#332 - Report - 26/11/06 - George Tay & the Exiles

The Singapore Bike Hash was formed long before it was ever fashionable to have all the new buzz words of modern organizations i.e. Mission Statements and thus we do not have one! However, if we were ever to need one it would probably read something like this “To provide riders with the maximum amount of fun on a mountain bike in the most scenic places possible for the enjoyment of all concerned with the entire pack finishing within twenty minutes or less of each other and no one getting lost”. If this were our mission then yesterdays ride achieved that aim. Not only did the ride achieve its aim, it did so in style. Ride 332 was a superb ride and one of the finest examples ever of how a bike hash should be. As I have written before one of the key aspects of any good ride is location, well boy did we have Location yesterday. True we had to travel a little further to get it, possibly the farthest we have ever traveled and true we had to leave a little earlier than some people were comfortable with but if (as the old saying goes) ‘you don’t put out’, then you ‘don’t get out!’

Starting from the small traditional, friendly kampong of Seelong we were into excellent riding within metres..and it just got better. If you thought all Malaysia was the same – boring old plantation - then think again! We were treated to a variety of different types of riding from palm, to rubber, to woods, to open grass fields. With three lengths of ride on offer (17km, 24km, 34km) there was something for everyone. Technical sections, fast sections, some heart thumping uphill climbs and some very good downhills. One water stop on the 24km trail and two on the 34km ride with, would you believe, ice cold 100plus!! Unreal. In the middle of nowhere the hares organized ice cold 100plus – a true treat if ever I saw one.

You may think that I make up these stories after every ride, filling my reports with a maximum amount of superlatives for some greater effect? - This week I do not need to. The words were taken right out of my mouth. Graeme Douglas ‘the old man’ of the hash and one of our oldest members (and my biggest critic) said it all for me “Sensational”. Just when you thought we could not raise the bar any further the standard has been reset. The Exiles, under the logistical leadership of George (but every one of them deserves full praise beyond what I could fully describe in words in this report), put on a show the like of which we shall not see repeated for a long time to come. Superb trails, safe and secure parking, on trail drinks and snacks, hot showers, bike power washer, goody bag, commemorative T shirt, limitless ice cold beer and a gourmet lunch. Truly outstanding.

As I sign off I would like to leave you with this parting message.

To the Exiles - thank you for a superb ride.

To those who were there – enjoy the memory.

To those who could/didn’t make it – tough luck, try harder next time.

See you all in Sebana on the 9th.

On On

Barbarian

Grand Master