Genting Highland - BatangKali

In the cloud/mist it is a hard climb by any standards; on a clear day it''s brutal. To be treated with respect - you can do yourself serious damage on this, particularly if you are used to attacking hills



The 16km or so up to the police checkpoint is pretty if you like jungles and not too steep on average but the heat and dehydration undoubtedly has an effect and there are some nasty early ramps to take the snap out of your legs



The first km or so after the checkpoint lulls you in to a false sense of security, because it then just gets harder and harder. And harder. Unlike ADH, there are not many hairpins to relieve the monotony and those there are are actually steeper: on left handers you generally can''t take the easy line because of traffic (drive on left in Malaysia)



Sadly the top is a concrete monstrosity, so unless you fancy gambling in sweaty lycra (they''d probably let you) it''s better to pick your way back down past the speed humps and tourist coaches to the checkpoint area for roti prata and teh tarik (recovery food of champions)



The ''police'' at the checkpoint will try to stop you but just smile, nod, wave and ignore them

My personal climb rating:

Relentless. No reprive on the gradient to break the climb. On a bad day with blazing tropical heat, the gradient feels at least 3-5% steeper than the actual gradient as it just saps you energy level down.

My personal climb rating: