Just came back from Kuantan last night. It was a 24 hour saunter that gave the 'best' out of Kuantan cycle scenes. Coming back again? As of today, NO! Not to cycle but definitely for the food. As of tomorrow or in the near future (give me until the weekend), Yes, perhaps.
The idea of travelling late prior to a century ride has been proven to be fatal. Not that killing la but it really brought the most out of me. Dah lama tak buat crazy stuff until you want to puke. So, once in while I think it's good for the soul la kot.
When Alwin decided to do KCR at the last minute, he told a few of us that he'll be travelling late after a wedding dinner. I on the other hand, still open for any travelling options, decided to tag along. That allows me to settle lots of family affair i.e. chauffeuring, kids sitting, Amir's soccer training and yes, a last minute KCR packing.
After the Morib campaign, it took me almost a week to recover (aging issues). Then it was hometown trip, which left me with 2 weeks of no cycling. The desire to hop onto the trainer was null and void. Not until that Saturday morning, after sending the kids for their classes, the need to vaporise the lay back feeling stood before me. I gave it a shot to pump up the adrenaline. A 30 minutes solitude spinning was all I needed. Alhamdullillah, I was recharged and anxiety rolled in busy with packing and such.
We left KL at 1.30 a.m. Temerloh had a very bad rain, hence travelling speed reduced to caution for water holes on the highway. We reached Kuantan 3 hours later, managed to find MS Garden Hotel in a brief and crash for the night/morning. With 2 hours sleep, it was a big gamble but we were there at the start line mere seconds before the flag-off.
As usual, the tempo was high at the 5KM neutral zone around Kuantan town. As if HR had a jump start trying to catch up with the 35kph pace. Excited betul depa ni. As we left the town towards Jabor, the road was flooded with colourful jerseys of almost 800 cyclists. We paced ourselves in a group. I guess it was another mistake to pace too fast too early. How can we deter ourselves from making a leisure pace when the road was flat and beautiful? We took turn pacing each other between 35-40kph and it was as if we were in wonderland.
The organiser decided to give us the climb at KM30-ish. Earlier understanding, the inclines were nothing more than a short stretch of 10km gradual. Yes they did tell the truth. It was a fast short steep winding climb which most of us didn't really notice the KOM was done if not for the signs. However, the untold truth was after that. There were rolls after rolls of hills. It's not a mountain, but when there were endless of ups and downs for almost 60km, you can start to feel the boredom & tense. This was when I got dropped off, when the legs start to give up on you and power weakens. I had to let go.
Then we entered Jalan Gambang heading towards Kuantan again. A lonely ride along the main trunk road. Hot, fumed and dirt fills the air. I felt tarnished. I need a boost in sugar count. The iconic yellow Shell high mass marked 101st KM gave me hope. Arriving by the station's front door, I dismounted and that was the first attack. I was desperately cringing from both quads and calves cramping. It was horrible. The agony became worse when my right pectorals cramped as well. The pains lasted awhile, until the very last drop of Coke. Dicky decided to join me upon seeing me waving the Coke bottle from afar.
Solitary cyclists strung out under the blazing sun. Expressionless. 59km left and we still have no clue of what awaits. The torment won't last that easy. This is the start of a bigger one.
The next 20km was pure mind game. Flat, straight, exposed and windy. A great combination for disaster for the impatience. You engaged a TT mode gearing, and the next 5 minutes cramp will happily attack. You spin, you'll feel it's going nowhere. A few more manageable attacks occurred but there was nothing I could do. Not a single tree for shade. And the sight ahead was heartbreaking. I was trying my best to pace Dicky but he decided to give way after awhile.
Somebody yelled out my name as we passed a stall. It was pure remedy when a silhouette of buddies under the bright mid-day welcoming a pit stop. Azahari, Saiful, Lias and Pi'e were about to leave. Seemed the gap between us was too large. Alwin had a slight dizzy while Doc Taufik was down with stomach issues. They stayed behind for us. Dicky, Aki CAR and me took the break as a reviving attempt.
A 20km on normal ride should've lasted about an hour but this was melting. I didn't bother to time it but the next turning into a kampung road does not have the slightest different. It was still hot, windy, flat and straight. But this time we were blessed with trees. Big PHEW! Every single tree we passed whispered a welcoming note to enjoy the cooling shades it provides. I think it was the 20th tree when Alwin and me accorded to the invite. We kept on wondering where is the most talked about horrific Pantai Sepat beach road. For not wanting to invite laziness, we kept the break at a brief and decided to mount and cycle on. Moments later, after surviving lots of wind attacks, the open skyline gave a change of perspective.
Pantai Sepat, a pictorial stretch of beach harboring rows of pine trees and green grass. A perfect getaway for the locals. Though it seemed that the beach can't cater swimmers, the breathtaking view was simply calming. On the other side of the long beach, one can see the Kuantan Rivermouth.
It was now or never. Yes, we decided to make another stop, like 'right now' and can't never do it again. And yes, considering 'right now' the whole lot 25km to go in an hour before the cut-off time is never possible. We joined another cyclist who was enjoying his moment under a tree chatting to a fellow marshal. Now the century ride evolved into a cam whoring agenda. We can't resist the laid back background, hence the camera started clicking. Snap! Snap! Snap! Habis semua gambar brader bawah pokok, brader marshal pun jadi modal.
Brader marshal told us the cut-off time is 7hrs30min, in which no medal will be served beyond that. I was a bit struck and disappointed upon hearing that but that's the reality. Just my 2 cents, they should give the medal for completion and a bonus for completing within time. Like Powerman. Because a century distance is never easy. Making an effort to even finish one is already an achievement. Lagi pun, what happen to the unclaim medals? Recycle guna next year? OK. Just my thoughts.
We 'strolled' on continuing our objectives to concur the distance. It was tough. This is one the toughest rides. Someday I will list down a few other rides for memorabilia. We stopped at the last water station but we skipped the free mineral water and bananas. Can't take in any of those anymore. We spent on a glass of coconut drinks instead. Better still, we crashed our sore butts on a beach bench staring against the open sea. Just making the best out of the agony I guess. It was 10 minutes before we noticed the volunteers started clearing up the water station, hence we had to move on.
The cyclometer showed a glaring 13km to go and we can still find isolated cyclists here and there paving along with what's left within. We bowed to the wind and the sun. We bowed to the distance. The final attack on the left calf happened when I was climbing the Sungai Kuantan bridge. I had to bear the excruciating pain. If I stopped, I won't have the strength to unclip and crashing on the narrow road shoulder was not smart. I can't even stretch due to the incline where pedaling is the only way to be mobile. It took 5 painful pedal stroke to beat the cramp and reach the top of the bridge.
3KM more to go to the finish line, but Alwin and me decided to go back straight to the hotel. Without much time, we had to skip rest or a short nap since check out time was nearing. Further more, we need solid meals pronto. The following agenda at Lala Ikan Bakar, Tanjung Lumpur was feasting until you bonk. RM350 for the 9 of us with 3 big kahunas, lala, tom yam, fried squid and jus gelas besar for everyone, I think it was frenzy. See you again KCR160.
Then we entered Jalan Gambang heading towards Kuantan again. A lonely ride along the main trunk road. Hot, fumed and dirt fills the air. I felt tarnished. I need a boost in sugar count. The iconic yellow Shell high mass marked 101st KM gave me hope. Arriving by the station's front door, I dismounted and that was the first attack. I was desperately cringing from both quads and calves cramping. It was horrible. The agony became worse when my right pectorals cramped as well. The pains lasted awhile, until the very last drop of Coke. Dicky decided to join me upon seeing me waving the Coke bottle from afar.
Solitary cyclists strung out under the blazing sun. Expressionless. 59km left and we still have no clue of what awaits. The torment won't last that easy. This is the start of a bigger one.
The next 20km was pure mind game. Flat, straight, exposed and windy. A great combination for disaster for the impatience. You engaged a TT mode gearing, and the next 5 minutes cramp will happily attack. You spin, you'll feel it's going nowhere. A few more manageable attacks occurred but there was nothing I could do. Not a single tree for shade. And the sight ahead was heartbreaking. I was trying my best to pace Dicky but he decided to give way after awhile.
Somebody yelled out my name as we passed a stall. It was pure remedy when a silhouette of buddies under the bright mid-day welcoming a pit stop. Azahari, Saiful, Lias and Pi'e were about to leave. Seemed the gap between us was too large. Alwin had a slight dizzy while Doc Taufik was down with stomach issues. They stayed behind for us. Dicky, Aki CAR and me took the break as a reviving attempt.
A 20km on normal ride should've lasted about an hour but this was melting. I didn't bother to time it but the next turning into a kampung road does not have the slightest different. It was still hot, windy, flat and straight. But this time we were blessed with trees. Big PHEW! Every single tree we passed whispered a welcoming note to enjoy the cooling shades it provides. I think it was the 20th tree when Alwin and me accorded to the invite. We kept on wondering where is the most talked about horrific Pantai Sepat beach road. For not wanting to invite laziness, we kept the break at a brief and decided to mount and cycle on. Moments later, after surviving lots of wind attacks, the open skyline gave a change of perspective.
Pantai Sepat, a pictorial stretch of beach harboring rows of pine trees and green grass. A perfect getaway for the locals. Though it seemed that the beach can't cater swimmers, the breathtaking view was simply calming. On the other side of the long beach, one can see the Kuantan Rivermouth.
 |
| Lovely |
 |
| The kampung road turning into Pantai Sepat |
 |
| Brader marshal ni layan mountainbike |
 |
| The wind tunnel |
Brader marshal told us the cut-off time is 7hrs30min, in which no medal will be served beyond that. I was a bit struck and disappointed upon hearing that but that's the reality. Just my 2 cents, they should give the medal for completion and a bonus for completing within time. Like Powerman. Because a century distance is never easy. Making an effort to even finish one is already an achievement. Lagi pun, what happen to the unclaim medals? Recycle guna next year? OK. Just my thoughts.
We 'strolled' on continuing our objectives to concur the distance. It was tough. This is one the toughest rides. Someday I will list down a few other rides for memorabilia. We stopped at the last water station but we skipped the free mineral water and bananas. Can't take in any of those anymore. We spent on a glass of coconut drinks instead. Better still, we crashed our sore butts on a beach bench staring against the open sea. Just making the best out of the agony I guess. It was 10 minutes before we noticed the volunteers started clearing up the water station, hence we had to move on.
 |
| Simply an escape |
 |
| Dah kena sawan angin lintang |
The cyclometer showed a glaring 13km to go and we can still find isolated cyclists here and there paving along with what's left within. We bowed to the wind and the sun. We bowed to the distance. The final attack on the left calf happened when I was climbing the Sungai Kuantan bridge. I had to bear the excruciating pain. If I stopped, I won't have the strength to unclip and crashing on the narrow road shoulder was not smart. I can't even stretch due to the incline where pedaling is the only way to be mobile. It took 5 painful pedal stroke to beat the cramp and reach the top of the bridge.
3KM more to go to the finish line, but Alwin and me decided to go back straight to the hotel. Without much time, we had to skip rest or a short nap since check out time was nearing. Further more, we need solid meals pronto. The following agenda at Lala Ikan Bakar, Tanjung Lumpur was feasting until you bonk. RM350 for the 9 of us with 3 big kahunas, lala, tom yam, fried squid and jus gelas besar for everyone, I think it was frenzy. See you again KCR160.
 |
| Champion makan kena maintain |
feuwww kalah trip cik kiah balik penang... kali ni kaum banyak disajikan dengan aksi2 telan angin laut sampai kembung perut. takpe next year boleh kasi repeat, kaum pakat standby minyak telon je, thehehe
ReplyDeletecongratsss on your finishing!!!
ye. minyak telon pippi kalau dah tak pakai, jangan buang. asal jangan pedih mata sudah :]
ReplyDeleteTaktau pon minyak telon boleh guna utk org dewasa.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, sounds painful but a great report nevertheless. Cam boleh rasa je angin bayu membawa diriku, sepintas lalu..eh.
Rasanya org dewasa lebih mujarab guna minyak sapi terus.
DeleteWaaa...dah bunyi macam prepare report utk ketua jabatan.
...angin bayu membawa basikal ku, sesiput lalu...
Despite all, you muster every imaginable strength to finish. And that is victorious you!!! Next year I wanna feel that pulsating wind tunnel pain!!! :D
ReplyDeleteIt was unimaginable strength la Yim. Imaginable if I cross the finish line faster. Hehe. Thanks!
DeleteNext year, get the feel of the combo - pulsating wind tunnel + pain in legs = coconut jelly :]
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteterbaek Datok Diket Mencanak...ahmed lamchanak belum tentu boley celen lu :)
ReplyDeleteAhmed belum beli basikal bro. Tunggu kau kalahkan dia, kompom dia pencen terus :]
DeletePunya lah lama aku x masuk di alam blogsphere ni, blog design pun dah tukor kali ke berapa ni? hehehe
ReplyDeleteKalau aku ikut kayuh buat KCR, mmg sah aku cangkuk kau ajer, boleh lepak2 kat pantai hehe. Lu and alwin kantoi pasal late travelling tu. Mmmg HARDCORE jer yg sanggup buat. Next century ride sure berdesup, kasi revenge.
Takpe bai. Janji kau masih ada kat whatappsphere or bb-sphere pun dah OK.
DeleteKalau kau ikut kami, memang kau akan jadi tukang tarik simpanan khas utk Pantai Sepat je. Upah jeli kelapa. Amacam? Itu bukan HARDCORE bai tapi 'hardHEADED'. keh keh keh.
p/s. Anuar Maarof cari lu bai :P