Sekinchan in Blaze

The Meteorological Department forecast rainy weekend over Selangor especially the coastal side. I kept my fingers crossed prior to Saturday since this particular cycling route is known for its unmerciful temperature.

Since it will be the final or shall I say, peak training ride in the training regime for the upcoming KCR, few of us decided to make full use of whatever opportunity we have to materialise the plan.

I have experience before, training for the longest distance can be difficult in getting buddies to join. Besides other chores and commitments, and perhaps time spent on it, the distance will definitely chase buddies afar.

Hence, a local ride group had planned for their Ride of The Month to Lumut, covering 210 km from Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam. We just require a bit of twitching to the plan to make it lesser and be right back home in a nudge. Complying to Domestic Visa approval after last super epic adventure to Tranum.

We opted to turn back at Sekinchan. That should cover 85 km one-way. Total up to 170 km for our last ride for KCR. A flat course and all we need is just keep the crank spinning for at least 5 hours.

For two consecutive weekends I left home in the wee morning driving out to RV points. Felt like yesteryears committing to LSD runs. It will only be for these two weekends and then, it will all be over. Trust me, the same feeling I had when preparing for a marathon. At the juncture of almost 12-18 weeks training, the mental game will start playing discouraging tones like fatigues, muscle sore, recovery time, family time, etc..

Listen! Listen! Listen! Briefing time ye

The BJCC Human Train to Lumut fled off at 7.00 a.m. from d'Bayu, the usual start point. We took the normal GCE and exited at Paya Jaras. When the peloton is too big and road condition is too bad, mishaps  happened. A buddy who was busy signalling to rear riders for potholes and bad roads suddenly lost control when he himself hit a bump. The handlebar folded and sent him flying across the road shoulder with a loud explosive sound. I thought his carbon frame got snapped, but actually it was only his tyre blew off. That was a relief. The peloton stopped for awhile, confused, but later proceeded to Ijok for regrouping. I left my bike and helped the buddy with a few others attending  his bike while he was still stunned by the fall. Then we carried on meeting up with the rest.

Tight bunch

The rest of the ride was pleasantly sitting and cruising in the peloton of almost 50 cyclists. Peloton was managed magnificently by the pros with great speed accommodating everyone's capability. Credits goes to them.

This particular west coast trunk road is probably awesome and convenient if we are travelling to Teluk Intan and Lumut. I travelled here during the 2011 Powerman. Free from tolls and nice sceneries. However, it can be hell for cyclist. Motorists are menacing the road, especially the threat from lorries. They came so close to you and simply won't give the tiniest respect. Road condition failed to provide a safe passage for us. We don't have the luxury of a smooth surface but were served with road debris, sunken utility manholes, poor road resurfacing condition. Full alertness and a good grip of the handlebar is the only way to survive it.

Don't play-play with that Saxo Bank ride next to me eh...

From Kuala Selangor town to Sekinchan was effortless in this Human Train. 35 km. A quick stop at Tanjung Karang for refuel before that. A portion of us bailed out here and turned back. Perhaps they planned for 160 km ride only. The nine of us departed from the Lumut Human Train at Sekinchan and headed back towards Kuala Selangor.

Now, it's the Mini Human Train and we took the beating from the rising heat and headwind. The challenge kicked off right away. The ride back to Kuala Selangor started to inflict pain. Though it was 35 km but effort was mostly labouring. We checked in at Kuala Selangor Shell station for a quick pain reliever.

Now that we have covered 110 km, we anticipated the remaining 60 km is nothing close to a walk-in-the-park kind of ride. We were now clearly sure that forecasted weather was as clear as the blue sky that explain it all.

We targeted Ijok Petronas as our next mini goal. Smaller portion goals are better for motivation to overcome  our melting brains. By this time, we were strung out hundred meters apart. Some have already felt the cramp sensation from calves and quads. We crawled our way to Ijok. The luxury of an airconditioned enclosure like the Petronas was 5 STAR rating. Some even indulge to sit on the cool floor tiles, while even a good hot Maggi In A Cup was a bright idea. Half an hour passed by in a sniffle and we drudge our heavy legs to move on.

I don't care. Maggi & Pringles is the way to do it

Next was entering Latar Highway and Guthrie Corridor Expressway. Both was painful which was mainly due to the heat. Most of us barely survive our ride back. Some had to give way to cramps and inch their way back under the blazing sun. Heat and wind was too generous today. I suffered more compared to Tranum last week.

Eventually we managed to complete the assignment mere minutes to 6 hours riding time for the whole 173 km of it. I barely  have enough juice to think any more creative ideas besides 'Home! Home! Home! Visa! Visa! Visa!' :P