
I decided to join KOTRT on one of their weekend rides, which they took a group of riders to scale 1200 steps and Blue Hill. I have been wanting to do Blue Hill since I last heard about it. But none of my riding partners dares to join me due to the difficlut climb!

Total distance: 25km approx with 19km of sadistic fun.

I met the group at the entrance to the AID road. The one with orange jersey is the ride leader. We started the ride after the last two riders showed up.

This photo was taken after we branched out of the 1200 steps trail and going to the direction where a meditation center is located. It was also our second regroup point. FYI, I was the slowest rider amongst them.

Breathtaking view to the George Town area at the second regroup point.

We began to descend to Paya Terubong just before reaching the meditation center. The trail was mostly cemented. According to the ride leader, he would not take us there if it was raining.

We regrouped at the junction to Jalan Paya Terubong. One of the riders was experiencing disc brake problem on his Shimano XT rear disc brake. It seems the rentention pin of the brake pad had flunked off.

This picture was taken 1/3 up to the peak of blue hill. The trail was not only steep, but also quite exposed. I just couldn't got myself onto my VooDoo to ride up. I gave up staying on my bike and push all the way. I didn't know that I was experiencing what we call
bonking. I forgot that I had power bar with me. I should have eaten one of them!

Riders waiting at the peak. My legs started to cramp, one of the bonk symptoms. It was the first time I bonk and I did not realize it. I later experiencing dizziness and rapid heart beat, signalling my sugar lever is at the rock bottom. But I still continued and without realizing it.

Riders awaiting to cross to the adjacent trail. I was later told by the ride leader that the old trail had been blocked. We should have taken the new trail that connects to this adjacent trail.

Seeing here are riders helping to portage the bikes down to the adjacent trail.

Riders waiting at the adjacent trail after we crossed over. The trail started to descent after this point.

We reached to another connecting trail that would take us back to the Air Itam Dam. It is called Jalan Balik Pulau on the map. It's more like a farmer than a road. I parted with the rest of the rider and going at my own pace. And yes, I "found" my power bar and quickly took one down. I felt much better afterwards. But just on the safe side, I called my wife to fetch me at the foothill of AID.
Tracklog:
Attachment:
08022009(1200 steps - Blue Hill- AID).gpx
More pictures:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=oc6i5yj.2dz3gmsj&x=0&y=-1hhq5r&localeid=en_US http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=124931