The Climb

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

I have not heard this song before, but the lyrics described the reason for the second trip to Cameron Highlands in 6 months.  Unfinished business - to overcome the dreaded climbs. In particular, I wanted to surmount the 8 km climb from Ringlet to Tanah Rata. It would be at the end of a 70+ km undulating ride and it was my Thermopylae.

The first day's ride from Simpang Pulai to restaurant 88 was the same as last year's. Ascending 1,560m in elevation over 53 km. Clocked 15 min longer cuz I took it easy this time.

The second ride was new - from the T-junction to Gua Musang. Great descent in the first 15 to 20 km. The chicken in me didn't dare let go of the brakes, and I was just happy to enjoy the thrill. But there was sufficient climbing of 1,200 m over 96km. Finished dead last, which wasn't surprising since I had to stop a couple of times during the ride due to a dropped saddle bag and chain :)

The last ride was my nemesis. Heavy rain meant that we started 20km ahead of the planned start point. Muscles were all cold and my enthusiasm was low. Waited for SC to fix his leaking tire and once again, I found myself in a familiar position - the default sweeper.

The slopes were all familiar friends but somehow, they didn't treat me too badly this time. I kinda missed my good friend, the C-monster. I attribute the absence to pacing.

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb


Caught up with a few riders and was reminded how unforgiving the mountain could be if we didn't respect it.

And then, there was Ringlet. After a quick iced coffee and toast with SC and a couple others, we began the final assault. As it turned out, the toughest stretch was actually the road leading out of Ringlet over the bridge, with a max of about 10 pct gradient. A deep breath at the foot of the switchbacks and the "climb" began.

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith

Just keep pedaling, was my mantra. Ignore the traffic, ignore the other riders. Just focus on pacing.

Surprisingly, I didn't have to use the 29 at all, and only occasionally the 27. Mostly on 25, which was sufficient to do the job.

Best view of all was looking down on the switchbacks and realizing how steep it looked from above. My memory played tricks on me as I remembered how intimidating the climb looked from the bus. There and then, it was a strangely different perspective - all I could see was a few meters ahead, and it looked just like RRR or MF =)

As it turned out, the average gradient was about 5 to 6 pct.

Only too glad to see the 2 km marker to Tanah Rata. A short steep slope up to Heritage and SC was there with a big smile. Thanks, SC!

It's all about the mountain and I, isn't it? CH is my mountain top experience.

Day 1: 1,568 m
Day 2: 1,207 m
Day 3: 1,740 m
Total: 4,515 m

One less item on my unfinished business list.

PS: Thanks again to the unwavering support from MBH and family! Couldn't have done it without you. 

Assault on Cameron Highlands

Being a relatively flat island, we have only a few small hills to train on. So it was with some apprehension that I signed up for the JoyRider's trip to Cameron Highlands, a popular tourist destination in Pahang, West Malaysia with an elevation of 1,829 metres. By contrast, Bt Timah is 163m and Mt Faber 105m in elevation.

 The trip was well thought out, with three rides in three days. The first day was a long commute up, with a sumptious nasi lemak lunch stopover in Petaling Jaya. Some 40 riders started the ride from Simpang Pulai for the 55km climb (over 1,400m).

The initial 8 km was flatish, a good warm up. But right after that, we hit the first slope - and the train started thinning. The gradient is about 10%, and my HR went over 160 immediately. It was only after 20km or so that I found my rhymth and my HR settled to a more manageable 150+. Even so, the trajectory was up and up, with a few flat and downslopes for respite. I had intially thought that 55 km was shortish. But it took all of 3:15 to complete.

To add to the challenge, the sky opened and we were completely drenched mid way through the ride. The final kms were a relief, mainly downhill on wide roads. I kept wondering when the good part would be over before the next big climb. Fortunately, that was not to be. Never was I so happy when I saw the 500m to go sign post for Restaurant 88, the venue of our dinner near Kg Baru.

Ave HR 154, ave cadence 67, ave speed 16.5 kph.

Day two started with the bus bringing us down the exact same route we were to cover, from Tanah Rata to Kg Kuala. The prescribed route was 92 km. Rolling terrain for the initial 40km, which I enjoyed tremendously. From 40km onwards, it was an ascent of 800m (to Ringlet at 1,026m) over 30km, which wasn't too bad compared to day one. Except for a long 7 to 8 km continous climb, and half a dozen 10% gradient slopes from 70km onwards, it was just a case of grinding and finding the right gears.

The weather was perfect, downcast but no rain, except for the sunny spell around 12 pm. I deliberately went no lower than the 25 cassette, keeping 27 and 29 in reserve for the final 12km assault from Ringlet to Tanah Rata. Cadence fell to 50+ on those climbs. Alas, I was swayed by a couple of strong riders who stopped at Ringlet, and could only marvel - from the comfort of the bus - at the brave ones making the final assault. That final stretch would have to remain as unfinished business for another time.

 Ave HR 142, ave cadence 69, ave speed 19.7 kph.

 The last day was a 60km descent. Many didn't suit up and I assessed the limited training benefits against the potential pitfalls - wet roads and potholes - and decided that the risks weren't worth taking, with the year end IM on the line. Overall, it was a truly memorable trip. Met many nice and wonderful people, and thoroughly happy with the accomplishment, modest though it might be. Would I return? You bet.