Monday, July 27, 2009

Planning dates for Penang trip

Guys, this blog will be used for spreading info, answer your FAQs, address concerns, work out logistics and discuss bike setup requirements.

(1) Currently we have a 3 week timeframe from Aug 24th (Mon) to Sept 13th (Sun). The impetus comes from Ron, whose workplace is shutting down for that period of time for renovations. Since Ron doesn't have much of a chance to get block leave at any other time of the year, and I've been telling him how good Penang downhill is for like gazillion years, his dates thus become our dates :)

So minimum, we will have Ron + me. Please use the comments page to post the dates that work for you within the stated timeframe and we'll see how we can accommodate as much as possible.

(2) I'll like to keep the group between 4 to 6 people for the purpose of driving up in the van. That number includes me. With 4 people and 4 bikes, everything should it in easy including personal luggage. With 6 people and 6 bikes, it'll get a bit tighter as I want to keep all the bikes in the van itself, not on a roof rack or bike rack outside the vehicle. Chances are good that we'll hit rain at some point during the 700km drive... so unless one of you want to volunteer your bike to experience 120+kmh wind and rain blasting at it.....

(3) My preferred dates would be to Thu to Mon. From experience, the drive can take anywhere from 5hrs (in a very fast car) to 8 hrs (with traffic jam here and there). So Thu will be for driving up, starting around 8am, so that we can avoid the worst commute jams around the KL area and subsequently across Penang bridge. Fri, Sat, Sun will be ride time. If my body hasn't been too bashed up, then Monday morning may do 1 more ride, then eat, go back to hotel to bathe and nap, and start driving back around 2pm, reaching Singapore before 10pm.

(4) I'll probably have one of drivers to also be a van driver - to split the driving duties, doing 1.5 to 2 hr shifts each time. The huge van takes some getting used to, so I dont' want to have to orientate/train too many people.

17 comments:

  1. 24th augest will be the best for me. Thanks. 3 days of riding should be alright but i think ample rest and r&r is EXTREMELY important between the rides.

    big bear

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  2. Oh yeah, most likely staying at the Northam Hotel. It's 4/5 star on paper, but more like 3 star as they didn't do enough maintenance over the years. But got jacuzzi in the bathroom, nice way to relax after ride. Used to cost $100 a night if book in advance via internet.. the suites (it's all suite) are big enough for a lot of people, but I think 2 guys per room is fine if you want to share. Please state preference.

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  3. i got no preference for lodging. haha.

    Big bear.

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  4. 24th Aug is fine by me.
    Im easy on the rooms too...probably too tired to care so long as there is a place to bunk :)

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  5. so u guys bringing FF helmets along?

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  6. big bear should have full DH setup. I'm sticking to my XC helmet. Ron has semi-ff helmet.

    Most likely we'll be staying either at the Northam or Gurney hotel.
    http://www.cuti.com.my/hotel/info.php?id=1794&hotel=The+Gurney+Resort+Hotel+and+Residences

    http://www.cuti.com.my/hotel/info.php?id=1800&hotel=The+Northam+All+Suite+Penang

    I remember both carparks as being very tight, so my van at 1.96m may not be able to get in. I'll call to check first. In-room internet connection also available, usually for RM25 more a night or something, so you can bring laptop to work.

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  7. WTH, havent put my FF to any good use...I'll just bring both lids.

    Studio suite @ Guerney is RM220/nite for 2 pax with free broadband usage.

    Northam is a little more starting at 260 but the sea view looks good. (...and there just might be some lonely lass at the watering hole in the evening ;)

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  8. probably will at least for the first day cos totally no idea what the trails are like over there.

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  9. it's ok if no FF helmet, as I'll walk quite a bit of the trail with you guys. See what the possible lines to take etc. We'll start off with the easier ways down, and then can go for more technical ones once I get a better sense as to what various riders can handle.

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  10. Hi,

    Sorry to be the odd one out but i can't make 24th aug. Will be away until first with 2-3 sept off followed by 4-9 sep fixed off...The difference being that off days may change but fixed off days are well..fixed..haha..

    but i could prob move some leave ard to 2-3 sept to make it fixed if needed...

    IF u guys can't ake it during those dates..then i'll just have to make it the next time..

    Thanks chua for organising!

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  11. There's also the possibility of a 2nd trip around 10-13th Sept (tailend of school hols). I would likely be taking my family along, but folks can drive up by themselves, while I can try to help out by bringing up their bikes to Penang for them.

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  12. Hi guys, I want to confirm the dates by the middle of this week. And then book at least 2 rooms from the Gurney hotel. So far it's the only place I can confirm where the van can be parked inside (for security of the bikes which most likely will stay inside the van overnight).

    Normally for a Penang trip I like to straddle a Thu-Mon timeframe, as that would allow CK, a local DH rider to show us some stuff on Sat, and also maybe join up the main groups to ride on Sun. So the possible dates for that would be [1] Aug 20-24, or [2]Aug 27-31. That would mean working folks would have to take less leave since there would be 2 weekend days. But we can also do a Mon-Fri, meaning [3]Aug 24-28th. Also possible [4] Aug 25-29th. Please rank your preferences, thx.

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  13. Yo Chwee, u mark the date and let us know, think it will be easier that way. My Sep schedule is unknown but if I apply leave early, might still be able to get away (Mega proj. started--lots of last minute trips nowadays :((

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  14. sorry I wont be able to make any of the dates..u guys have fun and take some photos and post it here!

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  15. Blog is up
    http://bikes-bikes-bikes.blogspot.com/

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