We met up at Sembawang MRT at 6.30pm on Tuesday evening. The motorcycle lane of the Singapore customs was jammed pack but somehow we manage to "cut queue", thanks to the rule that bicycles have to use the motorcycle lane (silly when the traffic stretches all the way to the BKE). Clearance at the Malaysian customs was smooth but we encountered a jam along Jalan Tun Abdul Razak. We had to manoeuvre through small gaps between vehicles but managed to get to Kompleks Pengangkutan Awam Larkin without any incident.
We bought tickets (RM31.50 per ticket) to KL from Starstrip Quest Express when the counter staff said all five bikes could fitted into the luggage compartment. As expected, the driver was reluctant to have any of the bikes on the bus and demanded RM20 per bike which was a total rip-off. We expressed our disatisfaction, approached the counter staff and negotiations started. In the end, we settled the issue at RM12 per bike, loaded all the bikes into the luggage compartment and boarded the bus.
We left Larkin at around 9.30pm and the bus literally crawled to KL, making several stops on the way. We reached Puduraya around 3.30am, unloaded the bikes and started to assemble them. A crowd gathered around us, most of them taxi drivers, curious at the sight of bicycles that can be stripped and assembled in a couple of minutes.
After breakfast (prata and tea), we set off for Genting Highlands. I led them on the wrong route but quickly corrected the mistake and by 4.30am, we found ourselves on Jalan Pahang, Jalan Genting Kelang and subsequently Jalan Lingkaran Tengah 2. We joined the light traffic on Lebuhraya Karak towards Genting Sempah. There were barely any lamps on the highway and we travelled in almost total darkness, save for our blinkers. The slopes were daunting and we could see the larger vehicles crawling at low gears. Dad's muscles cramped up soon after. He could no longer ride, hence he had to push his bike all the way to Awana (Genting Skyway) Terminal, which was a crazy 15km away.
Pan, Gerald, Daniel and myself reached the foot of Genting at around 7.30am. We sat by the side of the highway to rest, already slightly drained by the inclined terrain. Unfortunately, Daniel encountered a patch of broken glass which resulted in a puncture shortly after we started the climb and we had to pause our ascend to fix the puncture. I guess all of us underestimated the world's 5th hardest climb (rated by the Pro Cycling magazine). A hundred times of Mount Faber will not have prepared us for what we faced. We stopped along the way to rest, take photos and guide Dad, who was walking, along.
It was about 10am when we reached Gohtong Jaya, Genting Highlands. We knew that the last 8km stretch to the peak was the real challenge. A friendly truck driver whom we met on the that stretch described the gradient as 70% (we know that it is around 30 degrees), lending testimony to the steepness of the road up.
After a rest and an agreement to meet Dad at Awana at 4pm, regardless whether we found accomodation at the peak or were heading back to KL on the same day, we set off to conquer the last 8km. It was to be described as "hell", the most physically daunting challenge in my life. In fact, I found this more taxing than running a marathon at a consistent 45min / 10km pace. Despite the cold weather, I found myself breathing heavily, to the extent of hyperventilating on the long and steep sections, as my muscles worked feverishly to keep the bike moving. It was demoralising to hear vehicles engaged in low gear, their engines protesting and straining to move the load uphill.
Pan and I checked out accomodation at Hotel Theme Park. We decided to settle for a family suite (two double beds) at RM170. The only problem was that our bikes had to be secured somewhere. The staff at the counter were hesitant and unsure if we could bring our bikes in and they checked with the manager who provided wonderful service. "Racing bikes?" He asked and had no qualms in letting us carry the bikes into the room =)
A hot shower and simple lunch was more than a delight after the gruelling climb. I disassembled my knobblies and carried them down to Awana via the Skyway, hoping to swap wheelsets with Dad. Everyone was staring at us in curiosity when we walked around Genting with the wheels. Fortunately, in some sense, there was no bus back to Singapore at Awana Terminal. We took apart Dad's bike and each of us carried a certain part up the Skyway, much to the amusement of many!
Dinner at Kenny Rogers' was great and I retired early, exhausted.
Total distance: 85km
Money spent: RM255~ (total 3D2N)
Participants: LSH, Dad, Pan, Gerald, Daniel
We bought tickets (RM31.50 per ticket) to KL from Starstrip Quest Express when the counter staff said all five bikes could fitted into the luggage compartment. As expected, the driver was reluctant to have any of the bikes on the bus and demanded RM20 per bike which was a total rip-off. We expressed our disatisfaction, approached the counter staff and negotiations started. In the end, we settled the issue at RM12 per bike, loaded all the bikes into the luggage compartment and boarded the bus.
We left Larkin at around 9.30pm and the bus literally crawled to KL, making several stops on the way. We reached Puduraya around 3.30am, unloaded the bikes and started to assemble them. A crowd gathered around us, most of them taxi drivers, curious at the sight of bicycles that can be stripped and assembled in a couple of minutes.
After breakfast (prata and tea), we set off for Genting Highlands. I led them on the wrong route but quickly corrected the mistake and by 4.30am, we found ourselves on Jalan Pahang, Jalan Genting Kelang and subsequently Jalan Lingkaran Tengah 2. We joined the light traffic on Lebuhraya Karak towards Genting Sempah. There were barely any lamps on the highway and we travelled in almost total darkness, save for our blinkers. The slopes were daunting and we could see the larger vehicles crawling at low gears. Dad's muscles cramped up soon after. He could no longer ride, hence he had to push his bike all the way to Awana (Genting Skyway) Terminal, which was a crazy 15km away.
Pan, Gerald, Daniel and myself reached the foot of Genting at around 7.30am. We sat by the side of the highway to rest, already slightly drained by the inclined terrain. Unfortunately, Daniel encountered a patch of broken glass which resulted in a puncture shortly after we started the climb and we had to pause our ascend to fix the puncture. I guess all of us underestimated the world's 5th hardest climb (rated by the Pro Cycling magazine). A hundred times of Mount Faber will not have prepared us for what we faced. We stopped along the way to rest, take photos and guide Dad, who was walking, along.
It was about 10am when we reached Gohtong Jaya, Genting Highlands. We knew that the last 8km stretch to the peak was the real challenge. A friendly truck driver whom we met on the that stretch described the gradient as 70% (we know that it is around 30 degrees), lending testimony to the steepness of the road up.
After a rest and an agreement to meet Dad at Awana at 4pm, regardless whether we found accomodation at the peak or were heading back to KL on the same day, we set off to conquer the last 8km. It was to be described as "hell", the most physically daunting challenge in my life. In fact, I found this more taxing than running a marathon at a consistent 45min / 10km pace. Despite the cold weather, I found myself breathing heavily, to the extent of hyperventilating on the long and steep sections, as my muscles worked feverishly to keep the bike moving. It was demoralising to hear vehicles engaged in low gear, their engines protesting and straining to move the load uphill.
There was this section with a turn that was so steep that my front wheel lifted up. I desperately shifted my weight forward and cleared the turn on the lightest gear my drivetrain provided. Daniel managed to grab hold to a passing truck which assisted him in clearing the turn. I watched in envy as the truck moved ahead at 9km/h with him in tow. I seriously wished for another slow moving vehicle to pass but there were none. Poor Pan and Gerald (with race cassettes on their road bikes) faced more problems on that section.
A friendly truck driver pulled over and offered us a lift to the top. Obviously we rejected his offer but we exchanged contact numbers and had a chat. He wanted to meet us for a meal but since we were unsure whether we would be staying on Genting, we couldn't promise anything.
It was simply agonsing to watch the roadside markers count down the distance to the top. 900m was not a problem at all on a flat road but with a continuous upslope, 100m is barely bearable, not to mention 900m. Even with that "short" distance, we had to catch our breath before continuing. I will always remember the last stretch to the finish - a long uphill. Daniel, a brilliant climber, pushed ahead, pedalling out of saddle. I hesitated (feeling no motivation at all), caught my breath, then slowly pedalled up to Hotel Theme Park. Pan and Gerald pulled in too and at that moment, we were so relieved and definitely elated to have scaled the world's 5th hardest climb!
A friendly truck driver pulled over and offered us a lift to the top. Obviously we rejected his offer but we exchanged contact numbers and had a chat. He wanted to meet us for a meal but since we were unsure whether we would be staying on Genting, we couldn't promise anything.
It was simply agonsing to watch the roadside markers count down the distance to the top. 900m was not a problem at all on a flat road but with a continuous upslope, 100m is barely bearable, not to mention 900m. Even with that "short" distance, we had to catch our breath before continuing. I will always remember the last stretch to the finish - a long uphill. Daniel, a brilliant climber, pushed ahead, pedalling out of saddle. I hesitated (feeling no motivation at all), caught my breath, then slowly pedalled up to Hotel Theme Park. Pan and Gerald pulled in too and at that moment, we were so relieved and definitely elated to have scaled the world's 5th hardest climb!
Drivers honked in greeting and cheered us on the way up; now, more people were staring at us with surprise and curiosity. The others said that some people even took photos of us (without us noticing apparently). An uncle even thought we were sponsored free hotel stays by Genting (if only, then we might consider cycling up again). We didn't really mind the extra attention; it felt good to conquer what we set out to do and feel like a star. It was a pleasure and honour to ride with Pan, Daniel and Gerald. They were excellent riders and very fit. In fact, they are the strongest riders I have ever ridden with. We had beaten the odds and conquered Genting.
Pan and I checked out accomodation at Hotel Theme Park. We decided to settle for a family suite (two double beds) at RM170. The only problem was that our bikes had to be secured somewhere. The staff at the counter were hesitant and unsure if we could bring our bikes in and they checked with the manager who provided wonderful service. "Racing bikes?" He asked and had no qualms in letting us carry the bikes into the room =)
A hot shower and simple lunch was more than a delight after the gruelling climb. I disassembled my knobblies and carried them down to Awana via the Skyway, hoping to swap wheelsets with Dad. Everyone was staring at us in curiosity when we walked around Genting with the wheels. Fortunately, in some sense, there was no bus back to Singapore at Awana Terminal. We took apart Dad's bike and each of us carried a certain part up the Skyway, much to the amusement of many!
Dinner at Kenny Rogers' was great and I retired early, exhausted.
Total distance: 85km
Money spent: RM255~ (total 3D2N)
Participants: LSH, Dad, Pan, Gerald, Daniel
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