Three weeks ago, I tagged along my friend -a young manager married with 2 kids, to the Bukit Mertajam Mountain Cross Jamboree. He is one of the 20 plus strong Pawana Riders who participated in the Jamboree. Initially I went there to shoot pictures of the riders only. However, I was sort of lucky or maybe unlucky to be called up to assist the marshal as well.
I woke up as early as 4.30am to meet up with the riders. Had my breakfast with another 5 riders at mamak restaurant in BM before proceed to the starting point. By that time, it was nearly 8am if I am not mistaken.
The riders had a chat among themselves before were shoved off by event coordinator to the starting point as the event was going to start soon. And I walked over to the starting point with my camera hanging on my neck.
From afar, I noticed there were hundreds of bikers taking their place to ride off.
Slowly more and more bikers swarmed the starting point, an abandoned light industry park near to the BM Memorial Park. Many people refer the BM Memorial Park as a place for the rich to ‘sleep’.
As I walked closer to the front, I noticed there were a few ladies, 4 of them to be precise posing for the camera to shoot them.
Zoom in for you guys to view the Chinese ladies who were busy posing for the camera man.
MP for Bukit Mertajam, Chong Eng, YB Teh Yee Cheu – Adun Tanjong Bunga and YB Ong Kok Fooi – Adun Berapit were present on that occasion. They were flanked by some other VIP, event organisers, pretty ladies and bikers.
I noticed many photographers were busy shooting the event as well. Some were invited or maybe paid by the organiser to shoot this event.
Shortly after that, YB Ong Kok Fooi gave speech in front of the bikers and member of the public.
Soon, it was time for the flag.
Pop…pop..pop… And off they ride off.
After the flag off, I followed another friend to be a marshal for the event. Past thru several tracking trails and I was stationed at the final stage area.
On the way to the final stage, I past thru the dragon fruit orchard. First time in a dragon fruit orchard.
Around 10 plus, the first rider came past us. He is super ‘CANGGIH’. I really salute him as he has a very good stamina and cycling skills. To ride so fast in this steep hills is really amazing.
No 667 the champion!
More and more bikers past thru us. The most notable one is rider no 538. He is more than 60years old but is very strong. He is among the first 150 riders among 600 riders to past thru me. Just amazing his stamina. I guess I can’t even match up to him.
Sharp 1pm, we left the trail and headed down to the starting point. Along the way, I heard some bikers mentioned Bukit Mertajam is really ‘tajam’. Literally translated to the hill is very steep.
There a few complaints among them but overall, I feel this is a challenging jamboree. Maybe I shall buy a mountain bike and join the Pawana Riders to blaze the hills in Penang.
667 – He ah, again, the familiar face.