...cont'd from Part 1
When I reached the Fish Farm, I had missed the main lucky draws. I did not go to the closing counter to see if I could still try my luck at the general lucky draw. I rode my bike to the car and started storing my bike for my journey back home. I had to rush back home for a family gathering
dinner organised by myself and did not stay back for "de-briefing" with the rest of the gang.
Loop 4
No input available ! Sorry did not qualify :-(
No input available ! Sorry did not qualify :-(
Riders
According to the register tally that I saw there were more than 1,300 riders registered for the event.
These are but just a short list of riders whom I met:
These are but just a short list of riders whom I met:
2 cycling buddies of about the
same age. When I inquisitvely asked one of them of his age, he said
he was 54 years old. They did not
complete Loop 4 but they took the ride
in their stride. They seemed contented to take it easy and stop to take photos at scenic areas. They also chose the scenic rubber plantation and lake spot too. He also offered good advice to carry one's bike over water hurdles so as not to get water and grit into the bearings of the tyres/cranks and deraillers. My previous bike did not have sealed bearings and eventually everything jammed up due to accumulated grit and rust.
I met 3 young cyclists. All of whom were also first timers in this PCC Presidential
Ride.
One hails from Taiping but working
in KL. He said that he is aware of cycling
friends from Taiping coming down to Semenyih for this event. In actual fact, I saw a tour bus loaded with
bicycles parked beside the road. One cyclist just bought his
MTB two weeks ago and had not used the bike off-road at all until this PCC
event. Previously he was cycling around his housing estate. Hopefully he will continue MTB-ing. The other
cyclist said he is from Shah Alam; he shared sweets among the stragglers.
Strangers willingly offered to shared muscle
cramp spray. One rider even offered his salt tablet to another cyclist who had
a severe cramp who complained that the start of his
cramp was due to the killer slope at Loop 2.
Lessons learnt
One young Marshall made a very
good comment when asked about the time left to make it back to the Fish Farm for the lucky draw. He said, "It’s all about the ride”. Basically he meant; to enjoy the ride and the
scenery of the ride and not the prizes! (right or not? u decide... yeah-rite! hehehee)
Carry a bag pack of water. Two 750 ml bottles are not sufficient
Fill your water pack with rehydration salts to prevent cramps. Once you have an attack, it will slow you down and you will be disadvantaged
Comments heard:
We pay good money to suffer!! We rather NOT stay at home on a Sunday morning
to watch TV on the couch. :-)
Band of Funkiers :Outcome
Of the 7 members of the Funkiers band of brothers who took part, only one managed to complete
4 loops.
Edward has now earned his bragging rights.
My own thoughts?
It was a tough ride. I have to
admit, initially I told myself I will
not do this again. But now, I have a
change of mind. Health, spirit and God willing…. WHY NOT !!!
-------*****---------
Closing Credits:
List of Appearances
(in order of appearance and in Technicolor)
(in order of appearance and in Technicolor)
(as usual, to view the pic, place pointer on pic and click left button)
 |
| Pic 1: Funkier Group ready for the adventure |
 |
| Pic 2: traffic jam in the forest |
 |
| Pic 6: climbing down the slope |
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| Pic 7: steep slope climb on the other side(right option) |
 |
| Pic 9 : another war zone |
 |
| Pic 10 : cooling down by the river |
Acknowledgements
Kudos to the organisers for organising this event and the well planned stages
Behind the Scenes:
Video #1: Short take of the gathering point just before the start of the ride
Starting pic:
 |
| Met up with a regular at Kemensah I like his extra antennae |
The route:
(compliments of a macyclingteam -found in the internet)
The Ride
/ Stages
The ride
is made up of four (4) individual stages linked together into one giant
loop of approximately 50km.
The
stages are of unequal distance and different terrain.
Stage 1 – Black Mamba
A pure
cross-country route with hardly any technical sections winding its way like a
cobra up and down and left and right across mostly rubber and palm
plantations. Starts with 4km of tar and dirt roads to spread out the
crowd but expect the usual jam when we hit the narrow trailhead. There will be
the unavoidable hills so pace yourself and take it as a ‘warm up’ to
prepare for the big one in the next stage. Approximately 11km. 70% canopied and
all rideable. Expect to wet your shoes at the end of the loop but before that,
enjoy an exhilarating downhill.
Stage 2 – The Bitch
This is
where you’ll put your ‘warmed up’ muscles to good use. Highlight here is
that climb that we call the Bitch but you will be rewarded with a fantastic
downhill leading all the way down to a V dip with a stream at the bottom.
Depending on weather conditions, the Bitch can very quickly burn you out on a
hot sunny day as you will be riding to the highest peak of the entire ride.
Caution on the long descent though, the initial part of which is peppered with
deep water gullies that can trap and send you over the bars. It narrows
into a single-track with a deep descent down to the stream. An unavoidable
hike-a-bike here and riders are advised to exercise extreme caution here and
after crossing the stream. You will be riding along a narrow ledge with a DEEP
ravine on one side! Approximately 12km and 40% canopied.
Stage 3 – Enchanted Forest
Longest
stage of the ride where you will find a bit of everything. Lots of fun single
tracks and rolling hills cutting across rubber and palm plantations, orchards
and secondary forest but highlight here would be the Enchanted Forest that
closes this stage! You have to be there to appreciate the beauty of this part
of Semenyih. And it’s here too where you will have a fantastic time blasting
down and out of the Enchanted Forest. Approximately 17km and 60% canopied.
Stage 4 –
Brave heart
The
finale loop designed to test the toughest. It’s called Brave heart for a
reason. This is where riders will have to deal with the ‘Kill Hill’, after 40km
of slogging up and down the hills of Semenyih. We take our hats off to all who
complete this last challenge. But you will be rewarded with one quick
‘best-in-the-world’ descent to the finish line. This is the stage where the
boys/girls will be separated from the men/women! And remember to top up your
water before entering the loop. Approximately 11km of enjoyable suffering!
Chicken Run
An escape
route called the Chicken Run is available for riders to bail out at the
end of Stage 1, 2 or 3. This is advised for riders who may not be able to
complete the next stage as we’re not going to carry you out from the trails.
This year
the Chicken Run is simple as each Check Point is on or close to the main
road (Jalan Sg Lallang) so you just need to ride the road back to Taman Sri
Haneco. Follow the instruction of the checkpoint Marshals and
directional arrows with a picture of a chicken on lamp posts.
The
approximate length of the Chicken Run from each Check Point back to the finish
line:
- CP1 back to Haneco 7km on road
- CP2 back to Haneco 9km on road
- CP3 back to Haneco 6km on road
- CP4 is at the end of Stage 4 at Semenyih Fish Valley.
Cut-off Times
These are
an essential component in this event. They are imposed so that we can
safely make sure all riders get back to the finish line by 3.00pm. They give
riders enough time to complete the stages or ride the Chicken Run.
Entrance
to the next stage will be closed at specific times after which riders are
advised to ride the Chicken Run back.
- Stage 2 – 10:30am
- Stage 3 – 12:00pm
- Stage 4 – 1:00pm
CP1, CP2 and CP3 double up as water
refilling points for all registered riders. However riders are strongly
advised to carry 3-litre water packs and food. Just carrying 2 bottles
won’t do.
REMEMBER THIS IS NOT A RACE!
IT IS A RIDE TO TEST YOUR FITNESS AND ENDURANCE.
SO RIDE SAFELY AT YOUR OWN COMFORTABLE PACE TO AVOID INJURING YOURSELF
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