My Heart Beats Like A Drum

Pang! Pang-kopang! Kopang! Kopang! Kopang! Kopang! Gibink! Gibink! Gibink!

Haaa...tu la dia bunyi nya gitu kalau tengah attempt panjat Goh Tong. Jantung ber-kompang macam bunyi kenduri kahwin di sepanjang 10km climb tanpa recovery. Kalau nak bunyi extra bass from Bose speakers, boleh cuba teruskan sampai ke Resort World, tapi menu kami hanya setakat Nasi Kandar Genting buat masa ni.

My heart skips a beat when reviewing the graph

I didn't manage to squeeze any spin session prior to this attempt except from the Bukit Hantu ride last Sunday. All I did was managing my kids and house chores while wifey's away. Redha aje ler for whatever future undertakings. Keh keh keh.

Despite the redha-ness, I was still nervous for two days prior, thinking about those killer climbs at Ulu Yam, and the told Goh Tong majestic inclines, merciless. However, one still needs to prepare for the worse. I was down with check and double check thingy days before the ride. Especially the bike, the components especially the brakes! And my attire and most of all my food. You don't want to get stuck in the middle of the climb from your stupidest act for leaving your Triple Treat back in your car when your stomach grumbling for food. Tidur dalam parit tepi jalan ler jawapnya.

I frequent the Ulu Yam route to Kuala Kubu Bharu years before, and it inspired me to cycle it. And I can't imagine cranking up those long inclines when even my car had to engage third gear halfway into it. But the route up Goh Tong, be it from Genting Sempah or from Batang Kali was never an option. Not until we establised these bunch of lunatics with skewed minds but ethical buddies. From the trust we built, it was actually the  main motivation and the faith for attempts like this.

Cycling from Gombak to Sungai Tua in the middle of Sunday pasar pagi traffic require pack riding in order for us to be visible. The first challenge passed without a glitch. Alhamdullillah.

Though the chosen loop is pretty much less than 100km, the strength equivalent and saddle time was justified. Sungai Tua inclines besides Batu Dam lake were for warm ups. With fresh legs, we kawtim-ed with a fast descending to Ulu Yam Baru. 67km/hr and the adrenaline rush almost felt myself like a pro. Kah kah kah! Perasan.

Next ride we go to Ipoh

Luckily la Ulu Yam Baru got 7E, else we'll be fuelling with roast ducks and coffee instead. It's a chinese settlement, hence the genuine kopitiam can be found at every corner of the street. Too bad the regular local coffee lovers was a bit stunned with some Mamils rode into town. But the worse part was the superbikes who rode in like they own the road, creating busting ear drums exhaust noise. So unrespectful. Shame on you bigbikers with small brains.

At 1km further from Ulu Yam Baru, the junction to Goh Tong awaits. The sign says 30km to Genting Highland. That should be about 20km to Goh Tong with a bit of rolling first half and The Wrath of the Titans on the second. So much of a pleasure, we were welcomed with supersteep inclines before we managed any breather.

Actually those were not rollings, but gradual climbs yet still require pedalling in order to move. No chance for coasting at all. When the corners approach, the climb starts. From corners upon corners, you don't have to expect any stretch for recovery, cause there ain't. It lasted for hours and the climbs ain't getting tame. We were strung out throughout but still visible between us. At least that kept the motivation going, by seeing your uphill cranking buddies' butts. Sun was playing it's part burning the skin but we felt stealth from the burning spirit of concurring the climb. We welcomed every gradient changed with shouts, either from scare or just plain crazy. But still cadence hovered around 40 rpm. Aiyak! Tried to accompany Kak Pah but she was doing at 4km/hr, at that would just placed her in the Champion for Basikal Lambat category. Sekali dia stop kayuh, kompom handle aku terlipat & terus aku baring atas rumput tepi jalan. Too risky. I had to crank it up to between 10-12 km/hr gripping handlebar and glutes wrenching.

There was not a slightest look of regrets and despair from all of us, but the sharp determination and reserved heart rate counts were the game strategies. We stayed cool and composed for not wanting to jump into attacking mode (cause that would be the second stupid act of the day). Going into red zone will be penalised  and the road side drains awaits for the defeated. Trust me, that is the most cooling spot in the entire climb, but that would the most last place you want to be if time is not your option.

To exaggerate more about the 10km climb will be too boring since it was just plain monotonous. Except when one kapchai rider decided to faceplant himself on the road shoulder while descending back to Batang Kali right in front of us. It was ugly but was still an art of flying. No worries, he was back on his feet moments later with dirt on his left cheek. Then there was this group of mountain dogs (term applies since it was high up at 500 meters elevation), waited for us to pass through with some welcoming barkings but we barked back and they accepted the fact that we were in no mood for play catch.

Dig! Dig! Dig!

It was moments later when Azmar and Pedo turned back, which brought together the message the end is nearing. The rows of pines by the road and the refreshing breeze blew us into daydreams for a moment, as smiles quirks from every the tight faces. We passed by the security post and the Genting Skyway was visible straight on! It was a 4 hour ride from Gombak and lunch awaits. We digged!

Satisfaction guaranteed

However, the story didn't end abruptly. The descending to Genting Sempah was another nut cracking part. It was cold and fast. From the burning calves and thighs, now we have burning arms and fingers. From just squeezing the brake hoods, it doesn't do justice, since we were topping at 76 km/hr. Argh! Too scary. We had to tap and release from the drop bar position for more leverage and avoid heated braking surface. Science class says:  Hot brake surface heats up the air inside the tyre = hot air expands = tyre expands = tyre burst = bivouac-ing by the cliffs. I was more relieved to reach the bottom compared to reaching up Gohtong. Phew!

We were cruising down 16km Genting Sempah smiling from the feat, but not too late for a last kopek adrenaline punch with a 40 km/hr flat cranking back to Gombak with these guys. Do I want to attempt this again, perhaps but not in weekends when those superbikes are around. Susah nak dapat inner peace:]

Choose your path