It was a last minute decision that
The night before the climb, we begin to prepare all the necessary stuff – helmet, spare tubes, nutrition supplies, power gel, bike (of course), checking the brakes, tighten all the screws and bolt. 2 hours later, all the bike is in the car and ready to launch to Tapah (foothill of Cameron highlands). Yes, Tapah is where we gonna start the climb until Brinchang, a total of 70km one-way.
The clock 10pm, I tried to call a few other local riders and finally ended up with only three riders are going for the climb as it s a last minute preparation so most of them couldn’t have enough time to prepare. So be it.
2am I woke up and couldn’t sleep well the whole night. Keep asking myself, should I climb CH, can I climb CH? Questions that keep playing in my mind causing me to sleep again before my alarm rang at 4am. IT IS TIME!
Get myself ready and drove my car out to meet up with Yong/Sam and soon we heading to Tapah. At 6.00am, we stop by in Teluk Intan for early breakfast. Should I climb CH, can I climb CH? I still kept asking myself this few questions when I was driving towards Tapah. At 7.00am, we reach Tapah. We manage to find a secure car park just in front of local mosque and begin to gear up for the climb.
Weather looks cloudy, looks like it is another damp ride ahead of us. Soon we begin the climb at 7.30am. At 2km point, the gradient become steeper just before Kuala Woh (Hot Spring) I begin to feel the pain in the thighs and these question begins to play in my mind again and again - should I climb CH, can I climb CH?
Yong/Sam had been away for couple of minutes in front leaving me struggling up the hill alone. At Kuala Woh intersection, they waited for me and we begin to climb together. I’m using 39x27 at that time for the climb. Using a low gear and pedaling fast its not the correct way to climb a long hilly route. Soon I begin to gear down to 39x23 and started to push myself every pedal. Surprisingly, my speed manages to increase to 20-25km/h.
I continue and keep checking my cyclometer and wondering where is Lata Iskandar, a spectacular scene of waterfall in between Tapah – Ringlet town. I was relief when I saw Lata Iskandar signboard ahead of me, I know its resting time again.
We manage to took a couple of photos for remembrance and continue of journey before our legs cool down. The gradient becomes steeper than before causing me to use 39x25 and sometimes 39x27 to keep up with Yong/Sam.Corners and corners, up and up and soon we reach a long bridge with an outstanding view of forest so we stop to rest. Since we only 3 guys, there is no rush to reach the top and we decided to go slow and complete the whole course.
We continue to ride and after 15mins trailing behind them, I felt exhausted and tired, soon to discovered that I was leave behind quite far from Yong/Sam that still going strong.I continue cycling, with very less traffic, I begin to take inner route on each corner to reduce my distance and keep focusing that I’ll reach Ringlet before I gave up. There are a lot of small huts on the roadside own by orang asli villagers. Most of them give me support whenever I pass them. Some even say “Laju lagi, laju lagi”. Thanks to my 2 others guys, there waited for me at least 3-4 times. Otherwise, I already give up and might be heading down at that time.
It was a downhill for at least 2km to ringlet town and we stop for food and drinks. We rested quite a while before we decided to continue up to Tanah Rata. After all it’s only about 15km away. First 5km was relatively flat and I begin to get excited that I manage to reach Tanah Rata soon. I was WRONG. The last 10km it’s all uphill (passing by Tea Garden in between) before reaching Tanah Rata town.
I’m so amazed that I finally reach Tanah Rata and asking my friend to stop for photo. The pain, exhausted, sore, numb all disappeared when I put my foot down on top on Tanah Rata.
Passes the 10km climb makes the next climb quite easy, from Tanah Rata to Brinchang that is about 5km away. Passing by Brinchang town, there is a long 1km with steep uphill. The last 100m causing me stop immediately. It was so steep and I need to push the bike for the rest 100m to our resting area.
We stop for lunch at local restaurant. We spend nearly an hour at Brinchang town before we realize its time to go down back to Tapah.
It was fun when riding down as most of the route its downhill. There are a few uphill before reaching Tanah Rata. Again we pass Tanah Rata without stopping and soon we are already at 10km steep downhill. I manage to reach 55-60kmh. With too many sharp corners and cars, it was dangerous. Hard braking causing my hand numbs forcing me to switch holding position every 15sec.
At Ringlet it was starting to rain and we are still continuing down the hill to Tapah. Road begin to be slippery and with lots of tight corners, I was left behind couple of meters from the other that is going fast on the downhill.
I was lucky when Yong slow down and waited for me to join him for the downhill. Turns and turns, I keep wondering will the next turn it’s the end. Lack of concentrating while cycling into one of the tight corner throwing me off the road. I’m lucky somehow there is no incoming vehicle.
Unfortunately, my front tire flat out about 20km to go.
I stop and with the help from Yong, we change the tire on the roadside. The rain its still heavy and knowing the lightning might strike anytime, without any inspection to the tires, I quickly change the tube and soon I’m on the road again. Without proper inflate, I begin to cycle down and when I pass the Kuala Woh junction, I know I safely pass the forest area.
At car park, I inspect my wheels and the tires had been cut about 2cm long and the tube is already inflated out from the tires. It can be easily puncture but luck really on my side, I have no problem till car park.
Lata Iskandar (a spectacular waterwall view on background)
Sam at bridge (half way point to Ringlet town
I did it! I'm at TANAH RATA!
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