An Afternoon with Rob Armstrong

Photo credit to Rob Armstrong

Rob Armstrong is the founder and CEO of Oz to Ice Consultants based in Shah Alam, Selangor. A former mechanical engineer from Wollongong, Australia decided to sell all his assets in his hometown and started traveling the world in 2011 on a custom Suzuki DR650. He have been to many places including remote areas such as Timor Leste before decided to base in Shah Alam and started his own firm Oz to Ice Consultants, which focus in engineering consultancy for industry and events. The firm specializes in project and event management, adventure motorcycle travel, off-road motorcycle rider training, travel writing and photography.

A couple of days ago, he wrote an open invitation on his facebook page, inviting beginner riders like me testing his newly found trail in Rawang. So that was how I met him on Thursday and followed him on an offroad trail that afternoon.

A couple of other riders listed themselves as well but only Mr. Eju are available that day when I arrived at Rawang toll outbound area. About 15 minutes past 2, the three of us made a move towards the trail through B27 Jalan Batu Arang heading towards Bestari Jaya (Batang Berjuntai). Weather that afternoon is cloudy with some light occasional showers with temperature around 28°C. Not a bad afternoon for riding!

We stopped at the trail waypoint to reduce our tyre pressure and some stretching.

Rob’s Trail (Rawang) GPS 3.38136, 101.45854  

As soon as we entered the trail, Rob speed-off like a pro with Eju was close behind and there is not less than 50m gap between me and them. The trail is generally flat and the surface is made of sand with occasional potholes and small rocks. Traction of Indonesian made Zeneos Turino was really tested here as I’m blasting through the trail, which is slightly wet that afternoon.

They are too fast for me to take picture with one hand on the bike and it made me regret for not having helmet mounted cam for this ride.

We rode alongside Sungai Selangor and the area is full of sand-mining activities. We crossed the river on steel bridge twice and we stopped on the 2^nd to take pictures.

Steel bridge over Selangor River

GPS 3.441349, 101.502550

Photo Credit to Rob Armstrong

Photo Credit to Rob Armstrong

Photo Credit to Eju

We continued along the trail towards a palm oil plantation and the trail surface changed from sand to small loose rocks with mud holes. We stopped again after a small river crossing (1.5m wide, 0.5m deep).

 Photo credit to Rob Armstrong

Photo credit to Rob Armstrong

Photo credit to Rob Armstrong

It began to get dark when we continued toward Sungai Tinggi dam and it was pouring heavily when we arrived.

Photo Credit to Eju

After a quick photo, we continued towards Felda Sungai Tengi and stopped by a roadside restaurant. It continued to rain when we said goodbye to each other here around 5.30pm. Eju and I continued towards Kampung Soeharto before turning right heading to Behrang. Rob said he heard knocking noise from his engine and would like ride slowly back towards Shah Alam.

Thanks to Rob for this experience and I would definitely ride with you again in the future.

Ride snippets:

Riders:

Mr. Rob Armstrong DR650

Mr. Eju F650GS

Myself V650

Distance:

136km (Total)

29.7km (Rob’s Trail Rawang)

Duration: 4 hours

Petrol: RM20

Date: December 1^st, 2016

Average moving speed: 78km/h

Max elevation: 87m

Lowest Tem: 26°C

Maximum Temp: 33°C