:: THE RIDES::
> .kaki-lai rides | .bike hashes | .competitions

The great thing about riding in Malaysia is the many rubber & palm oil estates, old logging trails & the jungle reserves here. Narrow trails, terraces, dried leaves, deer tracks, waterfalls and the estate people. Every ride I've taken here has always left me wanting more of it. Yet the best rides are usually not the trails and route I take, but the people I get to ride with. My wife, Del, has plenty of friends in the riding community and I've had the privilege to meet some of them. Unlike my football community, the cyclists are a more health-conscious bunch. At least those I met.

"Kaki-Lai" Rides ('sendiri-mari' rides/ independenté rides)

These rides are organised by friends who have a certain day of the week free and are itching to ride a trail. Recently on my First Wedding Anniversay, my wife and some friends took to riding at Batu Dam. Nice & casual ride. What I love is the gradual ride up then the massive downhill! I love the downhills. Of course 'massive' is just how I like a downhill to be. Brake all you want and you still slide your way down. It's like surfing downhill on dried leaves. Nice. Of course, I failed to take pictures cos I get caught up in the rush of it. PHOTOS HERE.

Then there's the other 'kaki-lai' with the "Fakawi Chief". Just today I went riding with him in Kiara. Photos at FakawiTribe.com: Check out his site!

Bike Hashes

Every month the BikeHash guys would organise rides around the Klang Valley area or sometimes an hour or drive outside for a half a day fun ride. Yes, they have a BikeHash Club if you wish to join it. A leisure ride that is for every mountain biker. They divide their monthly rides to the Long and Short rides. So far, they have not failed to impress. From Kajang to Ulu Yam, the rides have range from easy to torturous. Of course, it's all depends on your fitness. One can be bias.

The Competitions
There's a healthy group of mountain bikers in Malaysia. Mountain Biking challenge are gaining popularity here. Every year, there are annual mountain biking competitions that range from long rides to skill rides. Penangnites have a fanatical group of riders that are a tight bunch and have their 'Kayu Lasak' and 'Jamboree' events, open to everyone. This is where,"Is it torturous?" is NOT applicable. But you have fun anyway! Then there's the KL Mountain Bike Carnival in KL. Short, sweet and ... like the namesake, very carnivalé. They say girl competitors never fail to win here! (becos of the lack of them).

The Links
:: FakawiTribe.com
:: Powerman Malaysia