The wonderful world of mountain biking....

Ho-hum, a quiet week on the exciting Manila adventures front, no Typhoons, not much mountain biking and no one crashing. We had a surprise birthday party for "the diva" on the weekend which meant that I only got a 20k road ride in on Saturday and was too hungover to move on Sunday.

Despite this it's good to see that many other people around the world managed to get out on their bikes. It was the Presidential ride in Malaysia.

This is an 60k ride just out side of Kuala Lumpur. 60k doesn't sound much but some of the terrain is pretty serious and the heat provides a challenge on its own. I did it last year, there's some big climbs, and (as long as you're not stuck behind someone riding slowly) some wicked downhill singletrack.

Although not strictly a race, my buddy Pat has come first in this for about a million years, but this year he had technical problems and finished 10th. Toolman, who is hands down, the most competitive guy I have ever met, came fourth. Here he is going hard on his Maverick.

My other buddy, Per who is originally from Norway but now based in Vancouver (lucky, lucky man) unfortunately had a weekend of unpacking boxes and rain. To make us all feel better he sent out this shot......

I reckon this could be in a magazine, although I hope there is an easy way back up......

As for me, I have no access to such inspiring imagery, and instead leave you with this.....

Which is a warehouse, and probably where I will be spending my weekend.......

Thanks to Per, Phil & Augustin for the pics.