Revisiting Kota Damansara Community Forest trail

This was the last ride before Ramadhan, 28 June 2014.

This year, I started to revisit KDCF trail after my last ride, many years back.  Maybe a race there in 2010 was the last time I been there before.  They were just completed Temuan Trail when Fakawi Tribe organized the second race at KDCF.  The first was 2 km race (photos only) on KDCF's first ever trail, the Scout Trail in 2009.

Fast forward, now they have added Sahabat Trail to the network; now become a total 6km of jungle single track mountainbiking pleasure.

Why I like KDCF?
Here are the are reasons: -

1. Singletrack
2. Primary jungle
3. No mosquitoes
4. Trailhead is less that 50 meters from the carpark.
5. Proper signage marking the trail direction.

Trail length
Scout only: 2km
Scout plus Temuan: 4km
Scout plus Temuan plus Sahabat: 6km (additional 2km by guessing the length of Sahabat Trail)

Quickie with Nasrul and Irfan on 14th June 2014. 4k x 2.

With GLC on 1st June 2014. 4k + 6k.
More photos.

KDCF with Khairusy on 3rd May 2014. 4k + 6k.
More photos.

Kejadian di Magic Carpet, Bukit Kiara

The path that look wide enough until my handlebar slightly hit the tree on left and throw me out of balance and down to the right.  Marks on the left tree at handlebar height shown I was not the first "victim".

Another Kiara battle scar in the making.

Another conned buddy

I took another friend by the name of Yo for cycling outing.  First attempt at FRIM we go as far as Steroid, where he went dizzy half way climbing up Steriod.  But overall, an impressive fitness level for a newbie though.

On second outing, I added Dream & Pacat.  He had some difficulties with scaling up rooted section but doing quite well with switchback.  At Pacat, he twisted his ankle right before the descend.  Two weeks off the saddle for recovery.

I cycled to Teluk Intan

Last Friday we balik kampung. The next day, my father asked me to ride with him to Teluk Intan.  It is about 20km from our kampung. The last time I tried, I only managed half the way there and we turned back.  This time around I want to give it a try.

We started at about 9:00am.  We passed through numerous paddy fields and palm oil plantations.  It was enjoyable ride until I started to feel hungry.  My father told me that it was only few more kilometers.

Me going strong

A long way to go

I started smiling when my father told me that we are about to reach Teluk Intan. I started to feel even hungrier but managed to put up a smile on the following photo.

See how big is my smile

Soon we reached the town and stopped for a shot in front of my mother's school.

Sekolah Menengah Convent Teluk Intan

Then we headed to leaning tower before proceeded for a food.

The leaning tower. I'm going to use this for my Facebook profile's photo

I had a mee rebus at Mastan Ghani

The bridge that we crossed. This was used to be a railway bridge.

The rest of the photos is here

I retraced Sports Tracker tracklog on Google Maps for safety reason.


View Langkap to Teluk Intan in a larger map


Statistics
Start: 9:00am
Duration: 2h 11m (moving time only)
Distance: 37.54km
Speed Average: 17.1 km/h
Max Speed: 28 km/h


P.S. : This wasn't my own article. My father wrote it himself. Well, he did asked me to write an article for this ride.

Forget Endomondo, go for Sports Tracker

I wrote on Endomondo, training software on Nokia Series 60 (Symbian OS) that uses GPS receiver on the phone and plot our workout.  After giving it a try on the newer version of Sports Tracker (the older one is by Nokia, the new one isn't), I give a thumb up on the following: -

1. It tracks reasonably.  I preset it to only records on move above 5km/h as this will cut out those waiting time (on phone)
2. It plot to Google Maps (on PC)
3. It will keep your workout diary for comparison (on phone & PC)
4. It accepts Polar Heart Rate Transmitter connection via bluetooth.  This is what I'm referring to. (Endomondo don't have this. And obviously on phone, who would ride a bike with a PC attached?)
5. It let you upload photos taken during the ride and attach to those training log. Even geotagged it on the map! (Endomondo don't have this)
6. It can upload in real time or opt for offline mode.  I normally upload it much later after the ride.

Check out the screenshot below to get the clearer picture on the features.

 

Burung Hantu Jamboree 2010, Air Keroh, Melaka.

Leave your own brain at home

I have no Full-Suspension (FullSuss) bike.  First, I can't afford it.  Second, I can't afford it.  Third, any other excuses will look lame on me.  Ok, seriously.. I know nuts about FullSuss, not so keen to learn about it, and again.. can't afford it, thus I can afford to be ignorant.  Having said this, I welcome knowledge sharing by my fellow FullSusser.  Someday if I can afford it, which means I'm so much willing to be parted with my RM10,000, maybe I would buy it.

Back to the topic, for those hardcore FullSusser, now you can afford to leave your brain at home and let the bike do all the thinking.

source: http://trailcrew.specialized.com/matthew-h/2010/03/2010-stumpjumper-brain-fsr-and-travel-adjust-technology-video/

Parts Spending. Do it wisely (Rear derailer)

I: Why do you change from 7 speeds to Deore 9 speeds groupset.
The person I met in LBS: Because it is 7 speeds!?

 
Impulsive spending
Occasionally I walked into LBS and walked out with something I didn't have intention to buy at the first place. It could be something that I never realize I need it until I saw it. It is like window shopping in ACE Hardware.  However my impulsive spending is limited to cable end, cable housing end, chain lube, shifter cable, brake cable and other consumables.


Parts upgrades
When the part deteriorated in performance or functionality, I'll go for better part replacement. Say that my RD need replacement, well at this moment I have 1 weak reason for it which is the jockey wheel becomes pointy. Since current RD is Shimano XT, better part would be XTR but exorbitant price may not allow my hands on it. So very likely I'll go for XT of the newer model.

For a start, there are 6 variants from current Shimano XT RD which make my choice become harder.  Check out the following: -

1. Top normal, Shadow, Long cage, Direct routing (RD-M772-SGS)

source: bike.shimano.com

2. Top normal, Shadow, Medium cage, Direct routing (RD-M772-GS)

source: bike.shimano.com

3. Top normal, Long cage, Straight pull (RD-M771-SGS)

source: bike.shimano.com

4. Top normal, Medium cage, Straight pull (RD-M771-GS)

source: bike.shimano.com

5. Low normal, Long cage, Straight pull (RD-M770-SGS)

source: bike.shimano.com

6. Low normal, Medium cage, Straight pull (RD-M770-GS)

source: bike.shimano.com

Top Normal - resting pulley is on top i.e. smallest cog (eg. 11T). Downshifting on the shifter requires pushing your thumb on the lever.

Low Normal - resting pulley is on low i.e. biggest cog (eg. 34T). Downshifting on the shifter is by 'release' action by your index finger

Shadow - Non-protruding RD.

Direct Routing - cable comes from top to down.  I believe this overcoming issue with Straight pull.

Straight Pull - cable comes from behind to front, thus the loop with potential to hook on something on trail.

Medium Cage - for chain capacity up to 33T. Eg. 32T/22T chainring, 11T/34T cassette = 33T

Long Cage - for chain capacity up to 45T. Eg. 44T/32T/22T chainring, 11T/34T cassette = 45T

Chain Capacity (aka Total capacity) - result of (biggest cog - smallest cog) + (biggest chainring - smallest chainring)


Decision making
Long or Medium Cage
I'm currently running 36T/22T chainring and 11T/32T cassette on my Kona Cindercone thus my chain capacity is 35T.  This means I can only use Long Cage if I were to use 36T chainring and 32T at any point of time. 
Shortlisted: RD-M772-SGS, RD-M771-SGS, RD-M770-SGS

Top or Low Normal
Since I'm used to Top Normal, using Low Normal requires some adjustment for my brain to register and react subconsciously.  As a matter of fact, all my bikes run Top Normal thus Top Normal would be my choice.
Shortlisted: RD-M772-SGS, RD-M771-SGS

Shadow
Shadow is associated with Direct Routing.  While I like the RD to be less protruding, it comes with a perk of Direct Routing, features that I believe address issue with Straight Pull.
Shortlisted: RD-M772-SGS


Verdict
Top normal, Shadow, Long cage, Direct routing (RD-M772-SGS)

source: bike.shimano.com

Of the long silence

My P1 broadband was pathetic.  Uploading a resized photo to picasaweb took ages, if it ever made it in a very rare occasion.  So here's my consolidated updates: -

Of new newbie
I bought 13" Proton T-Blaze from BBS for my son who seems hardly earn much height to ride my 16" Scott.  I took him for a ride once at Kepong Metro Park, then FRIM, and lastly a trip to my parent's house, some 15km away from our house.

Of upgrading Proton T-Blaze
Stock 6 speed rear upgraded to 9 speed SRAM X4 gripshift.  V-brake wheelset swapped for a better one from Scott while crankset replaced with Truvativ FiveD.  There you are.. a much better setup for my beloved son.

Of newbie at Kepong Metro Park
He did 3 rounds before I took him for climbing and descending lesson at his chewable size. All seems good and ready for a trail trip in FRIM.

From Newbie skill class

From Newbie skill class

Of newbie at FRIM
On trail, shifting seems a bit harder for him to digest.  Wrong gearing seems his common mistake however he managed to make it to Steroid junction.  I bumped into Pak Adib, Maher (Pak Adib's son), Sufino, and BC Kelolo.  Somehow FRIM was a bit too much for him, for now.

Of newbie on my memory lane
I cycled to my parent's house a number of time, alone.  This time around, I took my newbie along on nice Saturday afternoon.  Even within low vehicular traffic can be challenging for a 10 years old.  I was tailgating and gave instruction from time to time to ensure his safety.  I chose backyard route whenever possible and push the bikes on those 2 to 3 lanes crossings.

Of being beaten by a girl
I was beaten by Azealea.  She did pretty well on recent KLMBH hash at Sungai Buaya, Rawang.  I'm currently motivated on getting back to my fitness level.

Of diarrhea and low blood pressure
I had mild diarrhea and upon checked up by GP, my blood pressure measured at 90/60.  As a result, the GP asked me to keep my exercise not more than 120bpm heart rate.  Kinna devastating shall I keep 120bpm on my cycling workout since at my peak reached 180bpm.  I decided to give it a try quit smoking (again? I lost count of my fail attempts).  A few days later I recovered and did a check on my parent's home BP set, it was on healthy 118/75.  Nice!

Father undergo coronary artery bypass
On 6th March, my beloved father admitted to Hospital Serdang for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG).  The surgery on 9th March went well and he's recovering progressively.  Alhamdulillah.
In 1 occasion when I was bathing him, memories as per mother iteration on how much he loves us.  Abah went to the extend sucking our running nose when we didn't know how to blow it our own.  He would just use him decent shoes while we had shoes of twice the cost for raya.  He's the one who put family on top of his personal priority.  I love you Abah.

Kau selalu kayuh mana?

Soalan ini adalah yang paling payah untuk aku jawap pada tahun 2008. Untuk tahun 2009, jawapan segera dan ringkas aku.. "FRIM"

2008
Pantang kena cuit, menjadi aja... bak kata orang lama, macam pengantin baru. Begitulah aku dan Scott Scale 70 aku.

BBB cuit ke Cameron Highland, pergi.
Shaq cuit ke Gohtong, pergi.
Jazlan cuit Sg Pusu ke Kemensah, pergi.
Seminggu lepas tu, Joe Adnan cuit Sg Pusu ke Kemensah lagi sekali, pergi.
Dua bulan lepas tu, Cikgu cuit Sg Pusu ke Kemensah lagi sekali, pergi.
Geng Melawati cuit Kemensah ke Sungai Congkak, pergi. Sampai bermasam muka isteri yang ku cintai.
Shaq cuit ke Sahara Ride, Melaka, pergi.
Dari 12 hash KLMBH, 8 aku pergi.

2009
Tidak banyak ride yang "notable" aku tercuit.

• PCC Prez
• Road trip ke Fraser Hill
• 2Fn'K Race di Kiara
• Scout Trail time trial di Kota Damansara

Dari 8 hash KLMBH, 2 aja yang aku pergi. Di hash BTP, aku membawa anak perempuan untuk pertama kali menyertai hash. Yang keduanya, KLMBH Epic dimana aku berjaya menghabiskannya buat pertama kali (tahun lepas gagal sungguh).

Lepas raya nanti, Burung Hantu Jamboree, dianjurkan oleh ECC Melaka. Selain dari itu, FRIM adalah jalan mudah, ringkas dan cepat untuk meluangkan masa berkayuh di hujung minggu. FRIM juga sering dijadikan tempat latih-tubi untuk meningkatkan tahap kecergasan dan ketahanan fizikal untuk persediaan PCC Prez dan KLMBH Epic. Ya.. FRIM pilihanku!!

p.s: walaupun kena bayar RM3 sekali masuk, ianya lebih berbaloi dari cost minyak untuk drive 20-30km ke trail free yang lain.

Cycling is expensive hobby?

Celebrating 2 years in cycling, I try to summarize my spending in cycling, for your consumption & judgment.
In the keen interest of cycling, I'm indulged and being happy about it.

How does it start
Prior July 2007, a number of time, I been approached by Jazlan to take up mountainbiking. I had a keen interest but forking RM2000 for a bike wasn't that easy at that point of time. An angel came down in a form of human and gave me RM2,500 soft loan for a kick start.

Initial "investment"
I bought myself Scott Scale 70 for RM2.3k from BikePro (thanks to Big Mac for his time and consultancy). Immediately I went to KHS for a Limar 911 helmet at RM280, the only helmet that fits my big head at that point of time. The list go on an on. Glove, bladder, allenkey toolset, spare tube, shoes, cycling jersey, lycra pants, and more tools. After spending a total of RM3k, I may become insane keeping the record of my spending list.

More spending
Soon enough, I endo during first night ride in RRI, bent my saddle (body injury will recover, parts injury won't). So I replaced with Velo Carbon (new, RM120).
Weekend ride dosage seems insufficient, bought blinker and light in order to ride at nite.
Cassette and chain worn, replaced.
Straight handlebar caused numb wrist, replaced.
Running shoe double as cycling shoe caused slippery pedal grip, bought HiTech trail shoe (new, RM240).

Even more spending
V-Brake failed on me, bought Avid BB7 (new, RM350).
Joined the clipless bandwagon, bought SPD pedal and shoe (used, RM250).
SPD design flaw caused numerous stupid falls, changed to Crank Brothers pedal (used, RM100).
Another clipless shoe, Shimano MT41 (new, RM240).
Bought Spesh frame from Big Mac to inflict others in the family (used, RM250).
Bought bundle parts from Jazlan to assemble Spesh (used, RM100).

Recent years..
Before I blow a candle celebrating 2 years in cycling this August, I have 2 full fledged MTB for trail ride, and 2 rigid fork MTB with slick tires for tarmac ride. Now, contemplating to sell off my Spesh for my bed space. Obviously, I need space to sleep.
Proper sleep prior to next morning rides is important!

First and forth wives live happily ever after.

p.s:

• Angel, knowing your preferences to be below the radar, I shall not mention your name you here but you know who you are.
• LHDN, I had received your additional deduction to my salary. Nothing left here, move on!
• Thief, you took my son's BMX, please return it to him. He's not tall enough for my MTB. Thank you in advance.
• Potential thief, you may be electrocuted if you try something nasty. BTW, alloy is a good conductor.

Skill School-Descending

This entry may be useful for those who want to comprehend descending technique so that you can do it without causing injury while having fun mountainbiking.

Photo 1: Photo of mountainbiker tackling descending section. The rest of this entry dissect piece by piece from this photo.

Photo 2: Checking 4 feet ahead of the direction you wants to go. Always find easy way out route.

Photo 3: Left arm a bit straighten, elbow close to abdomen to avoid hitting the tree.

Photo 4: Fingers on brake to micro adjust the traveling speed.

Photo 5: Coasting position with crank level to the ground. This is to avoid horizontal obstacles (e.g. roots, rocks & berms).

Photo 6: Firm grip on pedal & handlebar. Flex and relax muscle (no stiff join). Bend your knee & elbow to absorb vibration & impact. Curl abdomen and take the butt slightly behind (and below) the saddle to compensate center of gravity.

The President is coming to town!!

Not just any president.. this is PCC (Nexus) Presidential Ride 2009

My first participation was in 2007 and earned myself a bragging rights :) . The event did not take place in 2008 and has given the organizer an ample time for bigger fun (read: enjoyable suffering) this year!

I was thinking of taking the ride like I did in 2007. Finished the ride within stipulated time, offering help to those in need, and socializing. Yeah.. sounds like a fun ride :)

See you guys there!!

KLMBH Epic '09

Nothing much to brag about apart from able to finish it 2 hours after ride buddy Shaque. Met Mr and Mrs Irwan of Subang Bestari at CP4. Mrs Irwan helped my daughter during BTP hash. Leg was good, no cramped whatsoever until I squatted to change my puncture tube.

Mr and Mrs Irwan after CP6 (last checkpoint) From KLMBH Epic '09

Akmal Hizam from Plentong, JB From KLMBH Epic '09

Wishful thinking, I could have been finished it earlier if...
1. Didn't chat & smoke at CP2 (20 minutes)
2. Didn't chat & smoke at CP3 (20 minutes)
3. Didn't chat at CP4 (15 minutes)
4. Didn't puncture my tube while bombing down gravel (20 minutes)

Wahh.. that was 1:15 hours I could had save :)

Me and Shaque had a mutual understanding. Though we came together, we ride according to our capabilities. Keep it at our own pace so that the fast one (Shaque) won't be holding back, the slow one (me, all the time) didn't exert beyond my fitness capacity. This concept is applicable for hash/race outing, where paper is our guide for the route. Riding in less obvious trail requires a buddy system for safety reason.

Return to Kemensah

It was harsh, I was panting in many climbs and it was only sub 20km. What the heck happened? How will I survive 55km KLMBH Epic?





From Return to Kemensah

What when wrong
As simple as not having my usual nite ride every other day. On top of that, carb; late nite coffee over ASTRO's programme (CSI, House, That 70's show, Mythbuster, 5th Gear or just about anything other than Ceria channel). Perfect disaster!

Action Plan
Packed meal for a day (tuna sandwich, apple, almond), more fibre, and get back on nite ride routine.

Father/daughter hash outing

KL Mountain Bike Hash: Bandar Tasik Putri

I asked (read: kindly forced) my daughter to come along for this hash. More for the reason a physical exercise she ever needs; secondly, as an avenue to catch with the silent one; lastly, sell the above points and gets my much needed cycling outing.

Spesh and Scott posed for the album

I rode rigid Spesh and daughter had her hands on all-the-best-parts Scott. After registered for Scenic Ride (renewed my membership too), off we headed to trailhead via row of houses.

Daughter on loose gravel

Long story short, she flat and broke her tears after 5km of cycling. The father looked like an idiot not knowing how to deal with the situation. Luckily a number of season cyclists and organizer lend hands, shared tips and Power Gel to deal with it.

We resumed cycling for another 2km and she fell due to improper braking on flat fire road. Handle bar took on her ribs, from the tears and cries, one would easily identify it as broken ribs. Much to my relieve, the pains subsided after 30 minutes but this time around she called it a day and chose to pillion ride Abang Hashim to RV point.

I cycled back to RV point via Scenic Ride and we have a nice ABC to celebrate whatever that we need to be celebrated.

Much needed ABC

My biggest thanks to BBB buddies and others who lend hands to this clueless father.

Traction 101

Traction can work for you or against you. This is a good example for “more is not always better”.

In mountainbiking, tire traction is a key element of a good riding. Traction is about putting resistant to free spinning wheel (imagine slick tire on muddy trail). The amount of traction that you really need is just merely by being able to put on resistant to the ground, thus enable you to move forward. While having more traction may seem better, it also comes with more resistant to trail thus increase load to your pedaling effort (imagine 2.5" for cross country ride or any knobbie tire on tarmac ride up to Genting Sempah).

I can't give recommendation on "best" tire simply I not a person to refer to on this matter. I believe that there is no single tire thread and pressure will suit best through out a course of MTB outing. It's a matter of striking the balance of pros and cons to cater most situation.

p.s: An element of correct tire mounting is also important.

2 F'nK Race (round 2)

For first time ever, I participated in a MTB race. Not kinna race that has media coverage, neither monetary return for securing top position. If you ask me "how does it feel?", well.. it's like taking an exam. Can't afford to make mistake, can't afford to lay back taking sweet time finishing the course.

A week before that, I made a test run for seeding time. Without the pressure of the race itself, I pushed myself to secure better timing. Triple terrace decent (that once took me a few moment before committing myself into a risk of hitting the tree while zig-zagging through it) has to be committed without hesitation.

Hard to imagine? Try this.. play simulation game or in specific, Gran Turismo on PlayStation trying to secure all race licenses, then you would know how crucial to have right gear ratio, picking a race line, choosing right gear, and when to brake (and how hard). 1 slight mistake may throw you out of the track and loss seconds or even minutes of your precious time.


Ian Johnston


Pat


Ashley


Derald Cook


Jai SetanBiru


Andy

The rest of the photo

I didn't secure top 10 neither top 20, it was 23 out of 26 riders! If I may use lame excuse, it will be.. "I am competing against my myself".

Batu Dam picnic ride

View Larger Map

Last week, Fino was "bugging" me to take him to Batu Dam during recent CNY long break. It had been a while since the last time I rode there; Christmas 2007 to be precise. My guesstimate, sub 10 headcounts will join the ride after a little "ads" on Facebook and forums.

I serviced my Scott, tied the machete to the fork, downloaded Batu Dam tracklog to my GPSr, packed nutrition and fluid, first aid kit (both for human and their mean machine), 2 spare tubes and 3 set of spare batteries (just to be on the safe side, btw my flashlight, GPSr and camera are running on AA battery).

I reached the entrance slightly after 8:00am and taken by surprised seeing a number of unfamiliar faces preparing their bikes. What a coincident to have a number of group to ride the same trail on the same day. Soon, I learnt that it was a member get member situation and all we know, 20 headcounts!

Revisiting a trail that was last ridden a year ago, 1 clear objective was in my head; I must do better that before! Lets see what I had between these 2 rides..
1. 6 epic rides
2. 8 hash rides
3. v-brake to disc brake
4. migrated from platform to clipless
5. countless parts replaced due to wear and tear
6. countless cuts and bruises

The newbie
Azlan was in his 2nd trail trip after FRIM the previous week. While some improvement needed on his pedaling technique especially on climbing; tackling rocky, terrace and fast flowing decent wasn't much of an issue for him.

From Batu Dam

The conclusion
Trail kinna short (less than 15km). The rideable climbing, fast rolling decent, picnic area and cool soothing river stream; awesome! Just the right place for weekend getaway for those looking for the above combo. And obviously, I did better than last time :)

Photos by Fino