Abe's Kona Blast

Here again, we welcome once more the newly mtb rider in the house. He's been secretly felt on love to the mtb scene and try to gather bit of info's on what bike to purchase. It begin when out of bloom, which one fine morning, he pop the question. " What bike can i buy for beginner?". As experience mtb cyclist yet realistic adviser, usually i advised to look for low budget rig which is the price is between rm1-rm2k. Usually i will struck with this answer .." that's expensive!!!". The beginner usually don't realise the price of basic mtb, they will compare it to mtb which sell in big hypermarket Giant or Carrefore. It is common to educate the public and the beginners to purchase the most affordable yet function for the rides. We usually met of see advertisement which say " Wanna Sell mtb - rode for 2 -3 times only",that indicate the person realize of buying the wrong cheap unreliable bike. So you all now know, why it is expensive.

So I'm very happy to assist him on getting his first baby. Firstly i took him to local bike shop to have an idea what kind of bike for the big day. The is various kind of rigs such as XC, DH, DJ and Freeride. It just like buying a new car and i will tell you you gonna get an headache..i personally took me 6 month to purchase the right rig. About a month after that, after seeking second, more opinion, he decided to go with Kona Blast All mountain hardtail. For me, he did a right choice for a beginner to spent about Rm1.9k for his first bike. Kudos to you " Abe". Hope your rig wont be a "tukun".

So here is the spec of the bike


Frame sizes 17"

Frame tubing Kona All-Mountain Aluminum Butted

Fork RockShox Dart 2 w/Turnkey 100mm

Headset TH

Crankarms FSA Alpha Drive

Chainrings 42/32/22

B/B FSA Powerdrive

Pedals Wellgo LU-A9

Chain Shimano HG40

Freewheel Shimano Alivio (11-32, 8spd)

F/D Shimano Acera

R/D Shimano Deore

Shifters Shimano Acera

Handlebar Kona XC/BC Riser

Stem Kona XC/BC

Grips Kona Race Light

Brakes Hayes MX4 Mechanical Disc

Brake Levers Avid FR-5

Front hub Formula Disc

Rear hub Shimano M475 Disc

Spokes Stainless 14g

Tires Maxxis Ignitor 26x2.1

Rims Alex ACE-18

Saddle WTB Speed V Sport SE

Seatpost Kona Thumb

Seat clamp Kona QR

Color Black Metallic

Batu Dam Ulu Yam (11.07.09)

It been quit a long time i didn't update the blog, but it doesn't mean i stop paddling around. I and my usual riding partners been riding a same old tracks and trails all the time. So one fine day, after discussing where our next riding venue, Shawal suggest us to try out the Batu Damn trail. We all been dreaming to try out the trail but there no one of us can guide the rest. Shawal been trying to organise the ride and luckily there is someone who can took us there.

In the lovely Sunday morning of 11/7/09, we met the riders at Petronas Sg Tua. And there was quit impressive turn out where the was 2 team consist of more than 10 peoples which are Geja Matoba and Pujimax. We been lead by Danny who quit fluent of the trail. The trail started by ride through a small construction area. The track was slippery due to raining season for a week, we basically rolled onto the mud in one section and some of us caught up in the middle. Then, we continued downhill to the side of the Batu Damn Lake. I can say the view was so surreal and magnificent where we all rode along the side of open lake and enjoyed the sight. The trail was single track and we had to encounter small and medium running water which cross the trail. It was nice because it was very pleasant ride where no up and downhills.

We stop at this cool area where we actually took a break on the river it self. The river was so shallow and it got many rocks where we all can sat, relaxed having a good break time. About 15 min break and smoke break, Danny again continued guide us into the jungle. And here is the real, tough, heart pumping and legs stretching trail begun. It was gradual climb but what made it tough is the trail was bad because the rain water made lot of water tunnels. This made the rider had to chose correct and right path to climb the hills. This uphill track good for those who can combine the balancing skills, gears and energy. At very top of the hill, we spotted a Mat salleh with complete gear, hiking alone. Very impressive, he's just guide by his GPS to move in and out. From the top, it was a very, very long and quit scary downhill. The bikes continued to speed up like no tomorrow, it all about controlling and braking. Well, as the fun is continued, one of the rider punctured his rear tire. Luckily, the was a spare tube hand out from our kind friend. Then, we all continued to stroll down until the end of the track. Our guide, Danny try to look for and alternative route, so that we don't have to cycle back via the main road. But there's no luck. That time it was like 40 degrees of the mid afternoon sun. So, we all decide to have a cool dipped in the river near by. There, we can actually have a chat and get to know each other. After about 30 min break and quick rigs wash out, we all stroll along the Ulu Yam main road which headed back to our starting point. We made a detour or short cut, by rode inside the Batu Damn area. We actually across the damn and the open sky made it very realistic. We arrived at the front of the Batu Damn gate where we park our cars about 3 pm.

This ride was so nice and easy where there was a mixed level of fitness of the riders who involved. The view was splendid and the crowd was hilarious. Hope, next ride can be more participant, the more the merrier.