Morib Annual

Almost seemed like an annual affair about this ride to Morib. About a year ago, almost the same date and month, we were trailing our butts for Morbid Morib. This time of year, the plan was set a month ago. At least one long ride per month. Konon. But I didn’t realize that it will take the pleasure out of it, which turned out to be…torment!

When the miles have piled up from months of long rides, mostly in endurance pace, the heart is jumping for joy for the treat of testing the strength. Little did I know that I paid the price for it. Well, at least I knew…in a hard way of course. As always.

Our pace was slightly a bit on the high side throughout the ride. We paid our price there and then. The culminating weather for the past few days added salt to the wound. There was always the weather factor but don’t blame it. Just some analysis.

Despite some technical glitch with punctures and chain misled, we still managed to reach Morib at 11.00 a.m. which was faster than a year ago. Told you we were fast. The break was also short with quick meals and top ups. In 20 minutes we were off for the final battle.

As we started to leave Morib, the group of 18 was already divided when few of us decided to keep the pace to their own mandatory safe zone. Too bad we can’t wait and had to decide what was best for the majority.

The flat Morib-Bagan Lalang road never played a joyful note. The war tune was mostly from the gusting wind and scorching sun with a bit of smell from a nearby plantation. Euwww!

From Sepang onwards, it was live or die pace. Nobody bothered or willing to control the pace anymore. I was cranking my own sweet and sour 53-16 ratio, holding on to the pace as long as I could. Somewhere deep inside the pain, I was also a bit surprised that the sustainable threshold was manageable.

Since it was now already an own expense, I tried repeating the same mode for a few more times with recoveries in between. The remaining stretch of rolling, through Salak Tinggi and Kampung Jenderam was bantered with more ‘5 big-3small’ menu.

The last regrouping was 5km away from the carpark. I was sure dehydrating was waiting for me. Both bottles were empty by then. Quads were in pain, waiting nervously for the cramp to strike at anytime. I chugged down a 100plus before the final push.

Each time it cramped, I just kept on striking the heavy gearing to strain out the pain. It went on a few times but I had to live with it and none panic situation required, as long as it was manageable.

We wrapped it up in 5 hours closed to a century distance which was also almost the same kind of ride to Kuantan Century Ride 2012. Coastal simulation perhaps. With the building blocks getting into the intensity stage, I would expect more pain coming.