Santai Ride # 1

---

It was about three months ago since I last cycled.  After my last ride with the bunchin May at Kiara, I was always looking for a window to resume exercising again.  And taking into account that I would definitely be struggling after such a long rest (due to some medical slight complications...), I was glad that the group talked about a normal mid-distance RRI ride... slightly more than ten kilos is mid-distance in my book!.. though many would say this is merely a 'walk in the park'.... :)

Well, as planned I arrived the usual RV place just before 0830.  Alas, no one was in sight.  According to the emails, Shah, Matyen, Ejau and Usop would be doing this ride.. err.. maybe only Shah as the other three would be taking a short cut to the tangki area to do the DH section.  But later on Friday I was informed that Shah would not be joining....  Anyway, my stomach buat hal as soon as I parked the car... so I rushed to the masjid's restroom.  When I came out, Seken arrived in his new Wish... nice car!  And at about the same time, Matyen's sms came in.  He quipped that he was on the way.. hmmmm

I was in a bit of rush that day... and I did mention to all would be riders on this trip, I need to be home before noon.  Somehow.. that didn't really stick to anyone's mind... no harm done though.... By 8:45am, no signs of anyone else.  Luckily Seken was around.. otherwise I would have got onto my car and drove home...

    

Seken consoled me and we sat for a drink at the warung just outside the masjid.  However, even after finishing my drink, they have yet to arrive.  I decided.. what the heck.. since I was already there, might as well ride!  So, I unloaded the bike and geared up.  Just then, the three riders arrived!  Since I know that these guys wanted to practice their flying skills, I headed out to the RRI trails after greetings them... promising each other to meet up at the tangki area...

I must say it was a rather lonely ride....   .. but rather enjoyable... no pressure to keep up with anyone... :)  Its been a while since I last rode RRI trail... and the bukit kerikil stretch is now much easier to trudge as it has been done up with light crusher run... 

I only stopped to take these two pics here.... and was seriously thinking to take the right hand route which is shorter in distance.  But, that would be unfair, right... so, I took the regular left route... Rode non-stop until I reached atop the tangki area!  I think I deserve a pat on my own back... a first for me.... hehehehe.... that's already two firsts on this trip... first solo ride... first non-stop at RRI....

However.... when at the tangki area... I was very exhausted! hahahahaha.... it took about 15mins for me to regain my composure... hehehehe...

Luckily I have a companion...  in the form of this guy.... hunting grasshoppers..   

   

Quite a resourceful fella.... and his tool of trade is....

Not a while later Matyen arrived stealthily.... When asked, he said that Ejau & Usop went straight to the 'playground' area.. i.e. where the ramps are... a testament of the flying loska.. hehehehe...

 

Anyway.... that was that.  Matyen and I hit the downhill stretch until we reached the 'playground' where Usop & Ejau were already having their bit of fun... It was almost 1100hrs then.... I wanted to head back to the car park... but... they "made' me stay as the cameraman.... honest!  I really wanted to go back early.... instead we ended up going off way past noon....   

  

Well... that really was that!  As we got the cars... I stayed for a glass of limau ais then quickly head home.... 

here's the Flying Loska...