Saving FACE at Genting Sempah

Our Play-Route

Gombak - Genting Sempah, the play-route for most novices, just like me. Invitation accepted. Bike polished, tires pumped. Bottle filled, helmet aired. Shoes laced, attire freshened. What else? I was quite prepared, I thought, till I scanned bikers at the meeting point with speed and cadence sensors, heart-rate monitor and positioning system. Me, rookie was not Polar’ed! But I reasoned, I followed Kitty who had them all! Kitty was powered-gel too.

Flying Machines

Slightly after eight, we hit the road. I rode bearing a smiley face as it seemed flat visually.  In the crispy morning, all well for the first 5km, through some kampungs with light traffic at Route 68. Easy.

Shortly, I was gasping heavily and wheezing deeply. And yes, yes, we were snaking up the hill then. Whheee… brrruuu…  My rhythmic breathing for the next 16km. Kid you not! HHhmm…  rather, kid me not! Effortlessly and chattily, Kitty and Ewan were tailing me, perhaps to ensure that I would not go backward!

With my dying strength, I pedaled. With my diminishing power, I pedaled. With my fainting might, I pedaled. Never had I been so determined. So very determined NOT LOSE FACE! Finally, I let-out a glorious sigh of relief! Phew! I was at the top.

But soon, I cry-out a furious sigh of stress! Fhew! A winding descent. A dangerous descent. A deadly descent. Yet I was still very determined, I would SAVE MY FACE.

Body balanced, gear lowered, brake engaged! I was tumbling downhill, literally, Kitty witnessed. But without a scratch, I ended where I begun. 

What an incredible experience of my prodigious ride!

Kitty, green and white

Chill thereafter, Ewan smiling broad