By
Smurf Bikers,
Participant No. 19-26, Smurf Bikers Group, Singapore
This is from the Smurf Biker's......
Compared to last year, we had a smaller group for this year in addition with 2 new members namely Jason (No. 22) and Zishin (No. 97) which I conned them to come. As for this year the panels of Smurfs decided we should drive up instead of taking the bus. We very well knew it will be a long and tiring 9.5 hrs journey but which we will be planning to make a couple of stops to rest our feet and eyes. Finally the day arrived 3rd of October 2130hrs, the 9 of us met at Tuas checkpoint. Passing thru the Singapore and Malaysian customs was a breeze. After that we received a call from Singapore side telling us that Penang was raining for the couple days and it has not stopped and was causing a flood everywhere. We thought to ourselves are we going to ride in the flood or by the time we arrive in Penang the rain would have stopped. But hack it we have already crossed the customs there was no point of turning back or else we will be called chicken.
Cruising down the North South Highway was just plain sailing no cars no roadblocks no streetlamps and we did like around 120 to 140km/h with our foglight on. Luckily we had co-drivers at least we could switch along the way if we were feeling tired. Along the way we did a couple of stops for makan and talk-cock session and some kopi to keep us awake. We were also drooling at Nik's new car which he picked up early part of the day with all the new gadgets to fiddle with. After a long drive finally we reached Ipoh it was already drizzling and we hope it would lighten up by the time we reach Penang but "NO" it started to pour even harder on the way. It was raining cats and dogs and visibilty was getting from bad to worst couldnt see the front car. At last we could see Pulau Pinang the island of Penang and the long Penang bridge. We paid the last toll and wah la we are on Penang Bridge the pouring rain has lightened up to drizzles. Could have god answered our prayers???? After Penang bridge we took a short drive to the hotel it was called the Waterfall Hotel it is a nice little hotel about 5 mins away from the Youth Park. By the time we reached Penang it was already 4th October about 0800hrs. This time God didnt hear our prayers and decided to ask Brother clouds to pour even harder. It just couldnt stop raining......wonder why??? Didnt the organisers do a anti rain dance.............ha!ha!ha!ha!ha!ha!.
Saturday was just a slack day for the Smurf Bikers because of the rain we decided to take a rest in the hotel after 9 1/2 hrs drive we could feel the fatigue. After waking up from our sleep we decided to drive around town to look for makan. It was our "Makan Jamboree" time. Rain was still pouring so we decided not to join the warm ride along Sunset Boulevard. After makan we headed to the Youth Park to register for the Sunday ride. After registering we all decided to head down to Komtar Complex for another round of makaning session. We did some shopping for bananas and bottles of water to fill up our Camelbaks. Soon after we headed back to our cosy hotel to prepare our stuff for the next day. It was already 2000hrs and the Smurf Bikers decided to ride down to the Youth Park for the briefing as the rain was lightening up.
The organisers had some last minute changes to the trail the initial trail was totally washed out due to the rain and there was a couple of fallen trees and landslides and they found it was too dangerous to ride and this year's bonus ride was also cancelled. So they decided to change the trail like the last year's 2002 Jamboree the entrance would be Mt. Erskine the entrance was located near the market and it would be just climbing and climbing and climbing. We thought finish lah!!!!!!! got to carry bikes again..........after the briefing we rode back with heavy heart carry bike and push bike again.....shall we skip this jamboree and continue our jamboree eating. After much discussion with PaPa Smurf we decide to see how it goes on Sunday morning if it rains heavily we skip this ride. Soon after we retired to our rooms.
MMMMMMMMM I think the organisers did the anti rain dance the night before and suprisingly the rain stopped and the Smurf Bikers have no choice but to drag ourselves out of the bed and change to our biking gears. SIGH! SIGH! SIGH! we couldnt escape. We had our morning roti chanai and coffee and our power gel. At around 0645hrs we all headed down to the Youth Park we could see all mountainbikers gathering there. The rain did not dampen their spirits. At last the organisers cancelled the Mt. Erskine trail and decided to proceed on the initial ride and hooray hooray no more climbing just the 5km long road ride up to Penang hill and most of us that came last year was mentally prepared. This year's Jamboree the organisers were awarded the Malaysia Book of Records for having the most participating mountainbikers and 3 cheers of you guys and for Genesis group for clearing up the trail and the landslides. At 0800hrs the whistle blew it was time to ride God was on our side this time rain has stopped and the weather was beautiful fresh and cool air was blowing into our faces. After a short ride we came to the entrance of the long ride up to thy kingdom come. Most people would have thought how are we going to climb this hill for those that came from Singapore this is like 10 times of Mt. Faber. Believe it or not the Malaysians can climb last year we couldnt believe our eyes aunties and uncles in rubber sole and platform pedals did the killer climb. If the Malaysians can do so can we.........before the climb everyone starts shifting their gears to granny gears. You could see everyone huffing and puffing away, cursing and swearing.......here comes the best part about 500m away there was this huge landslide casuing a human jam you could see everyone scouring to be the first to get over that obstacle. Just imagine 350 participants climbing over that pile of mud. After passing that big pile mud was horrendous everyone's cleats was stucked with mud and no one could clip it in but thank god there was water rushing down at the side of the road so conveniently everyone started to wash their shoes and bikes.
Now comes the slow journey up everyone was in granny gear some either pushing or walking up this time round the organisers did not place any Marshall by the side of the road. Last year they had quite a few Marshall and we would ask are we reaching there and they would say round the corner another 500m or another 1km to reach the top we believed them. But this year no more we cannot believe them trust yourself.......:D. At last we reached the top of 168 cool air was blowing and was slightly drizzling met an nice friendly Aunty there selling drinks there good choice of a business strategy I guess nobody would refuse a 100 Plus and the 1st stage sticker for our number plate. Now is downhill all the way going probably at ard 40 to 45 km/h on a wet tarmac road and then soon after had to turn off into a trail this where you get your 2nd stage sticker everyone seems to be carrying their bikes down inside was just full of mud and it was slippery everyone was minding their steps one slipped would have send you to see your maker.....;D. After a nice long downhill of carrying bikes and cycling we finally reached the 3rd stage another sticker of cause. That is where we exited to the main road and guess everyone from the market where the hell these mud man came from. Most of us would have been covered by mud from head to toe. 3 Cheers for the MPPP they stopped the traffic for us we felt like "King" of the road. From the road to the Youth Park was another 2 to 3 km and when we reached the finishing line we got our plaque PHEW! another Jamboree has just completed couldnt wait for the next 2004 Jamboree. This time round hopefully the weather will merciful brother Sun please do your needful for 2004.
Regards,
Gabriel
Jointly
Organized
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