Ain't no mountain high enough - K.O.M. Ipoh 2010

We have the mountains all around us. 9KM Genting Peres, 16KM Genting Sempah, 35KM Fraser's Hill, 40KM climb from Bentong back to Genting Sempah, but 54KM from Simpang Pulai up to Blue Valley, Cameron Highland lured me for mega endorphines (Genting Highland is considered other types of craziness - I only attempted up to Goh Tong before I went nuts).

The first news I got about KOM Ipoh, I straight away abandoned the lingering initial plan to attempt Nike City Run and 10.10.10 Hoo! Haa! Too many running races, rare cycling events lately. I had to try this one, plus the usual cycling peeps had already started chit chatting about it. Besides, it's history in the making. The day I scaled Cameron Highland on two wheels should be cool enough to share with my grandchildrens... echeh! OK la, it's actually the third time riding in Cameron. The first one was drive up from Tapah for a mountainbike ride through Jim Thompson's legendary trail.

Laif, Azmar, Jaja and me carpooled into Laif's pickup truck as early as 4.00 a.m. that Sunday morning. Since we have other priorities at bay, the idea of heading to Ipoh a day earlier was scraped. Besides, it was quite a descend distance to make it as a daytrip event and still not sacrifice Saturday. Met up with Alwin, Jejai, Komeng and buddy from Bukit Jelutong cycling peeps at R&R Rawang an hour later before stopping at Tapah for morning chores.

We arrived half an hour before flag-off but however it seemed that we were the last one to arrive. Mr. Emcee started announncing for the time and every shouts from him didn't quite help us with the preparation. Aiyah! Huru hara dibuatnya! Five minutes to 7.30 a.m. we squeezed ourselves behind the line and there was no time for doublechecking and what not. Laif, Azmar and me decided to let the peloton rolled by which left us the way to the Balai Bomba toilet. Phew! The pre-race fluid jitters were discharged with super relief.

Then it was time to play chase and catch. I believed they had advanced for 2km ahead of us by the time I started my stopwatch from the toilet door. We caught up with the peeps right before the starting of the super duper climb. They were cruising their legs wishing they will survive the endurance big momma gonna give.

Weather was generously perfect. Magnificent. Kind. All you can wish for a great ride and REACH FOR THE SKY! Not a single peek from the sun and that was minus one big tormenting factor. I was spinning at my own pace, didn't bother to stay behind with a few others, while some have already chasing their dreams to make a PB. Det decided to tag along awhile before reaching the 25th KM water station when I realised I was riding alone among strangers. We exchanged smiles and Hi! along the way.

Into the first half of Big Momma (Photo from James Phang)

Legs were pretty much happy with the cadence and pace. Tummy felt hungry pulak somewhere at KM30. Though I had fried rice back in Tapah R&R, perhaps the cold weather and burning engine really takes up most of the calories, fast - patut la susah nak gemuk! I took in a protein bar while slowing down my pace for recovery. Once in a while, the view of the majestic climb had me gulping. It was a magnificent view. Too bad I didn't take the chance to stop and take pictures since I only wanted to focus on the ride. I had major nose issues by the way that I need to satisfy. It was a left and right blow-ride all the way. Of course when no ones around la, else somebody's getting extra GU gels on their bikes. Lol!

Intermitently I was toggling with the Cateye meter between stopwatch, cadence and distance. Speed varied between 11kph at steeper sections while cranking up to 21kph at most of the gradual ones. Although I was tempted at times to rig in the big crank, I had to accord to the distance. Strength wont get me up there in time. Spin will. Maintain cadence at 80 above.

There was an accident involving a car somewhere in between. It just happened moments before I arrived at that particular corner. Broken glasses and car parts strewn all over the road. Lucky no cyclist was hurt la. Or else it would be a tragedy.

Upon reaching 40KM mark, the butt started giving in. Numbness have amplified to SUPER-NUMB. Linkin Park would've loved the idea for their second Numb album I guess. There was no recovery place for us to simply stop spinning and coast the bike, let alone stretch the legs. I had to squeeze in a few glute/butt stretch while pedal-standing. Temperature starts to drop, chill wind didn't quite help with the nose job. Bacin and Alwin caught up with me somewhere at KM42. Bacin flew away to the front dissappearing into the corners while Alwin decided to take it easy with his knees. The moment was too short before I started to ride alone again.

Geng Langat with "Jangan Kasi Pecch-ah" tagline.
L-R: Zakuan, Abang Halim, Bacin, Saiful, Deti & Azahari
(Photo by Shirat Azree)

KM50! There you go! 4KM to go and the distance marker started to appear on the roadside. It was rolling a bit, up and down. And weather turns cold drastically. I was in joy mood by now but it was pretty much a premature celebration. It was minutes away before 3 hour. The cut-off time is 5 hours. The last 2KM climb actually almost split me. By then the distance marker they painted on the roadside in yellow paint were placed at every 250 meters. The countdown in decimal points drove me crazy! Gilos! It went from 53.000, 53.250, 53.500, 53.750...54.000! Pergh! Almost die cranking up those last bit and chasing the sub-3 hour target - the target was only decided at the last few kilometers. Adhoc goal. Hehe. Too bad no more legs la and I had to compel to the 1 minute 37 seconds extra.

Anyway, I had a 45 minutes waiting for the rest of the peeps to concur their dream and the chilling temperature starts biting in. My initial plan was to take the ride in Laif's car back down - thanks to Azwan for driving it up as support crew. I had to give my seat to Zakuan who was in sorry state to ride back down. He had fever and leg issues. Only a few of us rode down through that wicked temperature. We zoomed like mad, only to slow down once in a while at sharp bends and when cross winds almost blew us aside. It was an hour of crazy stuff actually. We go slow, we suffer more to the cold. We go fast, risk of side winds and numb fingers bites in. It was no more cool breeze blowing in the face. All nose fluid like waterfall by now. I just stayed focus and arrived back at the Balai Bomba an hour 40 minutes later with whats remaining inside. Now I was starving like mad cow already. The plan to indulge Nasik Wanggey was ditched when I saw ikan keli sambal at the nearby stall. Coke and ikan keli sambal was the perfect marriage. Ammah!

Smiling in between stuffy nose, shivers and relief
(Photo by Shirat Azree)