~::pimp my bike::~

Photos photos... and more photos... Something to share with you guys, that is if you haven't visited our Hardtail'ers Forum or haven't viewed in on FAK forum as well.

Basically the Scott Montana '04 model, has gone through a budget-ed (pimped) upgrade. It was high time that this ride got some attention. Oh well... view them photos and you'll understand what I mean.. Enjoy...

::Avid SD7 & SRAM X7 shifters::


::Scott flat bar & Easton (lulian) stem::


::Avid SD7 vee caliper::


::Rigida (yellow) double wall rims::


::SRAM X7 RD:


::FSA hubs::

How about that huh ? What is your opinion on the upgrades so far ?? Cool huh ?? Cause every parts was bought after serious in depth thoughts and calculation. Every sen well spent !

To end this blog... I shall leave you with this artistic photo shot...

Note : All photos above were taken by N.Keat aka tweeter (using the Canon 400D). I'm just helping him post this blog...

HANGER BANGER

It is me again, another ride = another blog.. For this time it was a relatively short ride, as you can tell from the title of the blog, thought it was a short ride... But it was filled with many many unforgettable events. Well... for this Saturday morning ride... It was just 3 of us ; myself, CS and Kiwi, he is a newbie. Since Keat was not riding with us, so KW had a spare bike to ride..

The morning started as usual lor.. But unlike other mornings, once we reach the parking in FRIM and getting suit up, we realised that the dark clouds were closing in fast. Not really promising start to our ride. We were pretty confidence that it wouldn't rain, cause we had our mind set on riding the Dream Trail !

Off we went on our way to ride the Dream Trail.. Once at the start of the trail, it was obvious that we are not gonna get much natural light on this ride. But nevertheless, the faint light didn't dampen our spirit to ride that morning. Visibility was rather low, but then still can see where we were going. More importantly it was raining... yet ! I went on first, which was a bad idea... My legs were tired.. This pass weeks, haven't been getting enough sleep.. So physically I'm very tired still. Mind willing but body (legs actually) failing.. Doesn't matter...

Thanks to warning from Kelolo, I was going rather slow, was looking out for the deadfall right across the Dream Trail. In fact, there were 2 or 3 deadfall along the trail. But nothing as serious as the deadfall at the switchback section of the Dream Trail.. To those going through that section, be careful.. The shortcut around the deadfall, the soil / ground is still rather soft.

~Happy smiles on his 1st ride~


~Famous landmark within the Dream Trail~

Coming out of the Dream Trail, joining back to Rover Trail.. This time we went upwards, so to speak, to complete off the Rover Trail, instead of going back reverse. Did I mentioned that the new guy, Kiwi was fast ! Really fast... he was able to tail behind CS almost all the way.. Really good man this fella. Think pretty soon he'll be riding a bike of his own liow.

Upto so far the ride has been pretty smooth.. I personally have been pushing myself to ride faster. Though stopping a few times, towards the end of Rover, waiting to be sure that Kiwi could catch up. That time, CS was long gone liow.. Anyhow ended at Rover, decided not to go through with Bukit Hari trail, since it was going to rain liow..

Made our way, and enter the 501 Trail.. Sigh... So I let CS and KW go down 1st. Since I'm always playing the sweeper part.. And since Kiwi is quite fast for a newbie. So why not lar rite..

~> I'm currently blogging from Tanjung Bin Power Plant, Control Room. Accessing the internet via GPRS on my SE K800i. Hehehee... Have to get this blog completed mar...

Making our way through the 501 Trail.. I let both of them bomb down 1st, followed from behind with some distance. Safety distance, just in case Kiwi did any emergency brake, I would have some buffer distance to stop. But apparently, I was going fast enough to catch up with Kiwi. So I thought what the hell lar, just overtake him.. Which proved to be the wrong decision...

I was to overtake him on the left side, where the trail is more "dirty". There were dead dried branches on the left side. I thought I could just ride through it.. I was so wrong ! Moving out to the left, with the cracking of the branches.. suddenly, my bike came to a sudden halt ! I almost flew forward, off my bike. But thankfully I was able to grab hold of my handlebar and my weight was already partially to the rear. Quite the frighten at first.. Now looking down at my rear wheel, saw that there was a branch stucked up in between the cassette and the hub. Removed it and then I knew something was wrong liow.. My 1st thought was that my RD was damaged, or bent somehow.. Couldn't do any gear shifting..

Slowly I reached out of the 501 and reached the tarmac.. There I tried to shift gear.. Forcefully I pedal and SNAPPED !! There goes my hanger ! CS saw the whole thing happened.. Hehehehe... So what to do, push the bike from there on lor.. Thought this mishap happened, but somehow I was quite satisfied with that day's ride. Somewhat I feel like I'm improving in my downhill speed. It was just the beginning of my Good and Bad day...

~Hanger Banger~


~Closer view~


~This is how you hold it together~

After our well deserved wan thanh minn... Once there only I realised that I got a leech bite. The fella already sucked my blood until full liow. All that is left behind is the scar and a stream of blood from it. We headed our way to BikePro, Tmn Megah. Hoping that Boon Foo would have the hanger replacement... Sigh... Don't HAVE ! But Lim (bike mech) offerred me his spare hanger.. All is not lost I guess. Thankfully Jin Herng was in Penang at that time, so a quick call to him... And he was on his way to KT Cycletron, to get me my hanger. Ended buying 2 hanger, 1 to keep as spare..

~Blood suck-ed !~

Then hor... CS managed to spot a SRAM cassette, PG 990.. Hehehe.. There the one with the RED colored center. Something that I wanted, just cause it is RED color.. So that day, I left BikePro, RM250 poorer, got myself the PG990 and a CN-7701 (XTR) chain. Go do the maths.. Keeping those 2 upgrades for later. Cause currently my crank's bearing also giving problem, could be busted liow.. Hopefully some minor service will set it back in place. In the meantime, wait till I have the budget for a new set of crank. Probably looking at getting the XT crank, so change the cassette and chain together. But this will come much much later... Unless anyone wanna contribute to my New XT Crank fund ??? Didn't think so....

That was pretty much the end of it.. Left my Tank Fobia in Bike Pro, Keat went on Wednesday to pass the hanger. Thank God ! The hanger fits ! The bike will only be ready to be collected on Friday. Which was fine ler, since this weekend also not gonna be riding. Have got stuffs to settle on both weekend mornings. In the evening ? Might go for photographing outing.. CS and myself are proud owners of our respective digital cameras.. So don't be surprised if you see some non-MTB photos here on our blog..

I guess that is all from me... Don't really have the flow for this blog. But anyhow, thank you for reading it until here. Was having a writer's block, probably from all the stress from work..


~::NK the wOOfer::~

Sepang - Bandar Enstek Hash!!

Date: 11 March 07
Venue: As the topic
distance: approximately 28km[s]
rating: 8/10!!

Trail Summary!!
dh:40%
flat:40%
climb:20%

As usual, upload the bike early in the morning...then we go for breakfast.

how much is enough? hahhaha

After the breakfast, we head toward the hash which located in Sepang. I will show you a pic that we meet some bastard with blardee nice car.

$!#@$@!%^%$@! what the hell wrong with him? bullying those with proton??

When we reach Sepang Circuit, we wait for Zul's group. Zul come with Syeikh while Rizal engaged with his job. About 15 mins later, Stanley here, and we follow him all the way.

When we reach there quite a number of riders there already. Busy with the registeration.

Signing In!!

After the briefing from the harrer, the hash begun. But, the harrer didn't tell us where is the direction. haha. What a mess. After get the right direction, the ride start!! The interesting part start here. We need to "pikul" our bike up by using ditch. The ditch looks like stair case that you can see along the highway. Long and short split here also. Lets continue the ride. After the "pikul" section, you rewarded with technical downhill. Wow..Sound nice righte?



After that, there are flat and climb. Reach to the first check. checking here and there...fail..... Jackson went a bit too far and i heard someone shouted "ON ON". So we have to back track about 200 meters away....bomb back there. Met Pat. Nice track stand show..wow!! After that met Chiefy... and talk to about what to include in the forum in future... By the way, the next batch of the Jersey coming soon!!

Oh...shit happen her b4 a downhill. My backbone pain. I suspect i got the same injuries with Jackson's backbone on 05 PCC. I feel so painful. Luckily met Fish's group. Shawn is good enough and "Urut" for me a little bit. Feel so much better now. Continue the ride. Muahahha... something shit happen here. The tube valve mistake la. bla bla bla... and i not too sure about the story. but i think the pic might able to tell u something. And my puncture of stamina start here also.

Stop quite a lot along the ride. Scream for cramp la, nearly unconscious la, not enough water la. bla bla bla.. But all these didn't put me off to enjoy the downhill. The downhill is really fast. You can let go all you brake and bomb. wow. Nice high speed downhill. If you were behind, u will probably see 3 of us smoking up from the tire. Stanley is always the one who disappear from our eye-sign!! And here are the pictures from Phil_Bee from KLMBH!!

Having hard Time to Chase Jackson!!

You see Who is Leading us?? And Congratulation to Hardtail'ers! Pic of the month for the hash!!

The last few km[s] kill me. I was down by the flat!! Shit!! what happen to me? Luckily Jackson and Stanley there. Thx for their help by 'Pushing' me from behind. They are tired enough but still manage to push a 100kg rider..Really thx. How happy when i see the clearing. And i know the finish line is coming up the next. Then i see the sign out/in stand. wow!! Here we sign in, have some snack! and TIGER beer!! muahahah

sign out!!

Here all the riders went home. And left the place clear again!!

The EnD!!
:::CenseSence™:::

Direction to the coming HASH

Directions to FEBRUARY's BASH

Date: March 11th, 2007
Time: 0915 Pre-Ride Briefing, 0930 Ride Please arrive early to register.
Venue: Sepang / @Enstek
Hares: Phil Bee, Jane Gapang, Kevin McWilliam

The bash start is in the new @Enstek housing estate (Bandar Enstek), just to the East of the Sepang circuit.
If you have a favourite route to the KLIA airport then feel free to take that route & divert to the Sepang circuit, and on to the bash site. The directions below describe the route from the North-South Highway (Seremban hwy).
Allow 1 hour for travel from KL (from Mid Valley area), more if you are prone to getting lost...


Head south from KL towards Seremban on the N-S Highway.
Take exit number 215 signposted for Nilai / Pajam / Sepang. Pay Sammy Velu his toll money, and reset your trip meter here!

1.6 km: Meet a T-junction at end of highway, wait for the timed traffic lights, turn right to Nilai and follow the road.
3.0 km: Traffic lights, go straight (signed KLIA / Sepang).
3.7 km: Approach roundabout, go straight / 2nd Exit. From here you can follow the signs for @enstek. After the roundabout there are signs for Salak Tinggi / Sepang / KLIA.
4.8km: Pass a Petronas garage on your right, and at..
5.2km go straight through some more traffic lights.
7.2km: Another roundabout, go straight (2nd exit) signposted for @enstek.

8.0 km: Take the left exit sliproad for road B48 signposted for Kajang, Sepang, Bandar Enstek. Do not miss this turn - it comes up quickly after the roundabout! If you do miss it, you'll end up at KLIA.

8.4 km: At the end of the sliproad, turn left. Signed for Bandar Enstek & Kota Sierramas.
10.6km: Cross over a bridge on the approach to a T-junction with traffic lights. Go straight, signposted to Salak Enstek Sepang. Follow the road through the busy village.
13.1km: Take left exit at crossroads for Bandar Enstek. Follow signs for @Enstek.
14.5 km: Approach roundabout in front of large mosque with blue dome. Take the 2nd exit (2 o'clock, i.e. turning right) signposted for Bdr. Enstek / Kg LBJ / Seremban. Follow this road, ignore all the crossings & crossroads, follow signs for Bandar Enstek. You will now be entering the @Enstek estate, with a large water tank on the left of the road.
At 15.9 km the road swings abruptly to the right - follow the road & continue on.
16.9km: Crossroads by the Akademi Audit Negara - Turn Left here & follow the road.

The silver hashmobile will be parked up on the verge along this road - you may need to go up & do a U-turn and use the other side of the road if parking gets full.

Park here - there are some very small trees but essentially this parking does not have any shade.

GPS Reference: 2°45'1.4"N, 101&deg45'43.6"E

Alternative directions from KLIA:
If you do find yourself taking the highway directly to KLIA, make your way to the bash area by following the perimeter highway as signposted to the LCC Terminal and the Sepang race circuit. Taking distances from the turning for LCC from the main highway:
0.6 km - roundabout. Go straight, follow highway for Sepang circuit.
6.7 km - Turn left at junction before the Sepang circuit, follow the road (circuit is now on your right).
10.0 km: Crossroads. Go straight here into Bandar Enstek - and continue to follow directions from the "13.1km" directions as listed above.

The Ride: Long ride approx. 26 - 28km, short ride half that length at 13 - 15km.
The Route: Fast 'n' Furious Sepang singletracks and doubletracks, twisting through a scenic mix of rubber and palm estates. The route is mostly under shade but there are some exposed sections.
What to bring: Plenty of water. Food / Powergels, spare tube & pump, tools, insect repellant & suncream.

Thx to KLMBH!!!!

:::CenseSence™:::

2007-02-25 MKX Race

Sorry for slow process!! Been busy with other stuffs!!





A small part of the trail



Can you see the Hardtail???



Maheez Team!!



wow!! Proton!!




Raymond Chan!!

Want more? I think you want...
Then wat you waiting for? Click

MKX Race Album

RideFastRideSafe!!

:::CenseSence™:::

Ride @ FRIM : 4th March '07

Greetings all... Since last week, we didn't get to ride together. CS and Jackson did a photography coverage on the MKX downhill race. Hmmmm... I wonder where are the photos ? But anyway.. lets get back to the ride blog. Lately work schedule has been really really hectic. This whole week, I'll be working at site. Don't know if will get to ride for the coming and next weekend or not...

We all gathered in front of the FRIM primary school car park at almost 8:30am. No thanks to me and Keat for arriving late. But then good also, if not for us being late... We wouldn't have met with 3 other riders, Zul (who we all thought was Chinese), Rizal and Syeikh. Please let me know if I've misspell your names. They were 1st timers riding in FRIM and wanted to tag along with us. No problem lar, the more the merrier.. XTC and frens, arrived slightly later as well, but then they wanted to ride Rover track. We opted not to...

It was just the 7 of us, headed to the Bukit Hari track. From the start, I tried to follow behind Zul. Another learning process for me... Seeing how he can control the bike during uphill uneven terrain. Sorry ya, hard for me to explain. I honestly tried.. but just can't form the proper sentence for it. Anyway, I was following behind Zul, all the way till after the last uphill climb to Steriod Valley / Junction. He stopped to wait for his friends, I think. I continue on, which by now, starting to feel fatigue liow. Memang lar, follow behind a kou sau... Keat then overtook me, which later Zul also managed to overtook me liow.

Steriod Valley / Junction, the usual spot for our rest and TCSS. Here are some photos... Thanks to CS for his suggestion. If not also wouldn't have got Photo #2.

[Hardtail'ers : The Gathering]


[Heavenly Bikes]

Note : Please click on the photos, if you wanna view them in larger size. Enjoy !


Now, thanks to motivation from Jackson. All of us made our way up Steroid Hill... God knows when was the last time I attempted to climb Steroid Hill. Like I said, thanks to motivation from Jackson.. Which he was cheering me on from the start.. Till like Quarter of the way, I stopped to rest. Seeing Zul already rested on the side, me also like patah semangat liow... Keat and Jackson carried on without me. Both of them went on all the way to the top.. I steady, pedaled on till the half way mark. Where both Syeikh and Rizal was resting there, cheering on Zul to make it to the top. Here we TCSS awhile.. Zul already complaining to give up liow. Nevertheless... I moved on 1st while they rested. Already pushing more than riding liow, but still I'm satisfied ! Knowing that at least I made it all the way to the top. I think by then, almost 8 other riders have overtook me and made down the other side liow.

Finally reaching the top.. Saw a guy there with a Scrambler bike (125cc), was told later that he is a FRIM ranger. There making his rounds... and a freaking cool way to travel around. He did warned us to be careful ! Cause wild animals have been spotted, namely ; TIGER, BEAR and PANTHER.. I kid you not, he also advised us to carry a small rambo-like knife - just in case..

Finally once the rest arrived to the top of Steroid Hill.. It was another short break, basically to rest our lungs. TCSS and a quick puff of power stick. On the saying, what goes up - must come down.. We proceeded to bomb downhill, me letting them go first. Don't wanna block ppl's way mar.. My legs were tired out liow, so I went down slow and steady.

Guess what... Another round of resting and TCSS.. This ride memang relaxing ! Guess so, after the heavy duty climb up Steroid Hill. Which Jackson said gonna push me more the next ride up Steroid. Hehehehe... Can't wait ! So resting at the pondok, managed to snap some photos.

[Zul's race-ready machine]

[Clockwise: Keat, Zul, Rizal, CS, Jackson, Syeikh]

Oh I need to mention that, Rizal.. He rode up Steroid Hill reverse, just to come downhill among the rubber trees, or Rubber Tree track - as what I called it. Sorry kawan, I wasn't ready with the camera, didn't shoot video of your cool downhill. Next time, let me know earlier mar...

From there we headed back to the carpark liow.. No more stopping, it was all the way back...

Back at the carpark.. The standard lar... TCSS... What else can we talk about, if not for bikes and their parts ? Our CS will be the guru, he will have all the answer to any of our questions. And we tried to poison our new-found-friends into using coil spring fork ! Heheheehehe... Since Zul was complaining about (still) trying to get the correct settings for his air fork.

We exchanged contact numbers, with the promise that we'll ride again together soon. And with that friendly gesture, marked the end of our Sunday morning ride. Of course for the 4 of us, we made our way to the ever-famous FRIM wan thann minn.. All of us had mar minn, guess it was well worth it...

Till (my) next ride...

~::NK the wOOfer::~