Jim Thompson Jamboree

Extreme temperature fluctuation occurred lately in Klang Valley. It gets too cold in the morning. Super nova heat in the afternoon and followed by thunderstorm in the evening. Is this the old Malaysia? At least it is more predictable.

It was slightly different when we arrived at Tanah Rata on Friday night. It was so windy, it blew the Malaysia flag fluttering graciously. We were as usual, late. We only left KL late evening after work. But this time, a little earlier than last year. We still managed to collect our goodies and dinner/supper. Perhaps due to the cold, it was our second dinner.

This is our second trip up Cameron Highland for our mountain bike event. The legendary and mysterious Jim Thompson trail. Nobody actually knew exactly that the trail we rode was the path he took, but trust me, it was one great holy grail for mountain bikers. 

Again we made a lousy entrance at the start line the next morning, when we were as usual...late. But we don't mind. We can have the road to ourselves riding down from Habu to Ringlet and another 15km down to Lembah Bertam (the area hit by super flood last year). The trail head was somewhere at Pos Menson, an area for orang asli settlement. Route C156 is new, previously completed making available access for travellers from Raub and Kuala Lipis through Sungai Koyan. Rode here back in 2011 during PCC Interstate. Ugly climb.

Participants have left the road empty for us, but not until we hit the trail. The elevation change in Jim Thompson trail can 'take your breath away' if you lack confidence and wisdom. The climb may seemed impossible. The energy sapping was greedy. One just need patience in regulating and pacing and trust in the legs and bike. We climbed from 554 meter sea level up to 1266 to the top at BOH Tea Centre. The first stretch was jungle trails connecting two orang asli settlements. Then we reached the pinnacle of the event, riding through tea plantations with super gorgeous sceneries.

Adding to the panorama, we were blessed with superb weather. It was overcast for the whole day. By the time we ended the trail section and into the plantation road, we saw more and more participants enjoying the views or nursing their dampened spirit and cramps. 

We had less stop but a few brief ones since we didn't push ourselves into the red zone. The final descend back to Habu took us through 8 km winding road. And completed this years Thompson trail revisit.

It was never too late to entertain our taste bud, indulging into the famous Raub Ratha Fish Head Curry.

And my first attempt at video production. Borrowed a GoPro from a friend. Still amateur but enjoyed the moment. Don't forget to watch it in HD.