The Malaysian Foldie 20, July/Aug 2015 | Page 4

CRUISIN'

Ride review

Lenggong cyclocamping adventure

Perak's pristine forest becomes the latest trampling ground for a group of adventure folding bike riders..

RUSTIC SCENERY: Sunrise at Tasik Raban in Lenggong, Perak.

I took the opportunity to test my Kelty camping gear when a group of cyclists decides to head to Lata Kekabu in Lenggong, Perak for a bikecamping trip.

This is my second time out. The first one was done three years ago in Pertak, Selangor. Since then, I've been working on upgrading my equipment and decided to procure a set of tarp and bug hut. This was a lesson learnt in Pertak.The Lata Kekabu trip was organized by En Jaa Suzali Othman, an experienced cyclist and touring rider.

He rigged up this trip with his wife Kak Raha and two of his sons. After putting up the event on the social media, some 18 people had signed up for the bikecamping ride. Their plan was to drive up to Kuala Kangsar in Perak and roll out from there to Lenggong.

Since I don't fancy the idea of traveling hundreds of kilometers and ride straight away after parking the car, so, my plan was to take a train up to Ipoh and roll out to Kuala Kangsar which is roughly about 53km away. As far as Lenggong is concerned, I've plied this path a few years earlier.

I planned to do this on my own, but when a fellow cyclist asked if he could tag along, I gladly obliged to get his train ticket.

The guy was riding with me for the second time. I got acquainted with En Khairul Rasman in Lata Lembik in Pahang a month ago.

I am not familiar with the other people in the group with the exception of Abang Din whom I met at a bicycle shop prior to this trip. He is traveling with his family who were also riding in the event.

Out of the 18 people who participated in the ride, I was the only non-Muslim and yet, the folks whom I rode with were very understanding, hospitable and generous.