Having found Bike With Elena through research on TripAdvisor, we also looked at the website and found there were other tour options. We were looking for something to get us out of KL and into the countryside for a day, and we found it.
We have visited KL from the UK about 5 or 6 times due to having friends there, and were keen to return as soon as possible following the pandemic. We usually visit other areas in Malaysia at the same time but on this trip had no time, hence wanting to at least get out of the city for a day.
The Waterfall Tour was the right choice for us.
It was a c. 46 km cycle, on an out-and-back course. We were collected from our hotel punctually at 6.30am as planned, with good communication by WhatsApp and email in advance and on the day. We were then driven to Hulu Langat, a small rural town about 45 minutes from KL. There we were kitted out with bikes and given a light local breakfast (really great choice of food stop with a great selection both for omnivore me and vegetarian husband, whose dietary needs were well catered for all day)
And then we set off! It was surprisingly cool setting out before 8am, which made the first kilometres very pleasant indeed. It's great to see a slice of real Malaysian life which is very different outside of KL and other cities. Gorgeous scenery too. The first c.12k or so were flat or a very slight incline as we were following a river upstream. Then the 'undulating' bit started and continued up and down until we got to the half way point. No mountainous climbs but enough that I was in the lowest gear for some of them (and then glorious free wheeling down the other side!) We also rode around most of a wonderful reservoir serving the greater KL area - more beautiful scenery (and a good place to pause for a photo stop to catch a break!)
The halfway point is a small forest reserve / country park where you can walk a little upstream to a waterfall. It was Sunday when we did our tour so it was busy with local families with kids, picnicking and swimming. If I'm honest, it's not a spectacular park to visit just on its own merit but it makes a great half way point for this cycle, you can cool down in the shade and by the water.
Then we stopped at a nearby parking lot where there was another local stall selling home made snacks. Another great selection of snacks and very rehydrating iced drinks were purchased for us and then after scoffing them, we set out to return.
The way back was much harder since it was now gone 11am and much hotter. However still lovely scenery and some of the route was still in shade - the shady bits were a relief. The guide was keen to emphasise at all times that we should go at our own pace and 'enjoy the journey' and this was good advice, particularly for anyone (like us Brits) not used to cycling in such temperatures/ humidity (though we did hire bikes in Singapore for a few hours a few days prior).
At the end of the ride, Strava told me that this was the longest bike ride I've ever recorded on Strava! and indeed it was tough. On the website this was rated as difficulty 3 where the KL city tour is a 1 and a hilly 'mountain' ride a 5. I'd say this is an accurate rating - as long as you do cycle for exercise. The city tours are short and slow paced and anyone who could ride a bike could probably do them. But to give you an idea of my level, I ride about once a week in the summer, up to 2 hours on undulating territory. In winter I ride once a month for no more than an hour. I do other exercise like running and am generally quite fit. This ride for me was challenging-but-do-able. Terrain very easy (very good roads) but the combination of the undulating slight hilliness and most importantly, the heat made it tougher. So 3 out of 5 would be accurate.
At the end of the ride we were offered lunch (which we declined, having eaten too much already!) and then driven back to our hotel in KL, having been on the tour about 7 hours in total.
Overall, a great tour and I highly recommend this company. The guide told us all sorts of interesting stuff on the way and was very attentive to our needs, striking the perfect balance. And his English was great!
Thanks very much and hope you get all the tourists back as things reopen.