Titi was just perfect

We hardly decide where to ride for the weekend after the CNY adrenalin EPO, but we knew that we cringe for more. A last minute decision was made and the word Titi though seems like a mountain to climb but the merry of the buddies attracted most of us to hop in.

It was like a weekend joy train when four of us rolled off from BTHO, later met up with four more at Batu 9 streaking a long eight cyclist into Ulu Langat on Sunday deserted road. By the time we halted at Batu 14, we have ten and the pace was kept descend to allow conversation and jokes across. Some of us decided to start early from Batu 18 hoping that the train will catch up along the way up Peres, which we did actually.

The plan was to ride down to Titi stall for breakfast and turn back for the bumptious 13km climb up to Peres. The ride was supposed to be a ‘thin red line’ kind of ride where there’s no telling whether it is pain or pleasure. But, trust me; by the end of it, you’ll be craving for the next ride already. Spicy!

When we have matured cyclists in a group ride, ride ethics, pace, timing and everything seems to fall into place like a flow of sugar into a jar. As a result, we have the perfect ride. Regrouping was cut short, and even meal time was just about nice for the ride back. Best of all, these old buddies are simply neutral minded without a speck of sentiment found. Isn’t that awesome?

OK. As prescript, the adventure started from the bridge that borders between the leveled earth and the inclines. Titi-Peres climb are awesome for its heartbreaking average 9% as soon as the pedal start its first stroke. And in between the 13km stretch, we have the mercy of some recovery stretches to relax those burning quads. The essence of it is not to drill oneself or attack like there’s no tomorrow. Plus, you have to get that perfect cadence for the ‘flow’ of eternity. Patience, virtue plus the help of an old engine like Jens Voight’s was just the best remedy to finish it with smiles grinning from ear to ear.

Yes, we have that. The smiley faces from all of us. That defines clearly how perfect it was plus the ‘the thin red line’ thing as well. I am thankful, Alhamdullillah that almost all those long ride did before had the full mercy of weather. It could be a turnaround should the overcast dispersed replaced by the streaking sun. And it isn’t pretty. Still, I have those zebra stripes across my arm.