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rimba raid

Sebagai penghargaan terhadap sokongan yang diberikan pada GIVI Rimba Raid 2018, edisi 2019 kembali dan diperhebatkan dengan halangan dan laluan lebih mencabar.

Kejayaan Rimba Raid tidak akan berlaku tanpa kerjasama GIVI yang juga selaku penaja utama.

Bagi memperhebatkan lagi Rimba Raid kali ini, GIVI turut membawa masuk Jeremias Israel daripada Chile yang memikul status sebagai duta GIVI.

Jeremias – bekas National Champion dan pelumba Factory Honda Dakar Rally – bukan sahaja akan bertanding di Rimba Raid malaha dia bakal memulakan hubungan dua hala dengan pusat latihan tempatan dengan menganjurkan klinik menunggang motosikal bersama-sama Acoi Pangokolo, pelumba motosikal Trials tempatan.

Klinik tersebut bakal diadakan di sebuah pusat latihan di Kuala Lumpur pada 20 Julai ini.

Sementara itu, Ketua Pemasaran Rimba Raid, Datuk Kapten Nik Huzlan meluahkan rasa teruja dengan edisi kali ini.

“Kami sangat bangga dengan populariti Rimba Raid yang semakin meningkat, dan kami sangat teruja pada idea kerjasama GIVI dalam mewujudkan persekitaran yang kompetitif di mana Perlumbaan Kelas Antarabangsa tidak menimbulkan ketegangan kewangan untuk kami penunggang tempatan.

“Pada masa yang sama kita berhati-hati untuk tidak terlepas dari mana kami bermula, di mana amatur dan profesional bersaing dengan motosikal yang sah di jalan raya dan boleh dibeli di kaunter. Kami berusaha untuk mengekalkan Rimba Raid sebagai acara dengan peminat dalam fikiran, tetapi dianjurkan untuk memuaskan profesional yang berpengalaman,”jelasnya.

Pada masa sama, Kapten Nik turut menyifatkan penyertaan Jeremias bakal membantu memperkukuhkan jenama Rimba Raid terutamanya di peringkat antarabangsa.

Bagi Jeremias, Rimba Raid bukan hanya medan untuk mencapai kemenangan seperti kejohanan lain sebaliknya ia turut menjadi tempat untuknya berkongsi ilmu dan pengalaman dengan peserta lain.

“Sebagai pelumba profesional motivasi yang paling penting bagi saya ialah bersaing dan menang, tetapi ketika saya semakin matang saya kini mahu berkongsi skil dan pengalaman sedia ada kepada pelumba lain,” jelasnya.

Rimba Raid 2019 bakal berlangsung di Rimba Valley Motocamp, Janda Baik pada 27 dan 28 Julai 2019!

  • Registration is now open for the GIVI Rimba Raid 2019 at Janda Baik.

  • The event will be held from 26th to 28th July.

  • Some 150 entries are expected for this event this year.

After last year’s massive success, the GIVI Rimba Raid 2019 returns to Janda Baik. The event will be held from 26th to 28th July and registration is now open for competitors, camping spectators and hotel spectators.

Before we go further, let’s recap on 2018. Rimba Raid was held in two locations namely Janda Baik and Mat Daling.

Rimba Raid Janda Baik featured a “test” style format where competitors navigate different sections and tests on Day One; scoring points accordingly. On Day Two, the rode through a short-distance rally in the surrounding jungles. 60 competitors signed up.

At GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling round, on the other hand, the format was that of a 120-km jungle rally on Day One and a jungle enduro/sandbank race on Day Two. A total of 105 participants from 10 countries including Malaysia took part.

A whopping number of 150 entries are duly expected this year.

It was also at Mat Daling that GIVI became the official sponsor of the event. Other vendors included BMW Motorrad Auto Bavaria, Ducati Malaysia, KTM Malaysia, Red Bull. There’s bound to be even more this year.

Additionally, the famed Italian motorcycles luggage and accessories maker, GIVI Asia celebrates their 25th anniversary in Malaysia this year. As such, they will hold their annual GIVI Explorer “The Malaysian Adventure” ride on our shores this year to commemorate the silver jubilee. The entourage of GIVI dealers worldwide, plus the presence of ex-Dakar Rally HRC factory rider I. Jeremais will grace Rimba Raid for the proceedings.

Looking back, Rimba Raid stalwart Dato’ Captain Nik Huzlan started the series as the first off-road event for dual-purpose enthusiasts with machines above 650cc in Malaysia. That is why one could see heavyweights such as the BMW R 1200 GS, KTM 1090/1190 Adventure, Ducati Multistrada Enduro, et al bash it out in tough conditions.

As the event became more and more successful over the last few years, so does its reputation. So much so that the Thai competitors held a qualifying round in their country to determine the “representatives” to this year’s edition.

Along with the popularity came the need to expand the series to cover more types of bikes. Instead of being lumped together wholesale, they are now divided into three categories. A class for quads and ATVs is also added this year.

Speaking about grouping and classes, Rimba Raid splits the field into the Main Race (200 competitors), Enduro (50 participants) and Quads (20 participants). They are split further into sub-categories such as Class A, B, C, Quad/Side-by-Side (buggy), Enduro Open, Enduro Veteran, depending on motorcycle power-to-weight ratio, suspension travel, wheel size, recommended service intervals.

Success also started to attract pro riders such as Malaysian MX and Asian Supermoto Champion Gabit Saleh, 2004 Dakar Rally winner Mateo Graziani, Malaysian trial rider Acoi Pangkolo, multiple Rimba Raid winner Bee Wong and many more.

The location will also play a vital role in the success of GIVI Rimba Raid 2019. Dato’ Capt. Nik has developed the Rimba Valley Motor Campsite into a true eco destination. Nestled in a valley, there’s fresh air to clean out your city lungs a mere 55km away from Kuala Lumpur and a stone’s throw from Genting Highlands.

Anyhow, you can check out the details in Rimba Raid’s official Facebook page. You may also click here for the entry form.

  • GIVI will field I. Jeremais in the upcoming Rimba Raid 2019 at Mat Daling.

  • He has competed in numerous editions of the Dakar Rally for HRC.

  • We will ride the new Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE and XC.

GIVI will field I. Jeremais in the upcoming Rimba Raid 2019 at Mat Daling.

As Malaysia’s premier adventure and dual-sport event, Rimba Raid has grown from strength to strength due to the hard work of Dato’ Capt. Nik Huzlan and his team. As of last year’s rally raid event at Mat Daling, almost 200 competitors from around world signed up. It was also the first year in which GIVI played the role as the main supporter.

GIVI is repeating that role in this year’s Rimba Raid. However, it promises to be something more special as the Italian motorcycle luggage, accessories and rider gear maker is organizing their prestigious annual adventure here in Malaysia. The ride will tour West Malaysia and ending at Rimba Raid.

Jeremais will ride along with the participants in the adventure and continue on to join Rimba Raid as a competitor.

Jeremais hails from Chile, the site of the Dakar Rally in recent years. As such, he has competed in the world’s toughest rally in more than one occasion with the factory Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) team. His best finish was fourth place.

He will be riding the new Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE in the GIVI adventure ride, before switching to a specially-prepared Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC in Rimba Raid, resplendent in GIVI colours.

Ernie Vigil had just ridden the Scrambler 1200 XE to a fifth-placed finish among dedicated dirtbikes in the Mexican 1000 rally.

  • Acara amal “Sayap Impian” Kawan Awan telah berlangsung semalam, di mana 135 kanak-kanak dari rumah kebajikan dan 4 orang kanak-kanak yang sakit tenat telah menaiki penerbangan pertama mereka mengelilingi Kuala Lumpur.
  • Dianjurkan oleh Nik Huzlan, yang lebih mesra dikenali sebagai Kapten Nik, acara amal yang unik ini bertujuan untuk memberikan satu pengalaman yang serba baharu buat kanak-kanak tersebut.
  • Acara ini telah mendapat sokongan Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia, ahli kumpulan Triumph RatPack, Kenanga Investors, Pasukan Rimba Raid, dan pelbagai badan yang lain.

(more…)

  • The Kawan Awan “Sayap Impian” charity event ran its course yesterday where 135 foster home kids and 4 terminally-ill children took their maiden flight for a tour of Kuala Lumpur.

  • Organised by Nik Huzlan aka “Captain Nik”, this unique charity event is all about giving a whole new experience to the children.

  • The event was supported by Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia, Triumph RatPack members, Kenanga Investors, Rimba Raid Team, and many more.

Boarding an airplane might be a normal occurrence for some of us who are frequent travellers. The entire experience of taking off in a flying machine is always magical, especially when it’s your first time. That’s what one particular person did yesterday for a group of children from foster homes and terminally-ill children. (more…)

  • The GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling off-road event for enthusiasts ended highly successful.

  • It attracted 105 participants from Malaysia and the world over.

  • Everyone experienced the beauty of Malaysia regardless if they rode.

The fifth edition of Rimba Raid, Malaysia’s premier off-road event for enthusiasts, rocked to the nines.

It was a mere five months ago when Rimba Raid was organized at the sleepy community of Janda Baik, a stone’s throw away from Genting Highlands. A total of 60 competitors signed up for that edition, made up mostly of Malaysians with a few of neighbours from Singapore. Please click on the link below for our coverage.

Rimba Raid @ Janda Baik 2018 a Rousing Success

This edition of Rimba Raid, on the other hand, was formally called GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling as the premier Italian motorcycle accessories manufacturer, GIVI, was the title sponsor. GIVI had not only brought along their booth to display a number of their latest products, but also supported the event by providing rider wear, goodies and lucky draw prizes to the participants.

Also present were Auto Bavaria BMW Motorrad, Ducati Malaysia, KTM Malaysia, and Red Bull.

Organizing the event at Mat Daling, Pahang was akin to returning home for Rimba Raid, as the inaugural edition was held there. However, instead of the individual tests formula followed previously, GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling was the largest and most ambitious venture ever devised and executed.

The main event was a timed 120-km Jungle Rally on Saturday (7th July), followed by a race on the river sandbank called “King of Sand” and Jungle Enduro on Sunday (8th July). Participants flocked in from all over Malaysia, plus those from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia, Philippines, Great Britain, Italy, France for a grand total of 105 participants.

“We have been hoping for more international participants, especially from Thailand,” said Dato’ Capt. Nik of the organizers, Rimba Raid. “There ten of them here at Mat Daling and that makes us really proud.”

“We’ve always sponsored top motorsport events such as MotoGP, World Superbike, CubPrix, Dakar Rally and many more. We also support many motorcycle adventure projects. So, it is only right that we work together with Rimba Raid,” said Joseph Perucca, GIVI’s Overseas Operational Director. Besides that, GIVI’s products have been well-tested in the tough environments of rallying and adventure rides such as the annual GIVI Adventures to various locations around the world.

It was easy to see why Capt. Nik and Rimba Raid love Mat Daling. The area is primarily for small scaled logging and plantations. A tarred access road was built only recently and didn’t even appear on maps. It is also a distance away from the tourist site at Kuala Tahan, which meant deep jungles and scattered development.

The participants assembled at the Xscape Resort at Kuala Tahan on Friday, 6th July. They were assigned their rooms before being called back in the latter part of the afternoon for scrutineering, equipment checks and transponder installation.

Rimba Raid officials checked each participant’s bike for road worthiness which meant working lights, turnsignals, horn, brakes, off-road tyres, and that everything is secured. A competitor must have an off-road helmet; body armor for the chest and back, elbows and knees; off-road boots; gloves.

Being a rally, participants of the GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling will be flagged off on 30-second intervals, and finishing positions are determined based on the time they complete the 120-km jungle trail. As such, accuracy in timekeeping is the utmost importance and could only be accomplished by using transponders.

With 105 motorcycles to check, the activity ran all the way to just before dinner time.

The bikes were divided into Class A, Class B and Class C, depending on the engine capacity (hence power output). Class A is for dual-purpose (D-P) motorcycles above 800cc, Class B for D-Ps from 400cc to 800cc and Class is adventure motorcycles from 250cc to 750cc.

Notable riders include Mohd. Habibullah Bin Mohd. Saleh, better known as Gabit (the 2016 FIM Asia Supermoto Champion, and Malaysian MX and Enduro champion);

past Rimba Raid Champion, Bee Wong and his younger brother who won at Rimba Raid Janda Baik, Alex Wong;

Malaysia’s No. 1 trial bike rider Acoi Pangkolo;

Mateo Graziani, the 2004 450cc-class winner at the Dakar Rally, riding the very bike he developed, the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled.

Rider briefing followed after dinner, with Dato’ Capt. Nik and Mr. Perucca delivering their speeches. Course planner and regular off-road guy Rob Armstrong presented the course briefing afterwards.

The 120-km Jungle Rally was divided into four sections, each with its unique features and challenges. Section 1 consisted of high-speed blasts on an active logging trail, wide enough for 10-wheel-drive timber trucks. Section 2 was mostly as hill climb over different terrains. Section 3 covered an abandoned timber route with tall elephant grass. Finally, Section 4 wound through an area prepared for plantation. Participants end their race at the river sandbank. We were also told to look out for wildlife.

GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling convoyed to the starting point from the resort at Kuala Tahan. The competitors were flagged off based on their competition numbers, while the medics followed after every few competitors.

The organizers, vendors and support entourage convoyed to the GIVI Village and tent city via the new access road.

News and drama started to filter through as the day progressed. The top guys were flying through through the sections with the jungle as the backdrop. There was also news of the jungle taking its toll on a few bikes as early as 10km into the jungle, while there were riders who got too tired to carry on.

But it was Gabit and his KTM 1050 Adventure that surprised everyone when he showed up even before the transponder crew had time to lay down the wires across the finish line to record his time. He rode up the finishing stage set up on the sandbank, had his picture taken, rolled back down to ride around for a few minutes and finally riding across the finishing line again to have his time recorded. Despite the hiccup, he still recorded an incredible time of 2 hours 33 minutes, 7 seconds. That’s an average speed of 47.02 km/h! That’s lightning fast for a ride through the jungle any way you cut it.

The second rider to appear out of the jungle was Graziani on the Ducati, who stopped the clock at 2h 41m 3s. It was definitely a valiant effort by Graziani who rode on a bike that was supposedly for light off-roading and more of a lifestyle product. Zulkarnain Tahir was 8 minutes behind Graziani on the rare BMW HP2 with a total time of 2h 49m 22s. Yes, many are still dazed to see the ultra-rare and desirable hence very expensive HP2 being bashed about in the jungle.

It was reported that Bee Wong’s KTM 1190 Adventure R suffered a front tyre puncture just 10km from the finish, but the plucky rider soldiered on to cross the line fourth.

In Class B, Nazmee Ramli won the race with a time of 2h 35m 28s on the BMW Sertao; Mohd. Syahidan was in second on the KTM 690 Enduro R with a time of 2h 48m 50s; and third went to Khairul Afif also on the KTM 690 Enduro R recording his time of 3h 1m 4s.

Alex Wong’s BMW F 800 GS has a fuel pump failure some 20km before the end, rendering him immobile.

Class C was of great interest to the fans and riders as it was a new class added to the Rimba Raid series. Ahmad Iezzam rode and incredible race to finish in 2h 28m 41s on his Honda CRF250L, followed by Mohd. Hairy who recorded 3h 19m 10s also on a CRF250L, and lastly Riza Zakaria on the new Royal Enfiled Himalayan with a time of 3h 26m 9s.

The participants retired to their tents set up on a field that evening. The winners’ prize presentation and lucky draw was held after dinner.

A special appreciation was also presented to the sole female rider, Echo Zhang from China.

Echo, the sole female participant

But while we slept under the Milky Way, the recovery crew worked through the night to pick up immobile bikes or whose riders could not continue were left on the trial. Bear in mind that the area is teeming with wild elephants, boars, gaurs, tigers and panthers, not to mention bees and aggressive bugs.

The Raja Pasir (King of Sand) race was held the next day, followed by the Jungle Enduro. We have yet to receive the official results, so we’ll report that in the next few days.

All in all, GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling was expertly organized. While it took the help of the locals and Orang Asli in the vicinity of Mat Daling to make it happen, the breadth and scale of the event was executed by the five members who make up the Rimba Raid committee. The trails were both challenging and fun in equal parts, there was plenty of support and everyone got to experience the beauty of Malaysia.

We spoke to a number of participants and everyone was positive about the event and wanted to do better the next time. However, it wasn’t very much about competition only; the spirit of camaraderie around the campsite was more of a community of off-road enthusiasts, which transcended ranks, the brand and type bike you rode; all were united as one people.

Bring on Rimba Raid 2019!

Night sky over Mat Daling

Please click on this link to view the pictures in our Bikes Republic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2088975864466721.1073742126.352487781448880&type=1&l=24a1391416 

PHOTO GALLERY

  • Rimba Raid returns to Mat Daling from 6th to 8th July 2018.

  • There currently 200 registered participants representing 13 countries.

  • A rally kit handover was held together with GIVI Asia and Ducati Malaysia on 23rd June 2018.

If the previous editions of Rimba Raid were exciting, the latest iteration called GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling will be mind-blowing. Please click on the link below for our coverage of Rimba Raid at Janda Baik, Pahang earlier this year.

Rimba Raid @ Janda Baik 2018 a Rousing Success

Rimba Raid could probably regard Mat Daling as their spiritual home as it was here that the series began, hence would be incomplete without a return to the heart of Taman Negara (National Forest). The event takes place from 6th to 8th July 2018.

As Rimba Raid’s popularity grows over the years, this edition at Mat Daling will be the most ambitious yet, consisting of a 125-km rally spanning 3 days through some of the most beautiful environment Malaysia has to offer. There are currently 200 registered participants from 13 countries.

As such, the organizers provided the opportunity to competitors to collect their rally kit in advance prior to 6th July.

The event was held at Ducati Malaysia’s compound in Naza Auto Mall together with GIVI Asia as both Ducati is one of the sponsors and GIVI Asia is the main sponsor.

Each rally kit included a personalized rally jersey, official event shirt, numbered stickers for the participant’s motorcycle and extras provided by GIVI Asia.

These participants were also able to view and buy some of GIVI’s latest products (at special promotions) such as aluminium cases, waterproof luggage and helmets.

Some 130 participants showed up to collect their kits by the end of the day, allowing for a smoother registration process during the rally weekend.

The event will begin from Xscape Resort Taman Negara on 6th July 2018.

About Rimba Raid

Rimba Raid started off as a group of friends organizing off-road rides into out-of-the-way places in 2015. Now boasting events biannually in Janda Baik and Mat Daling, the Rimba Raid ride/camp events promote sustainable usage of Malaysia’s rainforest treasures and aim to develop a supportive community of like-minded dual sport enthusiasts in the region.

For more information about the Givi Rimba Raid Mat Daling event, please visit the Rimba Raid Facebook page or contact Dato’ Capt. Nik Huzlan at 019 231 0005.

Contact Info

Rimba Adventures Sdn Bhd
Ph: +6013 3357334
Email: info.rimbaraid@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RimbaRaidAdv/

  • Rimba Raid @ Janda Baik 2018 was held over the 10th to 11th February weekend.

  • It saw a total of 60 participants from Malaysia and Singapore.

  • Competitors were judged on their ability to tackle different situations.

Somehow, I didn’t mind being lost. It’s already almost 10am but the air was still crisp and cool, as a mist surrounded me, the village houses, farms, all the way up the hillsides. This is a part of Janda Baik that I’ve seen for the first time.

A few kilometres up the road, I came up face-to-face with large white tents and RIMBA RAID beach flags. A RELA personnel waved me onto a dirt road. I passed a family with three children sandwiched between their parents. As I kept riding up that trail, campers, tents and families with young children came into view, and a nice smoky aroma of BBQ wafted in the air.

After being to other parts of the country, Rimba Raid (which literally translates to “Jungle Raid”) was back, this time in Janda Baik. For the city folks, Janda Baik is one of the most idyllic picnic and recreation sports, consisting of streams surrounded by hills. Genting Highlands is practically a stone’s throw away.

Rimba Raid (the organizer) had picked a beautiful location in the already beautiful Janda Bike area. The trail formed the floor of a valley between two steep hills – think of it as the bottom of a “V” – with a stream running parallel to it. The hills formed a funneled through which a cool breeze blew through the locale throughout the duration of the event, keeping temperatures tolerable despite the bright sunshine. Additionally, Janda Baik spans an area which is 400 to 600 metres above sea level.

And here, parked on both sides of the dirt road were more than a hundred adventure motorcycles of every brand or every size, which included those of the competitors. Manufacturers Ducati, KTM, Kawasaki, BMW Motorrad erected their pavilions and offered test rides to competitors and spectators alike. BMW Motorrad even had a section for foot massage!

Mixed in with the manufacturers were the tents belonging to accessories and riding gear makers Wunderlich and Touratech.

Since this was my inaugural time covering Rimba Raid, I was surprised to find that the participants were competing on big bore adventure bikes. It turned out to be “formula” of the event when I interviewed Dato’ Capt. Nik later, “I do a lot of road biking (which) became very mainstream, but I do a lot of offroad biking, as well. Getting to the trail was difficult so that’s why I use a big DP (dual-purpose motorcycle) to play on the trail,” explained Rimba Raid CEO Dato’ Capt. Nik Huzlan. “(That way) I don’t have to use a trailer and all that. As I travelled I felt that this must be shared.”

Also according to him, while there are many offroad events in Malaysia already and the numbers are picking up, there is yet one which caters to large-capacity adventure motorcycles. “We are looking forward to holding an event for 250cc bikes at Mat Daling, but as of now we started with bikes 650cc and above.”

Hence there were mainly BMW R 1200 GS and GS Adventure, F 800 GS, F 700 GS, F 650 GS; followed by KTM 690 Enduro, 990 Adventure, 1190R Adventure, 1290 Super Adventure R; a few Triumph Tiger 800s; Yamaha XT1200Z Super Teneres; Honda Africa Twin, NX6750, NC750X; a Husqvarna 701 Enduro; Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled.

Outside of the BMW Motorrad GS Trophy and the KTM Malaysia Weekend Adventure with Chris Birch, this would be the first time I’d get to bear witness to riders competing on these beasts of multiple brands.

“Frankly, I was quite surprised that these owners would actually risk their RM 150,000 pride and joy, some even just 2 months old in the jungle,” said Capt. Nik with a laugh, when I told him about my excitement of seeing the likes of the BMW R 1200 GSA splashing through the streams.

The bikes were still shiny at this point. Capt. Nik called for the riders to congregate as he walked them through the different challenges, called “Sections.” The aptly named sections (Obstacle Course, Rimba Rhythm, Sumpit, Jalan Salah, Bridge & River, and Twilight Zone). Sections will test the riders on different aspects of motorcycle control and utilizing the capabilities of their machines.

More and more families with their young children in tow kept showing up. The kids were wide-eyed in excitement from seeing these beautiful big bikes and riders dressed in brightly-coloured riding gear. Malaysian adults don’t typically show their excitement but at Rimba Raid, they pointed to that bike over here, over there, another one, the next one, and on and on.

Returning to the main area, Capt. Nik called it: “The competition starts now. Riders please go ahead and choose which Section you wish to compete in.”

I was surprised.

Most competitions (apart from the GS Trophy qualifiers) have all riders complete one discipline at a time. Not so with Rimba Raid. “If we queue everyone up at one test at time it’s just going to take too long,” explained Capt. Nik. In my personal opinion, however, that offered a great chance for a competitor to mentally prepare himself; by taking on a challenge that he’s confident about first would boost his confidence when attempting the harder stuff. Well, that’ll be my approach, anyway.

Excitement started to mount as riders hurriedly donned the rest of their riding gear and went through their personal routines. Game faces replaced carefree laughter and grins. The roars of Boxer twins, V-Twins, triples, parallel-twins, singles reverberated off the hillsides.

The spectators’ kids shrieked in glee, their parents grinned. Everyone not competing lifted their phones and not cameras to shoot pictures.

Riders went in both directions as they sought out their preferred Section. But the stream crossings drew the largest crowds. Why not? They always produce the best drama.

At the first crossing, riders rode on a wooden bridge to the far bank, up the slope on a short trail, drop back down into stream and up the other side. Putting a foot down or dropping it means a penalty as well as losing time.

The water looked calm and shallow, inviting even, but as soon as the first rider went in, it suddenly dawned on everyone of how deep it actually was! It came up to just below the front fender. He made it about halfway before the front deflected to one side and down he went for a swim.

The marshals helped to lift the bike back onto its wheels. The rider started his bike and gave it full throttle. A jet of water shot out of the exhaust like from an angry powerboat. At the near bank, the front wheel went into deep soft mud and down he went again. The marshals helped him up again and he spun his rear wheel up the slope. The crowd cheered.

The next rider tried to just gun it through. But either the water acted as a speedbrake or he had hit a rock, because he practically dove into the river, like a platform diver. The marshals came in to help again, and again and again.

It’s not all doom and gloom of course, as there were participants who made it through without dropping it into the river. One, on a Triumph Tiger 800 XCx ran straight through, eliciting a loud cheer from the spectators. So did defending champion, Bee Wong on his trusty KTM 1190 Adventure. They just held a steady throttle, stood up looked all the way up the river bank and up they went.

I got so absorbed with all the action and drama here that I had forgotten the other Sections, until Capt. Nik came by and pointed upstream, “If you think this crossing is tough, you should go see the one over there. It’s a 70% failure rate.”

I hurried over. A humungous crowd had already gathered, spread out all over the banks and down to the boulders jutting out of the stream. The water was much shallower but there were so many underwater rocks. Sure enough, many got caught out. They either dropped it or had their front wheels wedged in by the rocks.

The participants needed to cross to the opposite bank, turn back around and park up a slight slope before a wooden foot bridge. They then run across that bridge to the control tent and back again to their bike, to ride back across the stream.

One by one they went down. A number got past on the out trip only to drop it a couple of metres away from the bank. They tried it all: Speeding, riding slow, up off the seat, on the seat. It didn’t matter what bike they rode, that stream was kicking butts and taking names.

Soon, it was Bee Wong’s turn. He blasted down the slope, into the water and was up on the other side faster than it could register in anyone’s mind. He performed the other parts of the test flawlessly. The crowd had started to cheer him on as he remounted his KTM for the return trip. He hit the water like a jet ski on nitrous and… he went down! A loud “AWWW!” went up. He remounted quickly and got up the bank. But that mistake had thrown the competition wide open. Bee Wong is a superb rider and had won Rimba Raid many times over.

Adjacent to Section 5 was Section 6, which is a trail ride. Scoring is based on the fastest time. The starting point of the trail was easy – a flat, gravel road – before giving way to mud and deeper, softer mud. The participants climbed up hill before descending down a slippery path that’s littered with deep sunken portions that could swallow whole bikes. The image of a Venus Flytrap entered my mind when I saw those holes. It’s a great test of the rider’s ability to think ahead and anticipate, rather than to just react.

As the festival broke lunch, spectators’ children dunked themselves in the cool stream, while their parents picnicked on the bank. Being so far upstream, the water here is especially clear and cool. The stream of cool air kept blowing through the valley. What a great place.

The competitors sat together to talk about the day’s progress. It didn’t matter what brand of motorcycle they rode, everyone spoke, laughed and cringed as friends, while they analyzed what they went through or to gain a few tips from those who had cleared other sections.

Once proceedings resumed, competitors went to back the Sections they have yet to complete.

Over at Section 1, a rider moved a ripe and aromatic durian from the top of a bamboo pole to another. He stopped a couple metres later and was handed a blowpipe to shoot darts into a target. He then rode ahead to the finishing line where he needed to balance his bike at near standstill, on a patch of wet mud.

My ears caught the soundwaves of boisterous laughter. Over that laughter and shouts was the signature exhaust note of a BMW 1200cc Boxer engine being blipped aggressively. It came from the Time Attack section. As I made my way over I saw an oil-cooled R 1200 GSA being ridden expertly around that tough course. But what caused the laughter and shouts was this guy running next to the rider, pulling on his arms – in an effort to slow him down! It was among the funniest things I’ve ever seen in my 30-odd years of riding. (I got there too late to shoot pictures or video. Sigh.)

While the activities carried on, groups upon groups of bikers visited the Rimba Raid grounds throughout the day, some to lend support to their friends who were competing, some to spectate. Whatever their intention, no doubt everyone went away impressed and in awe.

Virtually every manufacturer present provided test rides. KTM provided the KTM 1050 Adventure on knobbies (incidentally the very same bike I rode during the KTM Weekend Adventure with Chris Birch). Kawasaki showcased their Versys 650, KLX150, and probably their centerpiece lightweight adventure bike, the Versys-X 250. BMW Motorrad’s centerpiece was the new G 310 GS.

As the action wound down, the riders retreated to their tents. A few took the opportunity to swim in that very stream that claimed their bikes or their buddies’. The foot massage therapists had brisk business. Sustenance was provided throughout the day by Rimba Raid exclusively for the competitors, as did food trucks and a catering service called Teddy… (do try their grilled German sausages and mini pizza if you ever ran into them).

The organizer and riders later went out on a Night Recce to ride the trail for the next day’s test, before returning to the camp site for dinner.

Day Two saw the competitors leaving the camping grounds for the trail section. “This is where they are tested on their fitness and stamina.” They were separated into groups of 20 to complete the section. Having 60 riders of different skill levels and on machines of different capabilities would have probably been “morbid.”

The results from Day One (which constituted to 40% of the overall score) and Day Two’s were tallied at the end of the day.

Finishing third was Syed Hafiz Bin Syed Sheikh, from Singapore. In second was Bee Wong, who relinquished the coveted #100 yellow number plate to his brother Alex Wong. Browsing through the results, it’s apparent that the competitors have to be good overall. However, given some of the tough sections, to participate in Rimba Raid is itself a great achievement, hence every participant apart from the winner received a competitor’s medal as a token of appreciation, regardless of their finishing positions.

To conclude, the Rimba Raid is the one of – if not the – most fun non-professional offroad competition and event that I’ve had the pleasure to experience. To the spectators, the atmosphere, the proximity to the action, and the sight of heavy (read: expensive) adventure bikes being hammered in the rough was an unprecedented experience. As for the competitors, they had something to achieve while having fun at the same time. Sometimes there’s just no way of gauging your riding capabilities unless you measure it against your peers’ – in a controlled environment, of course.

Of course, there were a few gripes from the competitors, but Capt. Nik said it best that Rimba Raid is still new and they’re still learning and evolving. In my humble personal opinion, Rimba Raid has the immense opportunity to grow into a premier offroad event.

Oh, by the way, am now itching to enter the next Rimba Raid. Anyone care to loan me a bike?

PICTURE GALLERY

 

  • Rimba Raid Adventure Weekend adalah satu acara terbaru untuk komuniti penggemar motosikal dwi-sukan ASEAN.
  • Ianya akan diadakan bermula 10 hingga 12 Februari 2018 di Kampung Chemperoh di Janda Baik, Pahang.
  • Sudah ada lebih daripada 100 peserta yang telah mengesahkan diri akan menghadiri acara ini.

(more…)

  • The Rimba Raid Adventure Weekend is the latest event for the ASEAN dual-purpose motorcycle community.

  • It will be held this year from 10th to 11th February 2018 at Kampung Chemperoh in Janda Baik, Pahang.

  • There are already more than 100 confirmed participants.

From Rimba Raid Official Press Release

The Rimba Raid Adventure Weekend is the newest event for the ASEAN dual purpose motorcycle community and is expected to be one of the most exciting motorcycle events for both riders and spectators this close to Kuala Lumpur.

The team behind Rimba Raid – Mat Daling are pleased to announce their newest venture into the world of competitive off-road adventure motorcycling: the Rimba Raid Adventure Weekend – Janda Baik. Positioned just 45 minutes from the heart of Kuala Lumpur and a stone’s throw from the cooling elevation of Genting Highlands, Janda Baik is the ideal location to play host to over 100 registered participants from as far away as Singapore and Sarawak.

With a focus on enjoyable participation over aggressive competition, the Rimba Raid Adventure Weekend promises to cater for riders of all skill levels and ambition. Day 1 will test the riders bike handling skills on a series of shorter challenges designed to simulate real world scenarios encountered on the trail, including river crossings, conquering natural obstacles and evading potentially dangerous situations. All of these obstacles will be easily accessible for viewing by the general public.

Day 2 will be more of a private affair for the riders as they tackle the elements and terrain along an 11km off-road course designed to test both man and machine. Although access will be limited to spectators for safety reasons, competitors will be toughing it out through mud bogs, up rutted hills and across fast flowing rivers. Official event photographs will be made available after the event.

Picture from touringcouplerider.blogspot.com

Non-competitive riders have been given the chance to participate with over 90 camp sites currently being filled by the competitors and fans of the sport. Rimba Raid Managing Director, Dato’ Capt. Nik Huzlan said of the event, “What we want to achieve through the Rimba Raid event is exposure to all bikers of this style of riding and it’s great to see the skill level of off-road riding in Malaysia coming along in leaps and bounds as a result.” He added that ,“While the competition side of the event is great fun, it’s the participation of newcomers that really makes the event worthwhile.”

About Rimba Raid

Rimba Raid started off as a group of friends organizing off-road rides into out-of-the-way places in 2014. The Janda Baik Adventure weekend joins their annual Mat Daling ride/camp event as a way of promoting sustainable usage of Malaysia’s rainforest treasures and to develop a supportive community of like-minded dual sport enthusiasts in the region.

For more information about the Rimba Raid Adventure Weekend – Janda Baik, please visit the Rimba Raid Facebook page or contact Dato’ Capt. Nik Huzlan at 019 231 0005. See Addendum 1 for the event schedule.

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