MTB - Kemensah

I went out from my house at 6.45 am this morning and then headed to 7E nearby to buy a creamy corn bun and a small size orange juice for fueling my body. I also brought a banana just in case I need it along my ride to boost my energy level. The traffic at the time was smooth. I think everyone enjoyed the coldness and took a longer nap as it was pouring down at late last night. It is Sunday anyway.

I reached Zoo Negara around 7.40 am. It’s been years never been there. To my rusty memory, the main entrance still looks the same. I made a first round heading up to the Kampung Kemensah just right behind the zoo to see if there any riders to chat with. The single lane winding country road with some small chalets along the riverside lead me to an ideal camping site at Hulu Kemensah. At the moment, no one is around. Minutes later, I returned back to the main entrance as the time approaching 8.00 am.

Later, Zul appeared. He text me to confirm his presence. I replied back. Actually, he parked just right in front of me and I didn’t recognized him as he kept his bike inside his car. Later, Mus shown up. As per planned, there will be almost 10 riders for this ride. However, only half could make it due to some personal reasons. While waiting for Kamarul who pedaled from his house at AU4, I made a call to Wan Muzz. Early this morning, he told me that he lost his house’s keys which mean he trapped in his own house! Poor Wan Muzz. Few minutes later, after Kamarul shown up, Wan Muzz finally found the keys. It just happened at the right time. Since it was still early, we decided to wait for him.

Around 8.30 am, everyone was on the track. We started rolling leisurely on-road for the first kilometer before the off-road trail greeting us. Off-road cycling has much to offer - from quiet riverside or waterfront trails, to back country bush and mountain tracks. At first, I was thinking the trail will be relaxed with few uphills and slope slightly but for the hardened enthusiasts, Kemensah trail is the challenging off-road sites that count especially for those with lack of stamina. Just like me. Huhu.

The trail itself is a mixed of rough forest paths and singletrack (also referred to as doubletrack depending on width) with undulating hilly terrain. When my Cateye turned 4.5 km, I felt extremely exhausted. My head is spinning around. My stomach feels uneasy and I am totally wiped out! Maybe I ate too much last night. I don’t know, really. At the moment, we already reached at the first stop with another group which looked more physically fit with their high-ends downhill bikes. Our attempt to join the group to the Hash (or Harsh?) trail seems to be a dream. Later, we decided to go to another trail led by Mus.

The ride continued. Uphills all the way for another kilometer. In the name of fitness, I am totally out. The thing is, I pushed a little more than usual earlier. Anyway, two thumbs up to my riding buds for their supportive curse to help me out to be in the group. For whatever outdoor activities you are dealing with, fitness and stamina is mandatory. That’s a fact! Okay, I am working for it right now. I need some time.

At 6.5 km, we almost reached the top and gained the reward of downhilling right after. We all feel pretty excited at the time. Back to the rules, bear in mind that we should always use both rear and front brakes almost equally during downhill ride. But, it was too bad because somehow I overlook the rule resulting loss of balance, no control over my bike and finally 2nd Newton’s Law has given me a good lesson. I fall off and my bike got into the ravine. Alhamdulillah, everything was fine. I landed safely on a bush. Luckily, no stubble was around. I went down to pick up my bike and checked a little bit for the major parts, then we continued the ride.

20 minutes later when I got back my momentum, I just realized that I have lost my Cateye wireless sensor! Damn it! Hmm. Anyway, I feel very happy because I am still capable to ride again on my bike. No major injury and wound. Alhamdulillah. The downhill rides continued and took us almost 30 minutes after we finally came out from the woods. I didn’t know the detail stats after my gadget lost in the woods but I believe the trail took us 15 km.

Personally, spending time in the Kemensah trail regularly will soon make me practically fit to explore another challenging trail like Lubok Tedung. The trail offers range of difficulties which is good to enhance controllability skills, using gear efficiently and most importantly, to develop stamina. Overall, I must say the ride has given me a lesson to keep and always practice safety above all.