Success for hi-adrenalin mountain bike challenge in Borneo

Aug. 10, 2011 - PRLog -- Although they were exhausted and caked in dirt when we caught up with them, the team of mountain bikers were buzzing – they had just completed a 5-day challenge to circumnavigate Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East Asia.  The monumental 200km route boasts some of the most rugged terrain you’re likely to attempt on two wheels, with some parts only passable with the aid of a machete!  Take a heap of steep climbs and treacherous descents on gravel single track, add in some ferocious rivers and rugged forest floor snarled up with giant tree roots, and you start to understand the scale of the task.

Rowan Lamont from Mebourne talked about the amazing expedition, “The riding, food, organisation, back-up, and company was exceptional and very professional.  A great team, a great experience."

The team was made up of keen mountain bikers brought together for this challenge: they included members of the public keen to take up a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, riders from Australian mountain bike specialists Bike Beyond, and members of staff from Fieldskills – the expedition and travel safety company that had organised the trip.  The group came together two days’ before the start of the challenge when they met each other for the first time, tested out the kit (who knew that only expensive bikes float?) and had a warm-up ride.  They also learnt some jungle survival skills – essential for the challenge that lay ahead.  

Fieldskills Director Simon Amos, who led the challenge, takes up the story: “I live out here in Borneo and our day-to-day work involves organising expeditions and adventures for groups and supporting film crews, university fieldworkers and school parties as they go out into this fairly hostile environment to make nature programmes and study the area.  I’m also a keen mountain biker and in my spare time I love to get out and explore the jungle.”

“I just thought it would be fantastic for keen bikers to make up a team and have a go at a hardcore challenge.  So we set it up.  We checked out the route and found some amazing sections to take us through remote traditional villages on to tiny tracks deep in primary rainforest and stunning, deserted beaches.  Fieldskills provided four wheel drive and medical back-up 24/7 as well as qualified local guides, but there was no guarantee we’d make it as there’s lots that can go wrong.  We’ve had a totally exhilarating trip and it’s just brilliant that we managed to complete the challenge.”

Fieldskills has bases in Ulverston (Cumbria, UK) and Sabah (Borneo, Malaysia), and runs a range of adventure travel expeditions in Borneo, Sinai and the UK, as well as first aid courses and expedition training for outdoor instructors and leaders.  

To celebrate the success of the trip Fieldskills has launched a competition to win two free places on its UK-based Lakes Expedition Weekend this September.  Visit http://www.fieldskills.com/adventures for details of the competition, videos, photos, and information about our next mountain bike challenge in October 2011.  You can also request further information by email admin@fieldskills.com or phone 0845 293 7296 (UK) (Malaysia +6088 484 734).

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Fieldskills: First Aid, Expedition, Fieldwork & Travel Safety Training for individuals, expedition companies, universities, fieldworkers & businesses. We use our heritage in outdoor pursuits & expeditions to help others complete safe & successful ventures