50km X-C MTB Challenge – Part Two

Part 2; Down-Hill.

The time worn saying states ‘what goes up must surely come down’…… and so it does!

After the last climb at 24% incline the maximum elevation of 842 ft was reached at a distance of around 37 km. The plateau consisted of a short 840mt long flattish section that formed the pass between the higher hills to the east and west. At about this time the clouds from the south west monsoon began boiling up the steep valley and the heavens opened up with a torrential, tropical downpour. There was nothing for it, but to take shelter below a deserted rubber tapper’s wooden shack. This did allow me to grab a quick snack of fresh fruit and re-hydrate after the long climb up.

Shelter from the storm

Once off the plateau the trail started to descend, gradually at first but soon the down slope increased significantly. Knowing what lay ahead I had had the foresight to drop my seat post down by around 12cm to allow me to get my weight back and over the rear wheel. This was definitely a smart move, as the estimated 25% gradient proved to be a good test of technical down-hill riding. Pedals balanced level at mid stroke, back side behind the seat post and feather the brakes. The surface was similar to the uphill, with deep ruts, large intermittent rocks and boulders, loose stones and steep drop offs. The rain was still falling and riding into the prevalent wind direction it was driving straight into my eyes. One of the secrets to riding downhill is picking your line nice and early by scanning well ahead. The driving rain made this a challenge. Too hard on the brakes and a skid, easily induced by the slippery surface, could have me careening off the side if not careful. Riding alone, in the middle of nowhere, there was always the thought at the back of my mind – what if? But after the first adrenaline rush the pace, and nerves, steadied and the task became easier. Soon I was romping down the gradually decreasing slope and enjoying the gains of the hard earned ascent.

The view from the top

Once at the bottom of the slope the trail re-joined what passes for the ‘main’ road in these areas – a gravel wash board with rocks and ruts a plenty. The trail now passed through a spectacular canyon with towering limestone karsts on either side. However the continuing rain and low flying clouds did not allow for much of a view or the chance to shoot too many photos.

Now the trail branched off onto a very quiet side section and around one bend I was amazed to see a large water monitor ambling across the track. I slowed down to a quiet stop at which point the large lizard (about 1.5 mt. in length) did a slow u-turn and back tracked off the road. I approached quietly with my camera at the ready and peered into the bush to see a large pond and small river system. Although I had clearly heard the large reptile slide through the undergrowth it must surely now be hiding around the pond area. A short wait proved to be in vain and no further sighting was made. Ah well, maybe next time.

Back onto the trail, as the rain started to alternate between a constant drizzle and hard downpours. The trail surface had been recently re-laid after several flooding events in the area and consisted of a sand/red-soil undersurface covered with a thin layer of fine, small stones. A worse cycling surface you could not imagine! It acted like blotting paper, soaking up all the moisture and really sucked the tyres down deep. I remember my thoughts at the time ‘this must be how it feels trying to swim the breast-stroke in porridge!’

After a really fun roller coaster section skirting the mountains and through a double river ford the vista opened out onto rolling moors where sections of the rubber trees had been recently cleared allowing for some pleasant views, well, at least whilst the rain was not so heavy!

I was now getting back into familiar territory from my regular early morning rides and the rain was just getting heavier and heavier, but I knew the end was soon in sight. A final blast over Donsak Hill and it was a short road section back into home for a well deserved cold beer!

Fact File:
Total Distance covered; 54km
Total time taken (including stops); 4h 5min. Riding time; 3h 5min. Av. Speed 17.5km/hr
Max. incline +24% decline -25%
Max elevation; 842 ft.
Total height; gained 2,938 ft. lost 2,851 ft.


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50km X-C MTB Challenge – The Reccy

Saturday 2nd July 2011

Ready for the Off

Headed off from home at Tong Ao, Donsak just after midday. The weather was partially overcast but pretty hot and humid. The first short section along the road brought a nice cooling breeze pedaling at around 24km/hr. But knowing this was going to be a reccy and not a race my head told me it would be wise to take it easy and conserve energy, who knew what lay ahead?

The first section over Donsak Hill, through Khao Kloy to Nam Chaa was all familiar territory on quiet backroads interspersed with a high percentage of gravel dirt roads and soily/rocky trails through the rubber tree plantations. As I pushed on the hills ahead ominously started appearing in clearer view, giving a foretaste of what was to come. Turning left into the ‘Hidden Valley’ at 17.5 km the size of the task became more apparent but the pace was good as was still the weather. A bit more cloud, but that meant a pleasant relief from the overhead midday sun. The trail got quieter, apart from the odd motorcycle, local croppers heading into town for Saturday afternoon shopping. From the looks and usual ‘farang’ comments it was clear that they had never encountered any cyclists in this neck of the woods. The scenery was beautiful, the small river running through the valley featured a number of fords and side trails – all good for future exploration.

At a fork in the junction, close to my previous end of the road assessment, I wondered whether the trail to the right might in fact be the correct route. Fortunately a couple of Thai ladies on a motorcycle were just leaving a house close by and I was able to quiz them. I knew the general name of the area I was aiming for as Pak Phraek. The normal way to get there is along the main 4142 highway via the junction at Ban Nai. At first the ladies tried to steer me back towards the main road citing a ‘Big Hill’ as an impediment to my progress. But a quick ‘Mai pen rai’ from my side and yes, they said, ‘pai dai’. I guess the concept of a ‘mountain bike’ was beyond them.

So, off on the left fork and past the Thai Sign on the side of the road, which I had been informed said ‘a road will be built here’, the extent of my previous trip. The trail started to climb and climb. Loose stones, gulleys from the recent rains, rocks and drop offs, quite a technical up-hill section. Unfortunately my front derailleur is on its last legs, which means I can only select the big ring from my most used centre, no access to the granny ring! But by now the slope was steep enough such that even if I was able to get in the granny ring it would probably still be quicker to push the bike and walk!

200 mt. to the summit?

A hundred metres or so and the incline crested. Back on the bike, along a leafy, wooded section the trail was double with tall grass growing in the centre. The weather was closing in, the humidity rising and the closeness of the jungle made it feel like a sauna. A bend in the road and here we go – the killer hill. Wow! Just up, up, up. Shortly after I dismounted a pretty young lady passed by on a motorbike, all dressed up for Saturday afternoon, gingerly making her way up the rutted loose gravel, over the rocks and channels. A long hard push up, what I hoped would be the steepest section, turned out to be around 300 mt. until the summit was finally crested. Relief at last, it would all be all downhill from here on.

Stay tuned for the next part.....