A (Very) Last Minute 'BASH' Decision

There was not supposed to be a ride today as I was supposed to be down in the 'kiasu' land for the MTB race there. Then at the last minute, I thought I would try out the MTB race trail in Sungai Buluh. History would have been made if I ever take part in any MTB race events! I have never joined any of such races before - with the exception of the first and last "???" which happened sometime in 1999. Finally, at the very last minute, a quick decision was made: we go for the BASH ride today!

The nine of us 'out-riders' or was it 'outsiders' drove to the meeting place for the BASH ride today. By the time we arrive at Ladang Elmina or better known as the Elmina estate, there were already so many cars parked in here! I think if I am not wrong, there were about 40 to 50 riders in today's BASH ride! What a huge turnout this is!

Registration for the ride was quite an eye opener, as we had to pay RM10 each to sign in! Personally, I think this is absurd as I remembered very clearly that the last two rides with them cost me only RM5 each. Why the sudden increase? I would understand the need to generate income for the BASH but surely RM10 is on the steep end?

After a short introduction, we were off down towards the estate, to be engulfed in by vast rows of oil palm. And as quickly as we started off, with no warning (as in most MTB rides), accidents were already happening. Ahead of me, I could already see three (3) crashes going down this multiple tricky drop-offs. It seemed so easy but not until the last drop where it was a ninety degree fall! Bang! Crash! Followed by  yours truly! I really thought I would have no problem tackling the complete drop off but no … like most of the riders ahead, I had to crash out at the last fall! It was thankfully a small fall but enough to give me some bruises and scratches on my knees. Funny thing is how the wheel spokes stuck my rear derailleur?

As I got up and got everything in place, riding once again into the direction of the paper trail, I could hear another crash behind of me! Ouch!

The trail is nice and surprisingly very different from the last two KL Mountain Bike Hash group rides that I had experienced and vowed never to return! This time round, the trail was not so confusing and everyone was able to keep up closely during the ride despite the crashes. The ground was generally dry, hard but very mossy, in other words, slippery! The paper trail thrown on the ground,  were very clearly marked and with the exception of all the steep climbs, most of us managed to keep together quite closely. Hmmm ... maybe this is where the RM10 (Ringgit Malaysia Ten), that is for improvement and more 'expensive' colored paper?

The worst trail must be this very steep hill, which we all had to really climb and not ride! If anyone could have ridden up this hill, believe me, he would not be a human! Imagine after having to ride past the Sungai Buluh prison, along river, soft messy ground and to be robbed of whatever energy that we have left; here we are smack right in front of our face, this massive hill!

During one stretch of the way, I was leading the group. With my 'long sightedness', I had no problem seeking out the blue paper strips that was leading up another slope.  Behind me Dave was shouting out; "Hey Paul, I can see some riders down below!" Sooner had his words came out, true enough, this blue paper trail was actually a merry-go-round, up and back down the hill! We could have actually ridden straight on instead of riding up this hill!

At the last hill climb, almost exhausted, I thought I could cheat a bit by going up another way but I was wrong! The ground was soft and sticky which slowed me down tremendously. It also took away much of my pathetic energy that I had left in me! Thank goodness I managed to struggle up to join back with the rest of the group.

And at last, I could see the parked cars! We have arrived back at the starting point! Another 2 to 3 kilometers  and I would have 'died'! Seriously, the distance of today's ride is just nice apart from being lovely. But I think the hare have done a good job by giving us just enough! And today's BASH ride sure has changed my perception of riding with the BASH. They are not too bad after all! Congratulations to the hare who organized today's ride.

On the whole, it was a good ride indeed. Only issue is why the RM4 just to have two cans of 100plus drinks? I mean surely they could have at least offered back a can of ice cold drink each for the RM10 taken?

Next weekend (13th Aug. 2000), an invitational ride from Boon Foo for Pat Brunsdon's Bukit Kiara ride. I have heard so much about this great trail and all the technicality involved. Well, when next weekend come ... more crashes?