Was it the 'unlucky' thirteen (13) rearing its head again or what? But so many things seemed to be happening today?

It all started with the phone first ringing and Grant asked over the phone if I was going over to pick him up. I asked back in return what time it was. He said 07:00am! I jumped up out of bed immediately - realizing than I was already very late! And for awhile there I thought it was midnight and Grant was calling just to have a confirmation that I was to be picking him up tomorrow morning!

After much rushing, we finally arrived at our usual Sunday morning meeting place and everyone was ready to go - except the two of us!

Sungei Buaya is where we ride today. Sadly though this is one trail that had been ridden over and over again by so many of the enthusiast MTB riders. Most of us, especially our day's ride leader, Kor Yong had so often cycled here that to him, the name Sungei Buaya have turned into a children's playground!

As we were driving off from Damansara Utama I was beginning to wonder where the rest of the cars were when Grant asked me where is this place - we were passing right in front of the One Utama shopping complex! Strangely, I had gone the wrong direction and was heading towards the Sungei Buluh highway! Thank goodness, Sunny and Kor Yong was following behind and knew how to get back onto the North South highway. It was also here that Sunny instead of calling my hand-phone, dialed the wrong number and got hold of Thomas! Well, lucky for Thomas not knowing where to take his new cyclist friend for a ride. He was actually heading towards the FRIM and was on the same road and managed to catch up with us!

Than the next thing happened - I realized that I had left my hand phone behind on the breakfast table! What a panic and the only thing I could do was to ring up the telephone service provider to have my line barred! It was tensed thoughts and worry all the way than. Thoughts flash across my mind, like what new hand-phone to get and most of all, can I retain my old hand-phone number!

Finally at the trail, Sungei Buaya, the sun was already quite hot and all we wanted was to have a quick ride and leave the place 'un-burnt'! A head count by Kor Yong and the figure was announced - thirteen (13) riders today! Everyone started joking about it, thirteen? Maybe that was why strange things had been happening to 'some' since the morning started?

A quick short ride along tarred road followed by sandy stretch and it was soon into the greens and trees. A very easy ride with mostly long straight easy riding stretches. Most of the empty land seemed to be fenced up now? As expected the smell and aroma of fertilizer filled the air. But it was much better than having to sniff at burning rubbish!

Unlike our usual Sunday morning ride, today was exceptionally hot and dry! At 09:30am, the sun was already so bright and high up - it was on us with no mercy. We were so relieved when we finally reached into the woods and trees. Shaded from the menacing hot sun, the atmosphere in here was cooling. It helped us to forget about the sun and even encouraged me to lead everyone to charge out into the open again, to 'attack' a very steep hill! It was fun but a real bumpy ride up this steep hill. We fought it (rode) and conquered it without anyone having to get off the bike to push! Only 3 smart riders decided to ride along the old longer way round this hill. After this, back to Kor Yong's leading, we were riding downhill and into the trees again, a new trail. Cycling along a small narrow river, there were also many other booby traps - cow dung! There was one 'dung' that was at least 6 inches high from the ground and Grant was waiting to give free lunch to anyone who would go through it! Sorry Grant, no takers!

Finally back to the cars and a nice cold drink at a stall that opened unofficially for us to sit around, relax and to chit chat! A very nice gathering with a big giant bunch of delicious bananas bought and offered by Kiat!

As we were driving off, suddenly Yu-Jin panicked! He announced the continuing of the 'unlucky' thirteen episode for the day! He just remembered that he had left his sunglasses on top of my car! I made a quick pull over along side the road thinking of making a u-turn and to drive back to the parking lot. Yu_Jin came out of the car just to check and discovered to his relief, the sunglasses had slipped off the top and fell onto the car's rear boot cover edge. Luck for him, it got caught between the cover and the car's body!

Finally back at Damansara Utama, without doubt, I rushed to the breakfast shop and enquired about my hand phone. Thank goodness it was safely kept by the store owner! This is one time where I am so glad that this is our regular breakfast store! So it looks like we may after all continue to be meeting here every Sunday morning for our rides.

Than just as we were about to leave for our homes, I saw it! There lying on the ground, under the car - a thick wallet! And guess whose? Kiat Siong had dropped his wallet under his car without realizing it!

Finally back home, just when I thought that all's well ends well, Yu-Jin have to leave his hand phone behind - in my house! What a day … what a number … thirteen!