Both Graeme and myself would like to thank all you great people at Borneo Biking Adventures( ie Terry, Bryan, Rose, Robby and staff, and not forgetting that great little character THE GHOST RIDER IN THE SKY … David….) for an unforgettable stay at their home Sinurambi, which for one great week we made our home. From the start we actually felt like we were part of that family…a really great feeling, almost as good as plunging into their crystal clear pool after a full day of biking and adventure, with a drink of your choice within easy reach…how much better can it get???
Before we set off on our first days riding, Bryan gave us a good talk on safety and how to handle the 5 kilometer road. As 5 times British motocross champion I paid attention to anything he had to say. As I’m a middle of the road rider with no off road experience, so I opted out on the first ride down the gravel drive. Graeme headed down with what appeared no problem at all, my 650 Aprilia bike was waiting for me at the bottom of the lane.
After a day of fantastic riding and scenery, I was getting a feel for my bike, or maybe it was getting a feel for me. We returned back to the bottom of the access road to Sinurambi, I now felt pretty confident on the bike and decided to go for it, after another few words of encouragement from Bryan, I set off up the 5 km road. It took a bit of getting used to going uphill on the gravel bits, as I have never done off road before, but before I knew it I had completed the ride safely AND IT WAS FABULOUS. Mind you I never stood up on the pegs until about the third day, that was another achievement..
The bikes themselves were absolutely great and very forgiving, just the job for the work they have to put up with. If there were any small problems then Robbie our mechanic would soon fix it, top up any fluids that needed attention, give them a cleanup and have them ready and raring to go the next morning, a bit like ourselves actually…
I would love to describe the rides and the roads unfortunately I would run out of adjectives. However, if you like twisty roads to challenge you or if you like the long fast open sweepers with lashings of beautiful jungle and forest zipping by, then you will never stop grinning. If you like miles and miles of straight roads unfortunately you won’t find any in beautiful Sabah. How good is that.?
I have been asked what my favorite adventure was, and for me every day had its own set of favorites. However one that will always stick in my memory was when we rode up to the Tip of Borneo, where Bryan and Graeme hoisted me up onto the top of a structure called THE EGG… (I hope you guys will add that photo )
Personally I think they both should have a medal for the brilliant effort of two eighty kilo men to hoist me, 112 kilo 180 cm bloke up that far.
Obviously there is stacks more to tell about our adventure, and that is what it was, but I will finish off now and leave you to make you own discoveries and adventures. If you have any thoughts about doing something like this, go ahead and do it.
I’m the wrong side of 70, so I’m sure you could do it too…..
Keep riding guys and remember to never stop learning and improving…
Thank you all at Sinurambi and Borneo Biking, hopefully we will be back again one day soon….from your friends… Barry Minogue and Graeme Jones – Perth, Australia…..
