TRAKS Open Letter to Dato’ Abdul Rahman Dahlan

Destruction in Kiara. Yeap, that's the harsh reality of what is happening and still happening in Kiara. In recent month, the small landslide that happened mid-way up the hill was used as an excuse by the agency to do an open cut on the slope, exposing the whole hill-face to the raining season. Don't believe? This was taken on December 7, 2013.

One may question the wisdom of the destruction if it was opportunity to create something better, or perhaps making the situation worse. Whatever it was, TRAKS has written a open letter to Dato’ Abdul Rahman Dahlan, the Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government, Malaysia, which happened to promised to look into the plight...

Much talk and no action? You decide. This is the full letter to the minister, the ball has always been in the minister's court, just that no one is playing ball and someone is using the extra time to score some own goals.
This was taken from TRAKS' website here

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Save Bukit Kiara : Destruction at Boner

This is taken right out of TRAKS website showing a major destruction work happening as early as May 2013 to clear the Bukit Kiara, nearer to Mont Kiara side, to be exact, right next to the Kiaramas Ayuria condos. I first saw this when I took wifey from TTDI over Pencala Tunnel and heading down to Boner and Thunder Valley. 

Photo from TRAKS. Yes, this is recent.

Curious to find out more? I will let TRAKS do the reporting. Enough said, the person involved is "pretty high up", and one may wonder what others will do from now onwards. Read more here at TRAKS

Have a happy friday.
ps- don't forget to see the youtube video at TRAKS.

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Update : Taman Lembah Kiara TTDI Upgrading

Updated: Name change of the park to reflect the actual place. Thanks to a kind gentleman that has alerted me about the wrong name. The park is Taman LEMBAH Kiara and not Taman RIMBA Kiara. Both park are within 500m of each other with the Rimba Kiara being at the begining of Jalan Abang Hj. Openg nearer to the Hindu Temple. Blog entry corrected to reflect actual spot where the current upgrading work is happening. On the more positive side, the committee has managed to secure an appointment with YB Dato' Rahman Dahlan, the Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government end of this month.

Much has been happening at the Taman Rimba Lembah Kiara at Jalan Abang Hj. Openg , infront of SK TTDI (2) primary school. The park has been in existence and I only found out about this place in the late 90's when I was studying in PJ. Taman Rimba Lembah Kiara is under the jurisdiction of Jabatan Lanskap Negara. I made the mistake to name the park as Taman Rimba Kiara, which is under Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) and is listed in the website as one of the 12-public parks dotted within Kuala Lumpur.
This park has been my "training ground" and Bukit Kiara has been my favourite mountain biking and trail running ground since I got to know about it. 
Memories of Taman Rimba Lembah Kiara
Most of you familiar to this place would remember the rubberised track that did not last too long before it was "upgraded" and replaced. Many would remember the hanging bridge that has since turned "unsafe". The fake waterfall were a favorite for many wedding photographers. The smaller pond upstream has turned septic and not many people sits near there anymore. The erection of the second toilet building, which has since de-commissioned because the sewerage septic tank were overflowing to the small stream below. The reflexology park where many need not pay expensive foot massages and rely on their own weight (and pain threshold) to use. A small loop at Taman Rimba (flat) is 1.2km and the upper hillier loop is about 1.6km. There was even a bike-wash area set up behind the existing toilet where it was built to cater for the bikers to hose their mountain bike down after a ride. I was told that the bike-wash was a contribution from a group of mountain-bikers with permission from DBKL. 
Today
Back about 2-month back, erection of signboards denoting upgrading of the park has been done. With the Bukit Kiara fencing and "demarcation" happening, this new development did bring some worry to myself particularly and to some, generally. Those of you familiar with the park will know that there are TWO huts built as a shelter during rain and they are underused tremendously. We also know about the vicious monkeys that are not afraid of human and would actually make themselves welcome at picnic by the river (I saw an invasion just two days before writing this article). Now, the park will see "upgrading". A total of four "Wakaf", or huts will be built around the short 1.2km loop (lower loop). That is 300m away from each other if you can count. Below are the photos of each at different stages of completion.

Now, I wonder why would we need this many huts, plus the existing TWO, that makes it to SIX in the park. Looking at the structure and how some of the reinforcement bars (re-bar) are being setup, It looked like they are planning for an additional structure to be build in the middle and it looked like a platform for chairs or a...BBQ pit?
Monkey Problems
Is is there really an issue? As human encroaches into the natural habitats of these animals, they are misplaced and their main source of food are being taken away due to development. Being "in the park" with leftovers of food and visitors feeding has made them lazy to gather food and it is not unusual to see them inside the rubbish bins and spewing all contents inside-out. With these "Wakaf" or huts being build thus encouraging visitors to use the park for Picnic and other activities, it may add to the potential of more rubbish being generated. This will start attracting vermin and it seems ironic that in the park just two weeks ago, promoted/raised awareness of Leptospirosis. 
Most of the rubbish problem at the park is due to human not being discipline enough to remove the rubbish they generated or re-packed uneaten food properly or removing it totally from the park. Feeding of these primates lend to potential attack issues especially if the monkeys see toddlers with food and see it as a "fair game". 
Previously, there has been "monkey trap" set up and unfortunately these primates trapped were left to starve to death. Not a very exciting prospect (or clean). Happy to see the trap been removed about a year ago. 
Upgrading, But At What Cost?
On Saturday as I was there with my son for his skating class, to my horror i saw two backhoe digging out the existing still-in-perfect-condition reflexology path. They also tear down the access route (cemented) to the existing hut and I wonder if the skate ground would be next to be removed. 

Tearing it all down. The Existing Wakaf serves it's purpose, so why build so many?

I do understand upgrading from time to time is good to ensure the park stay relevant to the visitors. Perhaps these Wakafs or Huts are placed based on feedback from users requesting/requiring more covered spaces for them to conduct their weekend recreational activities. These upgrades are not free definitely, as with any development, it comes with a price. Monetary wise it will require a hefty sum for these to be carried out. Beyond that, what does the future hold for Park like these? And furthermore bordering against development under the Ministry and Jabatan Lanskap Negara where Bukit Kiara will potentially see more destruction in the name of development. 

The Mother of All Wakaf - The ATVs storage yard

ATV Planned in Bukit Kiara?
When I saw this being build with a sign proudly claiming it to be "ATV Store", I was worried. Motorised vehicles in a Public Park is a dangerous approach to human safety. Bad enough that some people are cycling in the small loop-ed park, we really do not need the presence of ATV spewing exhaust fumes or moving about endangering public. 

Or are the ATVs meant for the Lanskap people to move in and out of Bukit Kiara trails which can only fit at most, TWO bicycles side by side?

Stay Tuned For More.

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Save Bukit Kiara Walk #3

Missed the first two walk? Want to see what is happening and get more updates about what is happening in Bukit Kiara? Fencing work re-started? Bukit Kiara gazetted? An Amusement park to be build? Drop by September 28, 2013 and find out more!

(Don't worry, the organiser has obtained a Polis Permit, this is NOT an illegal gathering. We are law abiding citizens!)

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TRAKS Day : In Support of KLMBH and Enduro at Bukit Kiara

Last Sunday, September 1, 2013 saw a group of mountain-bikers and hikers helping out at the TRAKS day out at Bukit Kiara. A "Notice of Work" were issued on TRAKS' webpage on Thursday and this time around, the turn-up were good. 

Melody updated on her FB on the TRAKS outing

It was a Sunday and I usually have my longer run in the morning. But as TRAKS day out doesn't happen often, missing a day running is not a big issue. For myself and many others, it is a great chance to learn about trail maintenance and be involved in the social part of the activity - knowing fellow trail users and responsible trail usage. 

With the KLMBH and Enduro Asia happening in September, there is no better reason or excuse to not maintain Bukit Kiara. I run Bukit Kiara frequently and I am part of the symbiotic system between Human-Nature at this place. Giving back to Kiara is easy and all it require is a few hours and some willingness to do the work.

The main focus of the TRAKS day out was, per TRAKS' webpage:

1. The climb out of Taman Lembah Kiara (re-armoring to ensure that mere mortals have a better chance or riding it!).
2. The first switchback on Lungbuster.
3. Triple terrace (fixing the armoring).

I arrived just in time for the work to begin. With about 2hours to spare, I joined the group to work on the climb out. This in my opinion was the most damaged part of the trail that are often used (as it is the trail head) and least maintained. For the record, I've rolled down (read: fell) from the top of the climb to the bottom where the small stream is. Perhaps it is high time to pay tribute to this section and bury (no pun intended) all bad things that happened here. 

March 2013. This part of trail has been damaged badly since. Yes, I've rolled from the top to the bottom rather ungracefully

Further up the trail, sign of erosion in March 2013.

This part of the trail has seen neglect and erosion, mostly because mountain bikers avoided riding on the stones and went off track riding down and dragging their brakes. This action is most uncool as the dragging of rear wheels down will inevitably causes rut to form and erosion to take place. The photo above was in March 2013 when I reviewed the GoTrail. The photo below, taken before the trail work started, showed a badly damaged trail.

The trail on the left and right has grown from 6 inches to 18inches!

And the depth of the rut is at least shin-high or right below the knee.

Major repair needs to be done. Pronto.

The work started with everyone clearing the trail off any loose leaves and branches. The real damage can better be assessed. Once that is done, a lot of muscle work need to be done by everyone to start collecting stones, and we are not talking about pebble sized stones, but big @$$-ed sized to "re-pave" the trail.

Many Hands Make Light Work

Having an Expat the size of HULK, helps...

Re-paving the trail is like a jigsaw puzzle work. Soil and stones are collected and moved manually. 

The teamwork shown by everyone present were superb that the restoration took less than the expected 4-hours. Delegation of duty were "automatic" as it seems everyone knows what they should be doing, and how it will be done. A lot of self-initiative were shown.

Collecting rocks that using shopping bags. Loads of "human-powered" work

Kids can help too. Starting them young. My kids will come next round

The results after 3-hours? Here! 

That left side restored with NO gaps! How is that for hard work by the team?

Superb. Now all ready for KLMBH and Enduro!

The TRAKS day managed to "fix" this and the Triple-Terrace. I am not too sure if the first switchback on Lungbuster was fixed. Will wait for TRAKS' update on their page to confirm.

Stay tuned on this blog for future TRAKS Day. Thank you to all that came and helped.

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Running Bukit Kiara with JVC Adixxion XA1 : Usage Review

I've been toying with the JVC Adixxion XA1 since the day I got it from JVC Kenwood Malaysia. I've been running with it (in hand) and attaching it on my bike helmet (motorbike) while commuting to and fro work. Never have I taken that many videos until I own this unit now. As with every new gadget (or toy, you would say), I will use it and explore every single possible thing I could do with it. 

Secured on the hydraulic
reservoir with a Velcro strap

For example, trying to mount it on my motorbike handlebar using the supplied goggle mount.

As the unit did not come with any handlebar mount, I have to make do with whatever that I have or given. A little bit of imagination will usually go a long way. 

As the unit was still new to me and I am still trying to "visualise" the viewing angle, the first 15 videos taken either were from really odd angle...like this one below.

Screen capture photo from the Full HD. If I were to extract the frame from the video, this image will be very high resolution

Agree with me that the above looked like I am on a "constant taking a corner" angle? The camera was set exactly like what you saw on the hydraulic brake reservoir. I now know that spot is a no-no (and so was the four other videos taken at that angle). I so need a handlebar mount (hoping JVC will read this)
However, today's sharing is NOT about using Adixxion on the motorbike. It was used during my run in Bukit Kiara. The day of carrying a compact camera to capture video is now over (though I will still carry it to capture still images). 
Running With Adixxion - In Your Hand
This camera is small enough to comfortably grab and hold while running. I showed this to a GoPro user and the first thing that strike him was how "natural" he can hold it without any monopod/tripod if he wants to video. It did not occur to me as I do not have a GoPro to compare against (hoping GoPro will read this, too).

As you can see from the photo on the right (taken with my Panasonic FT4), the Adixxion can be held with two fingers and one thumb against the palm and it is still stable. 

I tried a another way to hold it via my existing (available) Gorillapod which I shape to be a handle. It also provides me additional reach (read : Distance) so I capture more things into frame. 

However as the Gorillapod isn't a stiff attachment, no amount of Digital Image Stablisation would lessen the shake due to the extreme movement when running. That decision to use the Gorillapod cost me 2 videos. I then removed the pod and tested it with full hand (or fingers) grab.
Running With Adixxion - The Video Point Of View or POV

Not needed actually. 
Photo from my Panasonic FT4.

It was a case of trial and error as I try to get used to the viewing angle or "point of view" POV angle of the Adixxion. At 170degree wide, I need to remind myself that I need to hold it in a more extreme angle in order to compensate and/or prevent my head from being cut out of frame. 

It took me about 4 videos to get used to the angle. So those earlier videos will not be shown as it is not at the angle approved by me.

It was a case of missing the HIGH and LOW, literally.

Too LOW. Screen capture from the FIRST video.

Too HIGH. Screen capture from second video.

After a few more tries, I finally got the hang of it and know where to hold and aim the Adixxion for maximal effect. It improves as I applied it to different angle and consistently get the shot I wanted. Doesn't take me too long to get it right -all one need is to keep using it.
If you want to view the video in Full HD, skip to the end of this review.
The Adixxion Super Sensitive Microphone 
One thing i noticed during the first day use of the Adixxion running was how sensitive the mic was. It picks up everything including the breaking of small branches under my footsteps. Then it became even louder when I run against the wind. I was told by the JVC rep that the Adixxion mic is super sensitive as the unit, unlike the competitor does not reside in a casing that reduces the sensitivity by a notch.
Sounds legit.

With that in mind, I took a piece of sticky tape and tape over the mic. The mic was still sensitive, so I put another sticky take over it. It became more bearable for normal run and when running against the wind. 

While this may look crude, I am (almost) always function over form. :) For motorbike riding, a piece of folded tissue bits need to be used to muffle the wind noise.

Adixxion Battery Life
The rated battery life is 70minutes on constant recording at Full 1080p HD mode. I find it not to run too far away from actual usage. My first use were recording slightly longer than 70minutes perhaps due to the start-stop recording. 8gb of memory card were almost used up (7.5gb) for that period of recording.
Setting the Adixxion to recording no more than 5minutes each time, the battery lasted about 80minutes with about 50minutes of real recording. I did not switch off the unit but let the LCD play in the background (ready to record mode). 

The plus point I can think off with Adixxion over GoPro is that the battery change will be less cumbersome as it is as easy as just flipping open the back cover. With GoPro, there is a need to remove the housing, which may (or may not, depending on the proficiency of the user) to drop the casing or camera while replacing the battery. 

Of course as with anything that claim to be "proof", it is often best to be careful when opening the lid (as you can see, the sticker that is moisture sensitive has turned pink as when I received this unit. This usually is enough to void warranty).
Rough and Tough

Abuse

I've managed to put this unit to test 3 (out of 4) of the "proof" design. The unit withstand aggressive use in the sea. Was fully buried in (beach) sand and were dropped from the top of the head (about 173cm) to sand/gravel. It survived all instances. I am hesitant to drop it on hard ground though, and if that ever happened, it is really accident and not on purpose. Happy to report that the unit is still working as normal - except the lense protector is a bit scratched when I buried in the sand. Small issue as that was what the lense protector supposed to do!

Seawater in PD - PASS.

Other Thoughts
After almost a week of using the Adixxion:
1. I've noticed that the unit turns warm to the touch if left to record more than 30minutes continuously (used as in-car camera). This could be the LCD being switched on all the time OR the unit being exposed to the sun near the dashboard. This does not effect the performance of the camera.

Immersing in water to wash away salt water

2. Using the unit as an in-car camera allows you to have the power stayed plugged in for endless (or as long as you drive) function. There is the endless recording where it will keep recording and over-write any recorded tracks. This way, the unit is highly usable as a "black box" for driving. Suggested to use the flexible tripod mount and stick it to the dashboard or right behind your rear-view mirror. Only limitation is the mini-USB cable is not long enough. You may have to get an aftermarket cable to keep the unit charged all time.

3. I am yet to fully utilise this to it's full potential. Not tried the WiFi connectivity yet and that will be on the next to do with Adixxion.
The Video Sample
Here is the Full HD (1080p in 30FPS). Produced using Windows Movie Maker and where appropriate, the video were sped up or slowed down to test the Full HD recordings. So remember to switch it to FULL HD playback in Youtube.
More to come with this Adixxion.

Hope you enjoyed the video. For more videos, please subscribe to my YouTube channel!

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Running Bukit Kiara : What Goes In My Mind

I took two videos while running in Bukit Kiara a while ago. The initial intention was to provide a video commentary of the GoTrail that I wrote about a few days back. One thing lead to another and before I know it, I was actually talking out loud what I was actually thinking in my head while I was running! Sensing it was silly, I was two-ended if I should just keep quiet but since i was alone, i thought it would be fun to record and listen back to what I was talking as I was running. Enjoy the two videos. Sorry about the bare torso run. I forgot to bring extra change of clothes and had to remove the only top I have and ran this way. I guess I scared some monkeys doing this.
(By the way, it was liberating.)
Part 1 : Running Down Carnival from Junction

Part 2 : Running reverse Office and Overtime (and chicken hunting)

With Puasa month ending soon and the race calendar starting to be filled up, I will likely plan a few runs in Kiara as a method to strengthen the muscle and increase the stamina and power. If you are interested in joining, leave a message with your email so i can coordinate something.

Over to you all ;-)

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Save Bukit Kiara : TRAKS Maintainence Day at Bukit Kiara

Awesome day out at TRAKS On Sunday June 23, 2013. A group of volunteers gathered at the 4-Way of Bukit Kiara (Tarmac) at 8am despite the haze surrounding Klang Valley to "give back" to Bukit Kiara.

Do Your Part If You Use The Trail

Work mainly concentrate on cleaning the trails off dead leaves (by raking), repairing of ruts caused by mountain bikers that drag their brakes (which in return, show inability to actually control their descent or bike), damages caused by Mother Nature such as freak storm that bring down trees and maintenance and re-building of drainage/runoff/berm (we call it water bar) that re-direct surface water off the trail. 

Penghulu Scott giving the Dos- and Don'ts. 

Have Rakes Will Travel (into the trails)

The TRAKS Day

Bukit Kiara is under tremendous pressure in recent times due to the developments and developers eyeing this piece of prime green lung. Most developers want it to build an "eco-friendly" development which more often than not, will contribute to the destruction of the green lung itself. Evidence could be seen until today from the erection of the "Great Wall of Kiara" fencing and the destruction of forest near Desa Kiaramas where forest were cleared to build bungalows. 
Bukit Kiara were hand-built to world standard of trail building. Working around existing path without incurring more damages than it should, it is evident that the trail needed maintenance over time. 

Everyone got down and dirty

Armed with simple tools such as Parang, Cangkul, shovel and rakes, the volunteers divided into groups to clean up, maintain and repair the trails in Bukit Kiara. The team managed to work on:

• 2K Loop
• 4K Loop
• Snake&Ladder
• Twin Peaks

I managed to get myself to join this time around and used this excuse to "cross train" with a week leading to SCKLM. Running in the trail lend some respite from the haze as the air in the jungle were definitely better with the greens helping to filter some of the smogs. I decided to join the team that works on Twin Peaks - as this is my favourite portion for Maximum Heart Rate (HRMax) action. 2km worth of uphill climb helped me to build the stamina and strength I have today. It's time to pay tribute to this section.

Digging for Gold

I was handed a rake by the volunteer perhaps because I have the word "Domestic" written on my forehead. While others built Water Bar and re-create the drainage, I raked-away. 

An easier task actually

Drainage at the side of the trail that was clogged were cleared by mean of using Cangkul and shovel. It is a laborious task and takes some knowledge and judgement to know/understand where the water will flow. These TRAKS day actually serve as a good exposure to general public to know and appreciate how a proper trail is maintained. 

Mountain Bikers giving back.

The water bar were mostly rebuilt due to damages and neglect. It requires moving of soil from other location (not from the trail) to fill up and compact. The photos below show how it's done.

Identifying the damaged Water Bar

repacking soil onto the damaged portion

Compacting by stepping and using the Cangkul. No, we did not bury anything (or anyone) there.

Then we get one of us to ride over the water bar to see if the soil hold up, this one, passed the specs. Photo from TRAKS

A total of 5 Water Bars were re-built/repaired on that day along Twin Peaks. Each taking close to 30minutes but made faster with the Twin Peaks group splitting into three sub-group. 
As for myself, I spend the hours literally sweeping the trail off dead leaves and debris. Another volunteer went up and down Twin Peaks to collect paper trails left by hashers. He collected no less than three big plastic bags of them just along this 2km trail. Now, if only fellow hashers can join TRAKS day!

This is just one of the smaller bag

I've learnt that day that it takes a lot of humility to do what everyone did. Many people passed us by. Some by walking and some by mountain biking. None however, stopped or offered to help

Hi, I am Rake Lim. Photo fro TRAKS

 From this experience, I found out that at a constant rate of raking, it is possible to cover up to 1.5km of the trail in 2hours. That is from the trail head to Tokong. The biggest task was to find a spot to put the dead leaves and debris and to be careful when lifting them up as I spotted a few centipedes among the leaves. 

Before

After

This outing has allowed me to be more appreciative of the work put in by the people that were truly passionate about Bukit Kiara. I do not believe anyone from the current administrative will be interested enough to learn about trail maintainece as it does not bring in any revenue. It is often easier to just contract it out - or built concrete drain to sort the problems out. The only problem it seems, is that the concrete drains built at a portion of the (destroyed) trail has been destroyed by Mother Nature herself! These concrete drains are not made to blend in with Mother Nature, and you would had thought the "learned administrators" would know better ;-)

This was covered with dead leaves before we worked on it

Thank you to those that came and helped. For those of you saw us doing the work last Sunday, do consider next time to stop and help with the trail maintenance. You will learn to appreciate the whole experience of riding, walking or even running here in Bukit Kiara more!
Further Read
Click here for TRAKS' report for this event and more photos.

You can "Follow" TRAKS on Twitter here or
"Like" them on Facebook here or
"Follow" them on Tumblr here
I will leave you with a video done by Fakawi to show what and how the TRAKS day worked!

Read about TRAKS helping to build "Sahabat Trail" at Kota Damansara Community Forest (KDCF)

If you want to know more about KDCF, my write up is here

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