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.

Night Riding in KL

THe weather today was cool and damp. Perfect for cycling some would say, what more a nice night ride.
I had planned a "new" route that would take me from segambut, Mont Kiara, Sri Hartamas, Jalan Duta and back to Segambut; 15km or so in all.
Tonight was perfect.
The weather was cool, the traffic was sparce and the streets well lit.
Gabriel was not to have been left out of this "long" ride.
Off we went at about twilight time, a slow casual ride to the Solaris area, getting wet in the process by pools of water. After Solaris, a small climb up to the Mont Kiara area where traffic became heavier from dinner goers; besides, it was the Kiara area and quite hard not to have traffic.
Then onwards to Sri Hartmas, past Plaza Damas and back to Segambut.
The road terrain was great with a good mix of climbs and downhills.
A few short stops and the final climb back home with Gabriel close on my tail.
Quite a good work out for a 13 year old.

Amelia goes a FRIM-ing...

An adventurous first time for young Amelia on her 24" GT climbing for the first time a fairly tough terrain at the FRIM.
With some difficulty and several short 2 minute breaks, she makes it... climbing with all her might and against all odds.
The going was tough... but after 30 minutes riding, she makes it to the top of Rover's trail. Another last break at the waterfall, a drink, and then it was a breeze all the way down to the other side.
Congratulations young lady!
You've done something very few girls your age would do or even want to try doing.
Gravel, mud, 25% hill climbs, no mean task for an 11 year old when most would still prefer sleeping in the comforts of home on a beautiful Saturday morning.
But then, you're my daughter... which means some craziness must have rubbed off huh?
Not to mention the pain your butt is facing now, a day later!

FRIM on Deepavali

Holiday for Malaysians... thanks to Deepavali.
For me, it was an opportunity to try my helmet cam again!.. Woohoo...
And it worked!
However, unfortunately i've not been able to attach the clip to this blog.

The ride was no different other than the fact that I decided to go an extra "mile" by climbing the killer Steroid Hill twice. Of course, those around and were resting thought us crazy.

The dangers for us was that we're always going the "wrong way" up because we think that the other way up is for "chickens" and hence the name "chicken route". Danger here being that those taking the chicken route end up coming downhill while we're going up. Ah well... we've gotten away with it so far.

Rover's trail was also packed with people. No surprise, mostly Chinese and Malays... as our Indian friends are busy entertaining their guests or visiting.

After 3-4 hours of riding time; this time safely with no injuries, it was time to go back. Relax, nap...

How to Maintain your Rear Derailleur...

When there's no place to go...

Sometimes when I'm feeling low, and things just don't seem to click, and I dont really feel like driving out anywhere to go for a ride, what do I do?
Just grab the bike and ride anywhere!

This time, this past weekend was such a time.
Feeling down in the dumps I decided to get some air and cycle around my kampung.
Though the word "air" here can arguably be a big question mark as far as quality and being "fresh" is concerned, it didn't bother me. I had to get out there.

My kampung, as it turns out happens to be from Segambut dalam all the way out to the Damansara area, via Sri Hartamas.
Leaving my slicks on from my previous ride, I shot off in the 1pm heat of the day. Burn if I must my skin, but I had to go.

The terrain in my kampung ride is nice because it's up and downhill and fast!
Feeling somewhat down and out with my mood, I basically sprinted the whole time, even during the hard climbs up damansara hill (Science center) just to "let go".
It was good.

You know... riding and sweating it out really does things with your mind, your mood and your general health.
Came back home after 2 hours plus and over 30km (didnt even keep a real count on my distance), showered, had my late late lunch.
Felt better.

Wonder where to next.