::My WORST fall::

Dear all,

Last Sunday (24/12/2006), I had the worst fall I have ever experienced while MTBiking.. Yes, I'm quite sure that others would have had it worst than me. Fractured bones, big bad open wounds, or even hospitalized. Thankfully I've not experienced any of those, touch wood !! But back to my story, it started out just like any other Sunday morning ride at FRIM. Parked there car -> Prep up the bike -> Meet up with other riders/frens -> Ride on... Though the ride started bit later than usual, nothing unusual. Also the fact that I've got only 3 hours of sleep the nite before; so what.. done rides with little sleep before.

So... started the ride, the pack actually splitted up into 2 groups. Some wanted to ride Rover trail, while we headed towards the Steroid junction, or I would like to call it, Steroid Valley. Lets see, CS lead the way.. followed by Andrew, Danny, Myself and then Keat. Dunno why I so semangat.. Just stick to the pace of the rider in front of me. Maybe cause I long time never ride. That Sunday I pushed myself bit more.. Try to follow the pace of the rider in front. So not surprising, once we reached the Steroid Valley, I was punctured OUT ! No more air.. We rested... and rested... had our usual TCSS session. Me still feeling very energetic, but still at the back of my mind, I keep telling myself to slow and not push myself too hard.

My 1st fall...
Happened when we were coming down from the "pondok"; located at the end of the Steroid Hill trail. Dunno what got into me... Started to pedal fast and head down 1st. Reaching the Junction, I saw 2 other riders (from the initial group) resting. My attention was so fixed on them that I didn't realise where I was going, next thing I know... Front wheel into the narrow ditch, me falling sideways and landing on my right shoulder. Also due to the reason that I wasn't able to unclip ler... It was quite a hard fall for me, felt as if my internal organs was shaken out of place. Either than that, it was just minor scars on my right forearm and knee..
--> Normal fall I guess, wasn't paying attention to where I was going.. Prepared my self to fall, thus able to land sideways. Something told me not to push on liow. But still the adrenalin keep pumping in my blood.

After rested there awhile, waiting for others to reach.. We started from the Steroid Junction and proceed to the Pond trail. Before starting the long descend, there is just that slight uphill pedal. HERE is where I made history... During the uphill climb, seeing CS already reaching the top.. I wanted to push myself and reach there fast. Wanted to ride max before changing to new TANK frame.. My mind was so focused on reaching the top fast, that I didn't pay attention to where I was going.

I think I was trying to overtake the rider in front, so went pedaled off the normal (smoother) line. Front wheel went into the ditch / longkang... Instead of telling myself to unclip, which I've not mastered it yet, I wanted to pedal on. Actually I didn't realised that my front wheel was already in the ditch. The next thing I know, I was falling down straight towards the handlebar. At this time, the front tyre + the handlebar was already 90degree to the bike frame. So I could see myself falling onto the tip of the handlebar... This is what I fell straight onto, direct hit to my solar plexus.. Knocked the air out of me !

Note: When I purchased the bar ends below, Jason of Maheez told me that 4X race bikes are to have these installed. To avoid the handlebar piercing through the chest, in case of accident. I've proven that it WORKED !


When I managed to get on my feet, somehow I managed to unclip - somehow lar, the 1st thing that ran through my mind was... Did the handlebar went THROUGH my chest ?! It was just a split second of relief, when I saw no blood on the handlebar ends. Cause the next heartbeat, the PAIN came.. To me referring it as pain - is an understatement ! What happened after that, is still quite blur for me.. I recall screaming my balls off ! IF I did not, I couldn't breathe. Gave out a few loud screams.. Could see people around me stunned ! Saw Keat ran towards me... Grab me from the back, kind of stretch me out. Then I fell to the ground... Everyone, well almost everyone (could see 1 guy like don't give a damn..)

What an experience... Down on the ground, could hear only voices.. CS, Andrew, Lau, Danny, who else can't make out cause vision blurred liow. Keat was there as my pillow, he also helped me checked if I broke my ribs - Thankfully NO ! It felt like eternity lying down there. You know how they that you could see your life flash you by.. That is BULLSHIT ! Cause all I could think of was the PAIN.. Nothing I ever felt before... If it was an open wound, can understand cause can see the oozing blood. BUT this was nothing ! Just the red and sore skin mark... Thankfully I got some fats to help absorb the impact. So scared that there'll be any internal injury.

From there on.. I was the longest walk ever ! And the hardest as well.. I couldn't move much of my whole torso. Slight movement give a shrieking pain. You never know how important a single muscle is, until you injured it. The whole walk, I was having a battle in my head.. Whether I should give up MTBiking, give up the clipless. Oh yeah, remembered Danny asking me, if I wanna sell off my clipless...

Another drama unfolds...

Managed to walk super slowly to the pond area.. On the right side of it, there is a gate + guard house. Think CS and Danny reached the guard house 1st, being polite.. We asked for permission, so that we can exit there. But then no, that cranky grumpy old guard.. Didn't wanna allow us to go out. Kept insisting that we can't enter / exit through that gate. We have to exit from where we came in from. Saying that, we weren't allowed to ride through the pond, at all ! Keat got furious, went upto the guard and started to SHOUT ! I was pacing slowly along from the back. Didn't wanna bother about what was happening.. Look.. that guard also dong wann. The gate was already OPENED, and he alone wanna go against the 3 of them young and abled guys ? What more on and on, explained to him that got a injured guy.. He still don't understand. Sad man.. Guess if he was any smarter, he wouldn't be sitting there. I just don't bother, took my time and walked out the gate. BUT of course, before we left, 3 of them made peace with him.. I could see Keat shaking his hand and giving him a pat on the shoulder. The End...

Not quite yet, this is post from me... Where got short story wann...

Waited by the side of the road.. Danny and Keat headed to get the car. Waited there with CS. The pain wasn't that bad liow, by then I could smile and joke. But still couldn't laugh or move much.. Tried to recalled what happened.. Man, I wished I could cry, so at least it might relief the pain abit. Oh yeah, thanks to Lau (I think) for the Panadol... I had to be, literally, carried in and out of the car.. Went to the clinic right after dropping CS back home.


Doctor see also puzzled, how come the scar was horizontal.. When the bar end actually hit me direct on the solar plexus. Laid on the examination bed, Dr. started to press press.. Here pain or not, there leh ? here leh ? Hmmmm... Looks like nothing serious. Since the stomach/tummy/belly part still feel soft. He said, there there was any internal injury, it would have swollen and hurt like there is no tomorrow. Also it any fractured to the ribs, I wouldn't be able to walk.. So he gave me, pain killer & muscle relaxation pills. For sure.. the muscle relaxation pills - worked BEST ! Not only that it gave me good sleep, but then reading text, I was seeing double vision. Takes awhile for my eyes to focus..

Well... So practically for Xmas eve and Xmas day, I was high on pain killer and muscle relaxation pills. It was only bad that Sunday, couldn't even get myself up from my bed. Again had to be carried up.. Felt like a vegetable, waist up.. Once I was sleeping down, I couldn't even lift up my head. Had to drink from a straw... Quite honestly, that night was the best sleep I had in a very long while.

Woke up on Xmas day, even could go Mid Valley and jalan-jalan.. Had some stuffs to checkout and petty stuffs to buy. Even had banana leaf rice for lunch @ Sri Paandi, PJ. So guess everything was OK, just the muscle and skin still bit sore. Haven't get back my full torso movement or strength. Now my right shoulder also bit sore, from the 1st fall... In fact, this morning went to another Doctor, for a 2nd opinion. But both also said that same thing, nothing serious, just skin deep damage.. Thank God ! Considering the pain I went through, ask them how loud I was screaming.

Now to end it, moral of the story is...
1. Please look where you are going. Pay attention to the trail and not the destination..
2. Ride at your own pace. Don't try to outdo others and end up in the ditch. This is NOT a race..
3. Never NEVER never... ride ALONE.
4. Be thankful, you have friends... Thank you guys.. especially to CS and Danny, who called/sms to check on me. Keat who took care of me.. Of course, my mom also..
5. NO.. I'm not gonna be selling off my bike or the clipless pedals ! Quote from Batman Begins, "Why do we fall ? So that we learn how to pick ourselves up.." Something like that.. In fact, I've sent my bike to P.Maheez for a full service (front wheel bit bengkok) and to be built onto the TANK frame ! Now it is in the good hands of Jason Tan..

One last bit... Gonna be taking a long break from riding. Doctor asked to let the muscle heal fully, don't over-stressed it. Afraid that might tear the muscle. Well.. As soon as I can overcome the phobia.. Like starting to cycle, all over again...

~ The End ~ for real...

~::NK the wOOfer::~

TANK Race Team frame (Part 1)

Why am I changing my frame ? Actually there is nothing wrong with the MERIDA Matts Pro frame. I've decided to try a 17" frame, see if it fits me better. The current Matts Pro frame is an 18". Was hunting around for a frame around RM500. Emailed a guy in Kuching for a TANK frame also, his posting on BBS was there for quite sometime liow. Too bad, his frame sold liow..

Finally, I got the frame from a guy in Penang, Peter.. The condition of the frame is not bad ler. Of course have to expect the scratches here and there, from wear and tear. Either than few bad paint scratches, the frame is in good condition.

So happen that I was going back to Penang. Arranged for a meet, he brought the whole bike.. So had a few test ride around the McDonald's Green lane. Then once everything was settled.. Met him again after the Penang bridge toll, collected the frame + headset + 110mm Tank stem..

Here are the photos...





Wait till Part 2 comes... When the frame / bike is built...

~::NK the wOOfer::~

Is anyone still HERE ???

It really has been very long since this blog received any posting.. Seriously wonder if they are anymore ppl visiting this blog. Since having our own forum, there has been less and less posting here.. Can't blame anyone, since having the forum provides a 2-way communication.

I was suppose to blog about my trip to Nanjing, China.. Actually thought that I could do some blogging with the extra time I had there. But sorry... No time to blog.. The training program was rather jammed packed. We didn't even have time for any shopping. Also due to the fact that our hotel was in the Industrial Area of Nanjing. So after 930pm, shops (which were mainly just makan place) were all closed.. Sadly on the last nite, only we found out that there was a shopping complex nearby our hotel. Walking distance it was.. but just our luck ! It freaking rained ! Oh well, at least I did enjoyed the cool weather there and for the record, the food there is very salty ! Here are some photos from the trip...


Now... back to more serious business. To those who have been visiting our forum, you would have realised now that we are trying finalize a t-shirt design. YUP ! It was done also by chance only.. CS and me went yum char, then decided to walk the SJ Uptown and see what they have. There was a stall, promoting on self-designed t-shirts. And then we gave it a try.. Sat down and discussed with the "designer". Gave him a rough idea of what we are and what we want. Also I've included to him our blog and forum, so that he could get more ideas. Then... yada... yada... yada... yada....
Here it is...

This is what I came up with... Just to experience around and see how things will look like...


Note that the text, "Who needs a 6inch......", it doesn't have to be there. That is not the general design, but I might wanna put it on my own t-shirts. Depending on the cost of course..

So what you guys think ? Constructive comments are very much welcome ! Either can pen it down here or visit our forum, we have got a thread going on about this design.. (c=

And yeah ! Most recently, if not mistaken it was Tuesday - 4pm. I'm the new owner of a TANK RACE frame.. YUP ! Giving up the 18" Merida Matts Pro, to try out a 17" Tank Race; EASTON Elite Tubing. Haven't have the time to take photos of my new old frame.. I think I'll do a separate posting / blog for the TANK frame. So stay tune for more..

That is all from me... This is me, signing off... Wishing all an early Merry Christmas and a Happy New 2007 Year !


~::NK the wOOfer::~

Trail Maintainance 21st Nov 2006

I will start the post without intro as all of you knew that we had adopted Shriner's Convention!!

First of all, i would like to show you some equipment that you definately will use it while trail working.


A proper saw!! This is important when you meet those deadfalls. Especially now aday, during rainy season. You will see a lot of deadfall here and there. Cut them into pieces and make use of them. Deadfalls are useful stuff, as you can see later.


Cangkul. I think i don't need to explain how useful a cangkul right? Do i need to do so?

We start our works @ Shriner's Convention about 9:30 am. Including Pat(Penghulu), NKeat(tweeter), Cs(Major). First, we get some deadfall cut them into pieces, then put them nicely on the soil, as the pic below:

looks weird? hahaha. Firstly, i don't actually know what Penghulu trying to do, as time go on, i slowly understand and i was able to see the picture.

Next, move the earth from 1 side to the other side. Since there is a ditch, Penghulu just widen the trail and make it smoother. As usual, i will show u the pix[s] and Tweeter cangkuling the earth!! This was a hard job. I can tell you that this job is tiring!!




What is next stage? Here it is:

Patching. Patch all those earth that we moved from the entrance to the first corner. We do some massage by punching. Oh did i say i massage the earth?

Here is the pic, and the berm created!!

Here is the first corner.. how about the entrance?

Here is the entrance!!



Who is the barger sleeping in the middle of the trail? I will keep this, and you guys make the wild guess!!

Here the words from Penghulu:
"Please take it easy for a few weeks, drop all your speed before you hit the entry and just roll into it softly so you don't have to slam on the brakes to make the corner. The berm will take some time to harden up. If you come in too fast and shred our work by either locking up your back wheel or blowing over the top of the berm we'll be very cranky. If you add up all the time the three of us spent it represents 6 man-hours of work, please be courteous and don't make it a waste fo our time."

And please riders, do not remove the deadfalls that we put on the berm!! They meant to maintain the berm and hold their shape. Slow down and dont lock your rear brake, so you will not be understeer and spoil the berms. Okay? Enjoy your ride!!

Check out our forum for larger picture!!

@}==Cs The Major=={@

14/11/06 - Trail Maintainance!!

Tuesday, Morning

NK~Montana and I sacrisfied our sleeping, went for some little trailwork @ SC. We only did the first half due to time constrained. It took us about 2 hours. At first, we really dunno what to do. But as you try, you will see a lot of thing, and "getting them up to your hand". That is what cantonese said, which mean you will know it as you start to work on it.

Create water bars not an easy job. as u cannot dig too deep because it will spoil the trail. Once you create, you will start to wonder, how if heavy rain? The size big enough to flow the water? a lot more conflicts and dilemmas.

And when we come to switchback, we saw how riders spoil the berms due to a lot of reasons. And Pat had taught us the way to for them ride in the right lane and not to under steer. Maintaining the berm is abit tough. You probably need something to hold the soil. As not to brake the rule of thumb from Pat, which is not to cut anything alive, we have to search for deadfall. Cut it into pcs, and put it @ side of the berm.

If you come across, please do not remove those deadfalls. They meant to hold the soil. And only 2 of us moved them from far away. I hope that our works will be appreciated. If you do feel we did the wrong thing, kindly tell us @ our forum or fakawi site, fell free to comment.

There are actually a lot of fun in trail maintaining. Why don't get youself involved? By doing trail works, you can see a lot of things rather than just ride on the trail.

Wokay, enough of cogs. Hopefully more people will get involve in the trail maintainance. Happy riding!! Thx Pat for the earlier tips, and they help a lot. Hopefully the next trail maintainance will be soon. Pic will postup later due to technical problems.

@{==Cs the Major==}@

These are the pics and some caption!!




The "RED" arrow shows the flow of water!!



We had use a lot of deadfalls to hold the soil.

Hardtail'ers Party?

Well, all out of sudden, we just feel like having a party and enjoy during the night.

uhm... Where should i start?? Okay, on the 3rd November 2006, after my study at the library, NKeat and I had went to Carrefour to buy some prawns for BBQ. Yap. I didn't type it wrongly and you see it correctly. The "prawns". Then we headed to his house, where our BBQ avenue is.

Of course, for BBQ, all you need is the charcoal and the fire starter, to start the FIRE!! How you place your charcoal is an important issue on how fast can fire created.


The sky getting dark, and 4 of us had just started the BBQ. Yap, only four of us. But the BBQ was enjoyable!! The most frustrating part was, there was no electricity during the mid of the BBQ. Damn the TNB.

Can you see haze in the house? Not. It was the smoke from BBQing.


NKeong fanning the Charcoal?


The mid of the process!!


Here are the food!!




Towards The End!!


The BBQ set in dark!!




Not much to talk about. The pics show you everything. But what a waste that i forgotten to take the pic of the PRAWN. The only words to describe it....SCURMPTIOUS!!

@}==Cs The Major=={@

really NO mood

It has been awhile since this blog got any, well... BLOG... So I'll do my part and keep this Blog alive.

There is nothing much to Blog about, either than the last ride @ FRIM on 5/11/2006. This would be my or rather OUR, since N.Keat was also together, 2nd ride with clipless pedals.. How was it ? Not much better than the 1st ride ! It is like learning how to ride off road all over again. Oddly, though this is the 2nd ride.. those shoes felt tighter. At least that is how it was for me... So as u can guess, this felt more uncomfortable than before.

Started as usual from FRIM main gate, this time however, thankfully I did not fall in front of the uncle and aunty.. No free show for them this Sunday !

We (CS, NKeat, Fish, Justin, Danny and I), made our way up all the way to the end of Rover track exit. Or some call it the Camp Site X-junction. Making my way till there was quite a challenge for me, my feet started to feel cramp / numb feeling. Told them to go ahead 1st while I rested my poor dear feet..

Made my way up all the way to Steroid Valley and rested at the foot of Steroid Hill.. By then my feet was going to cramp liow ! Quickly got off the bike and unstrap my shoes. WHAT A RELIEF !!! Those guys went up ahead to Steroid Hill... Just not for me... Initially I wanna try Steroid Hill with clipless, but then with the cramp. Such a mood-killer ! What to do, few of us waited at the Pondok lor. Before heading down to the Lake trail and then off to Wan Thanh Minn..

Short short ride ya, about 10km clocked only. Best part was, on our way out to the main gate. Passed by a photographer, since I was 2nd last in the group. He managed to focus and snap ME ! See... not so bad being last, after all. I wonder will he read our BLOG ?! Wonder if the photo turned out ok or not... Hmmmm.....

Anyhow, ended as a BAD Sunday = UNDER ride + OVER eat

Here are some post ride photos.. Bikes out to rest, while the riders FEAST ! errr... wan thanh minn kon lou, mar minn..


With those photos... I'm signing off, till the next blog.. There won't be any ride for me coming Sunday, due to some other engagements. Which I'm trying to get some road riding done in the evening. PLEASE don't rain on Sunday evening...

Till the next ride....

~::NK the wOOfer::~

::SIDI BULLET 2::

Oh yeah ! Finally, the day has come, earlier than I expected... Suppose to wait till next year before I change to clipless pedals. Probably it was being, at the right place at the right time, Shang was selling off his Candy ... For whatever the reason, faith probably.Initially I wanted to go for the Eggbeater rather than the Candy, but since I have no preference in either of them, so why not give a try I say.. Hey, it was a good deal, 2 pairs of Candy SL for a mere RM200++ ? Of course, then we (NKeat & myself) needed to get new shoes and new cleats.

The hunt for my shoes, weren't easy.. Due to the limitation of stock, 1st thing that had to look for is the size ! Then only open the box and see if the design & color is suitable to ur taste. Lastly then ask for the price.. Of course 1st up I headed to BikePro, brought my bike and the pedals there also. Semangat wanna change pedals and get new shoes.. Mana tau.. Sigh.. Disappointment, cannot find any shoes... Got size, but then OVER my budget. Sorry... It was Saturday afternoon, and only the day before that NKeat bought his pair of SIDI from BikePro. Looks like me not gonna get to test out clipless...

After quickie dinner at Secret Recipes, then collected my car from Tyrezone, just around the corner. Decided to head to KSH and try my luck. WOW ! Surprisingly, they got the SIDI Bullet 2. What the exact color which I wanted it. Got the correct size, tried on other Shimano shoes.. DAMN ! Those Shimano shoes are really more comfortable, coz they are wider as compared to SIDI. SIDI shoes are meant to be worn tight, as I have been told.. Doesn't matter lar, since the price is right. After hard & tough negotiation.. Ended myself with a NEW pair of black color SIDI Bullet 2 MTB shoes !

Wanna see ????


Oh yeah the other thing, make sure that u got everything in the box when you buy SIDI shoes. There should be an allen key, 4 screws and most important the manual/warranty book. Coz inside that book, got loads of cool SIDI stickers. Looks good on your bike frame and also on the Thule rack...

~::NK the wOOfer::~

Trail Maintenance Clinic @ Kiara

Hello all... Just another day ride in Kiara ? Don't think so, at least not for today. Special Monday, coz this time we were meeting up with Pat, the almighty-creator of Kiara trails. Nope we were not gonna be riding with him, naturally most of us would have a hard time just trying to keep up with him.

Basically today's main agenda is to learn Trail Maintenance from Pat himself. WHY ? You may ask ? Just because we, Hardtail'ers, have adopted the Shriner's Convention trail ! For myself, it can be considered as quite a big leap. Cause for me, I still consider myself new to Kiara trails.

Anyway, we have scheduled to meet up with Pat @ 8:15am. Meeting point is at the gate entrance. Reached there few minutes before time, so instead of me waiting, I headed up the tarmac 1st. Rather than slowing the whole group, I decided to move 1st. On my way up, I saw Pat coming out from the Tangki. Let it be lar, I concentrate on pedalling up and wait for them at the tarmac X-junction.

Before I could even catch my breathe, they arrived liow.. So continue on our climb up to Shriner's entrance lor. Half way up, Pat already started his class liow. Basic on how to look out for the rain water flow path, and where to clear them. No way I was able to follow Pat's pace.. So took my time and met up with them again at Shriner's Convention entrance. Officially here is where our class began.

It was just a basic introduction to us. Pat thought us how to look out for critical spots, where we should give our attention 1st. And how we should do it... Don't know if I can give a summary, most of his advice was just to do it by trial and error. Rule of thumb, water MUST flow ! Thus create path for all the muddy areas. Also to look out for those "black yucky" patches, that is where the water clogs up and the soil and leaves settles. At switchbacks, better to have higher banks, it helps the water flow and also to avoid rider from widening the trail. That is as much as I can remember, either than raining weather is NOT good for trail maintenance. We'll just have to wait for the dry season, then start patching back the damages done so far... Certain parts of the trail needs immediate attention, especially the switchbacks. Pat also gave us ideas of where to get the soils from to patch up the trails.


So next time riding in Kiara, when see those humps and bumps on the trail.. Some of it are there for a reason. And please spare a thought to those who are maintaining the trail, but of course to Pat and his group who created those trails - which we enjoy every weekend !


The Artist and his Masterpiece


"Come on guys ! Put your back into IT !"


Just us trying to learn as much as possible from Pat..

Lastly, check this bike out.. Old skool, but everything still functions. Would assume this guy ride tarmac quite often. Realised the cyclo-computer is also mounted on the funny looking handlebar. Not something that you'll see everyday..


OVER and OUT.. Our next ride should be on Wednesday morning, either Kiara or FRIM. Yet to be decided... Cause long time never see wan thanh minn seller's daughter in FRIM. Wanna know more ? Why not join us ?

~::NK the wOOfer::~