by: Mohd Adib Noh from Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia XXL X-Country @ Semenyih,Selangor,Malaysia Date:21st. Nov.,1999
Nadim's remarks of road less travelled reminded me of a chit-chat we had
yesterday over satay Kajang after we got ourselves registered for the
competition that we both entered unprepared, to say the least.Actually,we did
not know what we will get into- hopefully both of us will come back in one
piece.Neither
of us have the skills, experience and adequate practice to enter the
competition.It is a regional competition where people all over the
world will take part.For sure,it is not meant for us novices to
compete.Somehow,we have the gung-ho spirit to take part- the so called
challenge of the road less travelled....
We arrived at the registration office almost half an hour after three yesterday
afternoon.A few days earlier, we were informed that the downhill event will take
place at 3pm.However due to frequent late afternoon downpours almost daily
this week,the organiser Bicycle Planet had decided to do it earlier.So we missed
the one of the 'extreme' events of mountain biking.For sure,it is not for people
like me to take part.How I wish I am 20 years younger to do like what those guys
are doing i.e pushing themselves to the limits of human courage and endurance.
At the time of meeting Encik Sofian,the race director,I have not decided to
participate yet.Deep inside,I was still scared.Owing to his encouragement,my
son's Maher insistence and Nadim eargerness,I filled the form.But I did it only
after Nadim filled his registration first.Similarly,I think Nadim was also
encouraged by my interest to participate, especially I am 20 years older than
him.
One thing that I was really impressed is about the kampung people efforts to
design and construct the race track without any assistance from the government.
I was informed that it is of Asian standard and quite a challenging course.The
people did it themselves under the leadership of Tuan Haji Ariff.It is really a
commendable effort by villagers for their own kampung folks and also for other
mountain
bikers all over the world.Kudos to them! I think it is a real disgrace
to
Sports Ministry if the they don't offer any grants to make it a
better track with
basic facilities and adequate infra-structure.
Actually,I have not had any experience riding my bike on any hilly terrain- not to mention a real hill.Only my bike is a mountain bike but not the rider-if you know what I mean. Mountain biking to me is just a hobby so that I have some physical exercise other than my weekend jogging at KLCC garden.I only ride my bike once ot twice weekly around my neighbourhood.To simulate the hilly terrain,I climb the elevated highways at Ampang Point and Shamelin Perkasa around 6:15 to 7:00am.These elevated roads are no comparison at all to what I just discovered about mountain biking to-day.It is more like swimming in our club swimming pool compared to swimming in rough seas.Honestly,it was indeed no comparison at all.
New discoveries will enrich our life-one way or the other.By the way,we need
not climb Mt. Everest, or dive into deep ocean or be like Prof. Stephen Hawking
exploring our cosmos in order to discover new things.All we need to do is just
take
a little effort to do something different from our normal routine.I bet
you will 'discover' something new.In fact,trying my hands to grow a
tomato plant at my backyard can be a new discovery.What more if I try
to pedal or rather carry my bike up the racing track that even
professional mountain bikers accepted it as quite a challenge!
Last night I tried to prepare myself for the race.First,I do not even have a
helmet.Second,when I was looking for my hand gloves I could not find
them.Thirdly,my water bottle and its casing that is attached to my bike was no
where to be found.That is how 'well prepared' I was.Luckily,my next door
friend Siva helped me to get a helmet from his friend and my wife prepared two
bottled water to be carried in my bag.And I still don't have gloves and I pray that I will be safe.
I left my house around 7am this morning with my eldest son Amir.He is my
insurance just in case I could not drive home after the race.At the same time,he
will assist me to dismantle and assemble my bike.I told people that Amir is my
manager;just like the golf celebrity Tiger Woods now playing golf at the Mines.
The senior participants are divided into two groups-veteran and XXL.My age
and
belly size qualify me for the the last group-the fat and oversize
bikers!There are about 25 people in the veteran group and 15 in my XXL
special.To my shock and horror,we are supposed to use the same hilly
terrain like everyone else and have to do two laps of 5.8km each.I just
wonder whether I can complete the first lap.Anyway,I put up a brave
face-what else could I do with all the kampung people watching?
Luckily,there was no press coverage because most of them were too busy
covering the General Election campaign which is more news-worthy than a
mountain bike race.However,I was told there are a few
world bikers taking part-and of course they were not in my XXL special category.
Our group race started five minutes later than the veteran group.Just about 200
metres
from the starting line,I met my first hurdle-to climb a 30 deg. slope
and it was slippery as well.I had to stop and push my bike.The kampung
people were
cheering us and as I was the last one pushing my bike up the slope,a young girl
encouraged me to climb faster,uncle!.I replied to her that I am trying real hard
and
deep inside me,I told myself to be careful;otherwise I may end this
week at IJN(National Heart Institute)!As advised by Encik Sofian,I just
ride as an easy rider-do it at my own pace.But it was not that easy
reallyas I climbed the hilly slopes...
It was a single track up and downhill.Since it rained the night before,the track
was slippery and muddy,so I decided to ride on at those stretches that I could
control my bike.In other places,I had to push my bike and carry it on my
shoulders.It was faster to push uphill than to ride.At certain places,it was very
dangerous-narrow track,muddy and close to the steep hill slope.One thing that I
learnt
to-day is that my rear break is not effective at all when the mud
slurry got into them.One thing that reminds me about the recent court
case is about a
mattress that was used to protect us from hitting a fence as we rode a short
downhill of 45 deg. slope.The kampung people are really very creative-using
old mattress as a bumper.Overall,I think I ride only one third,pushing the bike
uphill about one third and the rest ride was a safe free downhill.The last part was really fun-just like a kid again!
About half way,I met my riding patner Nadim.He was resting by the side of the
track.Both of us looked very tired and we really sweat.As I was pushing my
bike,I asked him whether we should continue or stop.I wished he would say
stop,so that I got a partner to short circuit the track and call it a day.To my
expectation,he said yes!Thanks God for it and we sat down and chat with a track
officer.He offered me a bottle of mineral water and I drank like a thirsty man
who was lost three days in the Sahara desert.While we took a rest,we discussed
about the route that we had to endure.Both Nadim and me agreed that this track
is for professionals and not for novices like us.Anyway I enjoyed my downhill
ride
especially the off track through the old oil palm estates when we
'cabut' from the race.
I think this is more suitable to our physiques
than the race track.
Whatever it was,I really enjoyed taking part-the pun is intended,for I did not
complete the two laps.Not only I discovered what IS really mountain biking is
all about but also to know my physical condition and emotional self better.
A fellow rider advised me to participate in the coming mountain bike race at
FRIM
on the 5th Dec.,1999 where the track is more rider-friendly.I told him
that I will
think about it because my bottoms are still aching...
Before we parted,Nadim reminded me to get ourselves ready for next year
event.I
did not reply but just nodded my head.Honestly,I will try but not at
this racing track-it is too challenging with narrow,slippery and steep
slopes.May be the organiser should create a new track just like the
roads in the oil palm estate.
Ride on fellow bikers...
Note:kampung is a Malay word for village
