MFMC Tour - Day 3

It began to feel like waking up for work. Lazy. Beauty sleep was interrupted. But duty is duty. The mission have to move on. The Tour have made an appointment with Sekolah Kebangsaan Panglima Adnan, Port Dickson. The students have been waiting anxiously for us. 

We had the privilege meeting with the kids and teachers. Our rep did most of the talking and explaining about the mission and the importance of the awareness. It was almost 30 minutes. Looking at those faces in front of us, those innocent eyes, it started to make me feel blue. I missed my kids. The same kind of faces, an early morning fresh face with neat hair style, handsomely with a tie. Baru 3 hari der...

Bersama cikgu cikgi Sek. Keb. Panglima Adnan, Port Dickson

The students were excited when we started distributing flyers. More excitement when we gave out free car stickers to anyone with correct answers. Then followed by the compulsory photo session with students and teachers. The best welcoming gift for us was the delicious 'nasi lemak' at the school canteen. We had more talks with the teachers over breakfast, and like yesterday, we felt half heartedly leaving the nasi lemak... school behind.

Kelas 1 Biru

I missed my kids

It was almost 9.00 a.m., and the journey for today's mission is still long, unlike for Azmar and me. We shall depart from the tour on the first quarter of today's ride. We have other commitments. As a token of gratitude for their fellowship, Azmar and me paced them from Port Dickson to Sepang. 

The hills of Bukit Pelandok was the usual strength puller. Weather was slightly hot this morning and it was still windy. With fresh legs we soldiered on towards Sepang for our first regroup point.

We exchanged farewell and bid good luck for the rest of the team. The fellowship and camaraderie for two days had us blend together with the sweet and bitter moments logging miles from Johor Bahru. It was sad to depart but the mission had to move on. The awaiting miles for the the tourers are simply extraordinary with more challenging routes to tackle.

Azmar and me had our backpacks back on from the support vehicle and made our way back onto familiar territories. The Sepang, LBJ stretch and onto Jenderam Hilir. Weather had started taxing us and the backpacks is not a good idea for future cycling tour. We ended our ride in Putrajaya. The following two days were recovery for this old goat and I can't stop feeding myself for a few more days. Ada bela ke ni...?

MFMC Tour - Day 2

As if I was strapped to the bed trying to wake up on the second day of the tour. I overslept and had a narrow window for the loo and breakfast. Most of us had problem adjusting to the schedule after a taxing day before. We left Batu Pahat that morning a bit late. It was 9.00 a.m., but nothing bothered us since it will  be a long day on the saddle.

GDC riders rode back to JB that morning, which left the 12 of us to continue towards the north. Weather was elegantly splendid. Not a sip of sunlight. It was overcast and cooling. We prayed that it will stay that way throughout the day. 

It was many years ago when I last travelled through this part of Batu Pahat. That was before the launch of the North-South Expressway, I thing around the 1980's. Especially this particular stretch from Batu Pahat where our family would travel on Hari Raya and school breaks to my dad's home town in Muar. The only landmark or gauge that I could identify during my elementary days will be no other than the hundreds of PARITs. These are vegetated drainage channels, built ages ago. I think due to Muar's flat geographical location, these structures used to avoid floods and tides from the coast line. 

Day 2 - The Three States In A Go

Parit Yusof, Parti Bakar, Parit Jawa, Parit Keroma and Parit Sakai are among the ones that I can still remember. Also my favourites places to catch the fighting fish. But now, approaching Muar via Jalan Temenggong Ahmad, we can only find more 'Taman' instead of 'Parit'. By bicycle today, I can venture myself back down memory lane admiring what was left of the 'Parit's.

It is a 55 kilometre stretch off-the-beaten-track. What used to be a trunk road connecting these two major towns, now only serve the locals. The road was nice, shady and cooling and lack of traffic. Once in a while, cooling strong wind would blow us away awaken from our day dreams. We took turn pacing the 12 of us in a single file train. Kampung by kampung we passed. Parit by parit. 

By now, I started to get to know a few of the new friends besides Kicok, Kepet, Ipin, Panglima, Afiq, Awi and Toing. They were Awe the DIY guy, Raffi the GDC member and Yen with his legendary Proton T-Sprint Carbon. Then there were also Mattop, Achap and Ieow as our trusted logistics. And of course Didique the awesome cameraman.

We had an unscheduled stop at Sekolah Kebangsaan Parit Pechah when we saw the students were having their morning assembly. The teachers were kind enough to welcome our out-reached and wish us good luck.

Our first out-reach at Sek. Keb. Parit Pechah

It was a no-stop at Muar due to the busy streets and we picked the most historical spot for a group photo, no other than at the top of the Muar Bridge. Then it was a pit-stop at Tanjung Agas before we continued our way into the historical state of Malacca.

Kepet led the way from Sungai Rambai to Merlimau and Umbai towards Malacca Town. We had a treat of awesome 'asam pedas' Melaka for lunch at Kedai Kopi Haji Husin, his brother's stall in Peringgit area. And the dilemma started creeping in after a belly load of 'asam pedas' and heavy eyes in the mid-afternoon weather.

Muor or also known as Bandar Maharani

Johore-Malacca Border. One more to go

Asam Pedas Peringgit, Malacca

We dragged ourselves away from the lunch table, crawling towards our bikes and half heartedly leaving Kedai Kopi Haji Husin. It was only 95 kilometres and we have yet another 70 to go. And half of the day have already gone.

The next stretch of feat will be the Pantai Klebang and Tanjung Kling. Kepet suggested a local favourite coconut shake at Klebang. Too bad, the queue was long. We had no time. I haven't the slightest joy of wanting to view the sea when we passed by Tanjung Kling. It was windy for sure.

Then, the road starts rolling as we approach Sungai Udang. This was where the strength game started playing again, just like yesterday. We got separated when I saw Kepet was struggling up some climbs. I decided to pace him. However, it didn't quite work out for me either. Due to the slow spin up inclines, my quads started to protest too. Painful cramp attacks occurred twice up two climbs. I am fortunate to have Kepet, Afiq and Ipin with me. We shared some nonsense jokes served with a packet of sweet jackfruit while the pain subsides. That was at the highest peak near the Sungai Udang Forest Reserve. Lucky la it was cooling from the forest.

Kepet decided to take a detour towards Tanjung Bidara road for a quick visit at his school. While we were at it, an interested lady caught our peloton and started interviewing. And another out-reach achieved. Alhamdulillah.

The route from Tanjung Bidara via Kuala Sungai Baru and Kuala Linggi took us back to the coastal side. The sun began to set. The whole picture of Pengkalan Balak turned orange. If only I had my touring bike, the pace would be slower allowing me to indulge into the beautiful creation.

Again the peloton split up. And yet again the 'splinters' not sprinters, were left with our own camaraderie. However, we noticed that Kuala Linggi, is the border between Malacca and Negeri Sembilan. And that is a good sign. Teluk Kemang, our destination for the day is 20 kilometres away. Until then, it was like riding on familiar ground. We passed by Eagle Ranch and Tiara Beach Resort and the cranking was more energetic. We picked up Achap along the way who seemed struggling and paced each other till the end. Mattop was the usual car pacer too. It was almost dark at 6.30 p.m. I was starving and I need replenishment ASAP. After solat, we dug in for an early dinner or should I call it late tea.

It rained during the night. How fortunate. Dined for the second time (pardon me for the appetite) below our hotel and pampered this fatigue body to bed. 

MFMC Tour - Day 1

First of all, the followings are mostly personal stuff and personal encounters that I've experience throughout my outing with these good souls on their good quest. So, most of my writings does not represent any of their organisations. It is just a plain sharing notes that Insyaa Allah we hope could also put across the message.

I volunteered to join this tour, in support for fellow friends that have created the Mission For Missing Children (MFMC) group. This is their big awareness campaign among others. And it's kind of doable to join considering some logistics issues which seems to me to be feasible. They started from Woodlands, which is only a haul away from my mom's place. And I planned only to ride with them until the third day, which is up to Kuala Lumpur Stage.

From our hectic Friday at work, we only managed to leave KL late evening. Traffic was bad from the long weekend break, hence adding more challenge and only to arrive in JB at 2.30 a.m. Hitting the sack that late, we prayed that the Day-1 ride will be OK.

MFMC Tour Day 1 - Woodlands to Batu Pahat

I skipped the plan to enter Singapore in the early morning and reverted to meet them in JB soil instead. The official flag-off venue was at a Nur Ikhsan Trading, a local bike shop in Taman Perling whom decided to chip in their support for the tour. Some local medias were also around to get coverage of the mission tour. 

Another local cycling group, Golden Dream Cycling was also there with up to about 20 members decided to join the first day ride all the way to Batu Pahat. It was great to meet up with some old friends from the South.

South Park Gang still can smirk small smiles

Do some work for the peloton...konon. Pic by Didique

Weather was pretty much sunny and we didn't expect that the route will put up a great challenge. The planned route was to take all west coast road up to the north. Hence, from JB we headed westerly towards the coastal town of Pontian.

Upon reaching the west coast line JKR Route 5, we were straight away greeted with great propulsion of wind gush. Headwinds mostly. And it was not easy. A cyclist's nightmare. Besides scorching sun, steep long climbs and daredevil descends. It may seemed like there's too many nightmares but you can't find an ideal hobby. It comes with a tax.

Hot and windy. The almost straight and flat Route 5 led us for almost 65 kilometres along the southern west coast of the Peninsular. There were mostly patches of kampung houses, small scale industry yards and palm oil plantations. Not quite a picturesque route but it was interesting for a different kind of perspective besides the normal weekend cycling roads.

The angels are the stalls and sundry shops along the way. The fruit stalls selling pulasan. We skipped that. Sundry shop with dried salty fish on a bench. We checked in for a bottle of sugar replenishment and a durian flavoured ice cream. The last one was the crowd puller. I think it was the most ideal location for a sugar-cane juice stall in the district of Batu Pahat at the correct time. That was before we break for lunch at Restoran Nasi Ayam Ali in Rengit, Batu Pahat. The all time favourite was Nasi Ayam Sambal, but we can't afford to indulge due to bloat and over thirst.

One of the Raptors

Soul savior. Rengit Most Wanted

Right after lunch, it was the hottest part of the day. And the wind went away, leaving everything static like the old town of O.K. Corral (these should come together with the OST and the sound of an eagle in the background).

As we leave the discreet place, we were straight away welcomed with a rolling path. Ups and downs, plunging the ever fatigue quads and calves. With the afternoon heat thrown in and the fume from busier streets, we were like zombies on wheels. The end is nearing but the cramps and fatigues crept in at most of the members creating killing fields along the road. The taste of plain or mineral drinks can no more quench our thirsts. Coke and 100 Plus will just adds up to the bloating belly.

It was 115 kilometres in total but the torment was like a century. Reaching the hotel in Batu Pahat at almost 6.00 p.m. and we were just in time to clean ourselves for dinner before the body starts showing signs of shutting down.

Oasis

I have to be honest, the men of the day and the biggest applause have to be given to the 4X4 Raptor Team. They are the JB's 4X4 Club whom have taken the oath of escorting, supporting and marshalling our first day tour. They have handsomely done their job miraculously with a FIVE thumbs up from me. You guys are awesome.

Thumbs Up to The Raptors

I barely move a muscle right after dinner once it was time for hibernation. The body were craving for a good rest and the day to come will be another test. Some new friends were made today, hopefully a fellowship will be created soon.

Day 1 via JKR Route 5

Something For A Reason

Hey! Let's start the year with something healthy...like cycling to your favourite FOOD joint. Nasi lemak ikan semilang Lenggeng Most Wanted was on the menu for our first ride of 2014. Sihat nya la haiii...well at least there's something to look forward to. I don't celebrate new year with parties & such, but being thankful & praise to Him is just another way for being given the chance to live another day or another year. So, don't stop praising & stay out of bad stuff.

Check out their links

In the next short while into January, I have some cycling plans already. In a week time, I'll be participating in an awareness campaign ride. The Mission For Missing Children tour ride this weekend, 11-17 January 2014. The tour will take campaigners from Singapore to Hatyai, Thailand via the west coast road of Peninsular Malaysia.

These enthusiast cyclists are among our friends, athletes, triathletes, weekend warriors whom have the feeling that kids/children are gems that are given to us. Gems that should not be neglected. Gems that should not be taken for granted by our selfishness nor carelessness. These fellow people are attempting this campaign to make the world & especially our own country a safe place for kids.

Details of each route for each day as follows:

Day 1 - 11th January 2014 (Sat)

Woodlands to Batu Pahat (via Pontian)

137.1km

Day 2 - 12th January 2014 (Sun)

Batu Pahat to Teluk Kemang (via Kuala Sungai Baru)

169.4km

Day 3 - 13th January 2014 (Mon)

Teluk Kemang to Kuala Selangor (via Morib)

152.2km

School visit: Sekolah Kebangsaan Teluk Kemang (tentative)

Day 4 - 14th January 2014 (Tue)

Kuala Selangor to Sitiawan (via Hutan Melintang)

145.1km

Day 5 - 15th January 2014 (Wed)

Sitiawan to Semanggol (via Changkat Jering)

98.7km

School visit: Sekolah Kebangsaan Simpang Empat, Sitiawan (tentative)

Day 6 - 16th January 2014 (Thur)

Semanggol to Bukit Kayu Hitam (via Guar Cempedak)

210.1km

Day 7 - 17th January 2014 (Fri)

Bukit Kayu Hitam to Hatyai

66.1km

School visit: Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Kayu Hitam (tentative)

Total distance ard 979km or 1100km.

They will be distributing flyers, car stickers and other campaign stuffs throughout this journey. Targeting public places, schools, food stalls or whatever places that can be reached. This is a self funded tour, hence we'll be keeping our budget low at the moment.

Oh! I will only joining them for the first three days, that's all I can afford to support these angels. Insyaa Allah with good purpose, may all with smooth sailing (cycling).

If you're around the area, drop by to say Hi!

PCC Interstate - Day 3 - Bukit Merah to Damai Laut

Fast and Furious

Yes. I meant that. Today was supposed to be a leisurely distance (compared to previous two days), with very friendly flat stretch back to Taiping, followed with a kampung road and the Pantai Remis stretch. Peloton rolled out late at 8.00 a.m., yet still we felt our deepest sleep were disrupted when we remembered our bikes need to be savioured from the bike storage room - you know la some people will simply shoved aside people's bike to get to theirs. Though mine is an old alu steed, a beauty is still skin deep.

What happened after this was gritting experience and heart pounding that lasted with days of aching quads and calves.

No breakfast from the hotel for us, so we were on our own. As planned, Alwin and me decided to join KOTRT. We knew of lads from the group from our mountainbiking years frequenting Penang every year. Shaharin Wan (pack leader), Azmi, Shamoon, Malik to name a few. The rest, macam biasa, slowly will get to know them. The group decided to leave slightly late, as usual not to add to the congestion.

The Orange Bus Drivers (KOTRT)

Alwin and me didn't had breakfast, the first stop at roti canai right after exiting the resort was a blessing. While enjoying Troy on Astro Beyond, Shaharin started feeling restless when more cyclists passed by.

OK the fast and furious thingy started right away! Crazy bunch. Shaharin already shouting from the rear "Remember your ass infront of you! No curi tulang OK!". The single file peloton speed up to 35kph and we took turn leading the peloton every 2 minutes before open up for the next ass behind. It was the Penang KOTRT Express Bus service heading to Damai Laut.

It was hard work, but fun at the same time. When we stopped at a traffic light, Shaharin will shout again "Remember your pace line! No curi tulang!". The thought of sneaking back to curi tulang kena cancel. I was squeezing the handlebar and gritting teeth only to survive the 2 minutes. The only chance to squeeze for hydration was when I was in the middle. At times we reached 40kph! Terbaek...

We took the right turn to Kuala Sepetang and as we were about to catch up with the momentum again, the rear wheel of my front's ass blew up. It came with a huge BANG! Nyaris gugur bulu kaki or what was left of it from the high speed chase. Lucky for us, when we are riding with experience cyclists, chaos and panick was avoided. The guy slowed down without any sudden stop to the road side, which would only create domino effect if he did. I swerve to the right, avoiding him and slowed down yards away. Kalau cyclist tarak experience sure dah emergency brake, pastu campuq risau rim rosak & tak pikiaq pasal the rest at the back. Kacauuuu...

Cam whoring during punctured ass...err I mean tyre

It was a blessing in disguise. Most of us were struck lucky for the inevitable occurence, and took the opportunity for a leak :) and lots of breath. A good 5 minutes repair, and we were good to go, still with our pace line. However, the kampung road condition was pretty much...bad. Macam Paris - Roubaix la. Potholes, sharp tiny road humps and kids! We were shouting all over the place signalling the back riders for the hazards. Tak cukup tangan nak tunjuk dah kalau kiri kanan lubang. We heard later in the day, a few cyclists hit the road humps and somersaulted. Argh! Scary man...

Finally, after almost 5km in the kampung, we reached the main road again. Not quite gorgeous also, which reminds me of Batu Arang with it's corners, inclines and uneven pavement. But the peloton soared again. 38kph and the I can't reach my nails to bite it! Support crews by the roadside howled and roared as we passed by. Dah rasa macam pro-team tu! Terbaek!

At one time, Team MKH poked into the peloton and drove us nuts.  Some of us, with curry still in the blood, can't simply take it as a free ride for outsiders. Itu semangat sudah membara daaa...macha! The Orange Express Bus hit the throttle and we were wheezing and cutting through smaller groups at 42kph! Adoiii aiii... But, once we are in a big peloton like this i.e. 40 cyclists, the speed felt leisurely. I don't have to do much work, but just focus on the rooms within the peloton and no single tiny mistake.

This furious cycling lasted for almost 45 minutes which at times I felt like hours, trying to catch up when more cyclists lost their legs to the speed. I can't barely sit at my original position but flew to the back and moments later had to let them go. Argh!

Lucky me the MKH guys and girls stopped at a stall for a break and found out further ahead KOTRT stopped at a Petronas. Legs were shivering as I dismounted and complaining in disbelief to the KOTRT guys that they were doing great but crazy stuff.  Almost everyone shook their head of the feat that were done moments before. It was definitely painful but fun. I had the honor to experience it with this bunch of lunatics!

The stop was brief, and we continued again expressing the rage of the Orange Express. With that speed, we should be able to reach Swiss Garden Damai Laut in an hour. But, the heat adds torment to the burning leg muscles. Again, the 38kph speed was so adversely in harmony to our achings. Hampir nak kena kancing gigi beb! Why can't they slow down?! 35 would be just nice, but the peloton was just plain ignorance of the casualties that took place. I didn't barely turn my head to check what was left behind me, but when I let loose of the peloton, I noticed nobody was there! Lol. I guess there were easily 5 to 6 cyclists gone with the wind.

It was a lonely ride into the last 3km stretch to Swiss Garden. But the last 1km was beyond my expectation. It was a killer! Heat and rolling hills just don't match to aching body. Why must golf resort built at so secluded area with hills to climb la?!

Out if these three, of course la aku yang paling koyak....aiyak

Most of us reached Swiss Garden with a lot of HOT issues. Yes, I mean hot! And perhaps a bit of "koyak". Well, the koyak part was something we asked for. Hehe. Anyway, it was my first time at Swiss Garden. Nice place. Very solitude. Great ocean view and nice cozy rooms. We rewarded ourselves with a 20 bucks Taiping Char Kuew Teow at the hotel restaurant for lunch. Want us to cycle back outside?! No way. Checking in was a bit hassle for the whole lot, so we lazed around the lobby view deck and let the sea breeze blew us to sleep.

Simply a place to be lazy

Intertstate 2011 ended with a gala dinner at the ballroom. It was grand enough, but without any special dress code. We were tanned enough to be in a pair tux. Lol. More miggling around with new friends, watch football at the big screen and I dozed off somewhere before midnight with so many great experience to babble about. Interstate 2012? I might give it another shot.

Keluh kesah Mak Esah

Ride distance: 110km

Ride time: 3hrs 34min

Avg spd: 30.8kph

Mx spd:

PCC Interstate - Day 2 - Brinchang to Bukit Merah

The longest route

Ada jugak la sedetik fikiran tatkala sengsara semalam untuk ditch kayuhan hari ke-2. Ni semua seksa punya pasal. Tapi, lumrah kami yang bergelar insan marhaen tak kenal erti serik, bangun jugak pepagi kul 5.00 dalam gigitan sejuk untuk dok berlonggok depan lobi hotel, ready untuk rolling at 6.30 a.m.

Ada info kata suhu pagi tu 18 deg C. Untuk aku yang memang mudah tewas dengan suhu rendah, bersiap sedia seberapa lengkap yang boleh untuk tak terganggu perjalanan. Agak-agak cerah sikit, main peloton pun bergerak tapi a few of us lepak kejap takmo sesakkan jalan. Aku sarungkan cycling jacket & glove. Alwin tarak jacket, so dia apply teknik ala-pro tour cyclist...sumbat suratkhabar kat dalam jersi cover dada.

Bukit yang dalam background gambar previous post memang sah menu breakfast. Panjang pulak tu dari Brinchang nak sampai ke Equatorial Hotel tu dia kat ataih tu. Yang beriya-iya jaket bagai tadi, dah mula rasa rimas ler pulak. Aku tak boleh imagine macam mana aku kadang-kadang tengok ada orang jogging pakai jaket. Bahaya oooo...

Senyum terkucil haruman baja Kampung Raja

Sampai Equatorial, gambar dulu dengan jaket beb. Tu je sekali, lepas ni susah nak jumpa kayuh pakai jaket. Lepas tu turun tak habih pulak. Jalan melengkau lalu pekan Tringkap, cerun kiri kanan dan saujana mata memandang dengan ladang teh & kebun sayur. Masa ni ler bersyukur ada jaket walaupun jaket dah mula kembung berkibar macam bendera bila speed descending bertambah. Turun sampai Kampung Raja & mula climb balik bukit tonggek last kopek. Dah ramai jugak yang mula kembang hidung & layan kayuh lenggang kangkung. Padahal baru 18km.

Sampai jugak aku kat simpang tiga Gua Musang - Simpang Pulai. Dulu jalan ni hanya perkhabaran je tapi sekarang dah semakin sibuk especially musim cuti. Dari situ, descending tahap melampau pun bermula, all the way down to Simpang Pulai. 50km rasanya. Mual dan muak pulak rasa turun tak habis-habis. Aku hanya mampu cecah halaju terminal 57kph sebab aku masih teringat orang yang tersayang. Keh keh keh.

Regroup kat Petronas Simpang Pulai. Sambil tu aku amik kesempatan bedal karipap & nescafe tin. Sejuk lapor cepat. Hari ni cabaran lebih kepada distance. Semalam cabaran climbing. Esok belum tau, maybe cabaran Camel Trophy kot. Supposedly, hari ni cyclometer mesti clock almost 200km. Dah kautim lebih kurang 70km tadi dalam kedinginan segar, akan dituruti dengan balance 130km lagi, yang mana aku jangka akan panas tak hengat.

Aku decide untuk follow group BJCC hari ni. Alwin suruh aku go ahead, dia akan catch up. Nak masuk town, advisable dalam peloton. It's good to be seen. Around 14 of us rasanya, and single file sebab takmo kacau trafik. We passed by Hospital Pantai and headed towards Sunway City as we took turn leading the peloton. Aku saja showed my attendance by leading at this stretch...tunjuk buat kerja sikit la. Lagi pun dalam peloton ni ramai BJCC big names i.e. Doc Alwi, Doc Adrian, Affendi Goh, Razali, Doc Taufik and a few others yang aku masih cuba cari nama. Some of them are BJCC big shots and some are the race horses.

Buat kerja sikit untuk BJCC

Next pit stop was BHP Chemor. A quick one, as people starting to feel the heat. I think that would be the next 30km from Simpang Pulai. Peloton average pace was kept at safe mode 30-32kph melalui jalan rolling up and down. Kami take turn leading to be fair, no free ride OK. Ada jugak la yang muka macam takut-takut tu, dok nyorok tapi takpe...belum ada confident. Kat BHP botol mineral besau and coke antara gandingan hidangan terbaek. Ada dua group besar passed by during our pit stop i.e. KOTRT and Born to Ride. Dah macam race pulak nampak suasana.

Rolling start semula heading towards Sungai Siput. Suhu yang semakin meningkat dah tak dihirau. Yang penting kena survive the distance. Macam biasa, our plan was to ride another hour that should cover another 30km for our next stop. And aku masih menyumbang buat kerja di depan bila tiba giliran.

Ada at one moment, alih-alih terpaksa buat kerja dengan Razali kat depan. Tak pernah berbual or kenal sebelum ni tapi aku buat selamba cuba start sembang apa yang patut. Nampak gaya this guy memang power and dengar cerita pun captain team racer BJCC. Habis ler aku punah kejap lagi...

As we left Sungai Siput and lead towards Kuala Kangsar, Razali ni ternampak pulak group Born to Ride yang overtook kami kat pit stop Chemor tadi. Agak memang lumrah racer, dia agak teruja untuk tapau balik group tu. Tak pasal-pasal, naik jambatan Sungai Siput tu, speed pun naik ke 38-40kph. Adoiii aiii...kompom jap lagi aku koyak.

Sebaik aje dapat cangkuk group Born to Ride tu, aku terus sound Razali, game over untuk aku and terus aku bukak bagi syif kat orang lain pulak buat kerja. Disebabkan tahap teruja depa ni, lepas overtake group tu, speed depan terus maintain, maka berteraburan lah beberapa casualties di sepanjang jalan ke Kuala Kangsar itu...termasuk la aku. Lol.

Nasib baik la mostly jalan kampung, so tak ler terkilan sangat kayuh layan jiwa all the way to Kuala Kangsar. Supposedly depa akan stop lunch along the way kat Kuala. Aku buat kawan dengan sorang cyclist Singapore yang muka pun aku tak nampak sebab dia dok tutup dengan Buff. Nampak shades je. Kami kayuh la kejap sampai aku jumpa balik geng BJCC kat Mat Tom Yam, while that Singaporean carried on sorang.

Air dah macam-macam masuk perut tapi lunch kena jugak makan something solid. Jauh lagi perjalanan. Yang paling sempoi and senang nak telan, aku order nasi putih & sup ayam. Memang lazat berkrim. Syukran. Almost an hour jugak dok menjamu selera sambil menunggu support car & a few other cyclists sampai. Masa ni kami dah clock 153km. Setakat ni kayuhan paling jauh aku dah cecah from semalam.

Dapat input dari Mac, lepas ni akan climb Bukit Gantang, that climb beside PLUS Highway and kilang simen tu. Baru dengar berita tu, sup ayam macam nak terkeluar balik. Lepas tu akan follow dengan jalan flat sampai ke Taiping and Bukit Merah. Musuh utama jalan flat ialah angin!

Kali ni aku play safe dok belakang sikit sebab aku have no plans to attack that bloody climb. Unfortunately, my hope vanished right away approaching the climb bila ternampak group KOTRT baru nak start climb. Apa lagi, lagi sekali adegan meghoyan bermula. Kedengaran bunyi gears shifting prapp! prapp! Campy, SRAM, Shimano...semua menunjukkan performance masing-masing. Oleh kerana aku hanya bertemankan kaset gigi 25 Ramlah Ram, aku hanya mampu melambai-lambai group kami dari belakang. Muahahaha! Nasib baik climb tak berapa tinggi and jauh.

Turun aje bukit, group dah hilang. Jumpa hanya geng splinters (serpihan)...bukan sprinters. Hehehe. Sorang-sorang kami kutip ajak buat peloton baru yang mematuhi halaju kebangsaan. Salah sorangnya Doc Taufik and sorang lagi rider MKH. Kat sini aku bedal GU gel, maka syif menarik pun bermula straight away sampai la ke Taiping, maintain 30kph. Pit stop kat Caltex Taiping.

Jalan ke Taiping & all the way to persimpangan Bukit Merah memang exposed and flat. Untuk mereka yang lutut dah berasap or semangat semakin kusam, menempuh headwind + heat boleh mengundang "bonk". Aku jeling meter, speed masih mampu maintain 32kph dan distance dah cecah 160km. Mak aih! Aku bersyukur kaki masih mampu memberi kerjasama erat & ukwah. Maintain macho all the way.

Sekali sekala local mat rempit lalu & bersorak untuk kami. Ada yang kagum bila dibagitau kami kayuh dari Cameron. Agak depa tak mampu nak digest distance tapi sebut Cameron je dah cukup bikin depa melopong. Hehe.

Finally sampai entrance Bukit Merah Laketown Resort, tapi bisul yang last ni memang pukulan penutup paling bisa. Tu dia mendongak macam Kak Limah tepi tingkap. Aku tak sure berapa percent, ada yang kata 26%, ada gak yang kata 17% tapi dongak tetap dongak. Untuk tidak dongak, kami akur cecah dagu kat handlebar. Konon nak attack dengan standing climb, seperti beberapa orang yang lain tapi hanya mampu mendaki 50m aje. Lepas tu kaki terus masuk angin. Turun tolak sebab momentum hilang. Ada pulak awek dalam kereta lambung, "apa barang tolak basikal bang?!". Adoiii aiii.

Ada sikit recovery kat selekoh, aku buat second attempt. Kali ni aku mesti paku my butt kat saddle jangan sampai bangun if aku nak survive the climb. Alhamdullillah settle. Terus turun all the way sampai hotel. Sembur bike kejap, check in amik kunci bilik, terus naik basuh baju & clean up, full blast aircon and turun balik cari Alwin who came in an hour later.

Dinner starts at 6.30 p.m., habis aku balun amount macam hidangan nasi tambah sambil layan photos of the day, videos and briefing by Ride Director. We were told, masih lagi ada cyclists yang baru check in. Gilos!

BJCC open table durian Semanggol lepas dinner. Kompom saper lahap lebih, esok kayuh pakai bib aje without jersi. The rest of the night kami hang out with more new friends i.e. the PCC clan, Amanda Chin and penutup kami saja test water sembang dengan Shaharin Wan, rep KOTRT sebab esok konon nak ride with them. Esok roll out at 8.00 a.m. so the stay up was just nice.

Grinding facts
Distance : 197.36km
Ride time : 7 hrs 22 min
Avg spd : 26.8 kph
Mx spd : 57.2 kph

PCC Interstate - Day 1 - Raub to Brinchang

Big Momma's Climb

First of all, aku nak panjatkan setinggi-tinggi terima kasih kat kawan-kawan yang mendoakan perjalanan aku ke PCC Interstate ni. Mekasey!!! Al-maklum la, training pun agak huru-hara & setakat selit-selit mana yang termampu je. So bila menjelang event tu jadi la simptom demam tapioka.

Sesungguhnya ni la pertama kali aku sign up untuk PCC Interstate ni walaupun depa dah mula anjur event ni sejak 14 tahun yang lalu. Habis segenap ceruk tanahair depa dah kayuh. Last year ada gak teringin aku nak cangkuk tapi macam biasa la, badan ni hanya satu. Kederat takde la banyak, so aku lebih kan ke training untuk KL Marathon. Tahun ni, training KL Marathon pulak lemauuu...

Alwin fetched aku at home pagi Jumaat tu at 4.00 a.m. Hujan lebat menambahkan drama perjalanan kami dari rumah ke Raub. Berkejor la jugak nak sampai ke Rest House Raub before peloton berangkat at 6.30 a.m. sampaikan terlepas McD Taman Melati for breakfast.

Sungai Koyan pit stop

Oooo...ni rupanya Rest House Raub, tersergam indah di atas bukit di tengah town. Ramai dah yang berkumpul dalam gelap pagi tu. Kami terus park kereta kat belakang sebab nak tinggalkan kereta kat Raub. While Alwin setting apa yang patut, aku mencelah untuk menunaikan kewajipan apa yang berkaitan. Alhamdullillah cuaca sangat sempurna untuk kami berlepas meninggalkan pekan Raub menuju ke arah Sungai Koyan.

Aku bagi pihak cyclists, mohon ampun & maaf kat orang Raub pagi tu sebab tak pasal-pasal trafik jadi sesak. Maklum la Jumaat masih hari bekerja dan bersekolah, jadi perjalanan mereka secara tak langsung terganggu la sikit. Kesian. Sampaikan beberapa lori terpaksan buat peloton depa sendiri sebab tak dapat overtake kami kat jalan yang agak sempit.

Menuju ke arah Sungai Koyan, hari yang semakin cerah mempamerkan langit yang semakin mendung. Kami terpaksa berdendangkan lagu "Singing in the rain" untuk beberapa ketika sebelum sampai ke town Felda Sungai Koyan untuk sarapan pagi. Nasi lemak dan top up botol air. Lepas ni 90km tarak phone coverage dan fuel station.

Alwin & me decided to tag along with geng BJCC since we were left from the big peloton and BJCC was the only group left (well, actually what was left of them la). Ada la 10 orang termasuk Doc Taufik jiran aku. Sebaik aje masuk simpang ke Pos Betau, jalan dah mula mendaki dan persekitaran mula berubah. Takde dah nampak ladang kelapa sawit, hanya hutan malar hijau dan gunung ganang. Sebak dada aku kejap menyaksikan kehebatan alam. Ada la sikit-sikit kami bergurau senda tatkala pendakian tak begitu kejang otot. Aku belum sempat nak berkenalan dengan depa, alih-alih team LeTua lalu satu peloton dengan ada motorsikal escort...berdesup! Ada la beberapa orang BJCC yang ingin menduga akal dan kederat, pi kejor dengan harapan dapat free taxi all the way up. Depa tak tau, sat lagi kompom putus urat kentut kakau cangkuk leTua tu. Maka bertebarlah kami di sepanjang pendakian itu.

Kami stop jugak la at a few breathtaking views untuk snap photo tapi most of them sekadar termenung aje sebab hujan sudah kembali. Camera kena simpan.  Ada kala, kami hanya duduk tepi jalan dalam hujan sambil bersembang melepaskan penat lelah. Kalau hari lain, bertuah ler teman nak buat keroje tu.

  

90km pendakian ni dah mula menusuk kalbu bila cuaca tidak membantu dan perut dah mula berdendang "Keroncong Untuk Ana". Aku kunyah gak Snickers sulam air hujan. Kenyang beb. Alwin dah masuk granola bar yang ke-4. Betul punya lapor dia. Langsung takde tamaddun manusia kami jumpa bila dah mencecah 4 jam mendaki. Ketahanan mental dah mula bergoncang. Papan tanda sempadan Daerah Cameron menjadi saksi kepada mereka yang mengukirkan senyuman kelat di muka menandakan ketamadunan akan muncul sebentar lagi.

First tamaddun manusia adalah hanya beberapa kedai motor dan tapak semaian. Adoiii aiii. Patut kedai motor ni paling koman pun jual la Chickedees or Twisties ke untuk pelanggan. Bau baja organik pulak menambah kekelatan muka. Puas jugak la kami dihampakan dengan cabaran bukit bukau dan ketiadaan kedai makan. Sampai la kat pekan Habu baru jumpa curry house. Manyak lega oooo...aku terlalu gelojoh hingga lupa nak amik gambor kedai ni.

The SIGN! ...ooops...perut kantoi beb! Lol

Mee goreng mamak, telur goreng mata & teh O panas Cameron pengubat duka lara. Amin rezki Allah mencurah-curah. Ye ler tu, kejap lagi peluh akan mencurah untuk azab second chapter.

Perut dah gendut, matahari dah bersinar sikit, jalan pun dah mula sibuk. Kami sempat di wawancara oleh dua orang uncle. Sorang dok citer pasal pendakian yang berikutnya. Adoiii...aiii. Alih-alih mee goreng sepinggan terus terbakar dalam perut mendengarkan penjelasan terperinci uncle. Yang sorang lagi, dok kata team leTua terbaek! Pukul 11.00 a.m. depa dah sampai Habu. Fan club rupanya.

First climb from Habu up to Ringlet betul punya cecah dagu kat stem. Nasib baik pendek tapi boleh tahan cungap gak la. Aku target mau refill air kat Tanah Rata, poyo tadi kat curry house takmo. Sekali gagal daaa...

Climbing sampai Tanah Rata serupa macam Bukit Putus (pada hal aku tak pernah kayuh sana pun). Kompom la putus beberapa urat. Maksud aku...selekoh demi selekoh, and aku teruskan grinding chainring kaset 25 yang dah mula main lagu Ramlah Ram dengan husky voice. Tak tahan beb. Baru sampai R&R Cameron Valley, aku terpaksa akur dengan kemampuan. Ada lagi 9km tuh! Bedal teh secawan lagi. Alwin dah mula mengidam asam kecut strawberry kering. Apa-apa je la bai, janji lu senyum. Lol.

Dapat golek-golek macam filem Hindustan syiok ooo

Cyclists still climbing scattered all over the terrain. Oooo...idak ler kami ni last tercorot rupanya. Lega. Macam biasa, pemandangan ladang teh sungguh asyik. Rasa macam nak baring je atas pokok teh yang kelihatan macam tilam spring kat bawah tu.

Ku sangka balance 9km up to Brinchang bakal akan mematahkan semangat tapi rupanya, lagi 4km aje climb dan selebihnya rolling. Yeay! Quick stop kat Tanah Rata untuk top up air mineral, lepaih tu berdesup aku menuju puncak Star Regency Hotel di Brinchang. Ada jugak bisul climb sikit sampai depan hotel. Cis!

Lama dah aku tak ke sini. Those hills, esok menu warmup

Keceriaan di muka masing-masing terserlah bila sorang demi sorang sampai. Apa taknya, dah serupa macam kerja opis. 7 jam 22 minit berkayuh dan almost semua mendaki. Tak pernah aku alami pengalaman dan route kayuhan macam ni. Tak sama macam training ground Broga or Teranum. Nothing close. Betul punya cabaran hari pertama. Masa yang tinggal hanya cukup untuk basuh bike and group photo. Yang selebihnya attack hidangan makan malam dan pasar malam. Lights off as early as 9.00 p.m. bila masing-masing dah macam zombie Kampung Pisang. Sejuk macam biasa la...Cameron beb.

Pepatah petitih

Distance : 148.8km

Ride time : 7 hr 21 min

Avg spd : 20 kph

Mx spd : 53.2 kph

Tinggal lagi sehari je beb! Adoiii aiii...

Aduhai! Tak senang duduk dibuatnya. Lagi sehari, untuk pertama kali aku akan kayuh distance tahap gaban untuk tiga hari berturut-turut. Orang lain dah tiap-tiap tahun buat tapi aku je yang gelabah tak tentu pasal. Serupa macam tunggu pertama kali aku nak marathon. Cepat la sikit settle. Tak sanggup dah nak menahan ke-huru haraan jiwa ini.

Daripada training hujung minggu yang lepas-lepas, dan beribu-ribu lemon kilometer dalam kaki ni, dua weekend yang lalu membuatkan aku mula berdebar sebab milage menurun. Tambahan lagi dengan kerja-kerja buruh angkut barang sebab pindah rumah weekend baru ni yang hasilnya aku selsema & batuk akibat habuk-habuk. Banyak pulak barang rumah aku. Nasib baik pindah sepelaung je.

Segala persiapan hampir lengkap. Mostly aku dah humban masuk kotak Toyogo dan pakaian dah kemas digosok jesi, bib, stokin dilipat dan susun dalam beg. Basikal dah setting tyre pressure, puncture kit, blinkers dah siap mount kat bike. Malam ni last round going through the checklist dan packing letak depan pintu. Esok seawal pukul 4 pagi, Alwin akan fetch aku untuk sama-sama bergerak ke Raub (starting line). Kayuhan akan bermula kul 6.30 pagi. Dah macam nak bangun pagi untuk marathon.

Segala apa jua persiapan aku dah buat. Sekarang hanya redha dan berdoa semuanya berjalan lancar dan dipermudahkan. Di samping buat member baru seramai 349 orang yang lain. Selamat menyambut Hari Buruh untuk kita semua. Tak sabor aku nak berlari semula nih...

Ni aku buh tulips kayuhan untuk 3 hari. Mana lah tau kot ada kawan-kawan di sepanjang jalan boleh sediakan kompang, bunga mangga ke or paling kurang pun Gatorade sebotol.

Gebang low milage

Aisey...stepback week dah jadi macam lagu New Kids on the Block - Step by Step. Dua weekend menggondolkan low milage...satu official yang memang ikut training schedule, and weekend yang baru ni disebabkan hidung yang serabut tahap kronik. Kononnya ngelat ENR sebab nak cangkuk PCC buat long ride from Genting Sempah to Gap tapi tepat kul 11.00 malam dengan separuh hati meng-text Alwin memaklumkan kegagalan aku untuk meneruskan kayuhan. I don't think the 169km will do me good, while Interstate is just two stones throw away, adding stress wouldn't do any justice. Selalu jugak beringat & fikir pasal jaga makan dan minum, cuaca sejuk & panas tapi apa kan daya, sekali-sekala badan kena jugak berehat extra sikit.

Malam tu jugak, alih-alih aku terima text dari Det. "Nasib baik lu tak lari malam ni bai. Memang hampeh betul organiser. Wa lari 16km je lepas tu malas dah...". Bahaya ayat Det ni, selaku pelari tegar zon kampung aku, statement ini dag macam hilang semangat. Ini sudah tentu memerlukan cerita lebih lanjut. Lantas aku melambung Det untuk counter larian tak cukup milage malam tu dengan kayuhan esok pagi masuk Langat. SIGN!

Aku text jugak kaum lain tapi non responded. Takpe lah, kayuhan santai masuk kampung sambil layan angin sejuk berdua je dengan Det.

Det pun mula lah bercerita. Nampak gaya encik bateri dah mula lemau. Kalau tahun lepas aku ada gak tak puas hati dengan kualiti penganjuran depa, nampak gaya tahun ni depa langsung tak amik iktibar dan yang paling utama, depa langsung tak hormat peserta...eeeew simpaaaang. Adik beradik, mak lain dengan Otakgon ler ni. Tak guna aku nak berleter, let's just hope pihak-pihak lain menjadikan tragedi ni sebagai sempadan. Lagi pun, serik dah aku nak berlari malam. Cukup la setakat orang Malaysia main bola malam-malam, tapi kalau event sukan lain nak buat malam gak memang kena banyak pertimbangan, baik penganjur mahupun peserta.

OK. Menu kami pagi tu, kayuh sampai Simpang Peres pastu decide untuk route seterusnya. Det mengorak kayuhan bertenaga sedangkan aku hanya akur dengan pace sebegitu dengan tiada attempt untuk mencangkuk. Laluan masih jugak terdapat lopak-lopak air hasil dari hujan sehari suntuk Sabtu nya. Kompom balik ni aku kena basuh beskal.

Masuk je laluan kampung Sungai Lui, Det & aku kayuh seiringan meneruskan sembang sambil mata aku menjeling sekali-sekala dia cuba untuk tingkatkan speed. Eceh...ceh...ceh. Ada jugak part yang aku terpaksa telan air liur sebesar jeruk cermai sambil nak berkata-kata tapi aku cuba jugak keep up. Macam-macam la jugak kami citer, dari perihal domestik sampai la ke peringkat kebangsaan.

Sebelum sampai simpang, kami dah decide untuk naik Bukit Hantu instead of mendaki Peres tanpa kelihatan sekelibat pun cyclist. Pelik. Ke mana la pulak cyclists yang selalu berkunjung macam pesta setiap Ahad kat sini? Takkan ler boikot Expose Media sampai tak nak kayuh?

Dah lama aku tak naik Bukit Hantu ni. Asyik dok bedal belakang Peres je. Bukit Hantu selalunya aku jadikan kayu pengukur sama ada kaki aku lemau or tidak. Kalau lemau, aku akan mula menyesal selepas panjat 300m dan mula headbanging ala lagu Nirvana. Akan tetapi, pagi tu aku mampu untuk kayuh sebelah cyclist tegar kampung aku (lagi sekali lambung) sambil bersembang. Alhamdullillah kaki tak lemau.

Tapi part turun, alih-alih pulak aku seriau pagi tu. Selalunya aku dok tap brek sikit-sikit sambil membiarkan graviti menarik mencecah kelajuan Space Cop Gaban, tapi kali ni aku genggam dua-dua brek beb! Apa hal aku pun tak tau. Bila dah genggam, mula la lenguh lengan dan mula ler berkira bila nak sampai bawah. Uish! Simpaaaang!

Sampai bawah, aku layan je follow Det sampai kedai runcit. Dia mengidam Coke katanya. Ada bunyi-bunyi masih tak puas hati dari semalam. Nasib baik tak mengidam air bateri. Hehe. Aku layan.

Dari Batu 14 aku selitkan sikit tempo interval, saja nak test level LT boleh bertahan sejauh/selama mana. Kalau ikut jarak, ada lebih kurang 5 batu (8km) nak sampai balik ke Batu 9. Masa, kurang pasti. Pelan-pelan aku naik kan speed sambil sekali-sekala aku menoleh untuk memastikan Det ada kat belakang. Aku perasan Det menjaga jarak yang selamat, and bukan cangkuk macam besi berani. Maybe dia masih phobia tragedi tempoh hari buat maintenance longkang.

30kph naik ke 34-35kph all the way. Ada la jugak cecah 7km sebelum kami terpaksa stop bila ternampak ada sorang cyclist tepi jalan gaya-gaya ditimpa kesusahan. Dia ni familiar, ada gak jumpa dia kayuh dengan group Jami.

Aku tanya apa sudah jadi? Looks like just another selfish and ignorant driver yang jumped depan cyclist tu untuk belok ke simpang. Brader ni dok belek-belek beskal Pinarello dia, sambil merungut bahasa apa entah aku pun tak dengar, but I was sure it was Malay language. Bahasa istana agaknya. Bila aku tanya OK ke tak? Dia terus gak merungut. Luka kat badan takde pulak aku nampak. Anak makcik tu dua orang remaja pompuan dok berdiri belakang mak dia. Salah sorang tu yang drive Kancil oren & muka masing-masing suspen je. Mak dia yang dok merayu mintak maaf kat brader ni sambil menghulurkan note 10 ringgit untuk kesusahan yang disebabkan oleh anak dia. Yang aku confuse sikit, makcik ni mata dia juling sikit. Tangan yang ada duit tu dihulurkan antara aku & brader tu tapi mata dia aku kurang pasti pandang kat saper. Adoii aiii...

Tak alih-alih, brader tu terus je kayuh beredar meninggalkan aku dengan makcik tu. Lerrr...apa ler punya perangai? Dah makcik tu dok nak bagi aku duit tu untuk pass kat mamat tu. Aku cakap takpe, cuma sebelum beredar, aku pesan supaya lebih berhati-hati dan prihatin sikit sebab jalan ni ramai cyclist.

Yang mamat ni pulak menonong kayuh, laju pulak tu. Det sempat jugak lambung suruh aku amik aje duit tu, lepas gak teh tarik & roti canai. Lol. Semput la jugak aku nak ngejor mamat ni, ada gak 8 tiang baru dapat. Dalam nada semput, aku tanya dia OK ke tak. Dia pun nampak macam masih sengal. Takpe lah. Mungkin dia terlalu kecewa sebab basikal mahal dia ditimpa kemalangan. Apa kan daya aku nak lebih-lebih pulak concern ye tak? Dia pun macam lebih besorkan basikal dia daripada mengucapkan terima kasih. Tu pasal la aku tak nak bermanja dengan kemewahan dunia (alasan tak mampu). Sebab, nanti free-free je aku akan mula hilang ilmu yang aku belajar masa sekolah agama Kampung Melayu Majidee dulu...subjek Alif-Dal-ba. 

PCC Interstate 2011 and all cramped

With lots of fellow friends blogging out and fraternizing about running events, I have yet to start putting up my running legs for races. I have to priorities. Only can juggle one big ball at a time. That's the best I can afford for the moment. I have signed up for PCC Interstate 2011, that meant leaving out my running passion for awhile until end of this month, hence absenting myself from running camaraderies.

And too bad it is, this weekend I had to attest that we can only plan but not necessarily can we afford to work the plan. Running the Energizer Night Race 2011 followed with the longest PCC Tar & Grime Interstate training ride the next morning probably is a bad idea. I had to ditch ENR. Not just that, I had to miss Bidor and Borneo again. Seems all events are being cramped for these last 3 months before Ramadhan, and I'm having trouble catching up with what's on and when? Looks like the weighing between cycling and running needs a bit of twitching...and where should I put the swimming?! Lerrr....

Two more weekends, and I'll be freakingly cranking the menu as follows:

PCC Interstate - 3 days of indulgent road cycling

Day 1 Raub - Brinchang (145km): Freakishly hilly

Day 2 Brinchang - Bukit Merah (200km)- Grindingly long & undulating

Day 3 Bukit Merah - Damai Laut (120km)- Enjoyably Flat & short

And this is the time I start to laid out the logistics and prep up my bike and stuff. Nothing similar to running, the list is longer. And I'm gonna need a bigger bag than my current Camelbak Octane. 

Worry not, right after completing Interstate, InsyaAllah I'll be working on the running legs again for a month or two with KL Towerthon and Larian Bomba in May before the return of KL Marathon in late June. That would mean, pounding Bukit Aman - Hartamas again, right away. Whoot! And who's up for 32km LSD? But then again, people talking about ultra la nowadays. Apa barang LSD 32k?

All the best to all Energizer runners, Bidor and Borneo. Travel and run safe. Yang penting enjoy!

Broga Klasik...first time beb

Sebulan dua ni memang aku banyak ber-gebang pasal kayuh. Tak habis-habis berputar dan berkisar dengan kayuh. Betul-betul punya off season dari berlari. Tak jugak actually, ada la lari seminggu sekali di kampung halaman yang indah dan permai bersama-sama sahabat handai yang akan berjuang kat Energizer Night Race 2011 sedikit masa lagi. Aku hanya sekadar peneman dan pelambung untuk yang dah register FM. Aku pulak cuma sign HM.

Seminggu sekali lari 1 loop McDonald 8km. Sabtu lepas je, Nizam sudah tambah lauk untuk extra sikit ke 9.5km. Lepas tu aku menghoyan sehari suntuk badan lesu lain macam. Sementara tunggu wife siap untuk pergi membeli belah, sempat jugak aku terlena kat sofa, sehingga membuatkan dia pelik. Kat kompleks membeli belah seronok la berjalan dan melahap Double Bacon Cheese Burger kat Carl's Junior. Lepas fetch Yasmin from her school, aku boleh pulak sambung tidur. Uish. Ni agak merisaukan! Esok dah tentu nak menghoyan kat Broga Klasik. Kalau kondisi aku berterusan begini, ada potensi main cabut rumput tepi jalan kat Kuala Klawang.

On the way balik from in-laws in USJ malam tu, tekak ni dah rasa macam kertas pasir. Sampai rumah, terus aku isi plain water dalam botol Coke 2 liter, sarungkan compression untuk kaki yang masih sengal dan lenguh, dok depan TV kejap main remote dan terus aku melambungkan diri di atas tilam empuk. Malam tu je 4-5 kali aku bangun ke toilet. Memang kow-kow punya kasi flush whatever yang menyebabkan aku terasa sengal dan sangap.

Seperti yang di-set, alarm meraung jam 5.30 a.m. Alhamdullillah badan rasa OK tapi tekak masih sikit-sikit kelat. Wife masih confuse sama ada aku patut teruskan kayuhan or not. I should. I'm good. Plan of surviving my first Broga Klasik attempt is to hydrate and dump electrolyte all the way. Sempat bedal telur setengah masak pagi tu.

Jumpa the rest kat parking BTHO. What was supposed to be only a handful of us, ended with 7. Best of all, semua kepala memang sempoi and pace sama. None yang pelik and retard. That should solve one ride nuisance I guess. Normally orang kayuh Broga mula dari Tekala, be it klasik or reverse. Tapi kali ni, we were bold enough to push the extra miles by starting from BTHO. That would be extra 30km.

Azmar lambung untuk start the loop by using SILK Highway, that is with 2 warm up climbs. Already saw Laif drenched top to bottom, plus a tiny cursing. PCC pun buat Broga Klasik jugak, tapi start dari Tekala. Pekan Semenyih ni memang sibuk semedang agaknya ye? Kalau balik Broga reverse kul 1.00 p.m. pun sibuk, pepagi kul 8.00 ni pun sibuk gak? Mengalahkan Kajang pulak sibuk dia. Senafas je kami lalu, tak sanggup nak hidu asap lama-lama, sebelum kami masuk ke arah Broga.

Stretch Universiti Nottingham ni, kalau waktu Broga reverse memang stretch killer. Lapang, panjang dan menggelegak. Tapi pagi ni suasana sungguh harmoni dengan sejuk angin pagi dan sinaran matahari oren yang baru nak melakar bumi. Pemandangan yang seperti membawa kami back through time melepasi Bukit Broga (yang penuh dengan kereta dan orang), sehingga lah ke pekan Lenggeng. Lebih kurang 30km in sejam setengah, masa untuk mereka yang miss breakfast melahap roti canai mamak Lenggeng. Aku layan teh 'O' suam since belum lapar.

Kayuhan dari Lenggeng ke arah simpang Bukit Tangga dijangka akan dijamu dengan dua bukit. Naala punya bukit. Tapi rezeki kami cuaca agak redup dan sejuk dari angin yang sepoi-sepoi bahasa (lama tak guna ayat tu). Bukit Lenggeng semua dapat complete dengan senyuman. Maklum lah, kaki masih fresh. Turun bukit dah cecah terminal velocity 68kph. Tapi memanjat Bukit Tangga dari arah Seremban ada sedikit panjang, tapi tak seteruk dari Kuala Klawang. Mentari dah mula memberi gigitan dan sengatan. Kami terpaksa mengikut pace masing-masing as we climbed the long granny. Terjumpa a few cyclists PCC. Depa dah start tolak basikal beb! Terkejut aku. Gilos! Ni group yang tertinggal kat belakang la agaknya.

Regroup kat puncak Bukit Tangga, and berdesup kami turun ke arah Kuala Klawang. Masa agak menyebelahi kami di mana kami dijangka boleh sampai Kuala Klawang before 11.00 a.m. Stretch paling aku suka is the Jelebu stretch. Jalan elok, low traffic and rolling with beautiful kampung houses. Sejuk dan nyaman je rasa, bahkan kayuhan pun terasa bertenaga sebab hati terasa rileks.

Sampai di Petronas Kuala Klawang, the whole bunch of PCC were there. I think there were 40 of us altogether. Touke Petronas untung jual 100Plus, mineral, roti  coke je pagi tu. Tak payah jual minyak. Ni la agaknya muka-muka yang akan pergi Interstate. Memang basikal depa dahsyat-dahsyat beb, banding dengan basikal cabuk aku. Tapi takpe, penyertaan diutamakan :)

Kami decided not to cangkuk them but treat ourselves with heavy breakfast instead. The usual hangout at the town restraunt for maggi soup and roti telur. Perut mesti mau isi, the biggest obstacle have yet to be tackled. By 11.30 a.m. semua dah ready. Hydration, mindset, sunblock dan lain-lain. Memang dah mula panas.

Mesyuarat PIBG cawangan Kuala Klawang

Yang aku suka about this group, pace kami sama. Takde yang nak pecah peloton or yang tertinggal kat belakang. We tried to accommodate the pace between 25-30 kph since it's an endurance ride that will last for hours. Zone 2 remember? The 20km rolling to Titi was discreet. Maybe semua dah mula terasa kebangatan matahari dan ke-mental-an bukit 16km ke puncak Genting Peres.

Panjat Genting Peres at 12.30 p.m. dari Kuala Klawang memang terbukti legenda Broga Klasik. The toughest part. Since kami dah attempt 2 minggu lepas, aku kurang risau sikit tapi lebih memikirkan kayuhan balik dari Batu 18 ke BTHO di tengah-tengah panas terik dan trafik yang semakin menggila.



Kami terpecah kepada dua group tapi masih lagi visible between us. Alwin ditermani Jaja disebabkan Alwin masih lagi training dengan mountainbike, di mana aku rasakan sesuatu yang sangat challenging. Berat ooo mountainbike tu kalau dibandingkan dengan basikal kami. Aku kayuh dengan Sepol. Azmar dengan Laif, yang dah mula nampak suffer. Ron entah kat mana kat depan dah hilang. Memang panjang betul kami memanjat. Bila mau habis daaa? Oleh sebab tak boleh tahan dengan godaan air terjun tepi jalan, kami terpaksa stop untuk mandi! Lol. Amik botol and siram! Akhirnya berjaya sampai ke puncak dengan senyuman kelat terukir di muka masing-masing.

Turun ke arah Batu 18, stop untuk final refuel and teruskan kayuhan pulang ke BTHO. The longest ride and toughest covering 140km and soaring our butts for 6 hours. Memang kaki dah kompom seasoned. Alhamdullillah tekak aku tak buat hal and badan dan tunjuk perasaan.

Overall, aku rasa macam Broga Klasik menghidangkan bukit bukau yang kurang azab berbanding dengan Broga Reverse. Tapi itu pun subjektif jugak kan? Kalau stamina and kaki tak cukup milage, bagi apa pun memang kompom menghoyan. OK, this week is step back week yang tertunda. So, low milage for cycling and maybe aku nak tambah sikit kat larian. Untuk sahabat yang akan berjuang di Kenyir, all the best! Safe journey pergi dan balik, enjoy the race.

Kalau dok lama lagi, kompom basuh baju

Iklan Mountain Dew pun boleh gak ni