Last Ride Before Ramadhan, Aug.15, 2009

As planned we rendezvous at Semenyih’s Petronas. But all of us were late especially myself as I had to send Baqir to school first. On the way from Kajang I stopped at the nasi lemak place in Semenyih and bought six packets. When I arrived at the Petronas station Acong, Zull and Mazri were already there. Once we parked our car we started to assemble our bicycles. After about 20 minutes we were already on the road cycling towards Broga and the time was around 0815.

It was two weeks back during our ride at UKM that we were talking of going somewhere further and nice for our last ride before the Ramadhan. I suggested Broga and the waterfall at the kampong orang asli near Kampong Kapal. All agreed and instead of cycling from home we decided to start at the Semenyih’s Petronas gas (petrol) station.

As I was passing the Nottingham University the guys were way up in front of me already and I had difficulty catching up. Normally I would start slow and takes a bit of time to warm up but today I was drained and could not keep up. That was a very clear indication that I was overweight and not fit. I had not been regular with my cycling anymore but my daily food intake remains the same and I paid for it. Luckily I have a Ramadhan that I look forward to. So I struggled at the back to reach Broga. Out of courtesy the guys in front slowed down but when I got to them I told them to go ahead until Broga town. They sped away leaving me behind again I only caught up at the Broga town and led the way to Kampong Kapal. Halfway through my heart rate reading was almost at maximum so I slowed down and told the guys to go ahead and wait for me at the bridge after Kg Kapal sign board.

We took a breather at the bridge before we went off road and to the waterfall. I told the guys that there will be a short climb through a kelapa sawit plantation and level off within cleared plantation to cycle down later into and through kebun-kebun sayur. After we came down to a small tarmac road into the kampong orang asli we did not have to have a better incentive to get to our destination than the destination itself. A promise of a cool exotic waterfall. .

Click this link for the photos.

We did not stay long at the waterfall as most of us had plans with our families for the rest for the day. It was at 1038 when we cycled out. I led them out to the main road taking short cut on the tarmac. The guys stayed with me until we reached Broga town but as soon as we passed the town they cranked up and left me behind cycling alone. By then the sun was already on top of our heads. We were back at our cars around 1110.

Broga Waterfall Ride, April 25, 2009

Yeap, I went there again and this time a proper planned PAR ride for PERs. About nine of us gave a positive notification for this ride and all of them showed up on time at the first RV points, Semenyih Petrol Station. The adventurous group comprises of Col, Abedib, Azahar and his daughter, Pak Samad, Jefri and his brother Joari, MKA and myself.

Right on time as soon as we were ready we rolled off towards Kg Kapal at slightly after 0800. The cool surrounding was the beginning of what to come for all of us and we rode leisurely talking and joking all the way. It was about 6 KM ride and the main topic for the whole stretch was the recent Chicken Run episode. As planned MKA led at the front and I was sweeping at the back.

At 0840 we were already at Kg Kapal ready to brave the short off road trail. With the low sun coming up brilliantly we started to cycle under the cool canopy of the Oil Palm Plantation compensating the little hardship of the first series of climbs. At the end of that we came out into a brilliant sunshine on top of a small hill overlooking a small valley of a cleared plantation. The cool breeze immediately brightens up our mood and we enjoyed our ride more. I never could explain the joy I always have riding on the edge over looking a valley. Well even it was not Cameron Highland it was still a joy to me. Even with the sun majestically rising the morning cool breeze blowing across the valley brought fantastic hues and smell of freshness. Cycling was not only pleasant but also therapeutic.

We cycled down through just cultivated vegetable beds onto a narrow tarmac road into what was left of a rubber plantation. Through there we entered another vegetables farm into the kampong orang asli. There on it was just a leaisure ride until the waterfall. The front riders were seemed to be impatient when the got to the edge of the waterfall and without further prompting climb down to the waterfall.

The sound of the waterfall was something else. The wonder of Allah prevailed in front of us and some of us could not help but wondered loudly how long this place going to last until unscrupulous human being will spoil it. Nevertheless I received a101 tuition on fundamental of water management from Abedib. We spent almost an hour enjoying the cold water and the nice undisturbed surrounding. The Semenyih nasi lemak added to the excitement.

Around 1040 we rode out using the narrow tarmac road and onto the main road to Broga town. The ride back was almost a non event except that we made the day for one lucky Apek by stopping at his Hawaiian Papaya stall to buy almost the whole lot. Just picture this after that – folks riding MTB with two heavy loads of papaya hanging on both sides of the handle. It was quite funny to look at an I concluded that they were happy lots. In fact Col could not stop from saying that he is coming back the following Saturday. We were back at our car at around 1140 and drove home with a smile across our face.

The pictures are here and here.