Day 2: Pak Bara to Trang

The start time for second day was probably misread. By right, we should have rolled away at 6.30 a.m. local time, but we set it an hour late. Hence, we had to waste an hour of daylight. The plan was to ride all the way northward to Trang, all 110 km of it. 

But first we have to fuel up with a good fuel which was actually indulging out taste buds with local servings. We rode out of Pak Bara towards Lamgu where we should find better variety of breakfast,  Langu is a town with surrounding villages, which mostly Muslim settlers. Finding a good spot is hassle free, you just need to pick one. The town area is totally commercial.

Already we were mesmerised by the food table out on the counter. Cakes and rice with loads of options. We were not hesitant with the bill since we trust that it won't be killers. I had rice with a fried chicken and curry and tea worth 400 Thai Baht. That would be equivalent to a lunch portion. Not forgetting, we were again stuck with language crisis. I took the initiative to learn a few basic words like ordering ice tea, hot tea, coffee, sugar, no sugar and something similar.

Key Plan (click to enlarge) - Still a long way of Segenting Kra

As soon as we hit the road, the sun have already brighten up welcoming the journey. The road leading to Trang opens up right after leaving Langu town. It was wide with ample road shoulder for cyclists, smooth asphalt without any evidence of pot holes and manholes. The sky opens up as well when the tree line lay a distance away from the road. It will be a very long day on the saddle.

Leaving Langu, we were lead into a quieter zone with local homes started to scatter wider apart. As the sun grew stronger, so was the discreet feeling engulfed in each of us. We attempted an hour ride before each stop for water refill and regrouping. The next town in the middle of the way was Thung Wa, the last town before entering Trang District.

Crossing this district border, we had to succumb a huge climb. A very large limestone outcrop that provided a beautiful view across the navigating inclining road. The surrounding flat terrain of padi fields add significant contrast to this geological scene. It was simply awesome.

I was still blind of what awaits ahead of us after crossing the pinnacle. I have no idea of how Trang would look like. Will it be like Hatyai? Google images from my earlier homework won't do justice since the actual scenes and climate would be totally different. I don't even bother to check on the distance counter as I was busy observing the vast sceneries. It was basically the rurals. 

We had another stop at Yan Ta Kao. A pertrol station attached with 7E and Amazon Cafe. The smell of fresh brewed caffeine in the middle of a sleepy noon was tantalizing. I never had second thought about coffee. It's always a punch for me. And the price for a cooling ice blended is half we paid in KL. With the air-conditioned room, it was temporary heaven. Allah most merciful.

Leaving Satun District means we had to leave the vast variety of Muslim food. Here in Yan Ta Kao, we had a some difficulties in finding a lunch spot. A stall near an alley served the only Muslim food. Chicken noodle soup was perfect. It was hot, exhausted, dry and thirsty. The best menu to swallow.

In the middle of our food digging, the sky turned dark. Originated from Satun, strong cold wind and thunder lead the sudden climate change. I was playing the guessing game whether they would wait the storm out or push through. Most came prepared with rain jackets and all other waterproof stuff.

Tour Tips:

1. Shower cap from hotels are used to cover your head under the helmet.
2. Those with leather saddles e.g. leading brand Brooks need to cover them to protect the leather.
3. Those without mud fenders, opted to a more natural Bear Grylls survival skill by using tree branches fixed to the rear rack.
4. The location of your rain jacket in the most accessible pannier pocket at this point is crucial.

They lead out into the starting rain. The idea was to push through the distance is too unbearable and there's no place to spend the night around this area. I knew that riding with the rain jacket will eventually become hot since the body produces heat from the cycling movement. The rain jacket prohibits heat and moisture in and out. Thus, the released body heat accumulate and you become uncomfortable. After 10 minutes, I decided to ditch the rain jacket and just enjoyed the pecking rain.

Village houses and plots of rubber plantations. There was a stretch of road where we passed by under cooling rubber trees for almost 15 km.

It didn't rain heavily but it was enough to make me shiver upon stopping for breaks and regrouping. Eventually it stopped and the road dried up creating a film of warm humidity. The sun was nowhere to be seen once the rain clouds passed away, indicating that daylight is nearing end. We continued on towards Trang suburbs as more signs appear on both sides of the road that a town is coming our way. Roads become wider, more lively commercial plots and the most obvious is the traffic volume.

More and more food joints appear along the way, and Trang population just about to start their dinner feast. The roads were mostly busy. We had a few detours due to mistaken direction finding our hotel. I just followed the trail of bikes while enjoying myself to this new setting. Not as much motorcycles as Hatyai but enough to drove us outsiders some chills when they passed by in speed. Easily from my first observant, Trang is almost similar to Muar. However, my perspective may differ when daylight come.

Nightlife in Trang is kicking. Dinner was uncomplicated as we just need to walk across to the restaurant. Best Tom Yam Seafood Fried Rice I have ever tasted. We went for a stroll after dinner to Trang train station for night market.

Queen Hotel was perfect for the best rate and location, easily accessible to many nearby attractions.

Pinch from the lens...

The only super climb indicates Trang-Satun border

My 400 Thai Baht breakfast...this is labour's day

Will never miss this food joint if I ever come again

Now on full belly, we need to move before I fall asleep...wuuuaaaargh!

Trang - one of those monument at a roundabout

Trang population are busy at night market

Yan Ta Khao one of many breaks

Not too shabby for a good rate & location

Cycling Evolution

During the recent school break, I took the chance to settle a few tiny projects. Bike projects that have not underwent upgrades for a while. To be on a dramatic side, I have been using the Shimano drive-train group set for almost 7 years!!! The second longest vehicle tenure after my Honda EX-5; this guy hits the 10 years mark for the Decade Award.

It was not until a buddy open a tempting offer to sell off his shining SRAM Red, I would have not be upgrading mine. I could have been using the 105 forever or until it kaputs. When I meant ‘tempting’, me as a cheapskate guy, that’s me in a sense of upgrading hobbies, was drooling day and night thinking seriously about the offer. This is really something that comes across once in a blue moon. Phenomenal?

'SRAM Red is the third & highest level road groupset that the American company has released. It's lighter than Shimano Dura-Ace and Campagnolo Record, but also a lot more expensive...'

www.bikeradar.com

It was almost like a dream come true. Almost. Unimaginable. My dream was to get it for free! Like sponsorship or the whole stuff fell from the sky kind of thing :P

After nights of restless tossing and turning (special effect sikit), I’ve concluded to give it a go. The school break was a great time to spend without needing to think about kids + school. All I need was a few hours. Story cut short, I managed to close a deal for the 105 with a buyer and top up the rest for the Red.

Now the S1 is on Red :]

The Red Katak 

The next big thing that evolved almost the same time was the mountain bike. The Scott 29er was OK but I felt that something amiss. I guess the UMMPH! thing. But, it was not urgent. However, rezeki comes in many forms. While I was browsing the bike market joint on bicyclebuysell.com, I came across a gorgeous Niner frame. Something that was beyond my scale of indulgent. It’s true, this almost boutique like brand is pricey. However, the offer price was magical. I think I can squeeze something out from my wallet, as long as the theory of sell and buy comes into place at the correct timing.

Again, the bike market is the place to be. I need to sell off the 6 month’s old Scott frame and swap with this gorgeous Niner. Messages came pouring in day and night. Like any other typical buyer, me included, likes to throw in silly discounts. Test water la konon. Some of them were asking for ridiculous prices. I almost replied sarcastically but that wouldn't be my style. I replied in honesty that I need the cash for my future frame. Some also embarked on a disturbing mental stage, willing to travel all the way from Ipoh to grab hold of the Scott before anyone else get it. I was surprised with the situation until I noticed that a Scott frame with this kind of offer is rare and reputable.

Eventually a buyer from Klang desperately arranged a meeting at our RV point that particular evening to have a look and decided to commit. With the help of Azmar, we took out everything and closed the deal there and then. A few days later, a follow up message with the Niner seller for an appointment was sent. I slept soundly that night smiling.

Now the Niner E.M.D.9 is ready to hit the trail.

Drooling images by the pros...

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.

Bek-2-Bek

When the legs are feeling obnoxious and when adrenaline pumped in so bad, the head kept on spinning plans for whatever spinning options available. My weekend was pretty much tight up with a bek-to-bek spin. Surviving both rides and post ride recovery was surprisingly OK.

Putrajaya

Been awhile since I last joined the Putrajaya Night Ride. With the weekend plan scheduled to be in Seremban, the least I could do was to hook up with these guys. It was a late entry after some delay with the kuliah but all was good since these guys were the considerate bunch plus, it's Friday night! What's the rush for anyway?

Dataran Putrajaya was packed! Traffic was pretty much hectic too. I just squeezed in at any available space I could find, ignoring any thoughts of getting summon. Too late to think about it either.

Wow! So many people joining meh? I think easily there were almost...30?! Some familiar faces but most of them aren't in my contact list. I tried to be as casual as possible and open up for any kind of riding pattern these guys had up their sleeves. Though my initial plan was to do it at an easy pace, soon I regretted making plan for a mtb ride the next morning. Argh!

Begini Pak caranya!

Jangan bikin pening-pening.
Bawak bertenang ya!

Satu pose untuk anak-anak. Peace yo!

It was more like a paint ball game instead of cycling. Attacks came from every corner, at almost every stretch and by almost everyone! Damn! None breathtaking chances. You just need to kick in and hooked up with the group. The quads were screaming by the time we almost ended the ride approaching Alamanda. It was a good workout in a sense for a short ride, but the muscles might have some premature exertion in another sense. That was kind of risky though. I was glad I survived most of it. The worry was more on the next morning plan.

I skipped the teh tarik session (if there was any), and drove back juggling the plan for tomorrow. Threw the road bike out of the car and dumped in the mtb (crazy thing) and forced my eyes shut while rubbing the quads with concerns at 1.30 a.m.

Kiara

I was overly lethargic the next morning, but bailing out and breaking a promise is not in the list. Besides, mountain biking is more FUN! And I'm going back into the Bukit Kiara trails! That is one thing I don't want to miss.

I was running a bit late meeting Alwin at the RV point but all was good. He was late too. It drizzled a bit but the trail kept on giving promises for a good ride. Though with heavy legs and a slight feeling of groggy, the simplest plan was to have an easy Kiara welkambek ride and finish by 10.00 a.m.

Soon before we hit the trail head, we were welcomed by a few old time buddies. Definitely they were surprise seeing me and pleased indeed. We hooked up and decided to ride together as the regulars were tailoring the trail plan. I just tag along, lost into the new roller coaster Kiara trails.

We entered via the Carnival trail head and hit the first climb spot on. It was still an impossible climb like it used to be years ago, only with an improved rock surface to stop erosions. It appeared to be more brutal in another way. Scary!

We skipped Lung Buster for Office, new for me. Slowly carving away deeper into the spiralling single tracks with ups and downs, and tight switchbacks. 200% concentration plus skill  between brakes, legs and balancing. The damped ground and wet roots from last night's rain added extra bonus. The 680 mm wide bar got strangled up at some very tight switchbacks. The grogginess adds up to the distraction. Office itself provide more than just warm ups. Zapped half my dwindling juice.

A buddy had some difficulty catching up with the pace and the technical trail. We rerouted our plan for a quicker and less technical trail. Still, the originality of Kiara remains for the rest of it until we reached Sri Hartamas. I tossed down a Nescafe (go away groggy!) and a nasi lemak ... and a roti canai (what?!).  Sorry. Can't help it. Suddenly I was starving. I remembered having breakfast though.

Round the table chat covered the usual mtb stuff. Most of it browsed around yesteryears' epic rides. Those were the days. If asked for a repeat, perhaps I'll take a rain cheque. Not into the adventure thing any more I guess. Alwin and me decided to ride back to Lembah Kiara via the Sprint Highway and not with Komeng, Ajak & Zul. We needed to round up our ride.

The remaining weekend was in zombie mode and legs weigh a tonne. I was however surprised that it didn't last long that I used to feel. I was happily cleaning the bikes on Sunday evening, ready to store it for 2 weeks zero ride.

The 2006 Pat's Kiara Trail Map

Current map (Endomondo)

Le profil

Grinding back

Bila dah lama sangat menjalani proses pertapaan dan percutian, badan dah mula manja dan mental dah mula lawan touke sebab seronok duduk dalam comfort zone. Latihan hujung minggu terpaksa dirancang seawal 2-3 minggu lepas bersama kaum supaya kalau nak bail out last minute akan terpaksa menanggung kemungkiran janji. Aku teringat satu hadis pasal janji ni.

Sabda Rasulullah s.a.w yang maksudnya:

“Ada empat perkara, sesiapa yang melakukannya maka ia adalah seorang munafik tulen. Sesiapa yang melakukan satu daripada empat perkara itu, maka ia mempunyai salah satu daripada sifat munafik, hingga dia meninggalkannya . (Empat sifat itu ialah) apabila dipercayai ia khianat, apabila bercakap ia berdusta, apabila berjanji ia mungkir dan apabila bertengkar ia mengenepikan kebenaran. (Menegakkan benang basah )".

Sekadar berkongsi :]

Walaupun mental bermain-main untuk mencari alasan mengelat, tapi aku berpegang pada hadis tersebut. Walaupun baru recover dari flu. Bahkan, aku memang perlukan sesi ini sebagai starting block untuk seminggu ni terus berlatih sebagai prep menghadapi event Ahad depan. Nak enjoy, kenalah bersiap sedia.

Despite the unpredictable weather since last week, we were hoping that it would give a bit of mercy. Alhamdullillah the sun shone its brightest that particular morning, simply plain awesome for those training for the upcoming Powerman. It was named the hottest race ever for no reason.

To strengthen the reason to train, aku plan untuk teman kawan-kawan yang training for Powerman, selain juga berjumpa kaum yang dah lama sangat tak jumpa. Silaturrahim kena pelihara beb.

Depa plan untuk buat brick training, aku plan untuk menghilangkan berat brick kat kaki ni. So, I just want to spin.

Masa depa did the first run, aku spin pi cari toilet sampai ke Taman Empangan. By the time aku sampai balik carpark, depa pun dah habis lari & bersiap sedia untuk cycle pulak. We managed to cycle around Putrajaya, following what was supposed to be the Powerman 2012 cycle route. Aku follow aje saper yang lead. Al-maklum tahun ni tak masuk.

The first half of the session I tried my best to stay within the zone, maintaining the 110 rpm for as long as possible. HRM punya bateri dah kong, so aku cuma main agak-agak je rate kesemputan. Due to the rolling nature of Putrajaya roads from the interchanges and flyovers and bridges, keadaan memaksa untuk aku bisu seribu bahasa tatkala jantungku memukul gendang bertalu. Kaum yang dah memang stamina bagaikan dewa itu masih maintain kayuh sambil bersembang. Maka, usah lah kalian berfikiran yang aku ini sombong ye. Hehe.

Badan dah betul-betul panas barulah aku cuba selit sikit-sikit sesi menekan pedal especially sampai jalan belakang Alamanda menghala ke Pinggiran Putra. Tiada sebarang aksi Sivaji tapi aku cuba cangkuk pace mereka yang kuat-kuat belaka. I was grinding the crank up inclines and on long flats. Even I was surprised and of course thankful that legs didn’t give up throughout the excursion. Bukan senang nak draft depa ni & aku assume depa ni saja bagi chance & bukan full throttle.

Sampai balik carpark untuk refill, aku menarik nafas lega. Phew! Kami decided to make another shot untuk bundarkan (bahasa matematik UPSR) 50km distance, kasi puas sikit kaum Powerman training. Hence, we repeated the Pinggiran Putra – Alamanda 20km stretch. And the grinding continued for the next hour. It was pleasure pain which I missed for a long time & much appreciated.

Tersangat power ini-ini orang

Dah habis cycle, aku escort depa buat second run pulak. Aku kayuh of course. It was so hot and the same weather was anticipated come event day. Memang suffer aku perhati sorang-sorang tapi it’s better to suffer masa training rather than masa race.

With that concluded, I think I’m heading the right way for the week towards Sunday. Another round of mud and dirt I need.

Faster

The recent weekend was pretty much blasted with lots of events all over the place. As usual, our enthusiastic crowd was part of it. Be it the TNF in Singapore or the PNM and OCBC in KL. FB walls were fed with continuous supplies of status and pictures. At least we know that thousands of us are living a healthy life.

Me, on the other side of the line, was glad witnessing the joyous triumph on every faces & a handful of congrats and salutes is thrown to every single one of you. Syabas!

I had to change to Plan B...instead.

The earlier plan to jump onto the brick training bandwagon at Putrajaya with some friends was hiked when boss decided to celebrate "Damn It...It's Friday (DIIF)" instead of TGIF. Dateline is coming on 18th October 2011, hence we had to hover a bit more just to make sure boss keeps his smiley face over the weekend...and of course ours as well :]

Upon, reaching home, I was drained to the ankle. Barely made it to the washroom but honestly, I was not  despair missing the brick. Ooo yeah, I need a rest. Saturday was "daddy day care" day when wifey had to work. No worries, all in good hands. After sending Kaklong to school for kelas tambahan, I brought both Amir & Umar to Lake Valley for their supplementary Vitamin D dose. Me, running? Nope. Read newspaper only while watching healthy Malaysians work their wonders on the jogging track. Macam-macam jenis! Keh keh keh. Have you guys ever done speedwork clad in a full suit windbreaker top to toe? Dah macam sauna bergerak! 

The rest of the afternoon was revision time for the kids...exam week coming guys! Plan A was to crash PNM dreaming to survive a 10K pursuit. Plan B, had to let the dream pass by honoring wifey's surprise birthday party at the in-laws. We had a great time catching up with the whole lot. Kids had a blast of time with fellow cousins while parents catching up with the latest hypes and gossips. Again, I was glad that wifey had a great time :]

Sunday, still zero milage. Priority exam week. By the way, I didn't leave any precious moments getting myself up for some training hype. I dressed up my gorgeous machine. Dropped off the C24s and put up the sensuous lips of DV46s. God! I missed those looks. I missed the luptuous look! Now my heart beats faster la deiii...!

 

KOM 2011 - Edisi Kelendan

Apakah yang patut dilakukan oleh seorang lelaki berumur 40 tahun, sudah berkahwin & bercahaya mata-mata & tidak mempunyai bibik, full time pengusaha dobi, tidak cukup training dan cuba nak masuk event macam dia masih berumur 5 tahun lebih muda?

Aku rasa aku telah buat sesuatu yang agak waras atau bijak. Yep, untuk KOM semalam aku amik diskaun ala2 Mydin warehouse. Instead of kayuh all the way up, and ride all the way down, aku telah menawarkan diri untuk menjadi pemandu bertauliah. Keh keh keh.

Part time kelendan :]

Kisahnya bermula begini (konon...karangan alasan ler ni). Al-maklum sesi letihan kayuh yang tak berapa nak menggalakkan kestabilan stamina, maka pelbagai akal telah nak mengelat direka untuk menawarkan perkhidmatan menerusi skill jurujual aku yang dah sememangnya tak berapa bagus.

Dua kereta akan berkonvoi (ikut plan asal) tapi group kami terlewat sikit sebab trafik Sabtu di Lembah Klang tidak mengizinkan. Maka, Bahri, Sepol & Zakuan sampai lebih awal ke homestay di Seri Margosa. Kami berempat pulak (Azmar, Akmal, Jamil & aku) sampai hampir time Maghrib diiringi hujan lebat start dari Tanjung Malim. Banyak ler kelihatan kemalangan untuk mereka yang malang di sepanjang perjalanan.

Port popiah ni memang kena masuk dalam menu Ipoh

Jamuan makan malam sememangnya salah satu intenari yang wajib. Aku panggil jamuan sebab makan tak hengat, mengalahkan orang nak buat Ironman Kona! Begitulah sebenornya matlamat roadtrip group kami kalau outing sekali sekala. Besorkan perut makan dari berlumba. Dengan bimbingan orang tempatan, Shaik Jamil, introduce  Medan Selera Taman Permainan Kanak-kanak kat Ipoh. Terbaek. 

First serving was popia S.S. Ali. Terbaek. Siap aku jangkau garpu ke pinggan hidang group sebelah bila pinggan group aku dah kosong. Keh keh keh. Pastu order sempoi je, nasi goreng paprik & telur dadar. Tapi sekali satu pinggan satay sampai dulu daaa....! Saper pulak yang order ni weiii?! Rezki jangan dibiarkan tak berusik, maka bermula lah perlumbaan. Eventually main course pun sampai & kami mengkhatamkan sesi malam tu. Tapi ada jugak yang jeles tengok air jagung meja customer sebelah, so kena lah tunggu kaum kita ni menikmati air jagung dulu, sat nanti kempunan pulak.

Hujan masih lagi drizzling tapi itu tak memadamkan semangat kami untuk jalan-jalan di bazar larut malam berdekatan. Dituruti on the way back ke homestay, shopping macam biasa di kedai serbaneka 7E yang memang menjadi teman di setiap kali event di mana jua. Aku rasa 7E kena jadi rakan penaja event la lepas ni. Pernah sekali dulu, 7E kat Kuala Kangsar habis stok air mineral & segala jenis roti sebab cyclist borong tak hengat untuk Kayuhan Jati Diri Kuala Kangsar.

Malam tidur dah serupa kepompong, bergulung dalam sleeping bag. Cuaca sejuk basah kat luar ditambah lagi dengan aircon. Seawal 5.00 pagi almost semua dah bangun amik nombor giliran untuk perkhidmatan pelaburan Amanah Saham Wawasan. Berbagai-bagai taktik digunakan, bagi memastikan pelaburan tertunda tidak berlaku. Masa melahap malam semalam tak hengat pulak ye? Ada yang repeat 2 kali! Ada yang bancuh nescafe dulu baru dapat panggilan. Ada pulak yang kena keluar rumah dulu hirup udara nyaman pagi. Haish! 

Kami sampai di venue serupa macam peserta-peserta lain tapi lagak cool kami membuatkan beberapa AJK penganjur tak senang hati. Emcee siap jerit banyak kali suruh kami cepat sikit & check-in tapi kami masih berlengah. Sehinggalah uncle emcee tu sedar yang kami hanyalah sekadar Ghost Rider (kerabat diraja lanun).

Splinters Geng Lanun Blue Valley (pic from Shirat Azree)

Biorkan semua berangkat dulu, kami pun slow-slow follow belakang, jauh jer. Hehehe. Bahri decided to drive kereta dia & plan nak bergilir dengan Sepol later on. Kereta Azmar takde saper nak drive sebab 3 orang sahabat aku ni memang bukan kaki mengelat macam aku. Akmal & Jamil first time buat KOM, so memang kami galakkan dia complete. Azmar dah tentu lah nak revenge setelah malang "berbau" yang menimpanya pada KOM tahun lepas. So, aku terpaksa lah turut serta kayuh. Kalau kena kayuh sampai habis & turun semula pun aku redha. Janji aku tak terjebak dengan situasi menekan pedal & menaikkan heart rate.

Macam biasa, bila ada event dapat lah kami berjumpa dengan handai taulan especially yang kejauhan. Penang, Kedah, Perak mostly, ye lah sebab event pun belah utara. Posing bergambor sakan bila ada camera di tala kan ke arah kami. Macam biasa kami kayuh segerombolan, ikut plan asal. Setakat mana yang mampu. Takde saper nak breakaway buat lagak poyo. Pernafasan yours truly ni pun agak berat je untuk setengah jam yang pertama. Beberapa bukit pecah peluh yang pertama tu aku kerabat sesedap rasa.

First 20km climb matahari masih ada mercy

Hampir KM20, nampak Bahri dah dok tepi jalan, siap untuk berkayuh. Tanpa rasa guilty aku offer diri untuk take over drive kereta dia. Terbaek! Maka bermula lah pengalaman pertama aku drive support car sepanjang hayat aku tercebur dengan sukan basikal ni. Bukan main seronok lagi dok belakang stereng sambil menikmati angin sejuk yang memenuhi ruang kabin Nissan X-Trail Bahri ni. Masih kelihatan ramai cyclist yang kental semangatnya.

KM25 aku stop tepi jalan plan untuk tangkap gambor kawan-kawan. Smabil aku bersembang dengan sorang driver support car Team Haluan Kiri BJCC. Kaum berlalu & dah mula terpecah. Alwin, Zakuan & Akmal nampak lebih gagah. Bahri belakang sikit. Jamil follow. Suddenly Sepol decided to join naik kereta. Maka kami berdua lah yang meneruskan perjalanan sehingga ke atas dengan pacuan empat roda. Dah lagi 5km tu memang dah tak nampak lah senyuman-senyuman di muka rider-rider. Buat lawak pun silap-silap kena baling dengan botol.

Posing Kumpulan Ekamatra kena ada beb :]

Since dah hujan seharian & semalaman, hari ni memang langit cerah & matahari boleh tahan menusuk. Memang patut ler masing-masing muka liat bila dah nak habis. Tanpa berlengah, kami mulakan kayuhan turun kecuali Bahri, Zakuan & Sepol. Part turun memang antara yang paling tough untuk aku. Last year telah terbukti. Udara sejuk, angin lintang & speed yang laju. Pakej percutian tanah tinggi yang lengkap.

Hampir 55km downhill memang boleh memualkan. Tambah sikit lagi dengan rolling hills towards the end. Just nice untuk memedihkan quads & melenguhkan core yang dah memang tak kuat ni. Aku gagahkan jugak sampai ke habis...semata-mata untuk meraikan kayuhan ni dengan santapan di Nasi Vanggey Jalan Yang Kalsom.

Real Reward :]

Ipoh Century Ride 2011

Ipoh...terbaek

Tu dia aih! Satu abad punya kayuhan. Ni kira macam buat marathon la tapi nothing close to the impact & sufferfest of that gruesome 42.195km. Marathon lagi *nanges*. Hehe. In terms of saddle time lebih kurang sama (4-6 hours), calories burnt avg 5000 (lebih banyak) tapi marathon lagi truk.

Roadtrip dengan kawan-kawan ke Ipoh, excited la jugak sebab dah lama tak berkonvoi & merapu dengan geng basikal ni. Dulu-dulu rajin, sekarang dah kena adjust sikit mana-mana yang patut. Carpool dengan kereta Azmar & Zakuan. Senang, semua campak atas roof & hit the road by 12.00 p.m. Tapi pagi tu tak terlepas dari tugasan domestik i.e. anto Kak Long attend klinik UPSR & lepas tu attend mesyuarat AJK Sukaneka Umar. Semangat betul parents ni berhujah bagai, dalam meeting tu. Aku pulak...semangat bedal pulut panggang atas meja. Keh keh  keh.

Cuaca sepanjang jalan sangat terbaek. Sampai Ipoh pun masih terbaek cuma Ipoh masih tetap panas perit seperti biasa...maybe faktor geologi nih (macam bagus jer). Collect goodies & check in hotel room. Tower Regency Ipoh. Terbaek hotel ni. Baru agaknya. Studio Apartment RM160 memang boleh kenduri satu family. Dua family pun boleh kot. Macam biasa, sekita goodies collection banyak ler booth buat jualan. Bahaya. Duit plastik gari siap-siap tuh.

Tower Regency Ipoh. Gayat beb...

Ada la dekat 1000 participants kali ni. Depa berjaya attract Singaporeans yang mai 2 bas, Thais 2 van & dengar citer ada jugak cyclists from Philiphine! Dahsyat! Hotel memang macam cycle fest dah.

Minum petang depa ajak pi Nasi Wanggey. Bahaya lagi. Masing-masing muka kelat je nak order nasi berempah kas-kas itu. Sat lagi esok kayuh ke tandas je ler. Play safe mode, order roti naan je & maggi goreng. Hehe. Malam setting bike, attached race number, timing chip, lubing, pam tayar & buh ayaq siap-siap dalam botol. Lepas dinner kat Dataran Ipoh aku dok layan mata tengok TV sampai kul 12 sebab mata takmo lelap. Azmar & Ibrahim dah kejung awal.

7.00 a.m. the next morning kami cycle je ke starting line Dataran Ipoh sebab dekat sangat. Tapi tak sempat nak feel suspense sebab 2-3 minit aje terus berlepas. Berdosup-dosup semua. Haih! Apa ni? Since kami takde plan nak kayuh sama or form any kind of peloton, aku decided to stick to my plan...easy ride, stress free & enjoy the race. Simpan kaki sikit & takut recovery lambat. Maklum la faktor usia (konon). Aku tak cangkuk mana-mana bunch, just kayuh dengan Hailmi CAR cangkuk belakang. Ramai betul photographer tepi jalan & dalam kereta yang amik gambau. Dah teraso macam dalam Tour de France beb... terpaksa buat muka macam Philip Gilbert (perasan).

Ipoh punya jalan ni memang terbaek sangat untuk event cycling. Mostly flat, lapang lebar & straight as an arrow. Sedap aje cruising pagi-pagi ni. Sekali sekala jeling meter 35-36kph senyum je. Maklum la kaki masih fresh & cuaca sejuk tanpa angin taufan. Siap ler kejap lagi...keh keh keh.

Aku main layan je follow cyclists tanpa tau kat ceruk mana aku berada. Ada la nampak Kelly's Castle, bukit bukau, ex-mining pools, hutan, signboard Parit dan macam-macam lagi. Aku melompat dari satu small peloton ke satu yang lain. Ada masa jugak yang aku buat kerja amal tarik peloton tanpa aku sedar. Bila jeling ke belakang ramai pulak yang dok diam mencangkuk. Hahaha.

Lepas Universiti Petronas, first WS. Top up air mana yang patut. Strategi untuk hydrate every 10 minutes & GU gels every 45 minutes. Strategi hanya semata-mata untuk elak *nanges* atas bike.

Dah puas jalan lebor besor, kami masuk jalan kampung pulak. Banyak betul kampung area Parit ni. Seronok aku tengok. Masa raya mesti meriah. Bila lagi aku nak sampai sini kalau bukan sebab kayuh basikal kan? Ada part lalu sepanjang Sungai Perak. Memang lawo beb. Antara kampung yang familiar aku pernah dengor is Kampung Chopin Kanan. Hehe. Sempoi je nama. Orang kata ni la Copenhagen kalau nama omputih. Kat sini baru lah aku terjumpa geng. KM100. Fuh! Lega beb. Hampir tahap bosan kuaci jugak la kayuh tanpa kenalan. Sebelum tu ada jugak aku dok dalam peloton team F2P Singapore. Lega banyak beb. Terasa macam drive kat highway, pastu singgah masuk R&R. Rilex banyak banding dengan kayuh sorang.

Lias, Pi'e & member depa Rahim. Rahim dah terkena sawan cramp punggung & kaki. Muka dah kelat je. Powergel dah 2-3 kampit bedal kata depa. Aku macam biasa, jadi tabib bidan terjun lalu menghulurkan ORS tablet Nathan (ubat mujarab). Aku decided untuk teman otai-otai ni sambil menikmati pemandangan kampung yang segar bugar. Beberapa km di depan, kami suggested Rahim naik support car terus. Takde makna kalau nak carry on sebab distance masih jauh.

Sumbat rider & bike dalam kereta, kami bertiga sambung semula kayuh. Sebaik meninggalkan pekan Parit, perjalanan kami penuh dengan cabaran sinaran mentari terik & angin. Stretch ni 30km dari Parit ke Kampung Tekkah lalu Jalan Gopeng. Tu dia aih! Straight & exposed. Tukau-tukau buat keje kat depan. Speed macam yo-yo turun naik berubah bila ada incline & ada angin. Kuat betul angin. Lutut pun dah sikit-sikit masuk angin. Ada satu part, Pi'e pun dah macam yo-yo. Kejap rapat ikut & banyak tinggal jauh kat belakang. Aku suggest kat Lias untuk pit-stop. Sekilas nampak makcik tengah goreng pisang tengahari buta ni memang blessing betul. Terus corner & buat macam rumah sendiri. Eh?! Ramai pulak cyclist yang singgah follow jejak kami. Hahaha. Ada dekat 20 orang kat gerai makcik tu. Huru hara kejap la makcik gerai alih-alih kena serbu.

Hari ni makcik boleh close shop awal

Tembikai, air cincau & in fact ais yang makcik tu guna untuk sejukkan tembikai pun kena sakau. 5 minit je kami start kayuh semula, sebelum makcik tu hidang nasi berlauk. Maka bermula kembali pertarungan menentang angin. Bergoncang basikal kena sapu dek angin masa kat Batu Gajah/Jalan Gopeng. Speed maintain 32 je, sekali-sekala toleh belakang check otai-otai ni. Depa maintain. KM130 Pi'e dah slow sangat. Cramp peha kanan. ORS Nathan buh dalam mulut. Dia kagum dengan keberkesanannya. Kat Kg Tekkah kami dimandikan oleh abang Bomba. Nikmat beb.

The rest of the distance kami kayuh balik masuk town Ipoh lebih kurang 20km lagi. Traffik dah mula meriah & panas town Ipoh pun dah mula menyengat. Alhamdullillah kami bertiga selamat sampai & Lias & Pi'e tak habis-habis ucap terima kasih. Padahal aku pun bersyukur jumpa depa. Hehe. Timing chip time 6 jam 8 minit! Mak aiiii....hampir satu abad kayuh. Hahaha. Saddle time 5 jam 33 minit. Yang penting selamat, sebab ada jugak aku dengar 2-3 cyclists yang crash. Ngeri...

Nak buat lagi tahun depan? Perhaps. Maybe boleh try untuk improve timing sikit.

Bertambah koleksi besi keping

Satu gambar unit beruniform

Satu gambor kelas Tahun 1 Cerdik

Azmar, Ibrahim and me. Semua kayuh tak jumpa...

With RM100, this could be better kot

Kalau pro, ada orang pasangkan race number beb

Post race meal. Nasik Vanggey tutup awal pulak. Ni char kuew teow Taman Razaki

The Upcoming Century

No lah. Bukan aku nak gebang pasal abad akan datang tapi pasal weekend ni aku nak menyusahkan diri dengan aktiviti penyesalan tiada noktah di Ipoh. Yep, dengan cita-cita terlampau aku telah sign up untuk Ipoh Century Ride beberapa bulan lepas. Konon-kononnya event yang hangat & mendapatkan tempat kena berebut, so kena register awal. Padahal last year event ni telah mendapat sambutan boikot yang lebih kurang sama hangat jugak sebab penganjur suka dia je naikkan fee dari RM50 ke RM100. Tapi event laku jugak, dengor citer orang Singapore hantar rombongan tuh.

Apa kan daya, nasik dah jadi cempedak goreng, nangka dah jadi bubur lambuk, la ni aku baru menggeliat sana sini sebab lagi dua hari je nak kayuh & training aku lebih kepada tarian cha-cha merba. Kalut semacam dol!

Ini sepatutnya attempt aku yang kedua. Attempt pertama gagal in 2009 sebab Allah tak izinkan. Sila klik sini untuk citer Hantu Kak Limah Kena Rembat Naik Motor kat MRR2. Last year takde attempt sebab aku tengah meghoyan mengejar sub-4.30 kat KL Marathon. Tahun ni mudah-mudahan...

Kayuh 160km sekitar dari Ipoh ke Kampung Gajah dan ke Manong & balik semula ke Ipoh. Entah ceruk mana aku pun kurang pasti tapi memang Ipoh aku tak terer pun. Setakat jalan pi Nasik Wanggey aku ingat.

Peta Laluan Kayuhan Satu Abad

Dah lama aku tak join road trip. Maybe ni first for 2011. Last roadtrip was to Powerman 2010 dengan geng RBU dengan tema RBU versus Kak Limah Mambang Pintu. I think every roadtrip memang best. So untuk Century Ride ni, aku akan cangkuk dengan roadtrip group kayuh. Walaupun akan miss out beberapa geng kayuh yang tak dapat join atas sebab-sebab uzur, visa kayuh yang hampir luput dan clash dengan event lain, kita hanya mampu dengan apa yang ada dulu buat masa ni.

Walaubagaimanapun (panjangnya word nih!), persiapan tetap kena ada. Bukan untuk menggegarkan Negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan tapi cukup sekadar untuk aku layan "nanges!" atas basikal tatkala sawan menjelma. Hydration paling penting memandangkan cuaca tak keruan la ni. Kena start balun air garam kasar hari ni jugak. Ipoh memang paneh! but hopefully tak ber-jerebu. Segala apa gels aku akan bawak satu karung. Hahaha! Kalau layan limau tambun tepi jalan pun OK jugak kan? Keh keh keh

This was a week ago...Bentong Kow Po

Waktu orang semua menggelitik nak berlari marathon Ahad ni, aku pun jiwa sama kacau, excited jugak. Bila la agaknya next marathon aku kan? Rasa gatal aje tangan nak klik kat SCSM hujung tahun nanti. Last year dah buat "personal worse" kat situ, hasil dari tapering walk kat Velocity punya pasal. Hahaha. Tapi time ni la jugak aku nak post pasal weekend lepas punya ride kan? Potong betui la. Apa nak buat? Aku pun tengah training jugak untuk jadi Centurian menjelang 17hb. Julai nanti.

Depa ajak pi Bentong pekena air kacang Kow Po. Lama dah aku tak kayuh ke sini. Dulu kayuh ke Fraser memang ada sekali start dari Bentong tapi tang layan bukit Genting Sempah - Bentong tu la ni baru repeat.

Start from Sup Awe Gombak, depan sekolah teknik. Dengan regular kaum yang memang terkenal dengan ke-badut-an, upacara kering gusi bermula sebaik aje kami turun kereta. Rupanya dah ramai pulak pakai wheelset Reynolds sekarang. Mak aih! Sekali rasmi pagi tu je dah ada dua pasang. Maka acara lambung melambung pun bermula.

7km + 16km climb dari Hospital Orang Asli Gombak ke puncak Genting Sempah sungguh enak tatkala kedinginan pagi & kabus nipis menyelubungi atmosfera. Macam route Langat, kat sini pun cyclist heaven jugak. Shaded by close canopies and light traffic. Regroup di puncak sebelum kami turun untuk point of no return. 37km all the way down to Bentong. Sedap aje turun tapi siap ler nak panjat balik nanti.

Hampir 11.00am kami berjaya melabuhkan punggung di kedai Kow Po tu. Antara customer paling awal. Perut dah bermelodi, maka order pulak mee goreng mamak kedai sebelah. Masing-masing bedal dah macam bela hantu raya. Siap ada yang jeling mangkuk member sebelah, tanya ais krim tu tak nak ke? Hahaha. Bahaya ni. Maka bermula lah sedikit post mortem pasal kayuhan masa pergi tadi. Timbul la isu-isu suspek yang kayuh laju-laju tu sama ada amik dope atau ada bela hantu raya.

Perut dah naik macam ibu roti baru la masing-masing buat muka sedih. Bukan sebab nak tinggal kan Kow Po tapi mengenangkan nak panjat balik ke Genting Sempah tu. Tunduk aje semua bila kayuh. Takpe, dengan pace line yang dijaga, kami cuba untuk bawak semua balik walaupun ada yang tercicir sekali sekala sebab kaki dah lebam. Dari awal kami dah plan regrouping points. First stop, kolam air panas Bukit Tinggi.

Takde pulak orang jual ais krim. Kalau ada, memang alasan untuk stop lama la. Nasib baik Bahri share around kismis minda wife dia bekalkan. Bijak sekejap kami untuk teruskan kayuhan & tak melepak lama. Next target stop, selekoh air terjun. Masa ni mini peloton dah mula pecah, maka aku juga cari alasan untuk escort mereka yang hampir lemas asphalt. Aku tak tau kenapa tapi kayuhan kali ni terasa agak mental sedikit. Sampai di air terjun, semua dah jadi ikan termenung dari melawak. Hasil dari kismis minda, semua dah mula mengira berapa jauh lagi nak sampai simpang Janda Baik & seterusnya last push to McDonald Genting Sempah. Congak punya congak, jaraknya agak masih kejauhan. Menyesal kira :]

Stretch lepas ni dah memang tak boleh form peloton sebab semua dah layan lagu masing-masing. Yang layan rock kapak dah ke depan. Yang layan Elton John kompom sesepoi badai yang turun dari puncak Genting. Aku kat tengah-tengah, tapi decided untuk lepak kejap tepi jalan tunggu geng belakang, bagi moral support last push ke McDonald. Kami mahu Coke!

Baru seteguk Coke, tak sempat nak nikmat sparkling gas dalam mulut, hujan turun dengan lebatnya. Maka kecut lah kami macam kambing kat bus stop Batu Kikir terkebil-kebil. Lama jugak hujan ni & hati dah mula risau pasal masa & jalan yang licin turun ke Gombak nanti. I think it was 20 minutes later baru reda sikit. Bergegas kami angkat punggung sebelum cuaca tanah tinggi bertukar fikiran semula. Sejuk nya!

Lucky for us, climb dari McDonald tak terasa jerih macam dulu-dulu. Maybe sebab cuaca tak panas. Tapi kerisauan mental melanda sebaik aje kami memulakan penurunan. Brek tak makan! Ni lah kekurangan & ketakutan kalau pakai rim carbon. Nak laju takut amik selekoh terlebih end up dalam gaung pulak. Nak semedang tekan brek untuk slowdown, habis urat tangan & tengkuk boleh tegang. Itu pun belum tentu slow gak. Maka terjerit-jerit lah kami macam ungka kena cili. Geng yang pakai alu rims chill je bantai senyum setakat yang mampu.

Worse case scenario, aku nekad untuk turun ke drop bar & cuba untuk grip brake levers di mana leverage lebih meyakinkan. No more squeezing & layan corner baring lebih mencengkam. Seluruh tangan ke bahu pun tak lenguh kecuali tengkuk sebab posisi rendah & kena pandang depan. Agak berisiko untuk aku follow belakang orang, tambah lagi dengan pasir, lopak, daun kering & batu-batu yang bersepah atas jalan lepas hujan lebat tadi. Slowly aku menambah pecutan dengan feel layan corner yang semakin menebal. Syiok jugak rupanya descending dengan drop bar.

Akhirnya sampai kat Sup Awe untuk kami sama-sama mengeluh sambil melahap hidangan tengahari yang dah agak kelewatan actually. Pukul 2.30 p.m. beb. Dapat la jugak cover 118km tapi masa santai sangat, 5 jam 17 minit! Hahaha. Layan...

Kayuh Pedih Peha

Di kala orang sibuk ber-LSD mengumpul milage untuk KL Marathon, malah ada yang dah start berseronok-seronok taper makan tapai, aku terpaksa merelakan diri membaca status wall FB kawan-kawan yang dah hampir bersedia untuk ber-marathon. Tinggal lagi 2 minggu aje ye tak? Semoga performance yang terbaik untuk kawan-kawan dan keselamatan yang terjamin. Aku kali ni kira dah kompom jadi penonton tapi belum boleh bukak blog macam penonton.blogspot.com. Hehe.

Weekend tetap datang dan kerja part time sebagai weekend warrior tak boleh ditinggalkan begitu aje. Nak lari kaki dan semangat dah kira macam biskut merrie lemau, so pusing crank aje yang aku termampu. Dapat gak la dikumpulkan geng-geng kayuh untuk layan bukit bukau Ulu Langat Sabtu lepas.

Cuma di dalam kayuh suka-suka sambil selit strength workout ni, tak dapat aku elak untuk bercerita pasal beberapa jenis kaum yang pada aku agak unik sikit.

The usual corum were there as we gathered up from my place, along the way and until the final meeting point at Batu 14. However, ada beberapa muka baru yang aku belum pernah jumpa i.e. jiran Lias, an old timer yang nampak macam baru start kayuh dan anak dia, perhaps somewhere early 20-s yang juga nampak gaya macam bukan regular cyclist tapi berlakon macam ye.

The laid out route was Bukit Hantu dulu, followed by Peres and loop back to Batu 14 via Batu 18 with lontong semangkuk thrown in for the starving souls. Tackling steep slopes of Bukit Hantu may require a bit of patience, and not for the gelojoh type. I saw the phenomena once the hard part started to kick-in.

Macam biasa, some of us planned to squeeze in some intervals into the weekend ride, so ada la sorang dua yang hit the throttle for LT mode. Aku, chillax dulu enjoy chit chat sambil hirup kabus pagi yang tebal. Tapi aku sedikit terkejut bila tengok this family couple decided to join the LT party dengan mencangkuk Alwin & Azmar yang mula menghilangkan diri ke dalam kabus. Bior betik?! Betui ka rombongan anak beranak ni bersedia nak push into red zone seawal kayuhan 3km ni?!

Kecuaian melanda tak sampai 200m bila si bapak dah mula goyang-goyang upper body ala-dangdut bila kaki dah mula lebur sikit-sikit. Tu la dia... awal sangat menghoyan. Aku sekadar senyum aje bila melepasi dia, didn't even bother to tegur or buat lawak sinis. Maklum ler tak berapa kenal. However, si anak masih dalam pursuit mode attempt untuk menggigit tayar belakang Alwin or Azmar. Aku perati aje 500m dari belakang.

Teori aku terbukti bila a few minutes later mamat ni dah kayuh zig-zag macam ular kena palu. Yang lebih merisaukan bila dia tak hirau dia melencong ke tengah-tengah jalan walaupun ada kereta yang lalu. Dah kena sawan kot. Sekejapan, kompom kaki dia pun dah lebur jugak dan aku decided untuk celah dari menyakitkan mata tengok adegan itu.

As usual, kat peak kena regroup. Dah dikira macam etika kayuhan kita. Bukan dok bedal menonong kayuh tunggu 10km kat depan or jumpa minggu depan. Lama jugak la bertapa kat puncak tu menunggu Lias & si bapak. Sementara dok layan sembang dalam keadaan cuaca sejuk yang macam nak hujan tu, tak sanggup aku tengok si anak ni dok main pusing-pusing kat jalan macam budak kecik baru dapat basikal. Terlebih makan coklat agaknya dia ni. 15 minit kemudian, muncul la Lias & si bapak. Di laporkan si bapak jatuh masa tengah climb sebab kaki complete lebur & tolak basikal. Aduhai. Tambah lagi haru, si bapak ni mengidap diabetes ropanya. Patut ler anak tak reti dok diam.

Lantak ler. Turun terus sampai kat Dam Semenyih & ke Peres. Sepanjang jalan, as usual orang muda itu tetap dengan kayuhan huru hara nya. Kejap dia sprint ke depan. Kejap dok balik dalam peloton. Sat nanti dia dok kayuh tengah jalan tak dengor kereta kat belakang sebab pakai MP3. Nak aje aku sepak mamat ni. Rimas aku dibuatnya.

Sampai aje simpang Peres, terus aje kami naik tanpa berlengah nak regroup sebab semua dah dalam group. Eh? Apa daa yang aku cakap ni? Menu aku untuk Peres is 3 reps 10 minutes strength crank masak gulai kawah. Alwin buat endurance interval. Azmar cangkuk aje senduk mana yang boleh. Azahari ada cobaan untuk memulakan attack di awal pendakian tapi sekadar iklan aje, lepas tu dia kembali ke pace drama melayu. Nasib baik tiada gangguan moral dari syarikat anak beranak tatkala itu. Memang terasa quads & calves pedih. Orang kata pedih itu bagus. Nampak gaya kayuhan tak cukup tanah bila aku cuma mampu selit 2 reps aje, puncak Peres dah sampai. Takpe, janji settle. Kami bertiga decided untuk turun semula escort Bahri yang dah sepurnama tak kayuh...bagi moral support sikit kat geng.

Turun dari Peres, aku make sure takmo berdekatan dengan budak itu. Risiko terlalu tinggi. Macam biasa, dari Simpang bau lontong kat Batu 18 dah menusuk kalbu. Lantas pacing 40kph bermula sebaik Azmar mencucuh pemetik api. Hahaha. Tarik menarik bersilih ganti untuk sesaper yang teringinkan kerja overtime. Speedwork sikit. Menggelupor masuk gerai order lontong, pecal & kuew teow sop. Maka berkampung lah kami buat seketika.

Sempat aku lontarkan se-das dua kat budak tu tentang style kayuhan dia. Bahri pun ada tambah lauk sikit. Tapi muka dia selamba. Cuba menukar topik ke citer kayuhan Ipoh cycling carnival yang baru-baru ni dia masuk. Race number kat bike pun tak bukak lagi tu beb. Iyo lah. Semoga berjaya. Masa kayuh balik ke Batu 14 pun dia buat aksi sama walaupun aku dah ingatkan jalan situ sibuk sikit. Tak sanggup kami nak tengok, kasi pancung sikit sambil aku berpesan suruh dia pi escort bapak dia kat belakang tu. Jadik anak yang soleh kejap dari hang jadi katak penyek tengah jalan.

Begitu lah al-kisahnya setakat pemerhatian aku dengan spesis-spesis unik di bumi ini. Kita kadang-kadang lupa pada peribahasa lama "Kalau kail panjang sejengkal, lautan dalam usah diduga." Kalau nafas pendek, kasi pelan-pelan kayuh cukup dah brader. Setakat weekend ride pun dah macam nak berlumba apa ke hal?