Journey to the Top.

(view from the Hill View's window)
This is the trip that organised by few of the P2K members.  A cycling club which is not strange among cyclists in Klang valley.  On the 8th of OCT 2005, A breeze morning that welcoming all the riders.  Most of the riders are from Klang Valley except odds of them are from Ipoh that gonna lead us to the way towards Cameron Highland.

The ride started at 0945.  Everybody is so excited about this ride as none of the rider has ride up to Cameron thru Simpang Pulai's way.  We kicked-off from the Hotel.  It is a heavy traffic road before the Cameron Highland's signboard is in-sight which located 3km away from the hotel.  For the first 5km, it was a fairly flat road.  It was "quite" enjoyable ride till then.  As the mileage increased, the gradient of the road has increased as well.  That's the point we started to climb all the way up to Cameron Highland.

Along the way, there are stalls selling fruits like Durians, mangoosteen & etc.  All these stalls are run by Orang Asli.  They were so friendly & gave us warm welcome too.  It is quite encouraging when you are pedaling hard uphill.  With their "Kind" support, we stopped by for the "King of Fruits".  You know what, it only cost RM1 for that!!!   Just an unbelievable trade.  Besides that, high level bridges, steep hill, deep forest all these are the scenery around us along the journey.  The cloudy sky also gave us a bonus to enjoy more with it


In the first hour ride, most of the riders are sticking together riding in a pack.  Only 2 riders from Ipoh have been missing from the pack. (probably u-turn back..hehe)  Out of sudden, "Time to PEE!!!", shouted someone from behind.  Without any hesitation, all of us just stopped and release some "burden" together at the road side.  Wow..  what a special scenery that 18 people lining up and watering the green.

After a countless pedalling, we have been separated into 2 groups.  I was sticking with the 2nd group, where first group was riding at fast pace.  Some of the fast riders can even seen far above the mountain side!

We stopped at Kg Raja small town after a short down hill.  We refill our water bottles & also replenish stomach with some light snacks before heading up to Equatorial Hotel.  Another killing hills before the end of the journey.  As we start climbing, rain started to fall as well.  The feeling was quite bad though as it is  so cold & wet.  Chilling wind has become the tour guide that accompany us all the way till Equatorial Hotel.  I can feel my teethes are fighting inside my mouth.   This climb can be categorized as the most struggling stage of the journey.  The average speed for this grueling part is about 8-9km/h where hungry, cold, wet, & wind are all in one.

Right after the Equotorial Hotel check point, the long waited downhill is ahead of us.   This downhill leads us all the way to the finishing point, Wuthelam Villa.  A nicely renovated bungalow that belongs to one of the rider's employer.  Here, this is the MOST rewarding moment and that we are looking for in this journey, satisfaction of conquering Cameron Highland.

In short, the entire journey took about 4.5 hours  (excluding some stops for refilling) to cover the 80km, 95% uphill & 5% downhill, NO FLAT/Free wheel.  According to few of the riders with heart rate monitors, in average riders have burned approximately 4000-4500 calories.  So riders can enjoy much of their favorite foods without concern about their diet.  This also one of the enjoyments of this ride

Lastly, I just wanna express that this journey really meant a lot to me.  It could be the once in a lifetime activity within all of us.  But the feeling of satisfaction may not able to fully express here.  "Live to ride".

Pictures Gallery

Itinerary
07-OCT-2005
    - take PLUS from KL. Exit at Simpang Pulai's eixt.
    - Turn right at the traffic light.
    - 3.5KM from the traffic, and Hill View hotel should be in-sight on your left.
    - Stay overnight.  (3 person in a room RM38/person - including bicycles)
08-OCT-2005
    - 9:45AM Ride begins
    - Turn right at the hotel's exit.
    - Ride till you see the signboard with "Cameron Highland" and follow it's direction.
    - Ride all the way straight. (100% uphill)
    - Turn right when you reach a junction, and turn right towards "Kg Raja"
    - Upon reaching Kg Raja, keep left and follow the signboard towards Equatorial Hotel.
09-OCT-2005
    - Going downhill.  Take back the same course as yesterday.