The Trail Blazing Rajang Valley - Mountain Biking Adventure '99

by Michael Lu

The markings on the road leading to  Sekolah Menengah Sedaya read: 1,500m...800m...400. Indeed the school's athletic department couldn't have put their effort to better use as far as I was concerned. And soon the banks of the slightly swollen mighty Rajang River came into view. Mentally and physically stretched to the limit after having ridden non-stop for nine hours through the most challenging conditions imaginable in my 6 years of mountain biking, I finally arrived exhausted but elated in Kanowit  to a warm welcome by the District Officer, En.Raymond Lim and his welcoming committee. Thus marked the end of the most gruelling stage, the Iran-Mapai Stage at a total distance of 95.88km.

The first stage, the Bukit Goram-Kapit Stage done the previous day was already an indication of how challenging my solo Trail Blazing Rajang Valley-Mountain Biking Adventure 99 would be. As the 4x4 driven by Mr.Lee Ah Kau, Manager of Rajang Wood, Kapit crawled and descended its way to the highest accessible point of Bukit Goram (3,073ft), I remarked to Saiful Arini of RTM Sibu how much 'fun' I was going to have. The weather was cold as one could well imagine at such an elevation, made worse by a heavy overnight rain.

 

The live radio interview with Saiful Arini (RTM Sibu) before the start. Beyond the thick fog in the background is the beginnng of the first of many gnarly descents.

At the highes accessible point of Bukit Goram (3.070ft). An improvised flag-off by Lee, witnessed by David Ho (then Sarawak Tribune reporter/manager and Chieng Chiew Kwong (mechanic)

 

Saiful's enthusiastic live cross-over to RTM Sarawak told me that there were more than just David Ho (Sarawak Tribune), Chieng Chiew Kwong (my mechanic) and Lee up there at the start. The radio listeners were there as well! This was it! After 3 months of preparation and training, my historic adventure was about to begin. Stuffing a black plastic trash bag down the front of my jersey, I was 'ceremoniously' flagged-off by Lee.

Already I could feel the cold as I began my descent. Fortunately, the insulation property of the plastic bag did its job in keeping me warm. But nervousness and a totally unfamiliar environment got my adrenal glands working overtime.

The howling effect in my ears soon got louder as I picked up speed. 50..60..66.7km/h... the cyclometer read. It was no time to enjoy the scenery - I can't! - as I transfixed my sight on the wild and rocky logging road, choosing my line sensibly. Boy, was it a blast! And very risky I might add! There were only 2x2.1 inch rubber separating the road and me.

 

Two and a half minutes later, speed gave way to the first of the five long slow climbs ranging between 1.2-1.5km in distance. Shifting into my granny gear , I began to ease into a comfortable climbing cadence up the 10-15 degree gradient. One has to respect the hills and Mother Nature in general. This strategy would later serve me well in the Iran-Mapai stage.

The grandiose reception at the Kapit Town Square led by the Resident himself himself was a overwhelming experience for me personally. Any other day I could be walking down the streets of Kapit and not get noticed. 

Now, it seemed that the whole town of Kapit had turned up to receive me. Even the sun, well shrouded by heavy clouds earlier began to shine brightly. :-)

You can always leave it to the folks of Kapit. A highlight of the event

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