PT Riders at The Wetland, Oct 11,

We started cycling together again last week (Oct 3&4, 2009). With two months laps and the additional weight and fat contributed by the endless consumption of lemang, ketupat, rendang, lontong, kueh and the lots it was really a trying moment for us to complete a mere 10KM. In anticipating this difficulty on the first day we decided to explore a new route along the Semenyih river. After the bridge at Impian Putra we turned left next to the river and rode off road along the river expecting new adventure. Din and Izam were cheeky letting me to lead just in case a surprise came jumping out of the bush or something to chase us. We arrived at a spoke just before the highway bridge and when I saw construction debris almost blocking the path I continued to cycle under the bridge. By then I saw ahead the Sg Buah's Driving School and Testing Center telling me roughly where we were heading and the possible exit point to the main road. Soon we came to the front yard of what I suspected a three well built squatter's residents. They could not have been legit due to the position of the houses closed to the river. We cycled pass the houses that took us to a section where a single car wide tarmac on our left and an off road path leading up to the main road of Sg Buah. We reserved the tarmac road for another day to explore and we cycled straight on to the main road to turn right towards Bangi Lama road for us to be on our normal route to Teras Jernang aftre that.

Once we reached the round about I decided to stop to take my camera out. Naturally Din and Izam stopped as well for a breather and we ended up taking a short rest before we tackled the long climb ahead of us. To make life a bit more interesting, I am not going to say who, one of us suddenly had to go big time. By the look of it, it was one nasty motion that needed to be passed. So that person scrambled up the climb quickly with the idea to stop at the Petronas Stataion at Sg Merab. I announced there probably one surau at the Kampung. Down at the end before the climb at the Spastic Children Complex we turned left into the kampong and true enough there was a big new surau on our left and we stopped.

With that diversion our next logical option was to cycle out and turn left towards Limau Manis. We discussed how far we wanted to go and Izam confidently said Alamanda. The thing I like about the route was the series of climbs that we had to do. Save one most of them are not steep but the cycling will sag your energy definitely if you are not careful with your cycling. Climbing too fast initially would drain your energy quickly while taking it too easy would drain you all the way. So just like anything else constant speed is the best approach. Through these climbs I realized my cadence was not consistent.

I let both Din and Izam lead in front during the climb as I almost reach the maximum HR level. At the steep climb in front of Kakak’s friend’s house I saw Din dropping to the side to stop and Izam agonizingly climbing to the peak. I passed Din and it was his chain and as I slowly passed Izam I asked for confirmation whether we were continuing to Alamanda as planned or heading for home. Loudly and instantaneously he exclaimed ‘balik! Aku dah nak pengsan ni!’. I could understand his dilemma because right in front of us would be another two nasty climbs. I immediately turned left to fly downwards towards Sekolah Teknik Sepang. Then slowly we cycled home via the same off road we got out. At 0906 we were under the highway, not resting, killing times as we were early.

Check our our photos here

On Sunday (Oct 4, 2009) the same three musketeers rode out to take the same off road as the previous day after Impian Putra bridge. Still none of us had any ideas where to go. As we were cycling along the river we started to talk about Sg Buah where I once been and Din once or twice. Immediately it was decided that was where we were heading. We cycled out to the Bangi Dengkil road and turned left after the bridge climbing towards Sg Buah. The Eidil Fitri was still very much in the air, the fact even more stronger once we approached the Kg where the houses around the area was like any typical kampong scene. All the three of us suddenly became nostalgic. We even suggested to each other next year to created the atmosphere to plan to bakar lemang and rebus ketupat. Which none of us had even an ounce of clue how or what to do to masak lemang. Nostalgically we cycled slowly through the kampong until the end when we entered the other entrance to Bukit Unggul. We kept on cycling ahead until we reached a tunnel under Elite Highway leading to the other side. We took it that was the place to take a break and to turn back later.

We stayed there around 20 minutes chatting until we decided to cycle back home. Since we were there already I loudly suggested we cycled through the tunnel to see what’s exactly on the other side. Din and Izam followed. Immediately on the other side was a short climb and we stopped next to the highway. Beyond us was definitely USIM and it would be a different day for us to explore further. We turned back and took our own sweet time cycling home. Once we reach the kampong we decided to explore the inner route and were presented with a pleasant surprise of coming out to the Bailey bridge that we passed on the way in earlier. Since it was still very early we stopped at the bridge just to enjoy ourselves before we head for home. As we were standing and talking a familiar car came onto the bridge to turn left into the kampong. We acknowledged her and speculated on her objective.

The bridge that we stopped at was actually a Bailey bridge. Somewhat a rare thing these days and I took an extra interest on it. On the bridge we talked about our river cruising project. Looking at the water we decided it would be doable for us. Still, confidence that we are, we still need a few kayak or white water rafting lessons. We talked about exploring the area in the near future.

After awhile we decided to cycle home and we reached home just after 0900. As usual we stopped at Midi’s for breakfast.

Our photos from the ride

The day before, Saturday (Oct 10, 2009), I could not join the guys cycling as I had an important matter to deal with in Bera, Triang, Pahang so we planned to do the Putrajaya Wetland on Sunday, Oct 11, 2009. The plan for that morning for the four of us, Din, Izam, Baqir and myself, was to cycle there from home and for our wives to follow in a car to meet us there. Sam, my wife, was to join us cycling at the wetland whereas Din’s and Izam’s families were to have picnic and family fun time there. We left the house at around 0700 and cycled earnestly so that we would not be too late to reach the Wetland. I suggested to Sam to start at around 0815 together with Din’s and Izam’s families so that they we could arrive together at the Wetland at 0900. On the way there we explored new route the best we can. Those that have used the Sekolah Teknik route to Putrajaya know what kind of terrain that we have to conquer to get to Putrajaya. We were punished. Not fit and we had to do three steep climbs in a row. Huffing and puffing we reached the entrance to Putrajaya and stopped for a well deserved break. Ahead of us would be another long gradual climb to the Wetland.

Everything seemed to be perfectly timed. As soon as we reached the boathouse our wives drove into the parking lots. At the same time Allah prevailed by gifting us with a rain. As it turned out Izam and Din actually planned to park and picnic at the Wetland Park which was just a short drive ahead. We conferred and decided they will proceed there with their wife and I chose to park at the boathouse and cycled to the Wetland Park from there. The rain started to get heavier and we waited for awhile at the boathouse. After a while we concluded that there was no point waiting as we were going to get wet anyhow. We started to cycle under the rain. It was not bad but we knew eventually we were going to be drenched. Baqir decided to cycle ahead and I stayed back with Sam to cycle slowly.

At around 1000 we reached the Park and climbed up to the main office area. On the way we met with Izam, Din, Azrul and Azrul’s friend. They were cycling towards us. On reaching us they invited us for a picnic breakfast.

After the mee hon, nasi lemak and the hot Nescafe the rain stopped prompting Izam and Din to rent bicycles from he park office for their families. As for us after we had rest a little bit left to explore the place further and eventually took a short cut back to the boathouse.

Our photos at the Wetland

This is photo of Din, Izam and their families at The Wetland