Penang Hill is a must do for every cyclist !   It's a great test of your leg muscles, lung and endurance.

Everyday you can see young and old cyclists going up this challenging hill.  

Some are regulars; who could go up under and hour (hats off !)   Many would go up mid way and back.  Some would ride up to the top without stopping.  

But if you don't have the leg muscles, be rest assured it will be a hard hard struggle !

So, take up my challenge, come join me for a gruelling uphill climb to Penang Hill !! 

At the entrance

Before you go up, go thru this checklist first

Check :

1) if you have at least one bottle of water

2) both brakes working properly

3) your body hydrated (not well?  don't do it)

4) last 2 hours you did not have a heavy meal (tougher if you had)

5) have you cycled a hill before? If not, prepare to stop after the first climb

6) What gear ratio does your bike have?  Preferably, for front sprocket (chain ring), 22 tooth. For rear sprocket, 34 tooth and above

Ready to roll ?

Put helmet on, switch to LOWEST gear, take a couple of deep breadth and pedal slowly, one stroke at a time, relax....

Hair-pins like this can sap your energy

 

Need to steady your steering - comes with some experiance 

Frequent cars and trucks, a hazard

Slow downhill, especially when wet

Tips on braking: 

Brake the front more than the back.

Go down slowly, ALWAYS IN CONTROL ! 

( If you feel your brake pads are heating up, lessen the grip on the brake slightly, alternating between the 2 brakes)

( Lowering your seat before you descend is not a bad idea - lower center of gravity ) 

Can be tough if you're not used to climbs.  Do not hesitate to alight if you feel you cannot make it anymore.  

Locals call it 46.  If you can reach this point, you've done well !  But beware, do not let your body hyper-ventilate.  

Come down and push if you're running out of breadth !  But don't stay stationary, keep moving

Mid point 84.  Many cyclists end up here.  Decide if you want to continue to the top...

Another 1 km more to the top. 

At the top.

Distance: 5km, Elevation: 750m or 2400 feet.  Average time : slightly over 1 hour

YOU CAN DO IT !!  It's a challenge, yes, but if you're a cyclist, you must do it at least once

Bring your MTB along when you next visit Penang, I will take you up !  

Contact:  Daniel Shee  012 423 1163  Email walin@howei.com

 

Slow ride up...

From Penang Botanical Garden