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Event: Hatyai Jamboree 2011 Part 2
Location: Hatyai Thailand
Distance: 40-42km
Date: 3/6/2011 – 5/6/2011

2nd June 2011
Start driving at 10pm heading towards Kota Damansara to meetup with the rest of the convoy team before heading to Hatyai. JB gang only consists of 3 riders in a car. After stopping by KL, took a short break, then we starting to head on to Hatyai.

3rd June 2011
After more then 12hours driving from JB finally we reach the border, Bukit Kayu Hitam. Stop by a place for breakfast and also to do our entering visa before heading to the custom side. After get the entering visa we head towards the custom side. It was a mess down there whereby the car need to park at a side and the passenger need to walk down to get the passport chop while the driver need to get chop for both passport and also their car permit before can enter to Thai side. It was a big mess whereby there is no clear indication on which counter should be for traveler and which counter are for vehicle driver. We stuck there for about 45mins before we can proceed to cross the border. Finally cross the border and went to a local temple before heading to the hotel.

4th June 2011
Early morning about 5.30am gear up and ride as a big group on the road heading to the starting point. It was quite a distance cycling there so we were all warm up upon reaching the starting point. Arrive at the starting point there was quite a number of riders there and some national riders also. It was reported that 900 overs riders registered but at most about 500-600 riders presents only. The ride officially flag off at 7.30am where the ride was about 3-4km on the local highway but it looks like countryside road to me where we can enjoy the scenic view of the local before entering the trail.

Starting entering there is already a few tiny hill climb where some rider just dismount in the middle of the trail and push up. So there was a small jam in between. After a few km later there is a river crossing where by the stone bridge only allow 1 rider to pass thru at a time. I was stuck down there for at least 10-15mins before i can squeeze through the tiny bridge. Then I was block by a lady in the single track. After manage to get over her I try to catch up with Kvyn who was up in front with Joon. Can't catch up with Kvyn but manage to cut over Joon on the downhill side. But once on the uphill Joon cut me back as i was pushing it up. Took a minute break before continue on the 2nd climb and this i manage to climb up as not very big hill climb. Later on trail are quite flowy and even pass by some paddy fields and even some small village. Nearly had a fall on the cement road as it was too sandy on the corners. After manage to recover back continue on and head to the first check point.

After check point 1 there is a so called Genting road climb. As the climb is curvy and steep. After the climb the trail was flowy back again till we come to the first bigish climb. The down was rewarding as it was some real fast downhill all the way till I nearly miss the turn. After turn in we back into the trail passing by the oil palm plantation and some rubber plantation. There was a few very nice single track if you were riding a line you can see the beauty of the line going through between the rubber tree it was simply fantastic but too bad it was kind of too short. Probably just about less then 1km ride. Every 10km there is a checkpoint. After the check points 3 heading to check point 4 which is the hardest part to reach check point 4 as this check point is located on top of the mother of all climb. By that time the sun is already on top of my head and my radiator is already heating up. Slowly i push my bike all the way up. It was steep but the climb is rideable as it was on the cement and not gravel. Ask the marshall there we still got 10 more km to go before can reach the end.

The last 10 was relatively easy as there was no big climb and quite rolling trail as the up and down are quite easy if the momentum is good. unfortunately the sun is on top of my head and the heat went up again. So i gotta rush all the way back as i still able to push it up a bit. The hardest part is where by i need to cycle through the damn OPEN area and there is no cover at all and certain area i can't really see the marking well. Luckily manage to get on the right track and reach back the starting point at 12.21pm but the event was already officially ended. But still the organizer was there to greet us when we back.

After the group all back we cycle back to the hotel again under the hot sun. Stop by a shop to get a quick lunch before head back to the hotel. Overall the trail was fun and the single track is good but too short and certain area are really too open especially near to the end of it it was way too open. Still a great end although the event ended before reaching and didn't get the top (last) 10 finisher (count from behind la). I would rate the trail 7/10 good trail. The 3/10 is because of the open area and some minor poor marking and no 100plus.

5th June 2011
Early morning start to drive back all the way and manage to reach home by 6pm. It was a great trip and great ride with a bunch of new friend and riders. It was great to see some riders with great riders spirit to complete the ride even thought it was tough.

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David the Devil

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