MTB Night Rides
This was brought up when we were talking about Burung Hantu rides over a TT moment with Doc, Captain and the G-Club gang last night.
Think it is a good idea. I have three trails in mind: Sungai Ara farmer trail, AID road and Pearl Hill. Pearl Hill and AID road should an easy one since basically riding on a car accessible tarmac. Straight up and down. The Sg Ara trail will be an interesting one. Imagine you are riding on the trail with no lights surrounding except your bike head lights and the red blinkers from the bike infront of you...:) I did that once on Sungai Ara Farmer Trail with my another cycling buddy who is current on semi permanent job assignment in Downunder. He was on his Santa Cruz Superlight and me on my VooDoo Erzulie rigid MTB bike. Only one word can describe the experience,
FUN!!!
It was a moonless night. Only visibility is the spot where my double Cateye halogen lights shone. Along the way we heard all kinds of sound and had no idea what they were. The ride got even more excited as we proceeded to the twisty trail in the rubber estate. The trail was narrow, twisty and it was totally pitch black. Green spots were seen between the trees, and they really scared the shit out of us. You will never wanted to stop for breather and will keep on pedalling until you see the next light in front of you, which tells you that you are back to the civilization.
We finished the whole ride in 45 minutes by going up to the plateau and coming down via steep descending slope to the Siam Cafe at Paya Nibong. A record that till now I have not broken yet.
We never had another chance to do it again. But the memory and excitement of that night ride was always the topic to talk whenever we heard someone talking about MTB night ride.
Wanna do it again? A big resounding sure! Time to bring out my VooDoo rigid fork MTB for a spin again! I shall see whether we can do it in one of the Saturday nights. So do come back to this thread for updates!
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Dear Turnosnail,
Before we do the night trail, it would be great that we can do the same trail in the day time so that we can roughly know the terrain and we can take some precaution on the dangerous area.
Just my 2 cent, Ray
You have brought up a valid point. This night ride in Sg Aga Farmer trail is for experienced riders only. Lets talk about it in the next G-Club ride. If I don't feel comfortable about it I'll either KIV it or change to other trail.
Dear turbosnail,
Just a suggestion, what about a lower difficulty on the maiden night ride? Maybe Pearl Hill just to get used to the darkness... or the lack of light during the ride. Also, you might want to give us some tips on what kind of lights to use. I believe most of us have LED blinkers only.
I myself am using a 3-LED Cateye and I don't know if it is bright enough for the off road trail in total darkness. Your experience will come in handy for these rides as you have done it before.
Thanks
regards,
nightrider
Your suggestion noted. I have to think about the capability of the majority first before I organize some ride here.
Any lights should do since we are not really venture into the wild. I am still using my old Cateye Halogen lights. One is not enough but two will be sufficient.
Cateye LED should be okay.
I'm a go for this too. So far, my night rides are restricted to road only. MTB should sound very interesting. Have to start training these legs of mine to pedal faster in this case. Don't want to be pushing up a slope in the middle of the jungle .. at night!
Ok I checked my GPS almanac just now. Saturday, 16 January 2010 is the best time since it is a moonless night. The ride should start at 9pm. I will post the details soon.
Oh yeah, have you wonder why were there only two of us did the first night ride in Sungai Ara Farmer trail? When I brought the idea up to my mtb buddies that time, either they think I was loosing my mind, I was being suicidal and tried to talk me over it! They never thought I would do it! Yeah, only one believed me an agreed to go with me! I hope he was glad to do that since the ride gave him an experience that he would never forget!
I am in! Let's do it on the 1st Jan 2010.. hahaha. A way to start the new year!
I vote for Sungai Ara trail.
i shall be the 1st one to sign up once date / time and venue confirmed !!!!
hope others will come along as well. let's light up the night trail !!!
cheers
Fantastic!!! i'm the second person to sign up if date / time is right for me.......
May the FORCE b with me forever.
chia
I would be also interested...
After reading and listening to feedbacks and suggestions here and during the ride, I think for the moment I would go back to the drawing board again to plan something that would be suitable for the current physical level of the majority of the riders in G-Club. Will keep you guys posted.