BDB ENDURO CHALLENGE 2017
@ BDB BIKE PARK, KEDAH
The end of 2017 was definitely an exciting event. Fireworks, lights and for the enduro series, the end of a wonderful run.
Bina Darulaman Berhad (BDB) Kedah was the end of the enduro series for the Heroes of Enduro, placed at Darulaman Hill, Jitra, Kedah on 23 Dec 2017. It was definitely an interesting end to an eventful year.
The team arrived a day before the event to test out the terrain. The terrain turned out seemingly perfect, technical and everything a rider could ask for. Turns, jumps, and drops that kept the engine running in over 100 competitors. The dry, dusty terrain giving them the ideal trail to go fast and furious on every SS and easy LS as the hike up was an easy climb.
The terrain is important for mountain biking. The perfect terrain ensures a fast and swift ride for each rider. Riders could move fast down each downhill, turn each corner swiftly and take jumps, landing safely. Technically, it’s a skill that would set each rider apart, but terrain will definitely play a role in each riders experience and ability in taking those corners and doing those fast downhill trails.
All was set and perfectly laid-out until, the end of a training day. That’s night rained and rained and every rider knew, that the next day would be something else.
The night passed and everyone expected it to be sunny, at least. They think not. The next day, it rained on and on for a few hours before the event actually started. Riders testing the mountains unforgiving terrain came out of it wet, muddy and slightly worried. Hearing news about how muddy and how hard to cycle on the terrain though didn’t bother the Heroes as much. All they wanted to do was to prove themselves, enjoy the company and just enjoy the day. And what a day it was.
Each rider was put in a category. Elite, Master A-D and Women’s Open. So, one after another were let off, the Heroes consisting of Sufian, Meor Wazir, Rudzahan, Ismail Umar, Jalmi Shafary and Liza Tahir were off. The ride consisted of 4 LS’ and 4SS’s, where only the 4 SS’s were time and riders were given a time limit to reach the next checkpoint. Pretty common for every competition. The Heroes breezed through. Stuck in a few nooks and crannies that were hard to cycle on due to the unforgiving terrain. Wet, muddy and little to no traction and grip was not something one would call unchallenging. The riders would have to get off their bikes and slide down muddy hills only to get back on and race against time.
It was definitely a sight to see. The event ended with each rider coming back drenched from head to toe in mud, exhausted from the physicality and technicality the trail demanded. Definitely a new experience for many.
After all was said and done, the results came out. 4 riders from Heroes of Enduro had taken a spot on the podium in their category. In Master D, Sufian took 1st place. Followed by Meor at 3rd and Rudzahan at 4th, all were very proud of what they accomplished together. In Women’s Open, Liza earned herself a 3rd place alongside the boys.
All in all, it was an exciting experience for each of the riders. Not only was it tough and demanding, it set them all on the same level, evening out the playing field for all riders. Even the pros. Not everyone could go through such a grueling course like that. It was a tough challenge for all the riders. From the muddy terrain, hard to see line, gruesome uphill and demanding downhill. It was definitely one worth experiencing.
TAKE A TRIP DOWN MOUNT JERAI
While visiting Kedah recently, the team decided to take a road trip up to Mount Jerai. One of the most interesting downhill experiences for many riders. It took at least an hour and a half to hike down with very steep, almost vertical trails down the mountain. But the Heroes weren’t phased.
From the foot of the mountain, they took a couple of uplifts up the mountain where they would start their descent down. Upon reaching the peak, they started getting themselves ready for the downhill battle at The Regency Jerai Hill Resort. As the minutes ticked by, the team started their journey down the mountain. One after another they rode down, skilled and fast. They first started off down shallow steps where they met at the very start of the forest hill, which was their first checkpoint. As everyone arrived, one by one they descended, with roots, rocks, leaves and some interesting rustling, blocking their way. They needed to maneuver skillfully around the trail and even made their own to keep riding.
Descending the start of the hill was scary! It was steep, rocky and slippery. Not to mention the branches and loose leaves. The team was not phased, they descended with great skill and caution to avoid any major injuries or falls. Seeing as some were new to the trails, the team took it easy and worked on their technical skills rather than their speed and agility.
Once the team reached the next checkpoint whereby they were about halfway through, they started going faster and faster downhill seeing as the trails weren’t as steep as early on. One by one moved quick and skillfully past the trees and branches before reaching their next checkpoint for a short break.
FUN FACT!
The trails are managed and looked after by one of the Heroes! Mr. Hazlan Hazir, has taken care of the trails down Mount Jerai, beautifully. The trails are clean, clear and easy to follow. A team of them would bring rakes to ensure that riders are given a clear view of the trails and to ensure that the trails are always safe to ride.
Once the team reached ¾ of the way down, they started pushing themselves, moving quickly through the trails than before as once they started descending from the ¾ point, the trails started becoming flattered and easier to ride on.
The entire ride took close to 2 hours. For some, it wasn’t enough, as a majority ride for 4 – 5hours every weekend. They didn’t go back for another round but they will definitely be back for another crazy steep ride.
