Running up and down memory lane was something that I looked forward to when our trail running buddies planned for it as we crossed Salomon xtrail run finish line a week ago. It's been say 4 years ago when I last rode here with fellow mountainbikers. Most of them migrated into more specific activities after that. I can say that Batu Dam was a real heaven's trail for newbies on bike. It has all the leasurely undulating cross country trail along the massive lake. Should one wish to consider a bit more techy trails, entering deeper into the catchment shall be rewarded with steep technical climbs and fast winding descents through tricky bamboo trails. Exiting via the Ulu Yam trunk road can be a feast with a superb maggie soup at the rest area for the famished souls.
Group photo
Today, 18 trail runners, a by-product of Salomon xtrail event, attempted the non-public access of Batu Dam trail. We got into some lingering moments at Petronas Sg Tua, meeting up before proceeding to the rowing school entrance. What was supposed to be a 7.30am flag-off had to be altered for a half an hour delay. Anyway, everything was cool since weather was as bright as ever, so was the past 2 days.
Fong & rowing buddies were our host, so she lead the enthusiastic group into the trail. It was magnificent. Trail condition was marvelous, with a bit more sugar, it should be sweet enough for everyone. Single tracks winding around the lake shore, crossing cold stream & river, thick canopies of dipterocarps. A complete weekend getaway. Ammah! What else could I say?
We were cut short with the excitement upon reaching the trail end at Riverstone. We opted for an easy & fast back to carpark via the Ulu Yam trunk road. I bet we were the only souls who run that road in a million years. Hahaha! Eventually the chain of runners broke once we hit the tarmac when everyone ran their own pace. So, the ever embracing motto of "Jangan kasi pecah" was abandoned :P. I decided to be back with our fellow sweepers Daud & Shaq escorting Nizam, whom have only started to take running into the next level. We ran & walked back, gasping the cold morning enriching air.
Our mud accumulated shoes were then rinsed while we rest on a pontoon by the rowing school, enjoying a lovely view of the calm water body of the lake. A dip is a must for the eager ones. Splash! We went into the water for a quick sponge down, washing away those dirt & sweat.
It was quite a short run, that I was caught in a dilemma to reward myself with carbo replenishing fiesta. We stopped at a mamak for a quick breakfast of roti telur, tose rawa (new to me) and of course teh tarik.
Eventually, later in the evening, with the chance to bring my kids for a second trip to the pool, I wallop a few more laps calling it a day with clear mind & feeling bouncy.
The tarmac back with fellow sweepers
The newly crowned marathoner leading the pack
Happy to reach the carpark
Still more turns away
The pontoon lepaking
ramai betul. glad you guys had fun!
ReplyDeletewa laju betul update post. I have to return there to make the splash into the dam!
ReplyDeleteGood run, bro!
Kash, yes we had fun. Next trail run you kena join. Tapi venue belum tau daaa...
ReplyDeleteAmsyah, the fresh feeling after the run resulted with fresh mind. Ideas flow from brain to fingers like juice :)
Tq for dropping by our 2nd home =)
ReplyDeleteThanks to you also for leading a nice pace, tak sesat & awesome pontoon experience :)
ReplyDeleteShakhir,
ReplyDeleteBuah pinggang kau yg tercicir kat trail masa panjat bukit tu dah kutip? Hehehehe..
Nice entry.. vocab mmg superb! Keep it up.
I'm having fun looking at the 120++ photos captured. Nanti ada masa wa upload kat blog wa.
Diket - nice entry la.. enjoy reading it, as well running it with u guys. :P
ReplyDeleteNik - cant wait! cepat la upload.hehe..
Che - Thanks. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Yes, thanks again for being the sweeping pair with Shaq, sweeping my buddy Nizam :)
ReplyDeleteI passed by Sg. Kayu Putih forest from our run. I even asked a friend working at Perhilitan, apparently the office is behind there. And, I've googled the map of the area. Such a small green la bro. Nothing compares to Kiara or Bt Dam.
Nik - No worries about my kidney. You'll be hearing a lot from me shouting about it during runs & bikes. Hahaha! Yep, photos is a must. Cepat2!
really eh? near taman bukit saga rite? small eh? nvm, how bout bukit Cermin? belum cuba lagi kan?
ReplyDelete(but i've read somewhere bout trail run by miss jewelz)ada waterfall kat situ kan?
Che - yep, that's the place. the trail only lasted for approx 50 meters before you reach the fence for Perhilitan office. I've no idea about Bkt Cermin bro. Sorry.
ReplyDeletethese are links to Bukit apek..
ReplyDeletehttp://games.fabiolee.com/post.asp?id=381
http://www.mycorezone.com/main.php?section=article&page=article_view&article_id=127
*i mean waterfall kat bukit apek
Wow! That's interesting. I didn't know there's an awesome place behind my backyard. Malunya! It's doable, but mind the altitude gain coz it's pretty much looks like a hiking/climbing instead of running. ON-ON!
ReplyDeletehey, i dun remember pic no 2.. not that i remembered
ReplyDeleteHahaha! Saja kosmetik kan the post. I thought tuan rumah knows every bit of the place? :)
ReplyDeletemr. miaomiao, i've been there before but that was perhaps 12 years ago. used to do a daredevil dive at the waterfall. crazy.
ReplyDeleteyears later I thought the place was eaten up by Puchong housing demands. It appears the green beauty still there! now we have more running trails. thanks :)