Friday, December 12, 2008

Putting Some Fun Into Going To Work

Have I lost it? What? Fun going to work? Yeah...Try cycling to office. I'd like to share one of my office going route. With back pack fully loaded - change, tools, spare tube, water I clip-on and pedal off. Minutes after leaving my front gate, the nicely paved tarmac turns into this. Well, it didn't, but I chose to...


Where has the road disappeared to?

It's like seeing the weekend off road trail. Off goes all thoughts of going to work...


Barricade? Uh-oh...But no problem for the go everywhere MTB

From a momentary pseudo wilderness, to modern day triple carriageway. Presenting Duta Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE). The barricade fails to stop my black stallion from galloping on. Try doing that with your car, motorcycle even.


The emergency lane is wide enough for my black stallion


Moderate morning 0730hrs traffic zooming by. Note that I use lighting, blinking white light front, and blinking red rear even during day time. It helps to be seen. Especially by the rempiters who can zoom around at supersonic speed.


Approaching the new unopened section


Encroaching the unopened section

So far, no difference whether you are cycling or driving. Not until you come to this section. The junction at Bandar Dalam. Notoriously jam packed because of the skinny bottleneck thereafter heading towards Sentul. Barricade laid on the entrance of the flyover, warding off motorists. Note, motorists NOT cyclists. Careful glances to the back to ensure road is clear and I am off into a newly built highway. Free from pestering internal combustion engined road monster.


Massive jam compounded by irresponsible and selfish motorists driving contra flow.

Time to even the score. From atop the flyover, I heave a sigh of relief and a smirk forming at the corner of my lips looking at the crawling traffic below. In front of me - wide highway that spell "FREEDOM" awaits.


A highway will be incomplete without the toll booth

Pedaling continues towards Sentul. Passes by Sentul Murni. Soon to be charted in the road map for the presence of another toll booth.


Left to Keramat, right to Duta

Highway forks thereafter. left will take you all the way to Keramat. Right to Jalan Duta. I take left. Passing by Bandar Baru Sentul heading for Setapak. Unfortunately, there is no exit at Setapak. Again the advantage of a bicycle saves the day. Bike lifted across the divider to make an illegal exit at Titiwangsa.


Ilegal exit near Titiwangsa

A swooping exit then into the streets of Titiwangsa. Then back and drowned into the insanity of morning weekday traffic of Jalan Pahang.


Jalan Pahang morning traffic insanity

Actually, traffic jam is a huge blessing for cyclists. Crawling traffic poses lesser threat in terms of safety. Scarce spaces in between vehicles is more than enough for a bicycle to squeeze through. You can pedal casually pass by them leaving behind a trail of envy.

Traffic jam is also a blessing when it comes to entering a roundabout. Try doing that during clear time and it will take ages before you can get a clean shot. During jam, just squeeze through...

From Bulatan Pahang to Chow Kit till arrival at the office is simply fun. Being able to overtake motorized vehicle (not because you are fast, but because they are slow) gives some sort of inexplicable gratification. In about 30 minutes, I arrive at the office. Fun traveling to office concludes with a climb up the parking ramp all the way to second floor. Of course I arrive sweating, panting but...SMILING.


The Black Stallion safely anchored at the parking bay. The parking kakak helps to keep an eye on it.


So come on! Make your travel to the office more fun too!

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

KeLoLo's PedalPal Shop Relocated

KeLoLo's PedalPal, my little bike shop, has been relocated! From a small corner underneath the staircase, PedalPal now has a proper lot. Relocation was made in view of the growing number of patrons and injection of capital from a new investor, who happen to be a new biker recruit.

Business hour remains from 9.30 p.m. to 11.59 p.m. weekdays, except for Tuesdays. Shop will be opened on Saturdays and Sundays depending on the proprietor's ride schedule. However, service confined to minor installation and assembly. The parts department is not yet in operation.

Those wishing to seek service are advised to fix appointment in advance, else you could end up in dis-appointment.

PedalPal....your pedaling companion.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Kenali Komponen Basikal - Pendakap Bawah (Bottom Bracket)

Ini adalah siri 6 dalam siri-siri Komponen MTB dan disiarkan secara berperingkat atas dasar "bila aku ada masa". Penulis bukan orang yang berpengalaman dalam MTB, sekadar suka mencari, menyelidik, menyibuk dan mencuba sendiri. Penulis TIDAK bertanggungjawab sekiranya pembaca mengalami kemalangan, kecederaan, kerosakan harta benda dan wang ringgit akibat mengikuti saranan daripada artikel penulis. Apa-apa hal sendiri tanggung. Penulis juga mengalu-alukan kritikan, teguran, pembetulan dan seumpamanya untuk penambahbaikan artikel ini untuk manfaat semua. Untuk rujuk silang komponen yang disebutkan dalam artikel ini, pembaca boleh merujuk Anatomi Sebuah Basikal Gunung

PENDAKAP BAWAH (BOTTOM BRAKET)


PENGENALAN

Bottom Bracket kalau ikut terjemahan DBP ialah pendakap bawah. Apa yang nak didakap? Kat bawah mana? Kita tak payah buang masa berdakap-dakap. Baik dakap bini saja. Kita terus tengok bottom braket/pendakap bawah dalam konteks basikal.

Pendakap bawah (PB) pada basikal ialah komponen yang memegang engkol supaya engkol boleh berpusing bebas bila dikayuh. Pendakap ini dipasang dalam bahagian kerangka yang dipanggil perumah PB. Komponen asas pendakap bawah ialah:

  • gandar/umpar(axle/spindle) untuk memegang piring engkol dan lengan engkol
  • bebola untuk melincirkan putaran
  • mangkuk penutup untuk melekapkan pendakap bawah pada perumah pendakap bawah

Mari kita perhatikan macam mana rupa PB ni...


Braket bawah jenis umpar segiempat sama menirus bebola kartrij
Macam inilah rupa PB umpar segiempat sama menirus yang tipikal. BB umpar ISIS 10 rabungpun lebih kurang jugak rupanya melainkan umparnya saja yang berabung, bukan segiempat sama menirus. Kita akan melihat dengan lebih dekat lagi di dalam artikel ini.

Dalam pasaran sekarang terdapat berbagai jenis pendakap bawah. Maing-masing ada kelebihan dan kekurangan. Kepelbagaian ini kemudian membawa masalah keserasian. Pendakap mana boleh dipadankan dengan kerangka mana dan engkol apa. Maka elok diketahui sedikit sebanyak jenis pendakap supaya tidak timbul masalah keserasian (dan masalah berdakap-dakapan).


Ciri utama yang perlu diperhatikan ialah keserasian, ketegaran, ketahanan dan tahap rintangan.

JENIS-JENIS PENDAKAP BAWAH

Secara amnya, jenis pendakap bawah (PB) boleh disenaraikan seperti berikut;


Tiga Bahagian


Engkol 3 bahagian dari Snafu
Pada kebanyakan basikal moden, pendakap bawah diasingkan daripada engkol. Bahagian engkol kanan (engkol berserta piring gegancu) satu bahagian, lengan engkol kiri satu bahagian dan PB itu sendiri dikira satu bahagian. Engkol disambungkan kepada PB pada gandar PB sama ada PB jenis umpar segiempat menirus, jenis berpasak atau pemuka berabung.

Shimano memperkenalkan umpar berabung yang dinamakan "Octalink". Octalink daripada Shimano diperkenalkan dalam dua versi. Versi 1 Octalink V1 dengan panjang rabung 5mm dan lebar rabung 2.2mm. Didatangkan dalam siri 9 kelajuan iaitu BB-M952 (XTR), BB-7700 (Dura-Ace), BB-6500 (Ultegra) dan BB-5500 (105). Manakala Octalink V2 pula juga untuk 9 gear dengan panjang rabung 9mm dan lebar 2.8mm. Didatangkan dalam siri ES70/71, ES50.51 untuk Deore XT M751/751, Deore LX M571/572, M510-8, M440-8. Juga untuk Tiagra FC4401 dan 4404. Sora FC-3001 dan 3004.

Tindakan Shimano ini mengundang gabungan pengeluar lain (King Cycle Group, Truvativ dan Race Face) mengeluarkan saingan kepada Octalink yang dipanggil ISIS Drive atau ringkasnya ISIS yang bermaksud "International Splined Interface Standard" (Piawai Pemuka Berabung Antarabangsa). ISIS timbul dengan matlamat meningkatkan keserasian di antara PB dengan engkol. Dahulunya, memang sukar memadankan komponen dari pengeluar yang berbeza kerana tiada paiwaian yang disepakati pengeluar. ISIS juga direka lebih kuat berbanding pemuka jenis umpar segiempat sama menirus. PB ISIS mempunyai 10 rabung. Maklumat lanjut berkenaan ISIS boleh didapati di http://www.isisdrive.com/

Rekaan PB awal terdiri daripada satu gandar, bebola di kiri dan kanan dan dua mangkuk penutup untuk setiap kiri dan kanan. Rekaan ini ringkas dan mudah untuk diselenggara. Tetapi, kerana sifatnya yang terdedah, habuk, air dan kotoran cepat terkumpul. Selenggaraan terutama ke atas bebola perlu lebih kerap. Rekaan kemudian dimajukan dengan rekaan kartrij. PB jenis ini menggunakan bebola yang terkedap dan biasanya terbahagi kepada 2 bahagian; satu bahagian yang memegang gandar dan bahagian bebola yang disekerukan ke dalam perumah PB dari sebelah kanan (sebelah pemacu) dan satu mangkuk penyokong (yang diperbuat daripada aloi ringan atau plastik) yang menyokong bahagian gandar/bebola di sebelah kiri. Kerana rekaan bebolanya yang terlindung (kedap), air, kotoran lebih sukar menembusi. Ia tidak memerlukan selenggaraan sekerap rekaan menggunakan bebola lerai. Cuma kalau bebola rosak, seluruh PB terpaksa diganti.

Eksentrik


Perumah BB eksentrik. Perhatikan lubang PB yang berat ke sisi.
Seperti namanya, rekaan ini memang eksentrik. Datang dalam bentuk palam silinder yang dimuatkan ke dalam perumah PB yang dibesarkan. PB yang tipikal boleh disumbat ke dalam palam ini. Yang eksentriknya PB jenis ini ialah lubang untuk PB tidak diletakkan di tengah perumah PB, sebaliknya lebih rapat ke sisi perumah PB. Dengan itu, apabila palam itu dipusingkan, kedudukan PB akan berubah sekaligus merubah tegang kendur rantai. Palam dilekatkan ke perumah PB dengan skeru set.

PB eksentrik ini biasa dipakai pada basikal rangkai (tandem). Ia digunakan untuk melaras tegang kendur rantai yang menyambung engkol pemandu (pilot) dengan pencacai (stoker). Juga boleh digunakan pada basikal yang tidak menggunakan derailer belakang tetapi menggunakan lurahan menegak. Contohnya basikal kelajuan tunggal, sproket mati atau basikal yang menggunakan gear dalaman.


Ashtabula (One Piece)

Dalam sistem Ashtabula, gandar dan engkol dibuat bersekali. Perumah PB dibuat besar bagi membolehkan engkol yang berbentuk S itu dipasang atau dibuka. Mangkuk bebola ditekan masuk ke perumah PB. Engkol memegang kon, menghadap ke dalam. Pelarasan dibuat pada engkol sisi kiri yang berbebenang.

Engkol ashtabula senang diselenggara, boleh diharap, tetapi sedikit berat. Banyak digunakan pada basikal BMX dan juga basikal MTB lama. Serasi dengan kerangka yang mempunyai perumah BB saiz "American" (Pro-size). Engkol ashtabula juga dikenali sebagai engkol tunggal.

Thompson

PB Thompson menggunakan kon umpar boleh laras dan mangkuk yang ditekan ke dalam perumah PB sepertimana PB Ashtabula. Tetapi, berbeza dari Ashtabula, lengan engkol sisi kiri boleh dibuka. Ini memungkinkan perumah PB dibuat lebih kecil. Kerangka yang menggunakan garispusat perumah PB Itali atau English (tak kira format bebenangnya), boleh dipasang dengan PB Thompson. Namun begitu, penggunaan PB Thompson masih jarang. Rekabentuknya sama dengan bebola gelendong yang tipikal dan sepatutnya, secara teori, berupaya menanggung bebanan yang lebih, tetapi sukar untuk mengkedapkannya daripada serangan lumpur, kotoran dan air.

Bebola luaran


Bebola luaran dengan umpar Hollowtech II terjulur
Rekabentuk mutakhir. PB bersepadu dengan bebola di luar perumah PB. Rekaan ini timbul hasil dari cubaan menyelesaikan masalah yang disebabkan oleh garispusat perumah PB yang kecil 1.37" (36mm). Rekaan yang meletakkan bebola di dalam perumah akan mempunyai bebola yang besar dan umpar yang kecil. Rekaan ini kurang tegar. Satu lagi pilihan ialah bebola yang kecil dengan umpar yang besar. Rekaan yang tegar tetapi tidak tahan kerana bebolanya kecil. Maka lahirlah rekaan bebola di luar. Bebola biasaya dalam bentuk kartrij atau bebola kedap yang dimasukkan ke dalam mangkuk sisi. Mangkuk ini diskerukan ke bebenang perumah BB dan duduk bertenggek diluar perumah. Di antara sistem yang menggunakan rekabentuk ini ialah Hollowtech II (Shimano), X-Type (RaceFace), MegaExo(FSA) dan Giga-X-Pipe (Truvativ).


ANTARAMUKA

Baik, kita dah tengok jenis-jenis PB. Sekarang kita tengok pula jenis-jenis antaramuka pada PB. Antaramuka merujuk kepada bagaimana engkol dipasangkan kepada PB. Aspek paling utama di sini ialah bentuk hujung umpar yang berbeza-beza mengikut jenis antaramuka. Antara jenisnya;

Berpasak

Rebentuk tradisi lama. Hampir pupus. Diceritakan di sini sebagai penghormatan kepada rekaan-rekaan awal dan seharusnya diketahui oleh peminat basikal. Rekaannya mudah dan bersifat asas. Satu gandar bulat dengan bahagian hujungnya dipakuk dan diratakan. Pada engkol ada 2 lubang. Satu lubang untuk diserelumkan engkol ke gandar dan satu lubang lagi yang lebih kecil berserenjang dengan lubang yang besar itu. Engkol dimatikan ke gandar dengan satu pasak. Pasak yang ditirus dan deleperkan itu akan dipaku melalui lubang kecil. Permukaan leper pada pasak akan bertemu dengan permukaan leper pada pakukan di gandar. Pasak di bolkan untuk menjamin kekuatan lekatan engkol pada gandar.

Segiempat sama menirus


PB umpar segiempat sama menirus dari Shimano
Seperti namanya, antaramuka ini berbentuk segiempat sama. Juga dipanggil tanpa pasak (cotterless). Rekabentuk paling popular dan meluas setakat ini. Hujung umpar berbentuk segiempat sama yang dibentuk menirus dari batang umpar yang berbentuk bulat. Kepalanya pula ada dua jenis; satu jenis berlubang dan satu lagi jenis mengunjur kepala bol. Dipadankan dengan engkol yang juga berbentuk segiempat sama. Lubang pada engkol besar sedikit daripada lubang pada hujung umpar. Apabila engkol dimasukkan, engkol akan dikunci ke PB dengan nat atau bol bergantung kepada jenis hujungnya. Penguncian ini akan mengasak engkol ke dalam sehingga lubang engkol tersumbat dengan umpar dan engkol menjadi sendat ketat.

Tidak semua engkol umpar segiempat sama ini serasi dengan PB. Walaupun hampir semua umpar ditiruskan pada sudut 2 darjah, terdapat dua jenis ketebalan pada penghujung umpar. Shimano dan pengeluar Asia menggunakan piawai JIS manakala Campagnolo dan pengeluar Eropah lain menggunakan piawaian ISO. Ada pengeluar yang mengeluarkan engkol dan PB untuk kedua-dua spesifikasi. Panjang umpar keseluruhan tidak mempengaruhi keserasian tetapi mempengaruhi kelegaan kerangka, garisan rantai dan faktor Q.

Dalam tahun-tahun kebelakangan ini, Shimano telah mula mengalihkan keluaran mereka daripada umpar segiempat sama kepada sambungan berabung yang dipanggil Octalink dan juga jenis bebola luaran. Penghujung 2006. Campagnolo mengumumkan yang mereka akan menggugurkan antaramuka umpar segiempat sama dan meneruskan dengan rekabentuk bebola luaran yang mereka panggil Ultra-Torque, yang menggunakan antaramuka berabung di antara umpar separuh.

Octalink

Sistem rekaan Shimano ini didatangkan dalan 2 versi. V1 dan V2. Pada rekaan ini, kepala umpar di kedua-dua belah dibuat rabung dan lurah. Terdapat 8 rabung. Rekaan ini dipercayai memberikan lebih sifat tegar kerana keluasan permukaan yang bertemu di antara engkol dengan umpar. V1 dengan rabung yang lebih pendek digunakan paa basikal-basikal jalanan dalam siri 105, Ultegra 6500 dan Dura Ace 7700. V2 pula, dengan rabung yang lebih panjang, untuk kegunaan basikal gunung yang lebih lasak. Sistem ini milik Shimano dan dilindungi paten dan hakmilik. Pengeluar yang mahu menggunakan sistem ini perlu membayar yuran lesen. Maka sedikit sangat pengeluar bukan Shimano yang mengeluarkan set engkol Octalink. Sebaliknya, pesaing lebih cenderung kepada rekabentuk umpar segiempat sama atau ISIS.


PB Octalink V1 dari Shimano
Perhatikan panjang rabung pada kepala umpar. V1 mempunyai rabung yang lebih pendek berbanding rabung pada V2
PB Octalink V2 dari Shimano

ISIS drive


PB ISIS Drive dari FSA
ISIS (International Splined Interface Standard) Drive, satu piawai terbuka untuk antaramuka di antara engkol dengan umpar PB. Direka oleh pakatan King Cycle Group, Truvativ dan Rac Face sebagai tindakbalas kepada sistem Shimano Octalink yang dijadikan milik persendirian. Kumpulan ISIS ini melahirkan piawai tersendiri dan dibuka kepada umum supaya semua pengeluar boleh sama-sama mengeluarkan komponen yang serasi.

Kerana piawainya yang berbeza, komponen dari ISIS tidak serasi dengan Octalink dan sebaliknya. Satu kelemahan dalam rekaan PB ISIS ialah hayat bebola yang merosot berbanding bebola pada PB umpar segiempat sama. Ini kerana gandar pada ISIS lebih besar untuk disumbat ke dalam perumah PB yang masih sama saiznya. Akibatnya, saiz bebola terpaksa dikecilkan. Dikatakan, masalah ini merupakan pendorong kepada terciptanya rekaan PB dengan bebola luaran.

SAIZ

Saiz PB ditentukan oleh beberapa ciri - panjang umpar, lebar dan garispusat perumah.

Panjang umpar dan lebar perumah
Lebar perumah piawai ada beberapa - 68mm, 70mm atau 73mm. Basikal jalanab biasanya menggunakan 68mm. Basikal jalanan dari Italy menggunakan 70mm. Basikal gunung menggunakan 73mm dan kemudian (1995 ke atas) beransur-ansur menggunakan 68mm. Ada juga basikal turun bukit menggunakan perumah selebar 83mm.

Umpar datang dalam julat yang lebih besar. Dari 102mm - 140mm. Saiznya perlu dipadankan dengan perumah PB dan juga jenis engkol yang digunakan. Umpar lebih panjang diperlukan untuk engkol 3 keping gegancu berbanding engkol sekeping gegancu. Panjang umpar, bersama dengan bentuk lengan engkol menentukan faktor Q sesebuah basikal.

Garispusat perumah dan alur bebenang
Terdapat beberapa piawai untuk garispusat perumah. Julatnya di antara 34.798mm - 36mm. Alur bebenang pula dalam beberapa jenis jaluran iaitu di antara 24 - 28 tpi (thread per inch - alur per inci)

Kebanyakan perumah (kecuali dari Itali dan Perancis) menggunakan rekaan alur-kanan (normal) untuk sisi kiri dan alur-kiri (terbalik) untuk sisi kanan sebelah pemacu. Rekaan ini berlawanan dengan rekaan alur untuk rakap dan sengaja dibuat demikian atas sebab yang sama : untuk mengelakkan mangkuk penutup PB dari tertanggal disebabkan oleh proses yang dikenali sebagai "precession".

Jadual di bawah menunjukkan ciri-ciri perumah PB;

Nama Alur PB Penerangan Alur Garispusat Luar Mangkuk Lebar Perumah Garispusat Dalam Perumah
ISO/English 1.37 in x 24 TPI 34.6-34.9 mm
Alur-kiri sisi pemacu
68 mm (73 mm Oversize) 33.6-33.9 mm
Itali 36 mm x 24 TPI 35.6-35.9 mm
Alur-kanan kedua-dua sisi
70 mm 34.6-34.9 mm
Perancis (luput) 35 mm x 1 mm 34.6-34.9 mm
alur-kanan kedua-dua sisi
68 mm 33.6-33.9 mm
Swiss (nadir) 35 mm x 1 mm 34.6-34.9 mm
alur-kiri sebelah pemacu
68 mm 33.6-33.9 mm
Chater-Lea (sangat nadir) (luput) 1.450 in x 26 TPI gedebab
alur-kiri sisi pemacu
- -
Whitworth (luput, dipakai
pada basikal English 3 gear lama
1-3/8 in x 26 TPI 34.6-34.9 mm
alur-kiri sisi pemacu
71/76mm 33.6-33.9 mm
O.P.C. Ashtabula Alur jantan pada engkol 24TPI (kebanyakan)
28TPI (Schwinn, Mongoose)
68 mm (2.68 in) 51.3 mm (2.02 in) (anggaran)
Raleigh 1 3/8 in x 26 TPI 34.6-34.9 mm
alur-kiri sisi pemacu
- 33.6-33.9 mm

TINGGI PENDAKAP BAWAH

Tinggi PB adalah salah satu pertimbangan utama dalam merekabentuk kerangka. Tinggi PB ialah garis dasar kepada ketinggian penunggang semasa berkayuh. Apabila digabungkan dengan panjang lengan engkol, ia menetukan kelegaan tanah sesuatu basikal.

PB yang lebih tinggi berguna untuk basikal gunung. Pada basikal prewen mati, PB seharusnya cukup tinggi untuk mengelakkan rakap (pedal) daripada bersagat dengan tanah apabila pengayuh membelok.

Untuk basikal kembara pula, PB yang rendah akan merendahkan juga pusat graviti dan membolehkan kerangka yang lebih besar dibina tanpa menjejaskan keselesaan ketinggian berdiri lepas.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Yang melantun-lantun sudah tiba!

Akhirnya! Bungkusan dari Singapora sampai jugak. Ada apa kat dalam? Buka sikit...


Eh...dalam bungkus pulak.


Kasi saspen sikit...



Haaaa! Ini dia! X-Fusion Glyde RL coil shock. Untuk menggantikan Fox Float R kat Green Ogre yang telah tiris. Tak boleh pasang lagi sebab reducer yang dibekalkan bukan saiz T-Bolt. Kena pergi kedai machine shop untuk potong ikut saiz. Cerita penuh pemasangan dan pandu uji menyusul....Tungguuuuuu...


X-Fusion Glyde RL masih panas-panas...

Basikal Farhan

Farhan
Ini Farhan. Dia baru berumur 7 tahun. Dia sangat suka berbasikal kerana ayahnya juga seorang yang sangat sukakan basikal. Abang-abangnya juga suka basikal. Ibunyapun suka basikal. Kakaknya juga sukakan basikal. Adiknya yang berumur 3 tahunpun sukakan basikal. Hanya bibik saja yang tidak sukakan basikal.


Ini pulak basikal Farhan. Basikal besi biasa saja. Saiz 24inci. Basikal ini kira baru jugak lagi. Dibeli lepas raya kat kedai Uncle ABC. Basikal ini Farhan tunggang ke sekolah setiap hari sekolah. Hanya apabila Farhan ponteng atau tidak sihat saja dia tidak berbasikal ke sekolah. Basikal ini dibeli dengan duit raya Farhan. Tetapi, sewaktu membeli basikal ini, duit raya Farhan cuma ada enam puluh ringgit dan sen-sen. Farhan cakap basikal dia harga dua ratus lebih. Bila ditanya macam mana duit raya enam puluh ringgit dan sen-sen boleh beli basikal harga dua ratus lebih. Dia hanya senyum tersipu-sipu. "Tanya ayahlah...", jawabnya ringkas. Ayah Farhan enggan ditemuramah untuk menjelaskan perkara tersebut.

Farhan cakap basikal ini berat. Dulu, gearnya susah nak tekan. "Ayah dah tukar sifter tu...", cerita Farhan. "Crankpun ayah dah tukar. Tengok ni, dah pakai quick rilis...", sambung Farhan lagi sambil menunjukkan quick release pada seat postnya. "Brek diapun dah tukar Dulu brek tak berapa makan. Sekaran brek makannnn sangat...", cerita Farhan tanpa di pinta. "Nanti nak suruh ayah tukar forklah...Sekarang gegar kuatttt sangat. Sampai goyang-goyang kepala...", sambil kepalanya digoyang-goyang.

Farhan terus menunjukkan basikalnya sambil meneruskan cerita."Ni tengok stem nipun dah tukar. Hendalpun tukar..." Pot pet pot pet...."Eh...pak cik nak ke mana tu? Farhan belum abis cerita lagi...Pak cik...pak cik?".

Friday, November 21, 2008

Eh...Apa Tu?

Apa ke benda nih?


Apa agaknya menatang nih?
Pernah tengok menatang nih? Agak-agak apa dia? Rupa macam injap tiub. Tapiii...Musykil. Tak pernah nampak pun?

Jawapannya...inilah tool untuk injap schrader. Gunanya untuk membuka atau mengetatkan teras dalam injap schrader tiub anda.

Bahagian badan yang berwarna hitam tu sebenarnya injap schraderlah. Bahagian kepala logam tu yang menyepit kepala injap supaya injap tu boleh dipulas ke kiri atau ke kanan. Memang jarang nampak...



Ini pulak apa?
Haaa...inilah dianya teras, yang mengawal angin daripada keluar dari tiub anda. Benda alah ni duduknya di dalam injap schrader.

Pernah terkena situasi di mana tiub tak bocor tapi angin hilang? Mungkin inilah puncanya. Teras anda longgar. Maka perlu diketatkan. Tool untuk mengetatkannya, tool yang di atas itulah...

Monday, November 10, 2008

KLMBH Hash # 170

They told that the scenic is mum and child friendly. Distance was 11km plus. I hope they were telling the truth. So, I brought my family. Me, missus, my eldest son and my 9 year old. Was contemplating to bring my 3 year old along. Of course, I'd have to carry him on the child carrier. The trail is mum friendly but is it dad friendly? Wise words from missus not to, heeded.

So there we were, listening to the hare's brief, some place hidden within Bandar Tasik Kesuma. How did they ever find the trails?

About 0945hrs it was ON ON. From staging area, an open roadside, void of any significant shade, we had to duck under the barricade bar. Some were seen doing limbo on a MTB. Impressive. A short while later, the tarmac ended. There was a huge roundabout amidst the lalang. Splitting the crowd into 2 groups. Trailhead was narrow with a bit of a climb. Supposed to be ridable, but because of the crowd, most were forced to hike the bike.

A stinking fume later welcomed, courtesy of some cow leaving behind their dung smack on the trail. Many did not realize and ran over it. I bet some return home with flakes of the digested grass home. If not for the cow dung, it would have been sweet singletrack in between rubber trees.

Rubber trail was short. Followed by few kampung houses before hitting another stretch of tarmac. Sign read Kampung Rinching Tengah. Scenic and long still ran together. I sped up a bit as I was already left behind. Eyes scanning for papers. All of the sudden, a group of riders turned back. Long riders who thought that they have fell prey to the hares' mischief. A falsie suspect. I was puzzled because I could still see long paper on the trail. I yelled at them but they just ignored. Let em....

Past the tarmac, the paced changed. Dirt doubletrack started winding up. Uh oh...(that was meant for my 9 year old). I wonder whether he could pull through. Looked like he was doing fine. Undulating double track in rubber smallholding. Nice! Trail was dry. No yucky mud. Climb not too tormenting. Hares really keep their words.

Scenic and long then split at a junction. Long proceeded up ahead while scenic turned right. Another series of ups and downs in rubber plantation. Then a change of terrain and vegetation. From rubber to orchard. From undulating to flat. Nice singletrack alongside a river. A rivercrossing thrown in by the hare completed the picture. You can even stop for a while on the sand bank in the middle of the crossing to take pictures. Say cheeeseee....

Thereafter, back to more rubber on a doubletrack till we came to a tunnel underneath a highway. This was where the long rejoined scenic. I wonder what highway was that? Across the tunnel saw a a bit of tarmac that eventually went downhill. Naturally people would not argue with gravity. And some rolled past the left turn they were supposed to take. Clever deception by the hare.

More riverside trail in palm plantation followed. Suddenly we came to an abrupt stop in what looked like a soccer field. Huge crowd gathering. Perhaps because of a check. Then we gradually moved on. Passed some houses which I thought could be some workers' quarters. Then onto a wooden bridge before going back into the wilderness of rubber and palm. Anybody notice there was a huge manure depository just beside the track. Luckily, there was no mishap there.

A relief when trail ventured back into the shades of old palm. Trail maintained the pattern up moderate ups and downs. Quite enjoyable. Then came a T junction where once again the long and the scenic bid farewell. I took the trouble of cycling a bit of the long way to check out the name of the palm estate. It was Connemara. Whatever that means.

From shady palms out into the open. Wide laterite road on a sunny noon. A sweat drenching affair. That took us through another tunnel. Wide laterite continued through a settlement. My nose picked up the sweet smell of home. I told that to my tired 9 year old riding alongside. He thought I was just trying to cheer him up. And right I was. Shortly thereafter, we roll down pass the exit where my eldest was waiting for us. Time was around 1130hrs. My personal shortest and fastest hash.

Hares were true to their words. Scenic was mum and kid friendly. Not for adrenaline junkie with bulging thighs and calves. You could fall asleep riding the scenic. My 9 year old really did enjoy his first hash...Thank you hares, Thank you KLMBH.

Pics can be seen here

GLC Kayuh Malam ke Menara KL

Khamis, 30 Okt, 2008. Gombak League of Cyclists (GLC) berkelana lagi. Menerjah malam kota metro Kuala Lumpur. Kayuhan kali ini agak berbeza. Berbeza kerana beberapa sebab. Satu, bilangan peserta ramai dari biasa. Dua, bilangan kumpulan peserta yang terpecah 3. Tiga, ada wajah-wajah baru menyertai GLC. Empat, laluan baru ke Menara KL.


Beskal Fino - Beskal Lanz
Bermula 9.30 malam di Sri Gombak, seorang demi seorang, muncul mengisi ruang parkir. Fino tercegat awal sekali. Bagai penanda aras bagi GLC. Kemudian aku, isteri dan seorang kenalan baru dari kejiranan yang sama, Azlan, ikut serta. Tak lama lepas muncul pula Dino. Mengheret sama Pak Sham dan adik Pak Sham. Namanya juga Azlan. Azlan muncul dengan jentera klasik Maverick Pak Sham. Sempoiiiii... 7 orang akan bermula dari Sri Gombak - Fino, aku, Ummu, Lanz, Pak Sham, Dino, Azlan


Lanz, Dino, Pak Sham, Azlan, Lanz
Kelipan blinker dan lampu hadapan memeriahkan suasana bila 7 pengayuh beredar dari Medan Parkir Sri Gombak, berkayuh santai menghala ke Greenwood kemudian membelok kanan ke DUKE. Jam di tangan menunjukkan pukul 9.45 malam. Sasaran seterusnya persimpangan Bandar Dalam. Mesej dari ToyolPemalu mengatakan dia sedang menunggu di Esso Dato Senu. Rancangan diubah minta dia teruskan ke simpang Bandar Dalam.


Memasang lampu pada beskal Toyol.
Gambar oleh : ToyolPemalu
Yang lain terus naik ke DUKE sementara aku dan Ummu keluar untuk menunggu Toyol di bawah jejambat. Tak lama lepas tu nampaklah kelibat basikal menyelinap pantas meredah dan melompat segala pembahagi jalan. Dasat ToyolPemalu nih. Nyata nama yang dipakai tidak melambangkan orangnya. Salam perkenalan ringkas menyusul. Aku ambil sedikit masa untuk memasang lampu pada beskal Toyol seperti yang dijanjikan. Mereka yang lain ternanti-nanti di atas DUKE. Sambil aku pasang lampu, sang Toyol dah mula beraksi dengan kamera DSLRnya. Jadi bintang la aku sekejap.


Tripod bawak sesaja buat penat
Usai pasang lampu kami mengorak kayuhan kembali memanjat DUKE. Dino sudah bimbang dan berpatah balik mencari. Kumpulan bercantum kembali. Disebelah kiri dalam kegelapan malam, nampak seperti ada kebakaran. Semarak api dengan kepulan asap mengotori langit KL yang sedia kotor. Dari kejauhan latar malam cahaya Kuala Lumpur dan kelipan lampu dari KLCC mencetus idea pada Toyol untuk diabadikan. DSLR dikeluarkan. Tripod siap terpacak. Sebaik kamera mahu dipasang, Toyol terkilan kerana plet pencantum kamera pada tripod tidak di bawa. Cheh.."Gagal betul...", rungut beliau sambil menggeleng kepala.

Kecewa benar Toyol. Rancangan dipinda. Yang lain akan meneruskan perjalanan di atas DUKE ke Titiwangsa sementara aku, Ummu dan Toyol akan keluar ke Bdr Baru Sentul. Toyol mahu ambil plet tripod dari rumah. Sementara menunggu Toyol mnyelongkar rumah mencari plet, aku sempat berposing-posing di bawah sinaran lampu jalan di simpang Bandar Baru Sentul.


Merida kembar - Dank's ngan Sabri's
Kami bertiga kemudian langsung ke Titiwangsa. Dank dengan Sabri serta anggota gerombolan lain sudah siap menunggu. Aku cepat-cepat meneruskan urusniaga lampu-lampuan dengan Dank sepertimana dijanjikan. Siap pasang lampu, gerombolan menerjah merentasi Taman Tasik menuju Jalan Tun Razak.


Sesi buang air-isi air
Singah sebentar di Petronas untuk isi air dan juga buang air. Hmmm...satu puak isi air, satu lagi buang air. Selesailah upacara isi air-buang air. Jalan Tun Razak terus diselusuri, memintas lampu isyarat ke Semarak di celah kesibukan kereta motor walaupun jam sudah hampir tengah malam. Aku terlepas ke depan. Lalu mengambil posisi kiri sebelah luar untuk masuk ke Jalan Yap Kwan Seng. Lampu isyarat merah. Sekonyong muncul Ummu serentak dengan lampu bertukar hijau. Kaget sekejap aku bila melihat Ummu seolah hilang arah di celah kereta motor yang sudah mula bergerak menyambut lampu hijau.

Ritma kayuhan santai malam beralun. Beransur gerombolan melewati bangunan AMBank yang tersergam. Dulunya MBf. Beberapa ketika kemudian KLCC pula memasuki zon pemandangan. Sekejap lagi bakal melalui kawasan hap-pening kepala. Kelab bersepahan di situ dikerumuni manusia kota yang tak pernah puas berjoli. Aku naik teruja seketika melayan lekak-lekuk pesiar kaki. Kayuhan dilajukan sehingga bini ditinggalkan jauh di belakang. Marah sekejap Ummu denganku...Silap aku...Mohon maaf. Mohon maaf.


Layan Money for Nothing
Dari lampu isyarat untuk menyeberang Jalan Sultan Ismail, berhenti seketika menghormati lampu merah. Dari kelab di sebelah kiri, berkumandang lagu Dire Straits - Money for Nothing. Terangguk sekejap kepala...Pembasikal malam dengan lampu-lampuan menjadi perhatian manusia. Ada yang sadar, ada yang hanyut dalam arus gelombang alkohol...


Naik bukit mesti pelan-pelan kayuh...
Menara KL makin menggamit. Dan sebaik lampu bertukar hijau, Fino meluru ke hadapan. Aku belajar dari kesilapan, berkayuh dengan perlahan cuba beriringan dengan Ummu. Iyyyahhhhhh...kederat diperah mendaki laluan ke Menara KL sebaik membelok ke kanan. Menara KL tercongok bagai menongkat awan gemawan malam samar dalam pandangan. Tiada masa bersantai ria, bukit tinggi curam perlu dibereskan dakian. Aku mengiringi Ummuku mendaki bukit inci demi inci dalam gerak perlahan. Mulutku becok memberi kata-kata galakan. Pak Sham sengaja memilih untuk menolak basikal sebaik melepasi pondok penjaga parkir...


Menara KL
Dan akhirnya, Bukit Menara KL berjaya ditawan. Riuh gegak gempita dataran Menara KL dengan kehadiran gerombolan GLC. Toyol sibuk mengetik butang bukatup pada DSLRnya. Lihat hasil kerjatangan ToyolPemalu di sini.


GLCs
Malam makin melarut dan GLC makin mengarut. Tanda untuk beredar. Tadi naik sengsara, turun....perggghhhhhh...tak hingat dunia. Aku nyaris jadik mangsa besi penghalang parkir bila meredah laluan tika palang terangkat. Nasib baik belasah lelaju...Kalu tidak mau masuk suratkhabar lama...Sorang pembasikal terbongkang dibaham palang. Yang lain ikut sama meluru bagai peluru. Aku cuba mengambil gambar tetapi yang dapat ditangkap hanya latar...Riders semua lajuuuuuuu.



Sup Dorai...
Penghujung ride malam menghampiri. GLC menyusur Jalan Sultan Ismail. Clubbers masih berlonggokan...Depan Hard Rock masih idup dengan manusia...GLC mengenal pasti sasaran. Santap dan santai di Dorai. Seranggggggg..... Lalu Jalan Doraisamy, juga satu lagi kawasan hap-pening. Memang pening! Singgah sebentar di warung sup yang ak payah diperkenalkan lagi. Sup kambing, sup ayam jadi korban lahapan...

Aku masih ada go lagi. Masih bersemangat mau kerabat Bukit Tunku. Ntah kenapa malam itu selera sedikit besar. Mungkin selepas pekena sup? Dino dengan Pak Sham terpaksa minta diri berundur dulu. Aku pada mulanya menyangka orang lainpun masih semangat serupa, nyata sasar. Yang lain sebenarnya dah bersedia untuk makan bantal. Batal rencana ke Bukit Tunku, langsung cari jalan balik. Fino pulak minta diri sebab dah sesuai dengan laluan dia untuk balik ke Ampang. Saki baki daki GLC meneruskan kayuhan melewati Jalan Raja Laut. Kemudian ke Jalan Ipoh selepas tiu melibas kiri menghala ke Jalan Pahang. Dank dengan Sabri pula menghulur salam perpisahan...

Tinggal aku, Ummu, Toyol dan Lanz menyambung perjuangan yang belum selesai. Kayuhan longlai diteruskan. Gerombolan mengecil lagi bila Toyol masuk be Bdr Baru Sentul. Macam cerita sepuluh budak itam pulak...Tinggalahh 3 budak itam meneruskan kayuhan. Sampailah Setapak (yang jauhnya bertapak-tapak). Ada laluan masuk ke DUKE pulak tu. Sesuatu yang tidak dipersiakan. Laluan dekat dan berturap cantik lagi baharu (apsal ntah sekarang kena guna "baharu" bukan "baru"). DUKE membawaku, Ummu dan Lanz pulang ke rumah...Akhir satu lagi kisah kayuhan malam GLC. Menara KL, nanti aku datang lagi.


Lagi gambar dari lensa kamera komanku dan ToyolPemalu

FRIM Family Ride - Maruku and Masala Vadei...

Chatting after a ride could lead to another. After the From Plentong To LTM ride, FRIM blurted out from my mouth. Like a toman, Daniel grab the bait and urged his father, Hashim BB to join us at FRIM. A quick arrangement was made to go to FRIM on Monday, Oct 27th. Deepavali public holiday...


My Unser doing the impression of a sardine can
The deal was to meet at tokong, in front of FRIM. On D-Day, after succeeding to load 5 bikes into the tummy of my Unser, with space to spare for 5 riders, we departed for FRIM. It was a simple 20 minutes journey. At 0830hrs, there was no sign of Hashim BB or any other BBB. Message was spread last night about the ride. Hmmm...no takers perhaps. The six of us would suffice. Me, missus, Fikri (my eldest), Faris (9), Farhan (7) and Fadlan (3).

Setting up 5 bikes was no easy task. It was like a small bike exhibition. While busying myself, a text came from Jalil Ganaz. Oh...some takers finally. There were waiting near the entrance. I told them where we were and soon after they came to join us. Trailing along were his son, Daniel, Azmi T-Bolt, Firdaus (Azmi's son) and Farhan (Azmi's son). So we had big Farhan and small Farhan on the day.

5 bikes to setup including one with a child carrier to carry the young prince. I suggested for them to go ahead first and enter The Dream with Fikri since there were all set to go while I busy myself with the rest of the bikes. So off they went.

We followed a bit later expecting to meet them at The Dream exit in Rover Track. To our surprise, we met them at the masjid. They haven't gone in because Jalil had to visit the loo. Sheeessshhhhh...

I continued up Rover with missus, Faris and Farhan. My little prince chirpily belting out songs that I could not comprehend. Greeting joggers and passers by. He sure caught a lot of attention. Fikri took Jalil and his charges up The Dream.


Fikri and big Farhan approaching The Dream exit
I made a stop at The Dream exit to wait for them to come out as promised. While waiting, met Brother H, someone I briefly knew. He was riding solo on his neon green Cannondale. We exchanged greetings. I took the opportunity to get to know him. When he introduced himself as a brother of my high school senior, I was surprised. I immediately told my wife that Brother H was the little brother of the guy who generously gave me the child carrier. Our chat came to the subject of his unused tandem bike. He offered me to give it a try which I shamelessly accepted. But to date, I haven't got the time to go and pick it up. Must allocate a day or that. Keep coming back here for my account of tandem experience.

We waited for sometime then missus decided to move on first with Faris and little Farhan. So off they went. Shortly after Fikri and big Farhan came out. Satisfied look displayed all over their face. Must be the doing of the juicy singletrack of The Dream. The rest of the bunch was still way far behind. We continued to wait. Suddenly, missus texted me informing me that BBB was lepaking with her at the Rover exit. What? I thought it was a no show from them. I waited no more. Quickly put Fadlan in the seat and blasted off towards Rover exit.



The BBB Family


Jalil's arrival
There, at the foot of Rover exit, huge crowd from BBB congregated attracting attention. Hashim was there, Belacan, Jepp and his family and many more...It appeared that they changed their plan to enter via Hospital Sungai Buloh instead for reasons I cannot disclose. Such a pity that we could not ride together as they'd be heading different way. We chatted for a while. I got a chance to try out Belacan's new rig - A KHS AM1000. Niceeeee...We chatted (and gossiped for while). All chatting (and gossiping) stopped when Jalil made his appearance gliding down the exit in style. We parted with heavy hearts. Encouragement from each other saved the trouble of shedding any tears...So touching...



Farhan...wait up, wait up...

I rode closely to little Farhan. Actually, the FRIM ride was meant for him. He got a new steel 24in bike partly funded by his duit raya. He was raring and very excited to go. Bukit Hari trail would put him to test. I kept encouraging and praising him. He surprised me by cleaning that section till the foot of steroid. Bravo!!!



Farhan enjoying the trails
The small patch of shade at the foot of steroid became our shelter from the scorching sun. I decided not to go up steroid. The 2 young T-Bolt riders, Fikri and big Farhan took on the challenge and scrambled up. While waiting, little Farhan and Faris played around cycling up and down joyfully. Fadlan, my VIP pillion, just ran around tailing his brothers. Kids...they can have fun out of everything...I just looked at em with great sense of pride and joy.


Family portrait
Soon after, Jalil and Azmi arrived. Being adventurous Jalil, a small persuasion made him scrambled up steroid. Azmi politely decline my cordial invitation to go up steroid. Shortly after Fikri came rollign down wo-hooing all the way with big Farhan tailing closely behind.

When all the conquerors of Steroid were finally back, we began heading home.We chose the white fine gravel double track headed towards Taman Botanikal Kepong. Downhilling there was thrilling especially towrds the bottom nearing the left bend where the gravel was very loose. Faris' favorite was to jump over the hump after rolling down from the gravel hill.


Gravel DH with pillion
Noon came and the whole entourage marched on, turning right for the finale that ended up the wood testing area. End of FRIM trails and back to tarmac to head for tokong...Huge task awaited me to squeeze all the 5 bikes back into the car...



More pics can be seen here

Friday, October 31, 2008

From Plentong to LTM

A chance to be in KL over a stretch of few days spanning over a weekend was taken to good mountainbiking use by Akmal. After a near miss downtown adventure, I took him for another treat to my homeground - the palm estate of Ladang Tuan Mee, home of the BTP Bicycle Brigade. This could be my bloodiest ride so far. Why? Read on...

I purposedly did not announce my intention to BBB to ride there on Saturday, Oct 25th, 2008. It was supposed to be a small group ride in honor of my special guest. Only Akmal, me, my wife and Iyyah, my 12 year old daughter.

We set to meet in Selayang at 0800hrs. Akmal would be coming from Crown Princess. I was a bit late since confronted with a challenge of squeezing 4 bikes into my trusty Unser. Not a small labor!


Bikes for lelong?
When we arrived at Medan Puteri, the regular RV place for BBB, no biker was in sight. Hashim BB was there minding his stall, instead of prepping his gear for a ride. His riding has been lessened ever since his wife started her stall business there. We unpacked and started fixing our gears. Hashim BB won't be riding but he called his son Daniel asking him whether he'd like to ride with us. That 10 year kiddo jumped with joy. Soon he was there with his bike ready to roll.


Before the trail head
About 0930hrs we rolled. Trailhead was Block 6. Daniel in the lead. We would do the usual Teres 3 > Playgound > Teres 2 > home routine. The trail opened with a climb. Open naked barren rutted red earth climb. My Bolty felt funny but I couldn't figure out exactly what...


To Teres Tiga
Though LTM is my regular, I still couldn't remember the trail fully. Lucky Daniel was there to show the way. From trail head to Teres 3, my memory could still recall the path clearly. But when we were almost there, Daniel diverted left to a tributary road I'd never been before. I yelled at him "Mana nak pegi nih?". "Trail baruuuuu....", he replied without even bothering to turn back. Aha! new crafty work by Pechiko? Let's see how it goes...


Approaching the new section
The tributary swerved left, ascending. Then began series of twisted downward singletrack underneath the palm tress. Small terraces decking the rows of palm trees added the trail flavor. Coupla drops and gap jumps up to 2 feet high ready to secrete your adrenaline. If you are not bold enough to jump (like me), you can roll down the gap.


From boingy T-Bolt to hard tail
Daniel practically ate the "layer cake" voraciously impressing Akmal as he watched in awe at the 10 year old's agility. He would apply his Plentong experience here. "Plentong don't have technical terrains like this", he commented. Moreover, a change from his fully T-Bolt to my Element hard tail would require some getting used to.


Gentle Iyyah
I was proud of Iyyah who glided gracefully on the drops. She was slow and gentle yet graceful. Ummu was very selective in trying out. Her 2 months of biking void need brushing up. Fear of tumbling still haunted her after the lip cutting, face smacking incident in Teres 2 months back. I chose to be wild! Must preserve my pride. Shouldn't let a 10 year old kiddo outdo you...Right? OK, you can disagree...Pushed the Ogre as much as I could. Woo hoo...But that funny feeling in the rear became more prominent...There was also a new section carved at the last descent of terrace 3. Steeper, faster...Daniel made it looked like a simple child's play, literally. Akmal finally pulled through in second attempt. Iyyah backed off.


Small in size, big in heart. Daniel pushing Ummu's bike uphill
Fall of a giant
From Teres Tiga we moved on to The Playground. In getting there, you have to pass a steep rutted double track climb, then rewarded by a fast downhill followed by ala slalom in between palm trees before trail leveled out. The Playground was called such because it offered multitude of simple drops and slopes. Good for training. Akmal looked like really enthralled by that section. What stimulated him more was the skills and agility shown by Daniel. He tried jumping off the small ledge after seeing Daniel did so. And he scored a tumble. Hurrayyyyy....Iyyah also crashed when she attempted a steeper slope.


Cut in elbow
Enough of the training, time for putting it into practice. Missus suggested we took the Budak Nakal trail to Teres Dua instead of the usual estate laterite road. Motion accepted and we blasted through. Everything was fine up to gliding down the steps. Feeling that it was not enough, we searched for more challenge in the terraces. Greed usually get us into trouble. True indeed because shortly thereafter, a palm frond got the better of me. It flipped my front tyre sideway and I was flung towards an awaiting palm trees coupla feet below. I got a nice cut on my elbow and a splinter embedded in my palm. That splinter poked through my glove. I was shattered momentarily but brushed the pain aside. Journey to Teres Dua continued....on the normal trail.


Savoring Teres Dua
Teres Dua threw in different kind of challenges. The first set of small drops pumped Akmal's adrenaline up. But when confronted by the first slope in set 2, Akmal resorted to finding alternative descent. Other milder slopes on Teres Dua were savored by him. Daniel continued to make Akmal's jaw dropped in awe.

End of Teres Dua marked the end of that day's session. Time to pack it up and go home. From Teres Dua, Daniel took us spinning around till we got back at the bottom of Teres Tiga. The climb back up was treacherous. I decided to find a milder ascent. Recollecting my memory, we diverted but only to be disappointed that it was farther and of similar steep ascent. That invited furious nagging from Daniel. OK...OK...my fault.


Akmal and the young master
Finally we got back on track and off to the trailhead at Block 6. The rutted laterite descent proved to be no obstacle for Daniel as he glided down. His bike rattled in protest, but the kid showed no mercy. Iyyah took a slo-mo downhill followed by Ummu. Akmal did the same. By 1.15p.m., we were back at the RV. A treat of home made cendol, laksa Kuala Perlis concluded the ride. A ride that recorded fall and crash for every rider except Ummu. And mine was the bloodiest one...Could have been worse if not for the padding I wore. Hope Akmal enjoyed the ride. Hope he can bring back nice sweet memories of LTM to Plentong.


If you hate static pictures, check out the video

More pics can be seen here