Broga Pondan...Power!

Kononnya momentum kayuhan dah OK selepas buat 2-3 trip naik turun bukit bukau. So, bila ada kaum petik untuk kayuhan yang sedikit lebih mencabar, hati ini teruja untuk ber-jimba dengan kaki yang gatal ni. Depa pi petik Broga Pondan, tapi start dari BTHO. Itu bermaksud extra hampir 30km from the original loop. Maka, ride Broga Pondan Power diberi nama. Siap…!

Walaupun hanya laungan di kalangan kaum TOK aje, tapi plan kayuhan telah didengari para pengayuh basikal tegar sekitar Lembah Klang. Dapat dikumpul pada pagi tersebut hampir 15 orang yang akan menduga ketabahan jiwa. Boleh tahan jugak sambutan. Ada beberapa muka yang baru dikenali selain yang regulars.

Aku tak tau kenapa, tapi jarang kali aku attempt Broga dengan hati yang betul-betul tenang & penuh  keyakinan. Ada la satu kali aje kot yang betul-betul aku puas hati, tapi most of it memang suffer ala-cendol basi. Maka, pagi tersebut debaran kembali & hati mula goyang sebaik sahaja melepasi Gerai Anje Batu 18. Kaki rasa kurang respon positif dan pernafasan bergelora bagai tsunami. Petanda kurang bagus.

Sebaik mendaki laluan Genting Peres, pace yang boleh dikatakan sesedap rasa beberapa hari lepas aku buat sudah agak sukar untuk aku kekalkan. Memantul je rasa kaki & breathing. Halfway up, aku lepaskan tali cangkuk dari Alwin dan decide untuk follow pace se-kelat rasa.

Group of 15 ini hampir sama pace, maka regrouping di puncak Peres tak mengambil masa yang terlalu lama. Less than 5 minutes, kami berduyun-duyun turun ke arah Titi melepasi titik penyesalan yang bakal tiada noktah.

Jelas terbukti aku masih dalam mode training, di mana tatkala aku duduk dalam peloton, aku mampu mengukir senyuman dengan speed 37km/j. Tetapi sebaik aje terima giliran untuk menarik, kaki bagaikan kelu dan bertahan untuk 1 minit sahaja dah bagaikan penyeksaan yang teramat panjang.

Cabaran yang lebih tegar menanti sebaik kami ‘refuel’ di Petronas Kuala Klawang dan mengharungi turun-naik Kampung Jelebu menghala ke kaki Bukit Tangga. Papantanda tempat perkelahan Jeram Toi menandakan perkelahan kami bakal bermula dengan penyesalan.

Kaki masih dalam mode protest. Seorang demi seorang melepasi aku dengan perancangan untuk hanya melayan respon kaki yang masih dalam pembikinan. Cuaca agak damai tatkala memulakan pendakian, namun bertukar menjadi tikaman menusuk jiwa dalam separuh perjalanan naik. Seingat aku, zaman mula-mula aku dapat C24 dulu, pencapaian terbaik aku di sini. Selamba aje naik dengan senyum. Tapi itu je sekali. Pencapaian lain diibarat macam terkapai-kapai hado!

Regrouping di kaki bukit di simpang sebelum ke Lenggeng. Hanya Alwin & Nizam kelihatan di puncak Bukit Tangga menunggu aku selain mengambil nafas recovery. Aku hanya lalu tanpa berhenti sambil mengajak depa turun terus bagi menjimatkan masa.

Bukit kedua ialah Bukit Mandom. Bukit ini juga yang tiada belas kasihan (tatabahasa aku pun dah caca-merba). Sudah mula kedengaran beberapa keluh kesah dari kawan-kawan yang melepasi aku. Termasuk juga aku, penyesalan dah tiada gunanya tapi sebaik sampai di pekan Lenggeng, it should be a bit better…kot.

Aku layan mendaki Bukit Mandom tanpa perasaan. Malas dah nak fikir. Mental hanya lebih focus kat nasi lemak ikan sembilang yang menanti perut yang sedikit berkeroncong.

Timing ride kami untuk kali ini agak cantek. Ketibaan kami di Kuala Klawang sekitar 10:30 pagi, dan kami Berjaya sampai di pekan Lenggeng sekitar jam 12:15 p.m. (itu pun waktu aku nak mula suap…maybe 5 minit awal). Alhamdullillah.

Perut kembali naik! Argh! Akibat nikmat suapan hidangan masakan kampong yang sejati. Lately memang aku banyak concern pasal perut ku yang dulu nya hanya sekadar sindiran sinis tapi bila berdiri depan cermin, memang saling tak tumpah macam kuali gulai kawah. Puiii…!

Bagi me-maintain-kan timing yang cantek, makan serupa bas express, 12:30 p.m. kami dah duduk atas basikal untuk meneruskan perjuangan ke stage yang seterusnya, iaitu mengharungi rolling route of Broga sehingga pekan Semenyih sekitar 20km. Kami cuba untuk berada dalam satu group sebaik mungkin dan ia agak berjaya. Tapi tatkala peloton bertukar menjadi tiupan angin ribut, memang kaki ini menjerit-jerit keperitan menahan untuk terus cangkuk bersama.

Seperti biasa Shell Semenyih menjadi refuel stop terakhir. Bukit bukau terakhir juga di Lebuhraya SILK bakal menambah jiwa yang sedang luka. Tahap bonk belum tiba tapi kaki masih seperti yo-yo dengan sekali sekala memberi respon positif dan sekali sekala respon manja nak kena ketuk baru dia nak pusing.

Kayuhan khatam dengan mengambil masa 5 jam 46 minit dengan jarak 146km! Mak aih! Patut la aku nyawa-nyawa ikan. Milage increase dengan drastic sekali boh! Tapi Alhamdullillah takde difficulty kronik dan semua sampai dengan muka puas. Aku perlu menambah kekuatan lagi…ngeh ngeh ngeh… ;]

The rolling hills between Selangor & N9

Dua and 3 Hills

The momentum just kicked in and I let myself play along. The rhythm is just nice with some family activities thrown in to make it merrier. Hence, the weekend is packed and solidified with awesome adventures and fun.

Approaching the OCBC Cyclethon for the kids, we didn’t prepare much. Only at the last minute, that particular Friday evening we were excited about it and ushered Amir and Umar for a spin around the block. With 3 laps and sprint intervals at each, in a fun way of course, we just hoped that it would be enough.

SK-2 Cross Country

Saturday morning was Amir’s school cross country run. His third year now and training was blatantly done during his soccer trainings at school and the evening soccer play with the neighborhood kids. We didn’t hope much but I reckoned that he has the legs for a placing. I was casually being there without raining him with pressure and just make sure he runs safely and smart. Deep inside, we understand that each of us had some expectation for success. Umar, as usual the biggest supporter when he requested to tag along.

As anticipated, it did turn out successfully though the waiting was a bit doubtful due to the time taken for Amir to arrive back at school and the number of kids finishing. He looked focused and strong charging towards the finishing line. He came back to me with satisfaction completing in third place! Alhamdullillah. We waited for the prize giving session and dashed back home for rest before the evening’s OCBC cyclethon.

Jr Toks

“Amir pakai strategi ayah bagitau. ‘Start slow & habis kuat’,” his quote over lunch and I respect him for holding to the advice. Kinda touching too.

OCBC Cycle Malaysia

Right after ibu came back home, we ventured into the Saturday afternoon traffic into KL town towards KLCC where OCBC cyclethon took place. Not quite a strategic venue though, since car parks and other logistic issues were the biggest challenge. Why didn’t they consider Putrajaya for such a lovely venue with beautiful landscapes and whole big roads for every cyclist?

Amir and Umars’ age category was scheduled to start at 3:15 p.m. However, upon arriving at the venue, we saw almost every kid had entered the holding bay and yet it was still an hour to go. They blew the horn early! Mere minutes after Amir and Umar got themselves in, the fun began with a bang! There were easily 50 little cyclists between 7-9 years old with all kinds bike. The atmosphere was so full of fun! Naufal, our neighbor and their best friend decided to tag along as supporter. And not forgetting KakLong thw whole life fan as well ;]

With the railings guiding them throughout the big circle in front of the Twin Tower, it was almost similar to a grand tour criterion stage, only a mini size one. The dashing and zooming of these little tots with big hearts was a great scene. We found our spot to cheer them along the course. Amir zoomed by with full concentration. He didn’t bother our shouts and cheers. Moments later Umar bobbing by on his undersized bike, upon hearing our cheers he found us and waved in excitement. So funny la this guy.

Konar baring or drift?!

Lead man

You're supposed to bite it, not suck it!

Yeay! Kami setuju esok kami tak akan kacau ayah ber-jimba!

Laps after laps, 4 altogether I counted, fatigue faces drooled in on everyone though some still have the courage to fight on. They completed the challenge and were guided towards the medal and drinks station. Such a very short adrenaline rushed for the kids as well as the spectators. Thumbs up guys!

3 Hills Backyard Ride

All the conundrums a day earlier was throttled at a manageable pace handling domestic tasks with tender loving. Sunday came totally for dad. The usual ‘kampung’ suspects planned for a smaller scale ala-Colmar ride. A short, localized non-travelling required and quick dash back home. We chose Bukit Sungai Tekali a.k.a. Bukit Hantu, Genting Peres and Bukit Ampang for the day’s menu, just nice for the climbing legs momentum workout.

Crowd was just nice. With 8 manageable buddies, we rolled off from the usual joint sharp at 7:30 a.m. Sunday traffic was light into Hulu Langat, only at the usual breakfast joints along the way. Quite a while since I went up Bukit Hantu, where the day’s first climb was managed at a slower pace reserving for latter.

The road was closed from traffic at the foot of the hill. Halfway up, we came upon a massive landslide that have taken away half of the pavement and the earth beneath it. Scary sight. The fall was too deep to survive which was almost the same magnitude that occurred to the road to Sungai Tekala.

Regrouping and down we went, heading towards Peres. Now the pace has throttled up and some decided to play catch. It was a fast climb and almost took most of my legs. We didn’t stay long since strong wind gushed through the Peres top chilling our sweaty form in seconds. The descending was fast too; basically everyone was synchronizing for the same thoughts for ‘roti canai’ at the usual Batu 18 stall.

After the ‘chase’ for ‘roti canai’, we had the bobbing idea about Bukit Ampang. 50-50.  Somebody rubbed salt to the wound some more when an idea came up to ditch the last climb. However, most of us were used to the pain from last week’s ride; hence we scaled Bukit Ampang under the knifelike sun. Though not as steep as Bukit Hantu, and not as long as Peres, the rising temperature adds up to the challenge. Legs almost jellied halfway up but it stood where it was supposed to be, on the pedal. Alhamdullillah.

Only four of us left to ride back to Batu 9 and BTHO. I had the privilege to draft one of the finest bikes and cyclists. I couldn’t recall who was doing the work up front but it was a good strong one, awesomely cruising at 30-ish km/hr. I just had my senses gone numbed and kept on revving ignoring the pain.

The ride back home was satisfaction concluded. We went for a group ride in a synchronized rhythm less the sentiment issue, enjoying the camaraderie in the same passion, or shall I say it was one awesome sentiment-free-ride! 

Sickness - Bukit Tinggi

The idea of attempting hills of Bukit Tinggi came last year when Azmi a.k.a. Globe Rider started sowing the seeds of mountain love into my mind. It was then when Rozaimi wanted to train his mountain legs, I rolled out the proposal. In fact it was good for everyone who plans to start the new season with some strength trainings.

The words started spreading. Suddenly TOK came back alive with a few ideas and nonsense thrown in but the Colmar idea was pretty much doable. I notified Azmi asking for route direction but we get back more instead, he willingly wanted to lead the ride. Magnificento!

The words of mouth were so strong that we easily gathered about 21 buddies at Sup Awe that morning. With a few more groups with their own ride, the place can easily be mistaken for an event. Though, the rain clouds kicked in some wariness among us, a plan is still a plan that requires pursuances.

Three quarter way up Genting Sempah, we had a puncture. Slight drizzle and thick fog adds up to the drama. Fog was so thick, visibility was merely meters away. The feeling of Alps climbing fantasized in each of us.

Riding down from Genting Sempah towards Janda Baik intersection was wet, cold & numb. We shivered on our bikes while slowly grasping the brakes ready for any unwanted mishaps. With the weather looked unpromisingly good for the rest of the ride, 6 buddies bailed out & decided to detour to Janda Baik instead, leaving out the remaining 15 for the Colmar attempt. Beyond this juncture, it was a new riding route my most of us.

We rolled down the steep and winding road through Bukit Tinggi narrow street, busy with the Sunday morning hawkers and wet market. The only way into Colmar Tropicale was from the Karak Highway. Hence, we had to cycle on the highway for about 3km. The idea of cycling on Karak Highway was beyond my thoughts. Which means, we had to climb back up on Karak Highway to Genting Sempah…?

The real ordeal was the sight of the majestic climb right after we entered the Berjaya Hills entrance road. Similar to Fraser Hills, it has 2 optional routes navigating to the same point, which is the ultimate Colmar Tropicale peak.

Azmi suggested the left option which is pretty much longer but less nasty circumnavigating in a clockwise direction. Through to be told, we don’t have the slightest idea of how steep was the climb until Azmi shouted out the gradient reading from his tweeting Garmin. Damn! The variation threw in 9-10% average and it was kind of demotivating as well. We had the pleasure of beautiful overcast sky and cool breeze with a few recovery stretches along the climb. It can be tormenting should the sky open up since the climb was exposed without canopies.

The 14km long climb started playing yo-yo down to our quads and gluteus. Every stroke of the crank arm getting heavier each time we met with a new climb. Climb after climb, we started seeing resort buildings and that was a good sign for remedy.

The only thing that was a bit frustrating about this route is that we had to pay to enter Colmar Tropicale and food ain’t cheap either. Despite our engine-less vehicle, we were still charged without mercy of RM12. Trust me; next attempt will be until the ticket collection booth. I’m not paying again.

The most brutal climb is beyond that ticket counter, a 16% gradient for 100m, and we actually paid purposely for that. Call it stupidity. Almost similar to the one in Bukit Merah Resort climb.

It felt so steep, really. I can feel the steepness. The thighs were struggling to push the pedals for forward/upward motion. The hands were gripping the hoods for control and the core was burning trying to keep balance in place. Straight up was almost impossible; hence we were advised to zig-zag instead. I was lucky it was only 100 meters; else walk-the-bike approach should’ve been more logical.

We rolled in towards the entrance of the Colmar Street and rest our bike & butts at the bench that was put in a strategic pattern for photo shoots. Cold, wet & hungry, we had loads of photos taken to make every penny worth spent.

Pasukan Bola MSSD Bukit Tinggi (pic by Affendy Nanyan)

Starvation pulled us out early from the town. The idea of walking on the cobble stone was hindered by the security. They wanted us to park our bikes elsewhere instead. Now who’s gonna watch over those RM15k bike? Bad idea.

Now it was playing chase going back down the other way. Turn after turn with small turning radius at times. Loosing concentration may lead to crash or overshooting the safety guardrails. Balance and tossing around with the centre of gravity was skills! The scene from Chasing Legends when the pros went down mountain path with tires screeching and brakes whining suddenly caught my day dreaming from the cold mountain air. The recap of Jens Voight crashed at high speed descending was heart stopping.

Slowly reducing my speed and secured my approach at every corner avoiding any unwanted stunts. Completing the descent was also tiring.  We regrouped before entering Karak Highway again and started to string ourselves out like a bee line along the highway pacing our own selves in accordance to our empty fuel tank.

Finally lunch break came when we stopped at the Bukit Tinggi town. The town always reminded me of Cameron Highland’s Farmville, small and busy to itself. A Malay restaurant serves the best lunch for the day with a cup of hot Nescafe ‘O’. Sumptuous.

Pump-it up! (pic by Halil Rahman)

We had a short discussion for alternatives way back up to Genting Sempah intertwined with laughter from the day’s feat. Jokes started flying around the lunch table, but we yet to see the final of it.

It was either via Jalan Gombak lama with 2km steep incline plus 3km granny or the 3km continuous 10% Karak Highway. We chose the latter for a shorter torment & time. The climbing speed was almost similar to the YTL cement carrying tanker. It was totally solitude as one stayed to our own selves despite the revving engines from the highway. It seemed endless but still the final push from Genting Sempah R&R will be the ultimate challenge.

Bike portaging is part of the game (pic by Halil Rahman)

We took a breather at the R&R while regrouping before the last climb. The last climb almost had most of us. With tiring legs, we cursed our selves left and right. This climb is always being remembered as the painful one, almost for every cyclist.

Here we go up Karak Highway (pic by Halil Rahman)

The rolling down Genting Sempah to Sup Awe was mixed with boredom and smile. We checked-in at 2:30 p.m. and that provide enough time for a quick cleanup and ABC.

With a few more ride plans down the line, more posts will be inevitable. Looks like the legs are twitching for more & looks like running will be at bay for a while.

Lets get crazy...

Feel Again

Year 2013 came with a bang for most of us. Alhamdullillah. Me, I just planned for a slow crawl into the building blocks back into shape after a year of absence and just plain building guts.

The original plan to revisit Bukit Ammah was shelved due to the lack of morality, but in another perspective, I was wise enough not to. Running milage took a yo-yo trip with all those school break trips. Eventually, I had to post it at Bib-2-let on FB.

Watching down the line of 2013, it may seem that getting the running legs back into shape isn’t easy. I’ll be busier ‘running’ around the neighborhood juggling domestic issues, literally. Marathon? KIV for another year. That’s two years in a row now.

The cycling part is more enjoying for the time being. That’s because I can only do it once a week over the weekend, and there’s nothing more demanding than that. It’ will be either a simple cup of coffee ride or the ones that you-can-bite-more-than-you-can-chew kind of ride.

Right after the school opening drama settles down, it was back to my dusty drawing board to plan for building a mileage program. This old goat needs a twitch to the age old stuff; hence we need some kind of a slow build up. Strength first, mileage comes in progressively. Possible?

With what was left from the kayuh laksa jamboree kicked-off, the rolling back into Langat and up Genting Peres was fortunately manageable. Though it may seem like a crawl pace, but it was still enjoyable less gritting teeth and curse.

The second ride to Lenggeng Loop for the lovely nasi lemak ikan sembilang was absolutely fantastic. Now I can feel that the gear starts kicking in and drools for more.

Ride plans came in like a gush of silky wind over the window seal. We have a few plans down the line for January and February already. Event calendar have yet to be settled since a few wish-to-do events threw in blood sucking participating fee.

We have just completed the Colmar climb yesterday. We rode from Gombak to Colmar and back. A very hilly route and it paid a handsomely rewarding lower back pain! Been a while since I did a suffer fest ride this. It should be a good one for the starting block though, of course after this back pain subsides.

My feet and heart is numb...