Third Ride to Tadom Hill Resort

23 September 2018:
Roll off at 7.15am. Today was a special day where we will meet cyclist from NST C Cycle Challenge as some of our usual routes are the race routes.
We took a different route to the ending of Jalan Kampung Seri Cheeding, which is home to the aboriginals (orang asli or orang asal). We wanted to try Jalan Kemat but most of it is still off road and not suitable for road bikes. Along this stretch of road, there are several hills good for hill training, like a dragon back.

We headed back to the BOH plantation and took a stop for breakfast at one of the small eateries along the road. We saw a batch of fun ride cyclist passing through. It was interesting looking at them, dressed in different gears and fittings.


As it was our first time looking for routes to Tadom Hill Resort, we took a few stops to check on the map. For the ease of other cyclist, feel free to use this route that we went today.
From the main road, we took a turn onto an off road, missed the junction and ended up at the back of the hill. But that was good because the view was better from the back.

Tadom Hill Resort is a resort with the hill at the background and it's signature lake. Initial impression lead me thinking that this resort is situated on a hill. But there was no uphill riding when we got there. It is a resort ideal for team building with facilities such as ATV rides, sand volleyball ball court, kayaks, a tree house (for kids below 6 years old), bamboo kayaks etc.

The other facilities include toilets, discussion hall (open air), tree house by the lake (for tarzan wannabes to hang on the ropes and jump into the water), a deck for docking and swimming, life jackets.

The accommodation provided are built with inspirations from the architecture of the Orang Asli. I never realized that in the district of Banting is home to so many tribes of Orang Asli. A little study online revealed that Suku Temuan are the tribes that lives around Kampung Bukit Cheeding and Tadom Hill.

To read more about Suku Temuan, here you go https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temuan_people







The feeling of group riding is great, discovering new places and riding along new routes, getting to know the tiny details of the routes (like where got poth holes, dogs and even cows). It creates great memories, pump up fitness and best of all, it's free.
#greentrekkers #cycling #groupriding #euphoric

First Ride to Carey Island

I am above the clouds!
11 September 2018: I achieved another milestone in my cycling journey. After completing RHB Shimano Lekas Highway Ride 2018 ride for 78km, I was tempted to give a ride with my riding group to Carey Island. An estimated distance was 75km but it turned out more.

As usual, our gathering place at Restaurant BR Maju Kota Kemuning.

We roll off at 7.10am and took our usual routes towards Rimbayu bridge and Kampung Seri Cheeding.

View from the bridge overlooking SKVE

With me was Eric Koo, Terrance Wong, Cyril Hoe, Mr. Choy and CS Boon.

This time around I make it a point to stop for photographs and paid more attention to the surroundings, sights and scenes and manage to spot a sight of the tea plantation by BOH.




We were going a steady speed of between 25km/hour to 28 km/hour. The road at Jalan Aman, Kampung Seri Cheeding was newly paved so the surface was smooth and easy to ride.

Upon reaching Jenjarom junction, instead of stopping for food at our usual spot, we made a right turn onto Jalan Klang Banting. Hence the adrenaline of big and heavy vehicles passing by us. The road surface was rough with sand and rocks.


We made a stop at the petrol station to buy some bread, in case we got hungry before our next meal.

We entered the island through the bridge of Jalan Pulau Carey. There are 2 seafood restaurants that serves lunch and dinner (Kang Guan and Kuala Langat Seafood Restaurant). The ride in the middle of the island along this straight road was very pleasant with minimal vehicle. We made a pit stop at Mah Meri Cultural Village .



Several carvings were on display. The people of the center were busy preparing for an event, which I was able to see some of the aboriginal girls dressed up in their traditional costumes.




We continued our ride for another 9km or so until we come to the end of the road. There were some construction works going on, the sea awaits, with view of several ships afar. There were sightings of monkeys and eagle sitting high on a tree.






The sun was already high. We grab a bite and took a drink before heading back to Jenjarom for our late breakfast.


After eating and refueling, I refill my bottle with a glass of water, thinking it would be enough, I was wrong.
The next 25km back was awesomely grueling. I could feel lactic acid building up in my knees and thighs, pacing slowly below 20km/hour. We made a stop at BOH plantation and Eric gave me some spray, which helps with a few more stretches to loosen up the leg muscles. I headed straight home, clean up and went for lunch. I couldn't take a nap, my body was flat but my mind was clear. It was not until about 5pm I could sleep for an hour or so without my younger kid clinging on to me.

To many more awesome rides to come. Cycling can be addictive so ride with caution, both body and heart. Here is a video to 'wash your eyes'.

Why Not Cycle?

1. Excuse: The weather in Malaysia is so hot.
Solution: pack a spare set of clothes and shower when you reach the office
2. Excuse: the traffic is too heavy
Solution: that is exactly why one should cycle, to avoid the jam
3. Excuse: it is too dangerous and risky of getting into an accident
Solution: all transportation methods has ts risk, it is how we should manage and prevent it. Always keep to the left and make yourself visible by wearing bright coloured clothes or reflective straps. When cycling at night, always have blinker and head lights on. Not forgetting the helmet. Reflective vest are highly recommended for night cycling.
4. Excuse: how to go pass the round about?
Solution: when reaching a round about, look back for any approaching cars, raise your right hands indicating that you are entering the round about, taking the 12 or 3 o clock exit. When you are sure that the cars behind you sees you, cycle with confidence and slightly increase your speed. When approaching the exit, lift your left hand to indicate that you are exiting.
5. Excuse: There is no bicycle lanes in Malaysia
Solution: not entirely true, in Shah Alam, certain parts of the city has designated cycling lanes that is painted in blue. That said, more cyclist on the road will send good indications to the government to build roads that takes into account the cycling community.
6. Excuse: I need to send my kids around / I am carrying heavy weight item.
Solution: there is no solution for this but to drive then. Unless cycling a trishaw does not seem weird.

image source: https://travelblog.expedia.com.my/travelogues/weekend-melaka-trip/ 

Other benefits of cycling:
1. Exercise! Of course
2. Save petrol
3. Environmental friendly
4. Meet new friends