With the turn of the millennium, here we are, given another chance to ride again and to correct where or what we have not been doing right (our riding techniques and skills) in the past year. This is another chance, another year to do it right, to learn new skills, a reborn MTB or Road cyclist where we can all start all over again! Let us all look forward to a new exciting rides ahead of us. This may be a little late but so it must be done: Happy New Year to each and everyone of you!

Originally, it was the Kajang Race Course but due to the downpour yesterday, a last minute decision was made. As of mid-noon yesterday, Edwin confirmed Bukit Cheraka will be today’s’ venue for our inaugural year 2000 ride – well, at least for most of us, this is the first ride of the year. And what a ride it turned out to be to all of us!

It must be the Hari Raya mood and the past couple of holidays together with the absence of last week's ride, I could feel my complacent bones about to go on a strike! Only thirteen (13) riders turned up today, actually fourteen (14) but regretfully, CS Lim had to be waiting at the wrong venue – Kajang Race Course! He obviously did not log into the net to download my latest mail informing everyone of the change of plan. Apologies to you CS Lim but lets hope you will at least remember to call up to confirm the venue in future!!

Edwin started off leading the ride. It was the usual thing, everyone riding through this beautiful cool jungle of oil palm trees and fantastic cow dung aroma, apart from other things! Everyone, including our barely new rider was doing great. So filled with raw year 2000 energy – it was a very close pack of 13 riders, together in a platoon. We managed to tackle every hill together without much complains.

Suddenly, Kor Yong, Edwin and Tom started the ball rolling – they challenged each other to a dash to the forefront! Like little children, laughing away, they forgot about the poor riders’ in the rear, who just want to enjoy a nice slow scenic Sunday morning ride! But soon, even they were exhausted from all their dashing and we were all together again, a platoon formation.

Everything went very well and smooth until towards the end, Grant became the leader! Up on the hill top, we decided on Grant to lead us back to the car, using what he referred to as a shorter trail. A very good leader and guide Grant is. So good that he almost got everyone of us 'dead' – from exhaustion! I personally was having cramps on my right tiny toes and later on my right thigh! Than another set back, my chain broke!

Here starts the trail that none of us will ever forget! A very long, tiring and steep hill climb but also a very interesting trail. We had to dash through long overgrown weeds, getting lashed in the process. Well, it was a group decision that we let Grant lead us out of this jungle through his ‘shorter’ trail! Lucky for him the trail was definitely more interesting and exciting, not to mention very taxing to our energy! I think the fun and exciting part is when we all had to go down a grass covered hill. Not able to see the trail ahead makes it more adventurous as the overgrown grass was really long and thick. All we could hear was the shouts from fellow riders down below, asking us not to brake! Easier said than done!

Very soon, one by one, like a pinball, everyone started falling off the bike. Even on normal tracks, which we have gone through before, most of us just, had to fall! It was getting to be a chore to unclip from the pedal! Exhaustion overcame all of us and the worst part was the sun was already so high up in the sky above. Than there was the growling sound from the hunger of our tummy! And today, we also discovered that we actually have got two (2) bushman in the group! They seem to like falling into the bushes – whenever a really thick one appears! Another sign of fatigue or just call it a ‘bush’ attraction? Another rider, Tom, had a narrow escape when he brushed pass a hornet’s nest. Shouting and screaming away, he had us thought the worst had happened but he was lucky. Only some small ‘baby’ sting!

The afternoon hot sun was scorching on our sweaty bodies, making the journey to begin feeling a bore and a dread to be still riding and missing out on lunch! Even the two (2) deep pool of water which we had to go through did not help make any of us ‘over zealous’ as in other normal rides. Instead of trying to splash the water on each other, we were instead so glad to be going into the water that covered almost half of our wheels! The cool feeling of the water on our feet felt so good that we could not complain.

One amzing discovery was made today. Surrounded by oil palm trees and mosquitoes, getting lost alone in this jungle can be a real worry. Therefore, it is a wonder how Grant, this ‘guay-loh’, can memorize the entire trails, which actually looked alike to us locals!  None of us actually have the slightest clue as to where we are! Grant, what is your secret – a PIII processor in your head or what!

Finally back in the car park, as Tom commented, if only you can see the expression and the look of each of our face by the time we reached back to our cars! Well, what a trail to start off the New Year but really, it is indeed a very interesting trail. Thanks once again to Edwin and Grant but guys, next time, less hills and a shorter ride to avoid the hot afternoon sun please? Thank goodness that we do not have any ‘real’ newbies with us this morning else I believe it would surely scare them off from joining our rides ever again!