This was the second time after so many years since I last rode a trail away from Shah Alam,my comfortable homeground. The last trailride away was a short one in Lagong a couple of months ago.
On the second weekend of June I was invited or rather persuaded to join a trail ride in Pertak in the district of Kuala Kubu Baharu. The last time I rode in Pertak was on a mountain bike so many years ago and I have vivid memory of the trails available. I also did the trail on trailbikes and also 4 x 4 before. It was a nice place as far as I can remember with flowing river and cooling pristine rainforest .
Kampung Pertak is situated a couple of kilometers away from the rustic and charmful little town of Kuala Kubu Baharu. It is located on the rightside of the road going up to Frasers Hill. Since a huge dam was built and completed 6 years or so ago, I normally bypass the entrance to Kampung orang asli to where the trailhead is without a second thought. I enjoy the road quite frequently on my road bike while riding to the hill station,which is one of my my favorite weekend leisure riding destination.
Meor and I loaded our bike onto the Proton Arena and made our way to Kuala Kubu Baharu at 8.30am and planned to have our breakfast in the town. We waited for the other group to arrive and could only start our ride at 11am from the orang asli village where we have parked our cars. It was a bit late due to some hiccups getting there with the other group. It was a group of five riders and it was a good number because we would be riding a difficult singletrack climbing up to about 700 meters above sea level. The other 3 riders have ridden the trail before and had reached a beautiful waterfall at the top but we were aiming higher this time. All of us were riding the little green monster but one, he was on a locally branded, firstever trailbike to be assembled here.
Well,it has changed so much since my last trip there. The orang asli huts have transformed into small bungalows with pay TV dishes jutting out from the roofs,thats so much the government has provided for them in the name of progress. I wonder whether that was the orang asli`s wish or just some clever contractors who put up proposals and making a fast buck.
There was a proccession carrying a dead orang asli to be buried somewhere on the same trail that we were to ride. We followed the procession slowly on our bikes as a sign of respect until they diverted to another trail just after our first river crossing. I was wondering whether the dead was a Muslim or an animist because I didnt see an Imam or somebody who looked like one in the crowd
Our adventure ride started in a rubber plantation which was not there on my last adventures, again it is a sign of economic progress for the orang asli. Slowly the estate turned into rain forest fringes and we were riding by a river which I think is the river Pertak. None of those I could remember . Our first challenge was a difficult and badly rutted climb and a slippery one too. I rode in the rut in order to maintain traction since I was riding with trail tires fitted and it seemed to have worked. Followed was a nice singletrack by ravines and steep slopes flanked by greeneries all the way. We have to dodged a few low lying bamboo and tree branches in order to progress further. There were a few bridges made out of small logs tied together for us to cross. There was not much drama but an interesting ride nevertheless. There were two or three really difficult sections and took us some effort to get through. So much has changed over the years.
The rainforest was still intact with very little sign of human encroachment beside regular use by the orang asli living nearby. Orang asli has the traditionary and customary right to gather forest produce such as rattan,sandal wood and various fruits and also hunt for their own consumption,we are not allowed to do so without prior consent and permission from the authorities one of which is the Malaysian Forestry Department. I was made to understand that this area is also a protected wildlife site under the care of Wildlife Department. There is a Kelah sanctuary in nearby Sungai Chilling which is managed by the department where the Malaysian masheer is bred and protected. Masheer or Kelah is a very expensive fish and very sought after by fishing enthusiast for its value as well as the experience and glamour of catching one. Ikan Kelah can fetch up to a few hundred ringgit per kilogram. I cant describe how it tastes because I dont eat fresh water fish,what a shame.
We reached the fork that could lead us to a beautiful waterfall but chosed the left one which went higher into the mountain searching for the riverhead no one in the group has gone before. We came across a nice flowing river with a pool but decided to forge ahead. The trail became harder as we rode further and finally we decided that was as far as we could ride for the day. We doubled back to the pool that we have passed earlier for a rest and to have a dip in the cool and inviting water, the trail ahead was reserved for our repeat ride in the future.
The water was marvelously cool and provided much relief for our sore bodies after more or less 2 hours of hard riding. It tasted good too. Some us ran out of drinking water and the river is a wonderful source of clean water safe for drinking. The water from a source up stream flows along tree roots and collects minerals which makes the water taste different but in a good way. Who knows it might contain good properties which would be good for our health? but always be careful when drinking from this type of sources for some are contaminated with animal waste and dangerous for consumption. There was a public scare a few years ago regarding river water at picnic spots, the water was contaminated with certain virus carried by rat urine and have caused a few deaths among the picnickers
We spent about an hour at the spot and took some pictures while frolicking in a nice and free pool without the crowd, try that in Sunway Lagoon, it would have cost you and arm and a leg to have the same kind of relaxation.That would be the climax for our adventure for the day.
We broke camp and the return ride was mostly downhill all the way again without much drama except a minor spill when a rider clipped a boulder at quite a high speed and he went down. No damage to rider and bike as he dusted off the dirt and we proceeded smoothly back to the trail head. Since it was the same trail that we have ridden up, it was less strainous for us having seen all the obstacles and knowing the difficulties as well as the locations. How complex our brains are,we are always scared of the unknown and make us tired just thinking about it.
We arrived at the parking spot safely and my watch needles showed 4 pm. My riding partner and I decided to have a high tea in Frasers Hill to cap off our enjoyable ride,so off we went after reloading the bikes and saying goodbyes to our friends who came in a single car. They could not join us for tea this time and saved it for later. They left for Kuala Lumpur and we headed uphill to the Gap and Frasers Hill for some more fresh air while sipping hot tea but hot tea will not remain hot for long as the coolness of the high altitude will cool the hot tea in a hurry.
Im beginning to like riding outside of my turf again in search of headwater up on the mountains of Banjaran Titiwangsa,the strong back bone of Peninsular Malaysia.
I can see a Proton Arena at my parking lot in the future..............
