I started cycling roughly about 5 months back. I bought a bike (proton t-blaze) after Doc kimi, a close friend of mine, suggested that i join him cycling. His mountain bike is Kona ( i always call it Miss Kona) which he bought many-many years ago. (And for many many years he rode alone). Immediately 
after, we cycled together to few places in the Klang Valley and at one time with another friend, Zamri, who owns a Polygon MTB. But this trip to Tanjung Malim with Teddy (his real name is Din) was one trip that makes us burst into laughter everytime one of us refresh our memories of the trip or whenever we look at photos posted in my Facebook.
This trip was planned in just few a days after I told Doc that I won't be joining the office-sponsored family trip to Tioman Island. He suggested that we go cycling since he too had to postponed his outing planned much earlier with his old college mates (UM). I said why not and asked him to get Teddy to come along. Doc later sent a message on Thursday telling me that Teddy might be joining us and that he will confirm later. We had been trying to get him to tag along during our previous few cycling trips but to no avail. He had his reasons and we always agreed with him. But not this time!. I called him and with a slighly pressing voice and without leaving him any room to bargain or negotiate I told him, "If you don't wan't to come with us than I will not go to Pulau Tinggi with the rest of you on the 13th of March". So on him it is already 'voluntary compulsory'! (Pulau Tinggi is their favourite scuba diving spot and its opening season). I immediately knew that he was already trapped when he asked me to confirm the time and rendezvo
us point. He just couldn't say no because we had been talking about how we really enjoyed our last trip together to Pulau Tinggi last year just before the season closes and had planned for this one for so many many months now. So going to Pulau Tinggi again without having me and grandpa (Zainal; another close friend) is like I believe eating 'sambal belacan' without the right amount of 'belacan'. Its just not it! In photo from left to right Teddy, me, grandpa, grandpa's sons, and Farouk the dive instructor. Taken by Doc during Pulau Tinggi trip last year.
after, we cycled together to few places in the Klang Valley and at one time with another friend, Zamri, who owns a Polygon MTB. But this trip to Tanjung Malim with Teddy (his real name is Din) was one trip that makes us burst into laughter everytime one of us refresh our memories of the trip or whenever we look at photos posted in my Facebook.This trip was planned in just few a days after I told Doc that I won't be joining the office-sponsored family trip to Tioman Island. He suggested that we go cycling since he too had to postponed his outing planned much earlier with his old college mates (UM). I said why not and asked him to get Teddy to come along. Doc later sent a message on Thursday telling me that Teddy might be joining us and that he will confirm later. We had been trying to get him to tag along during our previous few cycling trips but to no avail. He had his reasons and we always agreed with him. But not this time!. I called him and with a slighly pressing voice and without leaving him any room to bargain or negotiate I told him, "If you don't wan't to come with us than I will not go to Pulau Tinggi with the rest of you on the 13th of March". So on him it is already 'voluntary compulsory'! (Pulau Tinggi is their favourite scuba diving spot and its opening season). I immediately knew that he was already trapped when he asked me to confirm the time and rendezvo
us point. He just couldn't say no because we had been talking about how we really enjoyed our last trip together to Pulau Tinggi last year just before the season closes and had planned for this one for so many many months now. So going to Pulau Tinggi again without having me and grandpa (Zainal; another close friend) is like I believe eating 'sambal belacan' without the right amount of 'belacan'. Its just not it! In photo from left to right Teddy, me, grandpa, grandpa's sons, and Farouk the dive instructor. Taken by Doc during Pulau Tinggi trip last year.THE TRIP
On the morning of Saturday the 7th, my handphone rang while I was about to end my morning prayer. On the screen taa daaaa....the name Teddy Din! 'Abang, I am on my way now...somewhere near Sungai Buloh'. Now! we are supposed to meet Doc at the Tanjung Malim Toll Plaza at 7.15am. It will take about half an hour driving early in the morning (without speed trap) to reach the place from Bukit Beruntung the place where I am supposed to meet Teddy. Oh my.......I can't imagine what time he have to wake up since he is coming from somewhere which is roughly 65km away. I reached Bukit Beruntung Toll at 6.45am and Teddy a minute later and both of us shoot to meet doc in separate cars. Whoooosh we went.....no speed trap!!! Doc was already there and after few minutes of greetings we're off headed for the starting point. In photo is Doc and Teddy at rear.HISTORY AND BACKGROUND OF TANJUNG MALIM
Before I go further into the excitement of the journey lets take a look into Tanjung Malim itself. Below is excerpt taken from Wikipedia. For further reading the link is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanjung_Malim#Name
Name
An early settlement nearby Sungai Bernam is named Kampung Kubu (Fort Village). The Bugis community planted jambu fruit trees along the river bank. As population grew overtime, the area is referred to as Kampung Jambu. A mosque is also built to cater its Muslim community. During a visit by a British Straits of Settlements official, Sir List, the state officials headed by Raja Itam referred the area as Tanjong, as quoted by its local ulama Tuan Haji Mustafa bin Raja Kemala. However, it is also known locally as Kg.Kubu, Kg.Bugis, Kg.Jambu and Tg.Jambu. Hence, Sir List 'officially' named it as Tanjong Malim to avoid confusion. (Malim or mualim refers to the pious local Muslim community)
History
In the early AD1700, a Bugis settlement was established along the riverbank of Sungai Bernam, as part of Raja Kecil's plan to set up one of its kubu, fort along the river to fend off the northern Perak Sultanate threat. The plan fell apart with the fall of Raja Kecil in Johor Sultanate power struggle. Over the century, the small village known as Kampung Kubu/Bugis remained idle or rather isolated.
Around 1766, Perak Sultan Mahmud Shah crowned the Bugis prince Lumu as Sultan Salahuddin Shah to establish the Selangor Sultanate. Sungai Bernam is agreed as the natural border and this tiny village happens to be divided by it. Today, the Selangor side is known as Ulu Bernam while the Perak side is Tanjong Malim.
An early settlement nearby Sungai Bernam is named Kampung Kubu (Fort Village). The Bugis community planted jambu fruit trees along the river bank. As population grew overtime, the area is referred to as Kampung Jambu. A mosque is also built to cater its Muslim community. During a visit by a British Straits of Settlements official, Sir List, the state officials headed by Raja Itam referred the area as Tanjong, as quoted by its local ulama Tuan Haji Mustafa bin Raja Kemala. However, it is also known locally as Kg.Kubu, Kg.Bugis, Kg.Jambu and Tg.Jambu. Hence, Sir List 'officially' named it as Tanjong Malim to avoid confusion. (Malim or mualim refers to the pious local Muslim community)
History
In the early AD1700, a Bugis settlement was established along the riverbank of Sungai Bernam, as part of Raja Kecil's plan to set up one of its kubu, fort along the river to fend off the northern Perak Sultanate threat. The plan fell apart with the fall of Raja Kecil in Johor Sultanate power struggle. Over the century, the small village known as Kampung Kubu/Bugis remained idle or rather isolated.
Around 1766, Perak Sultan Mahmud Shah crowned the Bugis prince Lumu as Sultan Salahuddin Shah to establish the Selangor Sultanate. Sungai Bernam is agreed as the natural border and this tiny village happens to be divided by it. Today, the Selangor side is known as Ulu Bernam while the Perak side is Tanjong Malim.
THE RIDE
We started off at around 8am after having breakfast. While preparing ourselves a 4WD passed by and parked nearby. At the back were 3 MTB. A man came out of the car and came towards us. He introduced himself as Nordin from Bangi and on his way to Kulim to join a 50km MTB Jamboree. This is something that i have been observing lately. Whenever cyclist meet they greet and make friends. We took his handphone number and started with our own jamboree. In photo Teddy with Le Run and Doc at rear.The first few kilometers was on tarmac road which started to narrow as we go deep into the kampong and eventually into a rubber plantation where dirt track continues. This route is quite popular among 4WD enthusiast because they have to cross two rivers before reaching lubuk kawah where they camp for the night. Doc and Teddy were here few weeks before in one of a 4WD but when you are on bicycle you tend to pick-up more details because you are moving at a much slower speed so much so you can hear the words 'oooo so beautiful!' and started to plan for camping trips whenever the road came very close to riverbanks. Well you definitely can't compare the air of serenity and nice flowing rivers to the congesting traffics at the Federal Highway. Deep into the rubber plantation the air smell so fresh. The tree canopy touched together and provided nice shades and the morning breeze creates a feeling that is similar to when i was growing up in my kampong thirty to forty years ago. Our first check-point was at km 5. We waited for few minutes before Teddy finally arrived. Thats was when he learned his first lesson. Doc had earlier advised him not to bring anything unnecessary. But Teddy wouldn't listen. He brought with him his 450D Canon DSLR. To make things worst he got with him another 90-300mm zoom lens. Add the two together they weighed about 1kg. So after 5km and having burnt half of his energy the camera and lens must have weighed something like 5kg. When he reached us the first thing he did was to take off his helmet, sling bag where the camera was, and 
waist bag where he had his water bottle. He was breathing quite heavily. It suprised me because doc and me knew that he is training for a football tournament. When we ask him what happened thats when we confessed. " Me only goal keeper!" Aiiiiyaaaaaa no wonder la. I ask him to take the energy bar that I gave him and Doc at the starting point but he refused. After about 10 minutes we continued. Finaly the track took its tolls on Teddy at the 8th km. What happened to him. Doc was nowhere to be seen, infront of us. There is this funny feeling asking me to turn my head to look back. Thats when I saw Teddy lying across the track. After another 4km and burning more fuel the camera and all must have weight 1 ton! What about me? I had my lesson learned during cycling at Batu Dam with doc where I brought my 400D Canon DSLR and regretted it. After three quarter of the journey it felt as if I had a two-door freezer tied to my waist. Looking at the photo I must say that Teddy must have felt that he had a 1 ton lorry in his bag.
waist bag where he had his water bottle. He was breathing quite heavily. It suprised me because doc and me knew that he is training for a football tournament. When we ask him what happened thats when we confessed. " Me only goal keeper!" Aiiiiyaaaaaa no wonder la. I ask him to take the energy bar that I gave him and Doc at the starting point but he refused. After about 10 minutes we continued. Finaly the track took its tolls on Teddy at the 8th km. What happened to him. Doc was nowhere to be seen, infront of us. There is this funny feeling asking me to turn my head to look back. Thats when I saw Teddy lying across the track. After another 4km and burning more fuel the camera and all must have weight 1 ton! What about me? I had my lesson learned during cycling at Batu Dam with doc where I brought my 400D Canon DSLR and regretted it. After three quarter of the journey it felt as if I had a two-door freezer tied to my waist. Looking at the photo I must say that Teddy must have felt that he had a 1 ton lorry in his bag.RUBBER TREES
I knew he was ok and just left him and headed towards the nearest rubber tree. A little bit about rubber trees. Correct me if I am wrong but the first rubber tree species that was 
brought into Malaysia around 1877 was Hevea braziliensis. The oldest tree can be found in Kuala Kangsar near the district office. Many years of research have produced new hybrids with better performance ; better yield and withstand pest. Can they do similar research on woman ; better performance! When we were small we created toys with rubber seeds and the hard casing. (photo of seed from http://www.mir.com.my/) You turn one casing the opposite way and just push the two together. It will attach 
and it will become like a propellar. Hold it in between your thumb and finger, blow it and it will turn round and round. Back then there was no X-box and PS3. I was told that now you are able to find fermented rubber seeds. Dare to try? With special treatment you can also turn rubber leaves into nice handycraft. (photo from http://www.emelaka.gov.my/). The leaf are treated with chemical and what will be left behind are veins. Soak into dye to get pleasing colors. Maybe I can show how it is done in my future posting. But what scared me most was when I peek into one of the cup that collected milk I saw it was filled with rain water. There was something moving. Bringing my eye closer to the cup I saw so many mosquito larvae. Big healthy ones ready to hunt for victims coming few days. Imagine there are thousands of rubber trees there. Without wasting no more seconds I shouted to Teddy that it was time to move on.
brought into Malaysia around 1877 was Hevea braziliensis. The oldest tree can be found in Kuala Kangsar near the district office. Many years of research have produced new hybrids with better performance ; better yield and withstand pest. Can they do similar research on woman ; better performance! When we were small we created toys with rubber seeds and the hard casing. (photo of seed from http://www.mir.com.my/) You turn one casing the opposite way and just push the two together. It will attach 
and it will become like a propellar. Hold it in between your thumb and finger, blow it and it will turn round and round. Back then there was no X-box and PS3. I was told that now you are able to find fermented rubber seeds. Dare to try? With special treatment you can also turn rubber leaves into nice handycraft. (photo from http://www.emelaka.gov.my/). The leaf are treated with chemical and what will be left behind are veins. Soak into dye to get pleasing colors. Maybe I can show how it is done in my future posting. But what scared me most was when I peek into one of the cup that collected milk I saw it was filled with rain water. There was something moving. Bringing my eye closer to the cup I saw so many mosquito larvae. Big healthy ones ready to hunt for victims coming few days. Imagine there are thousands of rubber trees there. Without wasting no more seconds I shouted to Teddy that it was time to move on.THE REWARD
We finally reach our destination i.e. the firstcamp site. I can tell you that after 14km it was really worth it. Looking at the flowing river quench us of our thirst, sweat, and pain (especially Teddy). There is sense of great rejoice. Although this is his second time he couldn't wait to take a dip. We 
get a warning from Doc asking us to cool our body first. The campsite is actually a rapid. The water that came down from Fraser Hill turned and twisted in between the rocks. The sound of water gushing is very soothing and relaxs your soul and mind. Matured green trees and shruberies lined the river bank turning the whole place into one perfect painting only it is alive. Once in a while birds greeted us as if welcoming 
us to their santuary. We placed our water bottles in the water took some photos. The water is soooooooo nice, sooooooo good, sooooooo relaxing when you lie down between the rocks. We were fortunate because there were no campers and had the place to ourselves. Its not that we don't like to meet people but its just that that day we didn't bring extra cloth! But its nice to do that. I call it 'harmonizing with nature'. Don't use your imagination too much though. I didn't get that far! The next trip is to 
cross the rapid to the 2nd campsite. And there is also plan for a camping trip. Cooking? what about it? No worry because Teddy is a chef!
After an hour or so and after taking a last glimpse at the rapid we headed for home. The first downhill was terryfying. A 50 meter dash on a 45% wet slope without brakes still left me thinking what on earth was I thinking at that particular moment. Doc ask me why I came down so fast. Actually the brakes failed! I was coming down so fast on the uneven slopes that my eyeballs actually shaked so much so I couldn't focus my eyes on the track. I only tried to control the bike and trying not to mow
down Doc and Teddy who stopped three quarter way down the slope. First time in my life I was actually very very scared! It was really frightening!!!!
Afterwards we continue with our cycling and barely 5 minutes into it Teddy stopped and told me that there is something wrong with his front brake. I laid down my bike and bent down to look at it. The rim is black because maybe due to the steep rough slope Teddy brake too hard and now the rubber grip wouldn't let go. I called Doc and ask for his Swiss Army pen knife. I did some adjustment to his brake and while trying to help me he came near and thats when i heard him breathing heavily. The last time I heard that kind of breathing was during the last qurban that was when the cow was catching the last few breath! We stopped again at few places along the way and finally reach the starting point at about 12.30. Looked at the odometer and it read 28km. We congratulate Teddy because this is his first cycling and despite the beating that he got still manage to came back in one piece. We later packed our things and said bye bye.
get a warning from Doc asking us to cool our body first. The campsite is actually a rapid. The water that came down from Fraser Hill turned and twisted in between the rocks. The sound of water gushing is very soothing and relaxs your soul and mind. Matured green trees and shruberies lined the river bank turning the whole place into one perfect painting only it is alive. Once in a while birds greeted us as if welcoming 
us to their santuary. We placed our water bottles in the water took some photos. The water is soooooooo nice, sooooooo good, sooooooo relaxing when you lie down between the rocks. We were fortunate because there were no campers and had the place to ourselves. Its not that we don't like to meet people but its just that that day we didn't bring extra cloth! But its nice to do that. I call it 'harmonizing with nature'. Don't use your imagination too much though. I didn't get that far! The next trip is to 
cross the rapid to the 2nd campsite. And there is also plan for a camping trip. Cooking? what about it? No worry because Teddy is a chef!After an hour or so and after taking a last glimpse at the rapid we headed for home. The first downhill was terryfying. A 50 meter dash on a 45% wet slope without brakes still left me thinking what on earth was I thinking at that particular moment. Doc ask me why I came down so fast. Actually the brakes failed! I was coming down so fast on the uneven slopes that my eyeballs actually shaked so much so I couldn't focus my eyes on the track. I only tried to control the bike and trying not to mow
down Doc and Teddy who stopped three quarter way down the slope. First time in my life I was actually very very scared! It was really frightening!!!!Afterwards we continue with our cycling and barely 5 minutes into it Teddy stopped and told me that there is something wrong with his front brake. I laid down my bike and bent down to look at it. The rim is black because maybe due to the steep rough slope Teddy brake too hard and now the rubber grip wouldn't let go. I called Doc and ask for his Swiss Army pen knife. I did some adjustment to his brake and while trying to help me he came near and thats when i heard him breathing heavily. The last time I heard that kind of breathing was during the last qurban that was when the cow was catching the last few breath! We stopped again at few places along the way and finally reach the starting point at about 12.30. Looked at the odometer and it read 28km. We congratulate Teddy because this is his first cycling and despite the beating that he got still manage to came back in one piece. We later packed our things and said bye bye.
POST TRIP
Next evening while looking through the photos I called Teddy and ask him how he was. I then told him that this morning I went for a 64km solo ride to Kuala Kubu Baru. Teddy scolded me, "How can you not ask me to come along". For a 64km ride? Well, what can I say! The man completed 28km on his maiden voyage. Yesterday before he left for Pulau Tinggi he called me. He sounded not too happy. Probably Doc must have told him that I will not be able to join them to Pulau Tinggi. To add to the damage grandpa too will not be there. He also knew that Doc and I is planning for another ride to Tanjung Malim. Before ending the phone conversation he told me to postpone the ride until he is available to join us. Will do Teddy. Well Doc before you know it Teddy will ask us to join him for the 50km MTB jamboree.
By the time I had this story posted, Teddy, Qi, Doc and family must have reached Pulau Tinggi. NJOY brother!
