Motorcycle Touring in Borneo

Dirt biking in sabah

2011-02-15T22:37:00.000-08:00

A few photo's of places to really hack it out in sabah..short and long rides through the back roads and track dirt biking just for fun.

A DEAD END RIDE

2011-02-06T19:05:00.000-08:00

No sunny days for the last 6 month's it rain much in the morning as it does in the evenings some days its just poures with rain and heavy winds. Not a good day for any rides but when there is a window of opportunity i ll take it anyway it comes just for that few hours of no rain. Before it started to rain again and with no food ration and tent just incase we get stuck in the middle of nowhere we decided to ride out through the same route. Since we still had time we hit the track for some fun.

2010-11-24T22:19:00.000-08:00

A one day ride that turn to a 2 days agony in the jungle. What suppose to be a fun dirt road that fitures hill side padi field, Village houses with bambo walls and thatch roofs and children running and being curiouse of the riders with full face and colourfull outfit with noisy machine turn to one adventure not soon to be forget.

Borneo is a dents jungles with unforgiving terrain much of our ride we have to depand on small trails or logging roads. some parts are trekking trails but becouse of the density of the forest it is imposible to ride trhough without snaging a thorny vine on your face or body. another problem with trying to ride in a denst forest is the terrain fitures with 150metres drop off's at some point. This can be a scary experiance and pushing the bike acrros is sometimes the best thing to do rather than riding in on a diddle size trail. On our ride parts of this is what we wanted to avoid but at some streatches we just had to ride it out.

By noon we where at a river bank..one of the guys went to check how deep the river was and this couse a problem after we found out that it is west deep with rock boulders the size of a 100kg back pack. This will be a problem to cross without taking a plunge in the river with the bikes. we diceded to carry the bikes acrros the river..it took us 2hours to carry and cross the river with 6 bikes. after going through this aginizing experiance we thout there is a few more KM to go up hill. The dirt road looks good from a distance and this will be a peace of cake we thought.

all pump up and raving like we where on a racing competition we ascended the "what looks like a good dirt road" than it happend..this was no ordinary dirt road...it was what we call a river of stones the size of fists. they where loos and slippery as the rain started to get heavy all we could do was push the bikes up and up and up...falling off was a common site. once we reach the top a sigh of releave from every ones face. we continue the ride up and after a tremandouse amout of our anergy of traversing the uneven and slipery trail we find ourselves riding on a small stream of water which was a trail and with rocks. on our left is a 150mtr drop of to a revine.

as we thumperd along bobbing on the trail of roacks spinning wheels with flying debries and rocks was flying all over at the rear...the gusy was shouting out to slow down to much debries flyinf all over and hiting them. than another obstecle..a land slide...aaaaahhhhhhh,...in my mind..naked and beaten up by the ride we set down and thought it trhough. In 2 hours it will be dark and we will not be able to see a thing in the dark. we decided to turn back through all the hell we went through. as we aproach the river it was totaly flooded..ah,,,,...the guysshouted.

Option one- cross the river and may be be lucky not to be swept away..the bike is definitly a problem to carry acros.

Option two- waite out the river to go down....

we decided to waite out the river..2 hours atleast it will be low enough to cross. seing that hunger was already started to crapt in,..the guys went in to the bush to see what they can fine. when they got back they where carying what look like muddy and dirty roots..one of them shouted." UBI KAYU" tapiyoca. we smiled atleast we will have roots for dinner tnight.

12hours later under the heavy rain, soacking wet and cold we where still on the other side of the river waiting for the water level to go down. at 5 in the morning it was safe to cross the river and so we did carrying the bikes acros.

Once we reach the main road 1st we did was look for a local shope for food,.we had 2 pax of noddles each person.

What the guys say..."it was one hell of adventure,..got to do it again"

Ride Borneo (Expedition) 23 Days.

2010-09-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

Transborneo motorcycle tour 2010.

(2 country's, 11 guys and a good time.)

Our ride started of on a sunny sunday morning 11 guys on a dirt bike heading for an adventure of 22 days roughing it out on logging roads, muddy trails and river crossings in the heart of Borneo. On this ride i had good company's from natherlands and 1 guy from belgium nice bunch and really adventourouse.

for the next 2 days the weather was good until, half way out of brunei we had some really heavy rain experiance i could not see the road up ahead. The guys was realying on my taillight to navigate through the blistering rain. Once we enter the dirt road we knew that if it rain for the next 2 days we will be in one hell of an adventure..thoughts flesh through my mind of slipery logging road, falling off the bike and getting stuck in the middle of god knows where. when finaly we arrive mulu it was a great feeling of joy. no more blistering back side for the next 2 days...at least for the next 2 days. Mulu was great, we visited the caves, watch the bats, eat smoked wildboare and swim in the clear water river.

On the day we where departing there was heavy rain the night before,..it was flooding everywhere and we got our boat and headed out for our next destination. Due to the nature of the flood we had to get our bike on the boat and cruise out of this location...but thats another story to be told.

Ride Green

2010-07-27T01:03:00.000-07:00

Sabah has in many ways developed its infrastructure in road ways mainly to towns along the coastal area. And most would go to road side junction conservation or park area within a close distance to the towns area. I have travel in Sabah logging area and crisscrossing village within the interior of sabah before. But on my last ride this route has changed so much that i was thinking of how many open logging sites is there. There is awareness of conservation but just out side of this conservation area you find palm oil estate. I dont think our rain forest will last very long with the logging going on. As we enter a palm oil plantation, it took us about 2 hours than we find a gate belongs to the sabah foundation a conservation area. the dirt road was fantastic if it rain well i guess it would be really though and slippery but we where lucky the weather was good. We rode for about 12 hours until we arrive a village and took a rest and had dinner. we talk to the head man about where to camp for the night and he informed us of a small water fall just about a kilometer away. After dinner we went up to this water fall since it was dark and only the bike lights to show us the way we got a little lost as the water fall was slightly further in by the road side. We where like hooligans riding around up and down and going around the village looking for the water fall. About 30 min latter we found it and put up camp, took a bath in the small stream and had a short chit chat before going to bed.

On day 2 we geared up and mad our way to telupid we where told it would take an hour but it actually took 2 hours of dirt road and going through conservation areas and palm oil plantations. Than i thought just at the fringes of the rain forest you find the oil palm...you need to go right smack in the middle to see the rain forest. This route is also used for transporting logs and also as an alternative route crisscrossing from tawau to ranau and keningau..it is right in the middle of sabah. we didn't manage to achieve our goal but we will be back to find that illusive Luasong dirt road to tawau.

HELL'S GATE TO BORNEO

2010-03-18T22:40:00.000-07:00

It was a clear blue sky and bright sunny day, there where no clouds it was a perfect morning to start of on our 2 day adventure heading for what we called the gates of Hell to borneo. We try to ride through this hursh and thick jungle terrain last year but never mad it but this time we where well prepared for the worst situation we can encounter during the 2 day ride. We started out at 0830hrs on a 2 hours ride on tarmac and stop at a small town to have lunch and pack a few items and caned food for the night. the only thing i had with me was a tent a book of bread 3 cane food and a 5 liter fuel. No other clothing i thought i would just sleep in my pants for the night. The dirt road was really dusty and you couldnt see 5 mtr infron of you when other riders was up front, i had to slow down to see where i was going it was like riding in a clouds. At one point the road took a sharp benned i almost went strait over the ridge....i stop at the road side took a breather than took a piss thinking got to be more carefull.

The other was making good time making dust clouds behind it looked like the dakar race i thought. The road started to get smaller and smaller until there was no road except trails that the locals use to get to market area to sell there jungle products. as the road run out we started to climb steep hills with huge poth holes and boulders. We cross rivers only one guy fall off his bike the others was doing well. we stop for the night put up our camp and cooked some went to the river to take a deep. the guys was having fun although they new it was going to be a rough night sleeping on the ground with rocks and tree branches as there beds.

The next morning it was bright and cool towards the evening it got blistering hot and humid i was running out of water and sweating really heard. In desparation i went down the river and use the river water since it was clean. The ride went from bad to worse as the hill climb was getting more steeper and slipery. there was almost no traction on my rear wheels to the point i was going no where while the tyre was spinning. The other guys was at the same state as i was tired bushed out and hungry. by the evening at 1630 we reach the top point of took a long rest and lough most of the time about the ride up. Our ride out was fast and enjoyable we stoped at a small village crossing a river and arrive kota kinabalu at 2230hrs after a big dinner.

Route 44

2010-01-24T17:28:00.000-08:00

Time flies when your having fun, we took one fine sunny sunday to recce our old routes to fool around with our trail bike and see what has changed to up date our riders. Well...we really found out the easy way the old route where we use to have fun has been tarmec all the way up to the highest point in Kota Kinabalu “No more Dirt trail”. Thinking it would b a boring ride to my surprise it was not..as the trees has been trim down at the side of the road you get a batter veiw of Kota Kinabalu and the island around it. I lost count of how many times we stopped to enjoy the breath taking views. The really fun thing about it is the winding smooth tarmac all the way up that mad the ride fun mostly accompanied with the view. Our exit from this route was a small road that descended about 45 degrees...just enough for a small car to pas through. Dont try to pass through this route if your not a season rider as the road consist of sharp bends, gravel andsteep descends. We stop at the MARI-MARI cultural village for a breather which something you can add in to your biking itinerary with having lunch at the same time..just next door is the kionsom water fall. This is a good route for riders who want to enjoy views,culture and just to check out the part of Kota Kinabalu that your average tourist do not visit.

Distance - Total KM 51

Good for half day rides

Elevation about 700mrs

Over the Hills and Faraway.

2009-12-22T17:20:00.000-08:00

There is a few really good places with really panoramic scenery in North Borneo however not excessive by road bikes. Last Sunday i took a short trip and did a recce along the crocker range took a trail that looked promising and found out it was really a breath taking view oft the west side of north borneo.Since there was only 4 of us it was a really enjoyable relaxed ride with a sunny and almost clear sky's.

Ride Borneo / Kudat - Mt Kinabalu

2009-12-02T22:12:00.000-08:00

This time my group of riders was smaller and wanted to experience a shorter visit to Sabah and visit village area and to test the life style of the locals. it was a 3 day ride going up north and turning east ward along the foot of mt Kinabalu. we where very lucky for the 1st day and the 2nd half day as it was sunny and clear by noon the rain started. This didnt break the spirit of adventure of the guys because they had little or almost non experience in dirt road i had to give them a crash course theoretically. It was to them an experience of a lifetime traversing through gravel,muddy and wet conditions of the road up hill. The family that took us in was friendly and excited of our visit as this was the 1st time they have visitors on motorcycles. the long house was use to tourist visits but it was something new to them when they saw us on bikes.

The ride to Long Pasia (360)

2009-10-11T19:14:00.000-07:00

Thomas after the crash.

(Minta Kesian, minta handle bar renthel baru)

The Fly(Adnand,Joe,Thomas).Top of the world

Good weather and smiling faces is a recipe for a good and enjoyable ride, the guys was very enthusiastic for the adventure ahead. Our ride started on time..well slightly after the ho.ho.ha.ha at the meeting point. Breifing was given and off we go. We stop at a small restaurant along the road headed for beaufort for breakfast it was good to see smiling faces and exchanging jokes as every one was getting familiarize with each other as some are 1st timers to Long pasia. We stop at Sipitang to refuel and pick up a few things before heading out. As we enter the gravel i can see all was fired up to try out the gravel road and bumps..so it was and it is. The scenery was breath taking at some parts but i didnt manage to take as much scenery photo;s as i wanted. Loose gravel and slight muddy pools mad the ride much more adventurous as the bike tend to slight and drift every one was comfortable with there handling skills. Being to worried of the others crashing the bike much to my dismay it finally happen to me after taking so much precaution and being a safe rider. On a tight corner thomas fell from his machine and skidded the others help him up and gave medical treatment....thank god there was only bruises as he was wearing protective gears. As i took a strutted corner embracing my self to drop to 4th and twisting the throttle for extra power to sway the rear to use it as a side way turn, a glimpse of jeff at the apex of the corner caught my eye giving the sigh to slow down. The bike was tilted to the side my legs was up from to give the front the support to take the corner, than i saw a red bike at the very edge of the corner of the apex,..i knew i was going the hit the bike and crash. as much as i could i dropped to 3rd and jem the breaks but it was to close as i was running at 70 to 80 on a strutted corner. The rear sway violently...my thoughts was "Hell....if im going to crash..at least i ll go in style". As the front skidded the rear was at a drift i was intending to jump in front of the handle bars but my knee got stuck at the handle bar and next thing i know im looking at the sky than the green bush. It was 360 summersault in front of the bike..Like i said at least id fall in style. few of the guys rushed to help me up..i was ok no cut or bruises the bike was fine to,..than i realize at that very corner,..there was at least 7 bikes parked...If i took that corner i would have crashed in to at-least 4 bikes at one time. The next day was leisurely ride out to tenom but it was fun as the road was much more slippery after the rain. Another fall due to slipery terrain..You guys know Who!.

Photo's of the Ride.

Photo Album

2009-10-07T00:25:00.001-07:00

Scenic locations

Participants

The rides

Transborneo / Kota Kinabalu,Brunei,Sarawak,Indonesia

2009-10-01T23:12:00.000-07:00

The rain was heavy 0n the 21st Sept 09 morning and we waited while hopping the rain will slow down so we can start our long ride. as we load up our luggage the on the support vehicle the rain started to slow down and drizzled we didnt waist any time, we sadled up and started riding towards south headed for brunei which was a 354km ride across the Sabah,Sarawak and Brunei Boarders. we had lunch at sipitang and continued the ride across the 1st boarder entering sarawak it was an easy transit not long we had to enter brunei which we had to cross to rivers by ferry. the total boarder check points was 8 my passport was full of chopped of red green and blue stamps. Checking in and checking out it took to much time and we only arrive at the brunei hotel at 2100hrs had dinner and did my briefing for the next day ride. since it was hari raya the kings palace was lighted up and look beautiful we enjoyed the fire works too while riding in brunei. the people was friendly and was suprised to see a group of japanese riding bikes.for the next 6

fays our ride went through villages and farms acrros the back bone of borneo island. stoping along the way to enjoy the view of padi fiealds and forest swamps, the most important thing to cross the boarder is to have compleat documants of your bike,passport, intention or a later from national seciruty of malaysia but if your traveling on a bus all you need is your passport to enter every boarder up to pontianak. But indonesia will be the most difficult to enter as many may know that the country is base on corruption so you need to have a lot of patiance and money to bribe officers even if your documant is compleat. we got stranded almost 3 hours just to pass through.They will make things difficult by giving all kinds of excuses just to delay your entry to the country...in other words you pay me something and we will give you the pass. Thats what i had to do,....by having compleat documants i thought it would be easy to just enter but i found out thats not the case.

We spent our knight at 3 star to budget accomodation and stratigicaly in town so we can

find easy food stores aroubd and not fare from the hotel. its best this way since we arrive in the evenings and dont have the energy to walk a couple of blocks just to have dinner. The ride per day basically cover 300 to 380 km but from bintulu to serian its its 507km and that was a very long ride. we stop every 40min riding so as to relax our body at the same time visiting the villages along the way.

Hell's gate

2009-08-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

The Path to Hell's Gate
We lead where others follow.

Pushing, crawling under fallen tree's, traversing rivers and a hard push up steep hills (Hell's gate)...we did it all. The worse was when the rain started to fall and the surface got very slippery and one by one the guys started to fall of there bikes. It was like a romaniacs race there where all sort of obstacle along the way. But it was the fun of it that mad everyone smile! you dont get this kind of adventure anywhere els.

Never the less we had to decide to go on or not, turning back was an option going on was not. The trail was almost at its end but it does connect to a wider path headed for Ranau. As much fun as it was it was a disappointment to us to turn back after assessing all the safety and logistics. But we will be back to take this hells gate and be batter prepared for the unforseen obsticals ahead. The bikes did there part, taking us this fare was more than we expected it is just the time, water and food we didnt have.The villages was accomodating by even offering us to stay at there homes for the night.

The ride to maliau basin

2009-08-02T18:25:00.000-07:00

Words cant express the satisfaction of this riders when they took the long ride every effort of calculation of fuel and food was taken in to consideration. few fell of there bikes due to overconfidence of handling there machine. It took us a total of 9 hours to make it to Maliau basin camp sight. The guys was hip and excited to explore the unknown freedom of riding through the rainforest of north borneo.

The Camp Site

There was some funny moments during the ride, we had shan who thought he had puled out the bike stan and got off and ended up on his back with the bike. Another zuki who thought the surface of the down hill was not slippery mad a bad decision negotiating a curved rolled over with the bike. Than there's the over confidence of reducing the tyre pressure to have batter grip on the gravel blow out a tube.

The Maliau basin camp site had good basic facilities provided a kitchen with cooking utensils, a camping ground just next to the sky bridge and a good fencing around the camp site to prevent from unwanted animals coming in. It cost about RM230.00 per person for all the facilities excluding meals.

Over the Hills to Long Pasia

2009-06-02T17:41:00.000-07:00

30th May 2009, on the eve of our national harvest festival a group of my buddy's set out on a 520km journey headed for a place not many have been to but have only heard of. The last time i was there was 10 years ago and wondered if it look like is does than. All preparation was done and riders was ready the waiting was unbearable as some was still organizing them self at the last minute.

We set out at 0900hrs through scenic views of padi fields and villages along the way i try to take as much as possible photo's and video's to set up on this blog but the mere excitement of riding overtook my objectives. the best of the ride was when we enter the of road in to mandolong throug a logging road. Any rider will take the advantage of enjoying the scenery of rolling hills and valleys along the way but this time i was more excited because of the road condition so did the others. We had all the imaginable style of reaction on the bike as you open up the throttle from drifts,struted corners to whoops. Smiling and joking after every 5 min stops along the way when everyone try's to explain there experience on this in joyable ride.

Through out the journey it was an enjoyable experiance to everyone and is something of a life time memory. Although we did lost someone during the journey who actually arrive the destination first.

tin

Unexpected Chain reaction.

2009-05-10T19:30:00.000-07:00

(Ready to Ride) (Admin Building)

Ever plan for something so carefully and thought that you have everything in control....Not!

On a sunny sunday morning we prepare to venture in to the unknown....well i had a vague idea the place that we where headed to be honest. Its been a year since i have been to the Mahua water falls the guys was excited and even mention about not getting some sleep at all because of the excitement. The bikes was refuel and we where ready to go..the distance was 96km...it was to be a leisure ride across the crocker range. As we where getting ready to depart we met up with the Borneo Biking Adventure guys who was riding the Aprilia 650 we chatted for a while and off we go.

Ascending the crocker range was as usual exhilarating the bends and curves is always a favorite of mine no matter what bike you use its always about the feeling of freedom taking that journey and experiencing the unknown and adventure. As crazy as it sounds we actually had some one who was on a really small bike traveling with us...... when i mean small its a midget bike but it was as fast as we where going at about 80-100 up hill...most of the time it was up front.

( Mahua) (Jimmy)

As we got closer to the entrance to the junction to the water fall which was about 6-7 km i was expecting the road would be an unsealed road all the way in. It would be a fun ride with mud,gravel and just playing around with the bikes. To our dismay it was sealed all the way in....Great! there goes the high expectation of riding on an off road. As we enter the site it was fully renovated with administration building and toilet facilities again "there goes the expectation of being in the wild natural rain forest with a water fall". Since we are there already why not make it the best of the day. The trail in was properly looked after and there is a plank walk half way to the water fall, because this place is not really fully promoted you only see locals picnicking and having a deep in the pool.

(Sealed Road) (Lunch at Tambunan) (After the rain)

By midday we started to head back to Kota Kinabalu, we heard thunder and the clouds was getting darker the rain was coming. When we thought what worse can happen except just getting wet one of the guys bike chain break loose and fell of while riding...the pin was gone so we decided to head for tambunan to see if there is any bike shop is open. after a tiring looking ther was no bike shop that was open as it was a sunday, than another rider had his breaks jammed...what!.. we fix the problem and stop by at a local shop to have lunch. The journey back was at a slow speed as the rain came down we just had to be more careful riding on a wet condition.

If you ride in Borneo make sure to expect the rain...its a life style hear.

Enjoying the country side

2009-04-12T21:28:00.000-07:00

04th April 09,

After breakfast and a short briefing we headed for a short easy off and on road trip towards the back roads of Kinarut area. along the way i gave pointers on how to ride on a gravel road since being on a flat pavement and being bounced around and trying to control your machine at the same time can be difficult. another reason why o take 1st timers on this part of the area..almost flat, easy, turns and corners and straight long gravel road which is ideal for beginners. it only took us half a day to finish the trip and i was happy as i can see a satisfied face.

There is a few places for a fun off road adventure it all depends on the riders experience handling the Machine, road condition and curves. Mud is the most you have to be careful of , going to fast on a muddy road can mean disaster.

Nulu ridge Home of the Mountain Guides

2009-03-16T17:32:00.000-07:00

The day looked sunny and bright! Our tour this time was heading to a village at the foot of Mt Kinabalu just a short visit. We started out running at 130km heading for Tuaran and would stop by the last refuelling point for some spare fuel just in case.

The road up Nabalu was one of the best even for an enduro bike as the curves and bends snakes up the Mountain, the only mistake was not to take photo as the clouds draws in we stop as much as possible on every corner to get a good shot of the mountain. But I guess luck was not on our side as every stop we mad the clouds seem to cover the mountain “ The hell with it” one of the guys said and we proceeded on for our main destination. The trail we took was in a valley the trail was along ridges that is hidden along the hills and ridges that connect to Mt Kinabalu. We stop for a tea break after the 2 hours riding,…my back was beginning to feel the pain of seating on the bike to long.

The mountain was totally gone by this time, no hope for any photos but loads of off road trail to explore and we where excited to try out an old trail that has not been used for quite a while. Well that’s what we thought. Nulu is where you find most of the Mountain guides are from! So visiting the village where the legends of Mt guides is quite exciting to see how they everyday life in the natural way. We proceeded to another village along the crocker range bank bone to small village called pahu. The descend was really steep and if you think riding a bicycle down hill is challenging try riding a motorcycle down with big rocks the size of a rugby ball and a 45 degree angle down at 45 km per hour with a sharp turn. If you mis the tern, the drop is 100 feet down a riverside. Than cross a suspension bridge across a river which was dodgy enough that you feel the bridge is going to give way. Than there is a few other rivers we had to cross,…at first glance it looked flat and an easy challenge, but than some loose con troll and takes a plunge in to the river. The worse part of it was by this time the rain started to fall, with the bikes engine filled with water we had to drain the engine of its oil and replace it which took us about 45 min. Smiling and still full of excitement it was more of a joy ride. The guys had fun even after the gruelling ride down the ridge and the experience of falling in to the river. With no airfilter and the rain still heavy we where lucky to make it out before any of the other rivers swelled up.

Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu on two wheels

2009-03-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

Try this out....i travel in 1 day from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu on our enduro 150cc bikes and was accompanied by Mr Taichiro from Japan.

We carried spare fuel just in case..our top speed was at 120-130..from hill to valley and through local village's along the way. Mind you most of the ride was ascending to about 1500mtr....imagine that...what would it do to the contained petrol in the gerry cane?...pop and you ll find petrol flying from the back of you bike! But that didnt happened as where prepared so all safety causation was taken.

We stoped along the way for some photo views,..however we never did get a good panoramic view of Mt Kinabalu. We where really lucky up to ranau...the weather was sunny and bright so we decided to have lunch at a local chinese shop. I thought,...looks sunny why not take our time..little did i know it was a bad call. At about 1400hrs after we pass the world heritage site it started to drizzle and later pour,..the visibility was really bad and it was about 5-8 meters vizz.

We mad it back to Kota Kinabalu safe and sound...but the trip was really an experience,...

Motorcycle Rentals in Borneo

2009-03-16T01:47:00.001-07:00

Motorcycle rentals is not something you'll fine in Borneo, this rental business does not exist...at least thats what many many who e-mail me told me. No..there is only two company that does rent bikes in North Borneo, Absolute Borneo Tours and Borneo Biking Adventures. so if you find your self wondering where to find this motorcycle rental company both have website that you can visit.

Down South where the rain dont shine.

2009-02-08T17:11:00.000-08:00

Down south….that was on our mind…how far? Will figure it out when we get there…or somewhere!!.. Since it has been raining non stop the previous day we figure it would not continue to rain as the sun was already out. But down south it look gloomy and grey…”will it rain today?”.

As we made our way across the south road we decided to take the ferry crossing a small town called Kuala penyu..now the rain started and we where in good spirit that we just thought its just rain nothing more…”we have been in worse hell than this…what would be more worse”. little that we knew the trail we plan to take was flooded and the bridge fell. Time to move to plan B, take another route….we manage to get through taking a detour the thing is the trail was really fun…mud, gravel and more mud. The bike skidded, twisted and all you can imagine in a slippery situation. We stop by a resort to check out the rooms and all but on the way in the area was flooded and we had to traverse across whiloe others just waited for the flood to settle down.

Our ride back was like a wet but sunny ride 5 minute there’s rain and the next 5 minutes it was dry again and it went on until we reach Kota Kinabalu.

All and all the trip was..”most important Fun” and the old ferry crossing was really cool and as usual the ride was as always back breaking.

The Long Way Round North Borneo

2009-01-18T22:46:00.000-08:00

New years come and go, but this is the 1st i have ever spend time with a group of bikers and had great fun.

It was good weather through out our journey during the 6 Days traveling through Sabah(North Borneo). Keen Lee,.. u where asking about the price tag on this tour well RM4607.00 with a min of 4 person it gets cheaper above the 4 so you should look at the budget as above.

Borneo Dirt Bike Eco Adventure

2008-08-22T20:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.mytb.org/pathfinder er

BORNEO DIRT BIKE ECO ADVENTURE

2008-08-06T01:59:00.000-07:00

I was ask by some e-mails on how do people join the touring..well below are the itinerary and support logistics during the tour.

Staff Member.

Our staff include 1 assistant and 1 Guide / leader / Tour leader who will be looking after you all the way.

AccommodationTwin sharing accommodation hotel range from 2* - 3* hotels in city and town area, jungle lodge during long tours and home stay with locals. In the event of accommodation is not available base on the level of the hotel an equivalent accommodation will be provided.
FoodAll meals will be at local restaurant in City and town area, packed lunch will provided for long trips where places does not have any restaurant. Vegetarians must inform in advance food are a mixture of asian oriental and local dishes. Mineral water is provided during the touring, any alcohol will be on your account.

Maintenance and Support

All our bike are new however it still needs attention it has been chosen out of reliability and has done the round trip of 1500km. You may decide to bring your own tools however our support staff is well verse with bikes and are able to repair minor problems.

Course Difficulty
*
**
***
****
*****
1 Star Novice: Route that is easy asphalt.10,000km on road

2 Star Novice: Route That is Easy but change from time to time due to location of area off and on road.10,000km on road

3 Star Need some experience: off road conditions, Gravel, stones, and mud.6000km of road

4 Star Semi Experience rider: Muddy, steep, Stones, steep ascending and uneven elevations 20,000km off road

5 Star Experience in off road: Road condition, slippery mud, loss gravel, steep descend and ascending and good balancing skills 50,000km of road

We grad the road conditions from Novice to experience riders, it is very hard to grad one persons skllis and level of bike handing on slippery and muddy roads the above is only a guide line.

Day 1
Arrive meet and greet at airport. We will meet you and send you to your hotel and do a briefing for the next day journey. Dinner is served at a local restaurant.
(Dinner)

Day 2 Journey 131

Our journey will take us across the Crocker Range passing through villages as we weave through the mountain rain forest. We will have a brief stop at Rafflesia Centre for a short visit. Next, stop at Keningau for lunch and overnight at the Juta Hotel. Dinner is served at a local restaurant.

If the time permits, we can visit the Crocker Range sub station.
(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Day 3 Journey 234 km
After breakfast and a regular check up on the bike and refueling, we are ready for the rough roads.

The journey will take us through the lowlands of the interior of Sabah passes through villages and the Murut people's home. The sealed road ends at the Sepulut Junction. From here, on its gravel road all the way down to Maliau Basin.

Our journey will take about 2 hours to get to Maliau Basin gate. Along the way, a stop at the road side for a packed lunch. Some stretches are muddy, so must be ready to face the ultimate cross biking adventure.

Upon arrival, register at Maliau gate and prepare to be transfer by 4 x 4 vehicle for another 30 km to the center. If we are lucky enough, we will have the chance to see wild deer and buffalo along the way. However, there is no guarantee for any wildlife sightings.

Overnight at Maliau Basin Study Center and the dinner is served.
(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Day 4 Journey 238 km
Breakfast at 0700 hrs. Later, we will visit the sky bridge, a 7 plank canopy walk way which is the longest in Sabah to enjoy the rainforest from the bird's eye view. We will pack up and depart to Maliau gate for our journey to Tawau.

Packed lunch is served.

Today, the journey will take about 4 hours from the Maliau gate to Tawau. Kalabakan, the road is a gravel road up to a small town called Kalabak and which continues until Tawau Town.

Overnight and dinner at MB Hotel, Tawau.
(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Day 5 Journey 241 km (Home Stay)

After breakfast and bike check up, our biking trip will take a 3 hours journey passes by the famous Semporna junction which is the gate for the Diver's Heaven. We will have our lunch at a small town called Kunak before proceed to Batu Putih. Upon arrival, we will be greeted by our foster family who will be our host for the night. At 1630 hrs, we will take a boat ride along the Kinabatangan River to enjoy the wildlife sightings (Proboscis Monkeys and other wildlife along the river).

Overnight and dinner at home stay.
(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Day 6 Journey 316 km

Departure at 0700 hrs.
After breakfast and bike check up, continue for an hour ride to the junction of Mile 32. Refuel our bikes and proceed to Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center (Sepilok). Lunch at the Sepilok Center after feeding the Orang Utans at 1000 hrs.

After lunch, continue to Mile 32 junction for the 4 hours ride passes through Palm Oil and local village to Ranau Town. Dinner and overnight at Slagon Homestay Ranau.

The Sanctuary started in 1964 fro rehabilitation of orphaned baby Orang Utans from logging sites,plantations, and illegal hunting. They will be return to the wild jungles as soon as they are ready. More than 4500 hectares of virgin jungle were designated as forest reserve and sanctuary for these charming creatures.
(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Day 7 Journey 128 km
After breakfast at 0700 hrs and bike check up, proceed to Kinabalu Park. Visit the Timpohon Gate where the gate to up Mt Kinabalu is located. Our lunch will be at the Liwagu Restaurant. After lunch, free at own leisure. 1400 hrs, proceed back to Kota Kinabalu. We will arrive Kota Kinabalu around 1730 hrs.
(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Day 8

Departure day. (Breakfast)

Short Bike trip up Kinabalu National Park.

2008-08-01T02:28:00.000-07:00

Few days ago me and my brother inlaw went for a Recce to take photo's and try out new routes for my dirt bike touring. it took almost all day just trying to find a good spot to take photo,s. we also took some video's for fun . It was a clear day and Mt Kinabalu was clearly visible. We took loads of photo's but i wasnt good with the new digital camera so they turn out somewhat over exposed...still need to study the manual. check out some of the photo's below.

It didnt took long to realise that we had to monitore the change of weather, it poures when it rain up hear. Taking a bike on a winding road up or down Mt Kinabalu is really fun, its batter when your on a long road trip.

Those who are Sabahan's if you guys are intereted for a dirt ride, why not go for a road trip....creat a club. This is a sport you know.

Well........

Around North Borneo in 6 Days

2008-05-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

Motor biking is a passion ever since i had a chance to ride on a bike that was 18 years ago when i was 16 years old. It was a Yamaha TY trial thats when i got hooked on motorbikes, just recently i organize a touring using a locally assemble motorbike DMX 150. Our total mileage was 1400kms a round trip of North Borneo the bike performed pretty well considering it was localy assemble bike. Not that im saying Malaysian Bikes are not trust worthy but i have had my share of buying local bikes only to end up broken down after 36 KM of riding....thats the truth.

Our journey took us to some really rough and rugged terrain in the rain forest of Borneo to one point we had to push the bike due to deep pools of mud. Surprisingly the bike never broke down or had any major problems and beleave me when your taking paying customers you dont want any problems. we travel more than 500kms of gravel and muddy roads along the east coast of borneo fuel was pretty economical on this bike handling was pretty good on off roads on a seal road you can feel the vibration right to the bone. Top speed on seal road is 120kms on off roads gravel 80-100 max. Our main priority in this touring was to visit the lost world of Maliau basin, a river cruise at the kinabatangan river, visit the sepilok orang utan, hotsprings at poring and visit the world heritage site of Mt Kinabalu..which we manage to do so.

I would grad the bike as 2 star not to bad for a malaysian mad Motorcycle, handling average, taking corners not really a steady bike but really did well on muddy and gravel roads.