less steep, they are harder for me because i have less gears for climbing and I find them harder. So for me, if I want to get fitter, I'd go for long rides on a road bike with some hard long climbs. The cost?... boredom.
Things in common?
They both are good cardio workouts, strengthen your legs, demand full attention and focus, demand that you're well hydrated throughout the ride, after the initial investment take very little money for maintenance.
Well, take a look at some of the pictures I have and you'll see I'm never alone when road biking, but mostly alone when mountain biking. End of the day, whatever turns you on. Go for it.

Training for the Himalayas...

Dream? Maybe... maybe not...But here's where I wanna go soon...

Click HERE

Bronte Creek Cycling in Autumn

One of the most beautiful experiences one can experience as a mountain biker is enjoying God's creation!
And this I do every time I take a ride to Bronte Creek; my usual haunt.

This is the only place that's only 7km from home and where I go for my weekly short 25km rides.
As a terrain, its simple and I'd rate it as a single star as far as difficulty is concerned. There's only a tiny slope of about 100m to climb and any ardent hill climbing MTB-er would have to do the climb several times in order to achieve any hard breathing. (pictures available via link titled 'Autumn at Bronte Creek') Well, there are several of these tiny climbs all over Bronte Creek. That being said, this place really is a wonderful and great place to ride regardless of skill level.
The scenery and the air itself is worth the ride.
During this autumn, I noticed several dead salmon in the creek (picture above), and it seems its the usual time of year where these hardworking fish come upstream to spawn. Several will die in the process.
If you're a recreational rider, this is the place for you. If you're wanting to sweat out a bit more; just go a little faster. If you're a hardcore hill climber, just do several laps of the hills here. So regardless of your level of skill, this place is really filled with fun. Lots of fast single trails to try out.

Ride for Heart - Toronto, Ontario

My first ever road ride on the highways of Toronto! Or for that matter, my first road ride anywhere in the world! 

Truly a memorable time; what with 13000 other riders, all riding for a good cause. 

The ride consisted of 3 different categories; the 25km, 50km, and 75km. I took part in the 50km, with Gabe and Amelia. 

The weather on that day could not have been better. A lovely cool and cloudy 18C with mild breeze. 

The Gardiner expressway and Don Valley Parkway highways were both closed to any kinds of traffic except us riders and officials!

We started the morning by driving downtown to the main parking area and then unpacking our bikes, and meeting the rest of the Bank of Montreal team for a lovely all-you-can-eat breakfast, consisting of sausages, croissants, eggs, drinks, fruits. 

Because it was not a race, we took our own sweet time eating and finally began our ride at about 8.30am. 

The highway was a good mix of small short climbs and smooth downhills. We stopped at various places just to take some photos. Don Valley is known to be quite scenic. The riders' starting times began from 6am till 9am, which made everything less rushed and crazy. Imagine if 13000 riders started at the same time!

Well, not much need be said about the ride itself, and quite honestly, I know now why I mountain bike and not road ride. I cannot imagine myself riding on the road for hours. It can get quite monotonous actually. Nothing like the ups and downs of good mountain biking. 

So yes... I guess MTBRogue will remain a mountain biker. And the occasional road rider for charity.

Ground Zero...

All I needed was to take a month long holiday (with no ride) and my fitness went back all the way down to ground zero! But not for long.
Took my dusty bike out, got my riding apparel ready, and headed out to my 2nd best-place-to-gauge-my-fitness place for a ride. Kiara.
Man was I unfit! How unfit? let me tell you.
Starting out from the bottom of the kiara tarmac road is an immediate 1.5km climb. In my mind I knew I had to start slow or kill myself even before reaching the top. With my HRM on, and about half way through the hill, my pulse was already hitting 170bpm! A horrendous reading since it would normally be in the 150s and at a much faster pace too!
Anyway, consoled myself cos at least I didnt need to stop for a breather.
A quick loop around the tarmac area of kiara was ok and I caught my breath while doing that. Then I decided that I would need to pick up my pace and work at getting fit again! So I headed to "apollo". A climb which normally I would do as part of 10% of my usual full ride.
Needless to say... I died; having to dismount several times and push, through what would normally be 'just a normal steep climb'. (I remember coming here soon after the Sepang ride and breezed through this climb).
That was it... I was done.
After I was out of 'apollo', I got a rest at '2k' shed and headed downhill back to the car.
In my mind I know that while this is disappointing, it's only a minor set back. And as usual, MTBRogue will always get back up there. Sooner than later.

Sepang Jamboree 21 Nov 2010

Click on image


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).

Preparation for Sepang Jamboree 2010

MTBRogue - the Logo

How's that for a new logo for MTBRogue? Curtesy of Amelia Lee!
Nice huh!

Sepang Jamboree 2010 - 45km offroad

Woo Hoo... the great MTB chaps of KL have organised another kayuh lasak jamboree in Sepang!!All the info is here: http://sepangjamboree2010.blogspot.com

45KM of rugged terrain, but I still dont know if its gonna be hilly (like Ipoh) or flat flat like ... umm... flat flat like ... dono lah, never cycle flat flat before.

Knowing MTB-ers, I do hope there'll be some killer climbs separating the men from the boys; This time I'll be well prepared so I wont come out of this feeling like a boy... or better still, a little girl.
Glad to say I'm in ship shape.
There was recently a Penang Jamboree but unfortunately, it was FULL 2 days after registration was opened. Sigh. Missed it. And will NEVER get to do it EVER (Canada beckons).

Anyway...see everyone there at Sepang then!

Oh Yahhhh... Flat Flat like SUBANG!!

Canadian Trails...

One of the big questions in my mind when planning to move to Canada, is "where are the trails for mountain biking gonna be?". Glad to have found myself some contacts of MTBers who gladly directed me to http://www.canadatrails.ca/mtb/mtbon.html ; a nice little site of trails in Ontario which I'm sure I'll be going to.
(and posting to this site of course).
It's really so nice to know that there are miles and miles and miles of pure trails! Single trails are any MTBers favorite! Uphills and downhills, doubly so for this particular MTBer! Who knows what I'll be reporting in this blog this time next year. Autumn leaves, cool weather... PICTURE AND RIDE PERFECT!

Howzitgoing MTBRogue?

I must say, I haven't posted my rides for some time. But happy to say that I HAVE been riding. In fact, I'm even happier to say that I'm riding like, 3 times a week now! And really working on getting my fitness up to par, at least up to par with my own standards. How am doing this?
Well, first things first, I've gotten myself a new neat little toy... a Polar Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) (picture above). This little gizmo is so cool. Ok Ok... cool is but a small factor. What it does though, is track my heart rate real-time, works out for me my peak performance levels, keeps track of my calories burnt, lets me know if I'm just burning fats or increasing my fitness levels, stores my data in files in the watch itself, and oh yes, it even tells the time.
I highly recommend this for any serious get-fit person. Not only does it help me maintain and build my fitness, but it also helps me to ensure that I don't overwork and kill myself with a heart attack. (I tend to push myself too hard)
Well, at my age, currently I'm pushing my heart rate all the way up to the 170s and burning almost a thousand calories on every ride. And I really am getting fitter by the day.
Ride... oh yes... ride...
Actually, not much 'outings' lately, but I joined the FRIM membership just so I can go in for free. It's worth it if I have to keep paying RM4-6 everytime I go in FRIM. So FRIM is my getaway now. If you have a free day on Monday, Wed, Thurs, Friday... just go there anytime in the morning... You may bump into this orange shirted guy on his HOT bike. If you look close enough through his wet shirt, you'll just be able to see his 'bra' strap. That would be me and my new HRM. (If you really still blur, the 'bra' strap is the strap across my chest that transmits the signals of my pulse over to my watch).
So yeah... I have been riding... a little too much maybe... but that never hurt anybody.
See ya!

Ipoh Ride 30 May 2010

The picture you see here was just the beginning of so many hills that would break your legs! And since this was the first hill, with over a thousand riders, bottlenecks were inevitable. Hence, me, the back of the pack, waiting in line. It took us at least 45 mins just to clear the first 4km!
The ride itself was as gruelling as any ride could get. With a total 42km of sheer forest, open oil palm (??) estates, a little bit of tarmac on the way back, thigh burning hill climbs which made steroid (FRIM) seem kiddie, and some nice downhills.
After almost 5 hours, I made it out, after missing about 6km of the ride as my legs just gave up on me. Was granted position 332 though and little medal, which was nice!
Best part of the ride is that I'm that much fitter now I think, and worst part of the ride is that I've got to upgrade my cranks, which is has a terrible scraping noise now! Probably from all the climbs.
Not much to say about scenery though. Malaysian jungle is Malaysian jungle no matter where we go. Link to some picts of us on the right.

Ipoh Ride... the preparation...

Going for a ride? Here are some of the basic-MUST-list-of-things that you will need to bring apart from your bike:
MUSTHAVE WEARABLES:
Jersey, shorts (padded), gloves, shoes, helmet, socks, shades, back/hydrapack or/and waist pouch, wrist watch.
MUSTHAVE CONSUMABLES:
Fluids (1 litre per 10-15km depending on the terrain); more is better than less.
Energy or carbo stuff. My preference are energy bars or just plain ol' bananas.
MUSTHAVE BIKE STUFF:
Pump, spare tubes, tools, tyre repair kit
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED OTHER STUFF:
Sunblock (spf = 30 or more)...make sure its water proof and sweat proof. I recommend Coppertone,First Aid kit,Mosquito repellent,Hand-phone (and containment from water),GPS, small towel
OPTIONAL:
Odometer, spare clothes, mp3 player
Done.
For my own personal ride coming up this weekend (and am very excited about it!) in Ipoh, I've got pretty much all of the above except for spare clothes cos my jersey and shorts are both 'quick dry' and in Ipoh, I don't expect any change in temperature, so warm clothes wont be necessary, and riding in heavy torrential rain has never been a problem for me.
So... wish me luck... Ipoh here I come... stay glued to this site for my update on the ride after Sunday!
By the way... that bike you see up there... that's my baby! A nicely modded full sussed Giant Anthem X3... mmmm... nice to own my own personal Porsche that's a thousand times cheaper than the car! (go ahead... click on it!)

Bike Climbaholism = Someone who is addicted to climbing (with a bike)

(Can you find my bike in that first picture?)
With a 45km off road trail coming up next week, I was determined to be ready for it. Today I daresay that I'm ready. The weather this morning at FRIM was perfect, temperature-wise, but with the rain, things were a bit tough. It rained heavily and I was caught while climbing up steroid. Uphill tasks was tough as the earth was slippery, muddy, and fairly soft. But nothing was gonna stop me from getting into shape for next week. Managed to do the climb twice over (some would think it mad!).
But with today's ride, my confidence is a little better than it was 2 weeks ago. My fitness, a little better than it was in the past few months. I think Ipoh will be tough, but I think should be ok. Wish me luck! This picture below is the little stream that forms all the way from the top of the hill...

Off to Serendah...

After laying off for more than 2 weeks due to bouts of flu, cough and the like, and coupled with the fact that there's a HUGE ride coming up in 2 weeks over at the Ipoh Jamboree (http://happytoride-ipohjamboree2010.blogspot.com/), the ride today was much needed. Amazing how the lungs can clear of its' phlegm from a nice midrange ride.
Today's was obviously not a much visited trail, and we could tell bcos of very long lalang and thorny underbrushes (managed to catch one on my wrist too)
At the start, we had a start when we saw someone coming down the hill with a shotgun!... and dogs!! As it turns out, they (there were 2 shotguns (hunters)) were hunting boars.
Not much to say about this ride. Just a forest like all malaysian forests, long lalang, muddy paths. No major climbs other than some small 200m inclines; which was a good start for someone with my level of fitness at this point. It was much needed and a good prep for the coming Ipoh ride (45km of gruelling off road madness into the Banjaran Titiwangsa... God Help Me!)

Ye Olde Taman Desa road ride...

Ah, what memories like memories... from 1990. Took a ride out the old road route of Taman desa, water park, taman seputih areas.
I remember when these routes would drain my lungs with its "long" 600m climbs...
Alas, I remember when good ol' Kim would train me and coax me on..."cmon ... abit more... !", and I would struggle with my last bit of breath, like a fish out of water...pedal my way up the road. Thanks Kim!
Had some time to kill when my son went there for his seasonal basketball tourney. It wasn't a major game, since his team was already 1st on the leader board, so I decided that I needed my own little exercise after a bad bout of flu and last weeks pathetic 3km-and-died ride. So, thought it was a good plan to start where it all began some 10 years ago!
I've come a long way now... Hate to say this Kim, but this time I think I'll be the one with the "cmon... abit more!".
The route, much easier now, is still one of the best routes for a get-fit-quick rider. It is undulating, tarmac, and not so many cars, with some nice climbs. A few sprints up and down these climbs will do amazing things to your fitness level. But watch your heart rate tho...push too hard and you'll be pushed on a cart to the nearby Desa hospital.
Well, suffice to say... for me... it was a trip down memory lane while I quickly try to get fit for a big ride coming up in the Ipoh Jamboree end of this May; a full 45km off road trail!
"C'mon Kim... get off that excel butt and come along with me!... There's extra space in the car for 2 bikes and 2 riders!"

Lost...

Imagine you're cycling on a well beaten path. Around you nothing else but rubber trees, undergrowth, and little mozzies all over your ears. You figure, "ok... just keep going... this oughta lead somewhere surely!". After all, you've just passed two tiny wooden huts (what the hell were tiny huts doing in the middle of nowhere?..) and been chased by a dog, surely you cannot get lost in a tiny forest!? ..hmm.. After 30 mins of cycling the path suddenly leads down a steep steep and muddy slope, and then disappears altogether. You half fall down, get off the bike and decide that perhaps its abit too steep and without a path before you, kinda dangerous, especially when roots start sticking out of the ground, endo-ing you almost! Then all of a sudden, the way clears and you're staring out at a 30-40 foot drop! You get on your butt, bike on top of you, in a desperate attempt to stop sliding downhill! Where on earth am I?
Well.. waddaya know...I'm smack in the middle of a "tiny" forest in Kiara!
For the veterans of this place; Dont laugh!
For the newbies... Watch out! You gotta respect this place and bring a damn GPS! No, not the kind you use in your car... but a real proper GPS that'll work in thick forests. I have one, but of course, Kiara is a "tiny" jungle... what would Patrick be needing a GPS in here for huh????
Trust me, such arrogance will cost you, umm... let's see, numerous cuts, bruised bottom, mozzie bites, bike-on-you-head (that's what endo-ing does) and not forgetting the tree you smash with your shoulders!
Plus point? (there always a plus point or points!)
You get to find NEW paths. You realise the importance of all that you know you should have brought and didnt. You appreciate life a little more.
In short... dont ever think ANY forest or jungle is "tiny" because, believe me... you're tinier! WAAAY tinier!

Ride with the KL Mountain Bike hash - Sg Buaya

Take the Rawang toll exit; drive into Rawang town and up towards the north. Until a turn off on the left about 5km from Rawang town. That's about all I remember about how to get to this place. All I know is that it was near some loji pembersihan air.
The ride began about 9.30am, with about 200 people; Guests and members of the KLMTB hash. I was a guest of Thomas and gang, all ready and equipped with my Garmin GPS to capture the trail so I can come back in the future and not get lost in this forest.
It was a cool morning, and in spite of the 200 people, the group quickly were dispersed due to different riding speeds and fitness. We were probably somewhere near the middle; not fast, not slow.
Not much to say about the scenery. Mostly single trail in the middle of a forest, nothing to look at except trees, trees, and more trees.
The actual hash was made up of 2 loops: easy and not so easy. After 10km on the easy, I decided that I was not fit enough to cover the 2nd 10km of not-so-easy, so I called it a day.
By the way... Thomas, lost his Garmin at some point near a river at the 2nd loop. Anyone find it.. please return to me.
Overall, nice easy ride and I'll definitely go there again.

Cobra while biking!

Today I almost got "patuk-ed" by a cobra like the one you see here! But instead it hit my front tyre.
I was cycling in the forest between Sri Hartamas and Kiara; a single trail. Thankfully it was a slight downhill, and although quite full of roots which slowed me down, nonetheless, downhill speed was there.
Suddenly, as I passed between some rubber trees, this cobra out of nowhere literally jumped from my right and towards my front tyre. I didnt even have time to react other than get a very rude shock!
I automatically lifted up both my feet off the pedal and just continued on! After about 5meters, I stopped the bike, turned and looked for it, but it was gone.

There were occasions I am told by my friend that he too encountered cobras before while jogging in the forest trails of Kiara. But this was a first for me.
I've seen boars, monitor lizards and various other insects, but none of them give me more fear than the Cobra I saw today!

For revenge over my shock, perhaps I should have some snake soup?
hmmm...