Bentong-ites

Hearing the word Bentong and Genting Sempah would drive the chill down my spine. Always is and I had to have deep thoughts before committing to any of it. The endless bike swerving is so freaking scary.

But, there was no exception when most of the buddies decided to ride it last Sunday. I toss and turned nights prior to the ride, juggling what strategy do I have? I thought of riding the mountain bike, but it will just exhaust me to death (tried it before and regretted). My only hope to survive the climb is with a road bike, but I need to be strong on the descends.

I don't recall our last ride to Bentong but it has been awhile. In fact Genting Sempah flocked with cyclists from many kinds. The foldies, the mountain bikers. Yet to find tandems though. And I was most surprised to witness runners! They scale the 16 km climb and ran back down completing the whole 32 km. That is horrific...for me at least.

As more 'tourist cyclist' riding up to Genting Sempah, some minor social ethics began to crop up. They tend to stop at odd places to rest and posing for photos or selfies. My concern is their respect for other users when they started blocking the road ignoring passing cyclists while they chat or take a breather or worse, clowning around with buddies. It may not a big issue since the average climbing pace is rather slow, but what if things goes out of hand and these buggers started blocking the opposite side of the road, where cyclists descend at higher speed? We have already too many cyclists killed by motorists. It can sickening to hear cyclists killed by another ignorance cyclist.

At the peak of Genting Sempah things are becoming like morning market. Super cool guys in spandex had to blend in with these ultra cool noobs. And these ultra cool noobs became so cool and they thought they own the road, ignoring not just cyclists, but other vehicles. It was eye soaring with these act of stupidity.

We didn't wait long for the unnecessary camaraderie. The descend down to Bentong was perfect with everyone latched on to the group with perfect pace rotation.

The challenge is the way back up, fighting against the gravity. The 30 km climb, slithering like a very long snake as the gravity starts to pull little by little until the legs can't stand the soreness. It was never a happy story when riding to Bentong, but we kept coming back for the itchy butt invitation.

As the gradient grows, the legs start square pedalling and that's not a good sign of strength in progress. Due to our routine change from ride-and-meal to less-and-short-stop-ride, we managed to spend ride time effectively and finish it early.

After all the curses and inner peace turn outer peace conquest, we concluded the climb and that opened up the final challenge for me to descend back down to Gombak. The fear still linger inside me especially approaching those tight curves. I had to catch up with the rest at other less 'dangerous' curves with hard pedalling. That was one huge time-trial descending effort for me and it was a huge relief reaching back the low land. Phew!

Satu abad setahun...

Memberi komitmen untuk dua acara besar dalam setahun boleh membebankan seseorang individu...sekurang-kurangnya untuk orang seperti aku yang semakin terasa hasil mamahan usia. Menjalani sesi latihan hanya pada setiap hujung minggu memang secara nyatanya, tidak mencukupi. Apatah lagi jika misi menyertai acara tersebut adalah untuk mencari kejayaan gilang gemilang.

Sesetengah pandangan masyarakat mungkin kurang bersetuju dengan prinsip aku. Dalam kehidupan sekarang, kita dibesarkan dengan kata-kata motivasi dan semangat dari iklan-iklan produk mahupun individu-individu berjaya terutama ahli sokan. Sebagai contoh yang dah sebati dengan kita seperti tema Nike 'Just Do It', atau Adidas 'Impossible Is Nothing', dan banyak lagi yang kononnya bertujuan untuk mengeluarkan seorang jaguh dari dalam diri kita. Tapi kalau hanya sekadar pegangan tanpa usaha, kita akan jadi seperti bertih jagung dan bukan jaguh.

Sedikit masa dulu memang aku juga terhanyut dengan tema-tema gimik pasaran. Bukan aku begitu taksub sehingga melampaui batasan adab dan tatasusila tetapi cara hidup juga sedikit sebanyak terikut-ikut.

Itu dulu. Sekarang aku sedikit bijak dan memegang prinsip yang berlandaskan akal yang mungkin sedikit rasional berbanding dulu.

Berbalik kepada tujuan post hari ni. Selepas sesi letihan temph hari ke Bentong, aku tidak lagi merindui akan pahit getir ketika kayuhan dan sengal-sengal badan selepas kayuhan. Malah perasaan ini mula sedikit menyesal. Bukan menyesal sebab segala kepayahan yang dialami tapi lebih kepada peluang dan kemampuan aku melaksanakan komitmen yang lain sedikit terkekang.

Seperti yang aku kerap nyatakan, ketika peringkat usia sebegini, priority komitmen sudah berubah. Aku lebih selesa dengan komitmen kekeluargaan, komuniti dan yang sewaktu dengannya.

Aku juga tidak mampu untuk mengulangi kesilapan dulu tatkala aku pernah membuat cubaan dua marathon dalam setahun. Ternyata sekali, marathon yang kemudian itu penuh dengan sesal dan seksa. Pada pendapat aku yang lemah ini, sekadar untuk menghabiskan sesuatu acara besar seperti marathon tidak mendatangkan kepuasan. Lebih kepada menjadi buah pulasan.

Begitu juga dalam dilema aku sekarang. Kayuhan Satu Abad Melaka akan berlangsung pada hujung bulan Oktober kelak. Aku telah menamatkan acara sebegini di Kuantan pada April yang lalu dan aku cukup bersyukur dengan keputusannya. Namun, tidak dengan cubaan di Melaka ini pula. Aku kurang semangat. Aku tidak mampu memberi komitmen yang lebih atas beberapa sebab seperti pengagihan masa latihan dan komitmen-komitmen lain. Malah, aku lebih selesa memberi komitmen kepada perkara-perkara lain.

...hmmm...terlintas sejenak. Kedudukan aku di persimpangan hidup ini semakin hari semakin nyata. 

Sebagai blessing in disguise, aturan yang kita susun bukan yang terbaik, sebab yang terbaik datangnya dari Allah swt. Tarikh acara bertembung dengan kelas ganti. Fuh! Walaupun agak kecewa sedikit tapi kelegaan bagaikan injap pelepas dibuka.

Musibah & Brotherhood

Ahad lepas seperti biasa kami akan memenuhi program letihan selagi belum habis Melaka Century Ride (dah mula rasa muak pun ada gak ni...). Dah puas kayuh belah-belah Shah Alam, kami ubah angin ke zon selatan Selangor pulak. Dah lama tak ke area sini. Kami pilih Highway Lekas, dengan planning asal nak buat Jelebu Loop, ard 110km. 

Tak berapa ramai yang dapat join from the usual gang, tapi kami dapat a few new faces. Six of us started from my place. Azmar brought in Panjang & Naim. Depa semua guna mountain bike sebab persediaan untuk event antarabangsa depa which is Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge & Panjang akan ke Korea. Dahsyat sahabat-sahabat aku ni semua bertahap antarabangsa. Then ada Laif and his friend, seorang yang agak lebih tua dari aku, KJ. Det decided untuk join setelah hampir sepenggal pilihanraya menghilang.

Macam biasa, laluan Lekas memang ramai cyclist pada pagi hujung minggu. Volume traffic yang kurang dan bahu jalan yang lebar, cukup selamat untuk kayuh. Ada jugak dengar cerita, Lebuhraya Latar sudah tidak membenarkan cyclist masuk. Cuaca pagi tu pulak memang cukup nyaman hasil dari hujan seharian hari sebelumnya. 

Musibah pertama kami diuji tatkala selesai pendakian ke Tol Setul. Alwin telah berjaya mematahkan hanger rear derailleur-nya ketika melepasi satu road hump di laluan sikal. Namun, Allah telah kirimkan bantuan dengan adanya Panjang yang cekap dengan kemahiran membaiki basikal. Proses yang mengambil masa sekitar 20 minit telah berjaya menyelesaikan masalah, basikal Alwin telah di-convert menjadi 'single speed'. Tanpa kepakaran dan kemahiran seperti Panjang, mungkin kami akan mengambil masa lebih lama.

Dengan hanya 'single speed', kami terpaksa mengubah rancangan supaya tidak meneruskan plan asal untuk ke Jelebu disebabkan kekurangan dan kekusutan yang akan Alwin hadapi. Kami membuat keputusan untuk patah balik melalui Lekas selepas 'pit stop' di Petronas Seremban.

Kayuhan balik melalui Lekas juga seperti biasa telah dibahagi-bahagi tugas 'pacing' di hadapan dan kedua-dua sahabat rider kebangsaan kami juga tidak terkecuali, malah depa melakukan 'pacing' yang cukup kemas.

Musibah kedua terjadi ketika kami baru nak memulakan pendakian di Lebuhraya Silk. Pendakian yang agak curam membuatkan kami terpaksa ikut kemampuan & kekuatan masing-masing. Beberapa sahabat telah ke hadapan. Tiba-tiba aku telah menyaksikan KJ tidak semena-mena terjatuh menyembah bumi. Kami yang berada beberapa meter di belakang bergegas ke lokasi dan agak risau bila mendapati tubuh KJ tidak bergerak.

Sebelah kanan mukanya melekap di permukaan jalan dan darah sudah kelihatan membasahi permukaan kasar itu. Kakinya masih melekat di pedal dan dicelah basikal. Naim datang meluru dari depan dan cuba mengenalpasti sama ada KJ masih sedar atau pengsan. Dia bersuara tapi tidak menggerakkan sebarang anggota. Kesemua kami yang telah berkumpul berjaya memusingkan badannya. Sebuah kereta yang tak dikenali telah berhenti dan menawarkan bantuan untuk menghantar KJ ke hospital terdekat. Laif menemaninya.

Dua buah basikal mereka ditinggalkan bersama kami. Sekali lagi, bantuan Allah swt melalui dua sahabat perkasa aku ni telah menyorong, memikul dan macam-macam cara lagi untuk membawa pulang kedua-dua basikal kepunyaan KJ dan Laif. Kami bersama-sama membawa perkakasan lain ke Petronas terdekat sementara Laif datang kembali membawa keretanya. 

Alhamdulillah KJ telah menerima rawatan dan tiada kecederaan serius kecuali luka dan calar serta ingatan yang hilang seketika. Dia tidak langsung ingat apa yang telah terjadi, even tentang aktiviti kayuhannya pada hari tersebut. 

Moral of the story, untuk kita yang hanya bergelar weekend warrior ni, elakkan berletih dan berlatih sorang-sorang (apatah lagi secret training...) sebab musibah Allah swt tidak kira di mana & bila. Kalau nak selfie dan selfish sangat pun, ingat keluarga kita yang tersayang. Kalau injured 2-3 hari macam mana nak cari makan untuk mereka? Kayuh atau berlari lah sama-sama dalam group sebab sikap 'brotherhood' lah yang mampu memberi 'first aid' untuk kita selain Allah swt yang Maha Penyayang. 

Lari

Aku rasa by this time, majority topik perbualan ahli sokan amatur tanahair dah banyak berkisar sekitar acara-acara besar yang semakin hampir seperti KL Marathon dan IronMan Langkawi. Both acara ini dah gempak sejak 6 bulan yang lalu semasa perlancaran registration. Memang jatuh kategori gamat dan gegak gempita especially bila ramai merebut slot early bird. If not, depa akan jadi angry bird sebab yuran semakin naik. Tapi kalau dah register tapi memain nak training, hangpa boleh jadi dead bird.

IronMan Langkawi pada 27-September ni tinggal lebih kurang 16 hari lagi. Ada la beberapa rakan yang akan berjuang demi nama kampung halaman dan status quo. Acara sukan berprestij ini memang menjadi rebutan kepada mereka yang ingin membuktikan kecekalan diri mengharungi acara triahtlon jarak jauh. Memang cekal. Bukan sahaja acara tu sendiri, malah persediaan juga sudah cukup untuk memerlukan perbelanjaan wang ringgit yang banyak dan lebih banyak lagi ialah pengorbanan masa.

Swim 3.8km + Cycle 180km + Lari marathon distance. Melihatkan jarak-jarak tersebut dah boleh membuatkan aku pitam memikirkan latihan yang perlu dihadapi. Betul. Segalanya bermula dengan niat dan program latihan. Dah settle kedua-duanya, then ber-doa aje di hari acara. 

KL Marathon pulak tinggal lagi 30 hari. Sedikit masa dahulu, tarikh keramat 12-Oktober ini sudah tentu menjadi acara yang aku look forward. Sempat lah jugak 3-4 musim aku menghabiskan masa untuk sukan larian jarak jauh ni (mula dah abang nostalgia). Hat yang ni pun memang memerlukan persiapan latihan yang mantap. Bukan cukup sekadar lari petang pusing tasik. Hujung minggu kena repeat LSD (long slow distance). Ada masa kena buat strength training pulak. Paling koman, nak kena allow 6 bulan baru mantap. Itu aku. Lain orang lain pendekatan. Buat masa ni, aku nak main kejor-kejor dengan anak-anak pun rasanya boleh mengah.

Tapi secara lumrahnya manusia biasa ni, memang begitu lah prestasi kita. Tolak tepi yang profesional, mereka menghabiskan masa lebih 12 jam sehari untuk berlatih. Kita yang kais pagi makan pagi ni, max satu jam sehari dan mungkin 2-3 jam on weekends. Maka, dengan modal masa dan komitmen yang ada, kita dah boleh jangka outcome nya. Kalau nak ber-competitive sangat among rakan taulan tu, lupakan aje lah. 

Sometimes aku notice people would easily get carried away dan take it to the next level. Among others seperti competitiveness, seriousness, mental-ness dan berbagai-bagai 'ness' lagi. Dah tiada konsep moderateness atau kesederhanaan. Sedangkan itu yang kita perlu tanam dalam jiwa kita. It is OK untuk hangpa berlumba pada hari acara tu sendiri tapi rasanya tak perlu sampai tahap nak 'overly secret training', perang psiko, bermegah di lama sosial tentang 'pencapaian latihan hari ini' dan macam-macam lagi lah.

Sifat ujub, riak dan takbur mudah sangat menjadi bisikan di hati bila kita menceburi bidang-bidang sebegini. Elakkan. Sebab ia mudah menggugat ketauhidan. Pesanan untuk diri aku sendiri jugak. Ahli sukan profesional pun jarang aku lihat mempunyai sifat ini, kenapa kita pulak?

Sebagai penggulungnya, aku ucapkan selamat berjuang di acara masing-masing. Tapi jangan lupa, walau sekuat mana pun kita, sebagus mana pun kita, sehebat mana pun gadget kita, selaju mana pun kita...jangan sekali-kali kita lupa tujuan kewujudan kita di bumi ini. Anta faham? Keras nampak abang long...? Keh keh keh.

English dah mula berabuk...

The passing by of Ramadhan and Syawal seemed so brief. Time seemed to go faster each and every year. Have we noticed? 

A month into Syawal/August had me kick-started my base training back again. Two months off was enough to pamper this old skeleton but pampering it more will only make me weaker. Alhamdullilah. God gave me the will and strength to come back training every other weekend. It was only Sunday, only a day in 7 days, just for me to stressed and build up those cardiovascular capacity and strengthen those needed muscles. No, I don't need 2 to 3 times in a week to work out. I'd rather spend on other chores. 

So far, four Sundays were spent building saddle time from 2 and half hours to 4 hours. The formula was a non-stop ride with minimal or short stops. We've been disciplining ourselves with the policy so far. And we shall have a step back week this month end for refuge and relax those working muscles.

Basically the floor plan is similar to any other base training programme i.e. marathon. 3-4 weeks building miles and time with a rest week to the end. And the cycle adds up a notch the following 4 weeks training.

I am presuming that this programme should be able to ready me for the Malacca Century Ride by end of October. No I don't planned anything superb or what, just wanting to enjoy the ride with zero suffer and regrets.

Syawal mai dah...

Salam Eidul Fitri. Dah masuk raya ke-12. Alhamdulillah kita masih di panjangkan umur & di murahkan rezeki untuk khatam madrasah Ramadhan & bertemu pula dengan Syawal. Tahun ini Ramadhan aku tempuhi dari perspektif yang lain dalam proses muhasabah diri dan mengenal yang Maha Pencipta.

Sekarang aku dah kembali ke kehidupan KL. 

Seperti tahun-tahun yang lalu, obviously havoc pulang ke kampung tetap berlaku. Yang mampu bercuti panjang dah mula pulang seawal 4-5 hari terakhir Ramadhan. Yang kurang cuti, terpaksa menahan sabar menempuh gamatnya volume traffic di semua laluan keluar dari Lembah Klang bermula Jumaat malam sehingga ke hari Sabtu. Berbagai cabaran yang ditempuhi akibat volume traffic yang meningkat secara mendadak lantas masa perjalanan menjadi dua kali ganda. Tapi sebab semangat nak balik raya punya pasal, all out effort diberikan. Baru la berbaloi balik beraya di kampung.

Plan asal aku nak gerak ke selatan tanahair seawal 4.00 pagi Sabtu, gagal disebabkan kelesuan dan kekurangan tidur. Lepas solat subuh jugak kami sekeluarga bertolak. Alhamdulillah perjalanan lancar dan nyaman. Tetapi jumlah kenderaan di lebuhraya pada awal pagi tu pun sudah membuatkan aku teruja. 

Agenda raya di kampung halaman adalah seperti biasa. Ziarah menziarahi baik yang masih hidup mahupun yang telah dijemput oleh Maha Pencipta. Tidak akan putus doa-doa ku buat keluarga ku yang telah kembali ke Rahmatullah. Itu lah azam ku sehingga aku juga akan bersama di akhir hayatku.

Sekembalinya ke realiti hidup, maka terbuka lah semula pintu-pintu option yang perlu kita pilih. Seminggu dua selepas raya, kita sedikit sebanyak alpa dengan sambutan kemenangan Syawal sehinggakan lupa dengan madrasah Ramadhan yang baru berlalu. Itu termasuk aku.

Istiqomah adalah antara kunci kepada setiap sesuatu. Mujur lah surau kami cekap menjemput ustadz-ustadz kembali untuk kuliah Maghrib. Maka tersentak lah aku dari lamunan Syawal, untuk kembali ke laluan taqwa. Mudah-mudahan, insyaa Allah.

Tidak juga dilupakan, attempt untuk berpuasa 6 hari di bulan Syawal. Setakat lapar dan dahaga untuk usia se-tua aku ni, bukan menjadi isu utama. Ianya kembali kepada hati.

Selain itu, maka kembalilah kedengaran riuh rendah sahabat handai dengan berita-berita terkini berkaitan acara-acara sukan tanahair seperti larian, basikal dan triathlon. Aku tidak lepaskan peluang untuk kembali beraksi (secara kecil-kecilan aje) untuk dapatkan balik stamina. Nak hidup kat KL ni pun perlu stamina semata-mata untuk survive selain wang ringgit serta doa.

Untuk memantapkan lagi motivasi berletihan, aku sign-up untuk lagi satu century ride di Melaka pada bulan Oktober nanti. Memandangkan masa yang masih jauh, maka ianya agak feasible untuk aku berhempas pulas berlatih letih untuk menamatkan lagi satu kayuhan 1 abad. 

Sizzlilng Bagan Lalang

It was recorded a 36 degree C yesterday on Garmin. Sizzling on our way back from Bagan Lalang. The super heat added a major challenge to the ride. Toss in some wild winds from all sides, a 30 kph pedal stroke could probably produce a 200 watt resistance. At windless condition, that could have achieved a 35 kph cruising for a longer haul instead. But yesterday, most of us decided to share the load optimally, for not to haggle in the red zone too long scared of not finishing the ride.

I was a bit on the 'off-side' at certain stage of the ride. The beginning started off with minor tight chest. Perhaps due to the humid morning and late night sleep. The ride back legs were playing the Linger note by The Cranberries. It was sustaining pain at the front pushing through the wind. It was also painful trying to catch up with the peloton when the terrain goes upwards.

At some point over post ride assessment, I think I need a 'break week'. I've been neglecting the rules of training. The enthusiasms over ruled what the body needs to say. I felt the fatigue crept in as signs of no rest. Though it may seem that I only ride on weekends, but the weekdays' chores are intervals itself.

But how can I, when there is The Stage 4 - Genting for Le Tour de Langkawi this weekend and I've also signed up for a mountain bike jamboree the week after? I have this whole week to evaluate the condition.

Niner to Bentong

Some may feel that this is just another typical cyclist blog. Weekend over weekend, like there's nothing else to do besides cycling the regular route. Monotonous? It depends. Should it is an attempt purposely for training combined with group ride with buddies, then the perspective shall differ. Try it. The view and feeling atop the handlebar is awesome. You'll enjoy the sceneries and suffered under the climate. The typical tropical cycling adventure.

For the past two weeks we still commute the same places. It was a plan to mix between flat and hill rides. Ijok and Bentong. The later was a bit different when I decided to bring my mountain bike instead. I had to conclude with a wider tyres to substitute my phobia of descending those winding roads. Hopefully it helps with boosting confidence.

By the way, a day before Bentong it was wedding trip down south to Malacca. It was so hot, causing some DOMs later in the evening upon arriving home. The mental started juicing out dilemma thoughts of the Bentong idea, adding heavy bike phenomena some more.

All was good throughout the ride from Gombak to Bentong. It was always good for all rides when it was on the way to the destination. Though I had to churn a little bit more effort to catch up with the pace due to heavier bikes, but the 29 inch wheel diameter were able to equalise the rolling coverage. I had the feeling that almost 40% of my energy was used up compared to 30% should I rode a road bike. The difference in tyre width resulted to more rolling resistance, plus the extra 3 kilos weight contributed to that 10%.

I downed a plate of 'nasi campur' in Bentong, making it my lunch, a plan to survive the extra energy required to drag myself and the Niner back up the 30 km climb.

It was decent pace from Bentong but an inch of incline caught a hold of me. I managed to stay with the group until the incline gets steeper after Sekolah Bukit Tinggi. That was where gravity was a downside. I struggled moving the Niner up towards Janda Baik junction and all the way to Genting Sempah. The legs almost felt empty.

The descending back down to Gombak was confident but I had to press hard to catch up with those light road bikes though at a 5% gradient. It was a hard Bentong ride this time compared to a few weeks ago. I chose it. Strength training...konon....blah.

Lanun - Prolog

Last weekend kami jadi hantu runner. Hantu runner yang dah lama meninggalkan pekerjaan berlari. Asyik jadi hantu basikal je.

Sebaik aje aku turunkan basikal dari kereta setelah pulang dari Kuantan 2 minggu yang lepas, macam gitu lah lagi keadaannya di tepi tangga rumah. Terbalik, dan tayar di sisi. Nasib baik dah siap-siap basuh kat homestay. If not, mau bersemut saddle and bartape macam basikal Det. Tu citer dulu-dulu :P

Menjelang hujung minggu, rasa keinginan nak berkayuh tu tak mai langsung. Maybe aku dah muak dan jelak. Maybe badan aku memberi signal untuk merehatkan kaki kayuh & punggung ku yang dah hampir leper. Until dah sampai hari Jumaat yang kononnya selalu kami laungkan TGIF!, masih belum ada apa-apa plan. Actually dari tanda-tanda biologi, aku masih terasa penat agaknya.

Masa weekend aku diselamatkan dengan adanya kaum yang sedang training untuk Standard Chartered KL Marathon. Cantek sangat. 

Geng Orang Kampung pakat-pakat lambung untuk lari berkumpulan sekitar kampung halaman dengan jarak siuman. Dengan window masa yang aku ada hanya sejam, aku petik untuk lari 5KM je, so sempat balik hantar anak pi sekolah. Ramai jugak yang menimang lambungan aku. Eventually, berlonggok lah kami berlari-lari macam zaman dulu-dulu seramai 5 orang. 

Antara ungkapan dalam hati seorang customer nasi lemak tepi jalan sebaik terlihat kami, "Eh?! Dah lama aku tak nampak geng Kenya Sawo Matang ni. Ada lagi rupanya."

Pace sesedap rasa membuatkan kami langsung takde rasa penyesalan, walaupun dah berabad rasanya tak berlari. Itu tanda-tanda dah mula dapat feel agaknya.

Menjelangnya Ahad, aku masih samar-samar dengan plan apa aku nak buat. Plan untuk kayuh pun masih open dan tiada satu pun yang aku confirm-kan. Di awal subuh yang hening tu jugak lah aku terima lambungan Det untuk melanun di Mizuno Wave Run. Maka jadi lah ia Pirate Chasing Wave Run.

La ni MWR dah jadi 16km. Fee seperti dahulu lagi, sejak aku last join secara halal, masih tetap mahal. Tapi dulu cuma 11km di UPM. La ni di Putrajaya, maybe depa nak justify distance & fee. Iyo lah. Aku sekadar nak ambik feel lari semula, so kemeriahan event macam ni cukup untuk kembalikan mood. Kalau lari kat kampung, kompom 1000 satu macam alasan nak mengelat.

Disebabkan dah lama tak berkejaran di hening pagi untuk ke race venue, maka pergerakan bowel aku juga mengalami masalah timing. Dah sampai PoJ baru dia nak 'panggil'. Maka dengan gimmick muka tenang aku merayau dari satu blok ke satu blok bangunan kerajaan mencari. Queue yang paling pendek aku pilih, so tak lah jenuh berdiri dalam ruang tertutup Alam Flora tu.

Tinggal lagi 4 orang depan aku, horn pun berbunyi tanda peserta 16km dah dilepaskan. Dua orang depan aku dah tunjuk muka cemas lantas depa teruih ciao. Maybe depa mau target podium. Yang lagi 2 terpaksa buat muka kelat sabar menanti, tak sanggup menghadap bala yang akan menimpa sekiranya hajat tak ditunaikan.

Eh?! Apa ni citer benda-benda gross?

OK. OK. Ada lah lebih kurang 5 minit baru aku terpinga-pinga sampai di start line. Anggapan aku, Det dan Zahrol dah ciao. Takpe, memang aku pesan kat depa tak yah tunggu. Rupa-rupanya depa tunggu jugak. Konon tanpa depa, aku nak mengelat & lari sama-sama kategori 7km udah ler.

Depa ajak belasah aje follow 16km dengan saki baki peserta yang baru nak start jugak. So kami pun cangkuk la ekor-ekor peloton yang ada.

Yang syioknya start dari belakang ni ialah kami dapat overtake runners sedikit demi sedikit. Lebih kurang macam motivasi la jugak, konon lajuuuu.

Di sudut hati aku masih berkira-kira nak khatam kan larian sampai 10km aje, lepas tu chicken loop kat mana-mana yang boleh. Pusing punya pusing, bila sampai di PICC, dah cecah 6km. Adeh. Kena lambung manja sikit dengan kaum untuk follow aje route depa sampai lokasi yang sesuai untuk memendekkan larian.

Water station semua kami skip, al-maklum la lanun. Alhamdullillah tekak boleh bertahan, maybe sebab cuaca yang agak sejuk pagi tu.

Kami decide untuk skip loop Pullman Hotel dan satu loop lagi di Masjid Besi, so kami safe 5km. Hasil distance covered cukup setakat 11km untuk larian amik mood. Kena banyak bersabar.

Yang paling girang, kul 10.00 a.m. dah sampai rumah!

Tapi 2 hari kaki sengal. Tanda-tanda untuk teruskan menimba sengal-sengal yang akan datang.

Sekinchan in Blaze

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

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

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

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

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

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

Listen! Listen! Listen! Briefing time ye

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

Tight bunch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tranum Back Again

As posted before, ride plans were set towards KCR. Hence, yesterday a bold attempt at  building miles and strength was done (bold sangat la konon...). We attempted the Sleepy Hollow route from Sup Awe to Kg. Tras, Tranum and back. The distance was unimaginable. Last I rode this kind of distance was 2 years ago during the second day of PCC IS. Plus, this route gave the best out of everyone. The long endless climb in solitary was inevitable and epic. 

The ride from Sup Awe to Genting Sempah was about controlling pace. And the chill morning from the surrounding was great to neutralize the warm weather from the last few days. We needed it. We RVed at GS waiting for the last man before descended all way towards Bentong.

However, plans are made but we never know things can go wrong. Midway down, Zakuan skidded and crashed due to slippery sand while taking a corner. He was in front of me but the distance between us was enough for me to witness his fall and strayed away avoiding more tumble. Fortunately the fall was not so bad, with just a few scratches. Don't worry, the bike was scratch-less.

The slippery corner

Zakuan was OK to move on and continue the mission though perhaps he was a bit shocked and tampered from the fall. We stopped at Bentong Shell for refill and refuel while collecting thoughts again from the mishaps.

Parading into the busy Bentong town and on the side line of Bentong-Raub road was managed successfully. Traffic was not too bad since it was still early.

I call the Bentong to Kg Tras route a Sleepy Hollow route due to its solitude. There was not a buzz of passing vehicle, at least for an hour throughout into the ride, except for the local bus serving Raub-Bentong. And I've noticed quite a few new getaway resorts blooming along the road. Some carry familiar names, which are big names in a sense of price. Tanah Aina for instance. Google it. I guess these are just overspills from Janda Baik. But still, it is a perfect getaway into the lush greenery of orchards and rubber trees....well, what is left of it I guess.

The end is nearing but yet still far. When we were divided by our own pace, we latched up to form smaller groups to keep the camaraderie alive. The roller coaster route almost took us to the limit of boredom but that was until we smell the processed rubber. That tells the sign that The Junction is so close.

Ahli kumpulan Cross Junction

Anuar and Dicky was already there, perhaps a few minutes before us. Alwin, Zakuan and me joined them under the shade of a large raintree. As time passed by while waiting for the rest to check in, we were led back in time when the cool rural breeze blew dry leaves on the road and falling petals from above.

We refilled and refueled at a nearby Kampung Tras small town enjoying the climate where time almost stood still. Plus the local sundry shop owner was also friendly to entertain us with our palaver. It was already mid day and we knew the journey back won't be generous to wait us.

Kampung Tras 7-Eleven

Back to Sleepy Hollow and solitary confinement enveloped each and every one of us. It was a mental game but that was just the tip of the iceberg. We reached back Raub-Bentong road and gusts of headwind smacked right into our path adding the challenge to the miles. The sight of Tanjung Sepat traumatic experience came back and I decided to bail out from fighting against the power of nature. Wind was too strong, hence the pace was kept to easy as we checked in at Kow Po ABC for a small dosage of sugar rush.

Last refuel station was at the Bentong Shell and the battle moves on for the final 30km back up to Genting Sempah. We tried to stick together most of the time but miles and legs sore was inevitable. The group of nine got strung out reforming back into isolation as the inclines get steeper. I was glad with the 26 tooth cassette which greatly perform compared to the previous 25. Imagine how 1 tooth makes a lot of different? Trust me, you'll be blessed with the technology at this juncture.

I made my way spinning lightly to avoid going 'over board' since the climb is long. Patience and virtue played a major role in bringing myself inch by inch through elevation and miles. I caught up with Alwin and Zakuan somewhere near Janda Baik junction.

The last point of RV was at a stall at Genting Sempah. It was almost 4.00 p.m. and every one checked  minutes in between for a serving of 'keropok lekor' and hot Nescafe. Priceless. Smiles and jokes started flying around back again across tables when each of us shared their moment of exile. As if we were back alive from the dead and smiles and laughter started smirking back. A few of us experienced severe cramps but most of us was mentally assessed.

Back alive and laughing

The final push back to Genting Sempah and down back to Gombak with what was left in the tank. Alhamdullillah things did not get worse than Zakuan's mishaps and we managed to complete the milage safely. However, time was a bit off. We expect that. For this kind of super long ride, time can never be the essence since pushing too hard too early is never a good formula.

But! Once you arrived back at the car and you get 10 missed calls from home, that is where you need to engage TT mode and CABUUUUUTS!

Till the last drop of sugar

Century is coming

Nampak gaya nya la ni aku memang kena praktik kan amalan berhemah untuk sign up event. Itu salah satu dari amalan perbelanjaan berhemah. Semuanya selari dengan teori Newton:

Tindakan X = Tindakbalas X

Tapi zaman la ni, teori Newton kena modi sikit jadi:

Tindakan X = Tindakbalas 2X

Itu teori fizik, tapi boleh apply kat teori ekonomi terus macam gini,

Harga minyak naik = Harga barang naik + Harga perkhidmatan naik + 
Harga event fee pun naik + Heart rate naik

Jadi, aku kena lah selective sikit. Nak bulldoze semua tanpa being selective boleh mengakibatkan pelbagai kesan yang maybe mudarat seperti membazir wang dan masa. Ingat! Aku bukan kaya raya. In fact menyeksa diri & menyesal bukan satu pilihan 'bujal'. Dan ingat! Aku juga bukan kurang bijak.

First time sign-up dulu boleh lah matlamat sekadar untuk perabih. Suffer big time pun takpe. Al-maklum ler zero pengalaman. 

Tapi kalau dah sign-up banyak kali or every year, takkan ler nak maintain objektif? Itu pembaziran namanya. Pembaziran masa dan wang. Tak digalakkan.

Disebabkan aku ni semakin hari semakin banyak komitmen lain yang ada priority, maka target 2-3 major events kira OK la. Ini ahli sukan amatur, bukan pro.

Maka, first big event tahun ni tinggal tak sampai sebulan lagi. Setahun yang lepas, dengar Kuantan Century Ride aje dah boleh naik bulu tengkuk. Perit & menusuk kalbu boh!

Tapi kali ni aku cuba untuk tidak ulang kesilapan. Dan juga tak nak letak high hopes.

Strategi yang diatur setakat ni boleh kata chun. Alhamdullillah. Fasa base training dah settled. Konon. Dapat selit 2-3 long rides untuk lemau kan kaki terbaik dah tu.

La ni rancangan tergendala sekali sekala sebab urusan-urusan lain seperti balik kampung dan pilihanraya. Dab! Dub! Dab! tinggal tak sampai sebulan. Tolak Senin hingga Sabtu, tinggal lagi 2 weekend untuk kayuh super long ride sebelum taper sambil makan tempe.

So far, plan super long ride dah ada. Mudah-mudahan diberi nikmat kesihatan, kekuatan dan peluang untuk execute kan plan tu.

And this is how my wife thinks about me :P

Kuala Selangor

Selepas selesai Morib, kaki terasa sengal buat beberapa hari terutama hamstring. Hampir aku suspen bila mengenangkan injury lama di hamstring kiri. Harap tidak berulang. Cramp yang menyerang menghasilkan kesan sengal  yang tidak surut sehingga 3 hari. Aku perlu evaluate semula sesi letihan dan kayuhan agar tidak memudaratkan dan maintain jauh dari injury.

Hati ini masih melonjak-lonjak untuk membuat milage ride sebaik sahaja sengal kaki mula hilang. Manusia memang macam tu. Hasil perbincangan BBM (ada lagi ke orang pakai BBM??!!), kami decide untuk ke Kuala Selangor. Lagi sekali hirup angin coastal.

Group tak berapa besau, Cuma 6 orang aje yang join. Saiz yang sedang-sedang elok untuk saling memahami jenis kayuhan yang dirancang. Plan untuk maintain selagi boleh dalam Zone aerobic, tiada stop makan besau cume beberapa pit-stop pendek untuk rehydrate and such.

Kayuhan sesedap rasa & mampu bersembang sesame sendiri bermula dari Bukit Jelutong – GCE – cilok masuk LATAR – exit di Ijok – persimpangan Batang Berjuntai – Kg Baharu Pasangan (nice name) – Kuala Selangor – back to Ijok – Jalan Kuala Selangor – Jalan Batu Arang – and back to Bukit Jelutong.

Di Kg Baharu Pasangan kami dihidangkan dengan 15km jalan lempeng & tegak. Kalau tidak kerana kerja-kerja menaiktaraf yang sedang berlangsung, dah tentu suasana kayuhan boleh menjadi indah bagai berpacaran. Ngeh ngeh ngeh.

Angin dan suhu silih berganti menambah ‘keenakan’ kayuhan seperti di mana-mana jua di serata Malaysia. Alhamdullillah semuanya berjalan lancar dan setiap di antara kami masih mampu mengukir senyuman dan berjenaka sehingga ke akhir.

Jalan Batu Arang yang turun naik macam belakang unta menghidangkan beberapa bukit pendek tapi curam yang hampir mematahkan semangat. Tapi di kerabat kan juga demi untuk kawtim total milage 144km. Alhamdullillah.

Morib Annual

Almost seemed like an annual affair about this ride to Morib. About a year ago, almost the same date and month, we were trailing our butts for Morbid Morib. This time of year, the plan was set a month ago. At least one long ride per month. Konon. But I didn’t realize that it will take the pleasure out of it, which turned out to be…torment!

When the miles have piled up from months of long rides, mostly in endurance pace, the heart is jumping for joy for the treat of testing the strength. Little did I know that I paid the price for it. Well, at least I knew…in a hard way of course. As always.

Our pace was slightly a bit on the high side throughout the ride. We paid our price there and then. The culminating weather for the past few days added salt to the wound. There was always the weather factor but don’t blame it. Just some analysis.

Despite some technical glitch with punctures and chain misled, we still managed to reach Morib at 11.00 a.m. which was faster than a year ago. Told you we were fast. The break was also short with quick meals and top ups. In 20 minutes we were off for the final battle.

As we started to leave Morib, the group of 18 was already divided when few of us decided to keep the pace to their own mandatory safe zone. Too bad we can’t wait and had to decide what was best for the majority.

The flat Morib-Bagan Lalang road never played a joyful note. The war tune was mostly from the gusting wind and scorching sun with a bit of smell from a nearby plantation. Euwww!

From Sepang onwards, it was live or die pace. Nobody bothered or willing to control the pace anymore. I was cranking my own sweet and sour 53-16 ratio, holding on to the pace as long as I could. Somewhere deep inside the pain, I was also a bit surprised that the sustainable threshold was manageable.

Since it was now already an own expense, I tried repeating the same mode for a few more times with recoveries in between. The remaining stretch of rolling, through Salak Tinggi and Kampung Jenderam was bantered with more ‘5 big-3small’ menu.

The last regrouping was 5km away from the carpark. I was sure dehydrating was waiting for me. Both bottles were empty by then. Quads were in pain, waiting nervously for the cramp to strike at anytime. I chugged down a 100plus before the final push.

Each time it cramped, I just kept on striking the heavy gearing to strain out the pain. It went on a few times but I had to live with it and none panic situation required, as long as it was manageable.

We wrapped it up in 5 hours closed to a century distance which was also almost the same kind of ride to Kuantan Century Ride 2012. Coastal simulation perhaps. With the building blocks getting into the intensity stage, I would expect more pain coming.

MH Jamboree 360

Organizing memang 'A'. Thumbs up!

Untuk tahun 2013, ni lah event mountain bike pertama yang aku sign. Tanpa sebarang kerja-kerja letihan off road, aku bedal.com aje. Al-maklum busy mencari milage dengan road rides. Sekurang-kurangnya ada la sedikit bekalan stamina. Lagi pun, sekali sekala kena jugak test kemampuan. Macam ujian bulanan anak-anak di sekolah gak. Alhamdullillah.

Tapi musibat berlaku tanpa mengenal bau. Lain sikit ayat. Selalu orang buh “malang tak berbau”. Aku rasa Allah nak test or maybe jugak balasan cash akibat aku start bukan di tempat official. Padan muka akuuu…

Seawal 6.30 pagi aku dah ketemu Azmar di tepi jalan depan Minlon sebab nak konvoi untuk ke venue & collect goodies. First time masuk Kota Warisan, selalunya lalu depan je. Tak sangka banyak jugak rumah & kedai-kedai yang dah occupied. Trail mtb sure memang dijangka ada punya sebab ladang kelapa sawit yang terbentang luas memang adat trail jamboree kat Malaysia.

Start line kat atas bukit. Kalau hangpa lalu main road Dengkil-Salak Tinggi, sure boleh nampak tulisan putih besaq Kota Warisan kat tepi bukit depa buat. Haaa…kat situ lah. Disebabkan jumlah peserta hampir mencecah 1500 orang, cubaan menyelit di belakang Start Line dah agak mustahil. Lantas aku & rakan-rakan decide untuk mula dari bawah aje di mana jalan lebih luas & kurang kesesakan.

Ramai tu boh!

Sebaik peloton hadapan melintas kami, aku teruih cangkuk. Memang sah laju kepala keretapi mountain bike ni. Sekali sekala aku cuba menjeling meter, terkezut jugak aku tengok speed mencecah 35 km/j!!! Tu dia aih! Maybe sebab atas jalanraya lagi. Selepas 5km, bermulanya off-road. Itu pun aku dok perasan speed masih boleh maintain 32 km/j!!!

Off-road peringkat permulaan agak lapang dan permukaan jalan masih rata. Tapi sebaik memasuki canopy ladang kelapa sawit dan bermulanya jalan sedikit mendaki, permukaan dah mula 100% off-road condition. Loose rocks & tebing jalan yang terhakis. Even siap ada parit melintang.

Kalau kayuh santai dengan kawan-kawan over the weekend mungkin keadaan tidak begitu risky tapi dalam kumpulan sebegini ramai dengan kelajuan yang ‘Ma shaa Allah’ punya laju, kesilapan yang sekecil kuman boleh mengakibatkan dunia ini terbalik seketika. Hahaha!

Tang parit melintang at 45 degree tu lah Yang Berbahagia ini telah bertukar menjadi Yang Tergedodos! Aku follow rapat rider depan, tidak kurang satu kaki jarak tayar depan aku & tayar belakang dia. Keadaan yang mula mendaki menyebabkan pace attack bukit berlaku. Rider depan lepas parit tapi aku tidak. Kuang! Kuang! Kuang!

Maka aksi James Bond telah bertukar menjadi aksi Jebon. Handlebar aku terlipat sebab tersangkut dalam parit & aku terhempas aksi Silambam melebamkan sebelah kanan badan. Adeh! Penuh tanah dari lengan sampai ke kaki. Kaki kanan masih tersangkut di pedal, slow-slow aku tanggalkan. Rasa perit-perit sikit je tapi aku kurang ambil perhatian. Kayuhan perlu diteruskan sebab aku rasa aku masih gagah. Boleh ke?

Slow-slow aku bangun dan dirikan basikal semula. Riders masih menderu-deru melepasi aku dengan kelajuan yang menggerunkan. Aku menanti peluang untuk masuk balik dalam peloton. Ada 5 saat aku tunggu & terdapat bukaan, terus seriaaap! Aku masuk & sambung attack bukit semula.

Slow-slow juga keperitan dah mula amplified. Macam ada amplifier pulak dalam badan ni. Maybe otak aku dah mula hantar message rasional bahawa terdapat kecederaan yang perlu diambik perhatian. Sambil-sambil aku assess injury. Dari siku sampai ke tangan terdapat calar yang agak nampak brutal. Darah dah mula mengalir & luka dah mula bercampur peluh lantas menghantar message ‘nyut! Nyut! Nyut!’. Adeh! Pedih!

2XU syariah compliance compression tight aku pun dah kelihatan lubang di lutut sebesar biji kacang hijau. Adeh! Lutut pun terasa pedih, harap tak luka kronik.

Ride pace di dalam group depan ni boleh tahan chun. Setelah beberapa kilometer kayuhan, aku dapati masing-masing dah mula menjaga pace yang sustainable. Takde lagi terdapat attack di bukit. Begitu juga tatkala menuruni bukit. Ketinggian bukit yang kami daki berbeza-beza. Ada yang ciput pendek je tapi curam dan ada jugak yang sayup mata memandang. Siap zig-zag lagi. Ada jugak yang kreatif tu siap jerit pulak dari atas. Adeh!

Part downhill pun boleh tahan mencabar. Bukan sebab teknikal sangat tapi sebab kelajuan dan permukaan trail yang menghamparkan batu-batu pecah dan hakisan. Agak bahaya sekiranya hilang tumpuan dan yang 50-50.

Setiap kali aku sampai di CP, aku akan cuci luka dengan air mineral yang diberi setelah meneguk membasahkan tekak. Ye betul! Keeping up with the pace memang menyebabkan tahap dahaga yang boleh tahan kronik. Tapi aku tidak menghabiskan masa yang lama di setiap CP. Paling koman 2-3 saat togak air pehtu ciao.

Dah puas mengharung trail kelapa sawit, kami redah pulak single track di celah-celah semak mana entah. Aku follow aje orang depan sebab takde ruang memotong. Lagi pun pace kami semua lebih kurang sama. Sebaik keluar dari semak samun, jalan pasir tanah terbentang luas menuju ke jalanraya berturap. Jarak kayuhan baru mencecah 30km dengan masa kayuhan menghampiri 2 jam. Aku jangka mungkin ada satu lagi loop off-road yang akan diredah tapi sebaik aku berselisih dengan Azmar, aku difahamkan yang kayuhan dah hampir habis. Leeeer!

Once masuk jalanraya, kami diarahkan menuju semula ke arah garisan penamat (start line tadi gak). Berdesup aku layan tapi seat post pulak lama-lama menurun. Adeh! Takde masa nak stop untuk adjust. Aku layan aje setakat yang mampu sampai ke penghabisan. Alhamdullillah.

Second notification aku terima dari otak apabila pinggul kanan (term yang paling baik aku boleh fikirkan buat masa ni) aku terasa sakit. Mula-mula aku ingatkan sebab seatpost rendah tapi mungkin juga hasil aksi Jebon tadi. Sengals!

Dengan penuh sopan santun aku capai se-tin minuman Red Bull dari gadis Red Bull (ngeh! Ngeh! Ngeh!) dan slow-slow aku teguk penuh rasa kepuasan & kesyukuran sambil aku perhati panorama sekeliling.

Nampak gaya hasil dari sesi letihan hujung minggu yang lepas-lepas mampu menyediakan platform untuk aku maintain kayuhan intensity tinggi dalam jamboree ni. Alhamdullillah dengan nikmat yang dikurniakan. Dan Alhamdullillah juga takde injury yang lebih serious dari itu.

Namun, badan kali ni betul punya rasa letih hasil dari intensiti kayuhan. Asal nak bangun dari duduk sure muka mula 'tersenyum' kerana pinggul ku yang sengal dan tangan yang pedih. Adeh!

Pinjam neh dari CM Magazine.
Jebon oren sebelah kanan :]

ROTM - Sungai Tengiiiiii

The regular Sunday ride-day was adjusted to give way for some family rescheduling. Hence, the weekend came just in time for BJCC’s Ride of the Month (ROTM) on Saturday. Nice pick I guess. The destination was Sungai Tengi and back from the usual Bukit Jelutong RV point. The distance that should cover is 165km.

However, as usual the crazy ideas had us made some alterations where Alwin and I decided to start from his place in Subang instead. That will be an extra 11km one way. And the final figure was beyond our imagination until we discover it at the end of the ride.

The thing that I don’t prefer to spend my weekend workout is to travel away from my place too often especially on Saturday. The afternoon traffic will be as tiring as the ride itself. Perhaps this would be an exception. Sekali sekala takpe la kots.

Right after solat, the travelling begins and I was 5 minutes off due to nature’s call…for the second time that morning! Can you believe that? Nervous la kots.

We got the tires rolling as soon as everything’s in order. With a century distance to attempt, no compromise is required. Saturday morning traffic have started making its way especially at Batu Tiga. Once we entered Bukit Jelutong and reached the RV point, there were almost about 50 cyclists will be joining the ROTM.

We didn’t have to wait long for the train to start charging, leaving Bukit Jelutong and into Guthrie Expressway. It was a very long train and I place myself safely in the middle of the pack, where the pace was manageable.

The usual GCE distance was taken until we met LATAR continuing towards Ijok. I didn’t have my heart rate reading yet for the ride hence a more subtle approach i.e. huffing & puffing method was used. As long as I can catch up and stay in a conversation mode, which was fine with me.

The day has started to shine bright, a sign that is going to be a roasting ride back later. Roast duck anyone?

Once after Ijok town for refill, we turned at the first left, which was basically a new venture for me at this part of Selangor. We were briefed that it’s going to be a 30km brutal flat as a pancake and straight as an arrow stretch. It really was!

The agony was not the flat and continuous pedaling without coasting, but the boredom and monotonous that started creeping in after the first hour. There was not even single scenery that we can enjoy for the minimal pleasure that we seek. It was definitely creepy and sleepy at the same time, but we can’t afford to fall off our bike and create disaster in the middle of a cruising speed peloton.

There was a bit of rolling towards the end before we slump our bikes and butts for a pre-booked breakfast at the so called Felda Sungai Tengi small town. It was a bit dragging when the meal stop took almost 45 minutes though.

It was obvious that we saw some nervous face wreck and worried look in the peloton as we started pedaling back. The scorching sun has started playing the hot tune of coastal humid wind. The ride back towards Ijok was modest where most of us stuck in the tame peloton. The headwinds grew stronger compared to the morning breeze.

We checked in at Petronas Ijok for refills and lying around inside the aircondition petrol station. Outside, it was nothing more than pain scenes. There was more pain than pleasure from this point onward. This was the part that ‘we bite more than we chew’ thing, and had to live through it.

Unfortunately the peloton didn’t stay together as we left Ijok. Hell broke loose when some of the stronger ones decided to crank it hard. My mistake was to get tangled up with them at the first sight of the ‘temple climb’…(no! not Temple Run). The acceleration was ridiculous for me to follow, hence I decided to be a bit wiser by letting go and recover.

The problem when pushing the red zone too long, it took a bit longer to recover. The panting was endless, legs barely respond to any passing small pelotons. Argh! And that was the worse place to get yourself in agony, the 15km stretch between the ‘’temple’ to GCE exit. Traffic was menacing the dusty road and the grime started piercing into the system. Not good.

Eventually the pain slowly eased and recovery seemed possible for another torment via GCE. Mathematically there should be about 5 inclines, painful ones, due to its length and creepy sight. Secondly, the time and wind condition adds up to the formula.

We formed a small group and followed our own pace which was down to basic pedaling, slow! The ups and downs were solitude. Halfway through we decided to take a break at the GCE rest area for some replenishment. Coke!

Alwin and me departed from the group as they left towards Bukit Jelutong. I was plainly determined to just finish the ride. Back to Batu Tiga and up Glenmarie (who put this incline here?!) and into Subang. A subtle attack of cramp occurred when I was leaving a traffic junction but it slowly subsides moments later. Still, it was painful.

We sank ourselves under Alwin’s car porch almost paralyzed by the extreme heat. Slightly above century distance, it was crazy but still somewhat awesome and a pinching pain. The trusty number was 173km in 6 hours 8 minutes. 

Off the beaten track

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.

Janda Baik, Lenggeng, Bagan Lalang & Bentong...all piled up

After the slow-building Broga Pondan Power ride last few weeks, most of us were looking forward for more. DOMS were nursed in a jiff, excited for the next ride throughout the long weekend break. Dah mula ketagih nih…

Some opted to join BJCC’s ROTM 120km all the way to Ulu Yam and back from Bukit Jelutong on Saturday. It was a seductive idea; but resting this worn out soul was a better option. I planned for a short & nice controlled 60 RPM or lower ride the next day.

With the weather changes lately, I reckon a cooler route is preferable. From the usual Sekolah Teknik Gombak to Genting Sempah and detour into Kampung Janda Baik was simply continental.

A small group of four, we made our way up casually harassing at every chance of throwing jokes over the handlebar. It was nice. Weather was sweet too.

The plan was to have a coffee break at the famous cyclist joint Kopi & Kraf. It is such a nice & serene spot for a relaxing morning over a cup of coffee. We chose from a variety of Brazilian, Arabic or Colombian. Cikanos! A small portion (konon…) of nasi lemak that was just right for the moment was enough to make our day.

Then, we had to endure the four working days, anxiously waiting for the weekend. On Sunday, I opted to join a few old buddies whom went missing from cycling for awhile & planned for a healthier 2013 lifestyle. We did the Lenggeng loop. Legs were crispy from previous feats and have started showing good results.

Photo by Julie on top of Bukit Puyoh

CNY

The CNY break was spent locally. No plans for outstation getaways due to anticipated hectic holiday makers all over the country. Hence, ride plans were tabled.

After a chilling time with the family on Saturday, I hopped on to the Bagan Lalang cycle-train with some old friends. Sekarang ni belasah aje join mana-mana or sesaper pun :]

Instead of the usual UNIKEB, Bangi to Bagan Lalang route and back, Ajeep did a bit of alteration by changing the start point at PICC and introducing a new small loop with extra 30km via Labu on to the original route. It has some sustainable rolling hills almost like Bukit Pelandok, but kept to a less tormenting level. Traffic was almost zero due to its solitary location and perhaps the CNY holiday. Weather was even more promising, overcast throughout the ride. The CNY ride was concluded with 131km at a manageable pain and satisfaction.

Checked-in by Bahri at Bagan Lalang

Recovery day that followed was spent at Janda Baik picnic outing with the family. We welcomed a new family member and named her Leggo. She’s adorable, and that was the key point dad’s heart melted. Though I was against the idea of having a cat in the house from the start, but this time it was exceptional. Perhaps, it is timely that we introduce some exciting adjustment to the family.

Meet Leggo

The original plan to revisit Bentong after a lengthy absence was pushed. From food joint to food joint was the plan, in fact food was also the driven factor for all our rides! From Sup Awe, Gombak to Najath Restoran, Bentung where it was nicely done in a descend 5 hours ride time which was mostly steady state climb on the way back. Similar to Broga Loop, these climb are seldom pleasurable. The 30km climb back from Bentong is mostly pain and less pleasure, unless with steady pace and of course lots of patience. My trip a year ago was a nightmare!

Photo by Abe Awe

Regrouping at chilling Genting Sempah.
Photo by Abe Awe

Kow Po ABC closed for CNY. Najath substitutes
the pit stop. Photo by Abe Awe

With two weeks of long weekend breaks & induced with long rides, the legs are slowly getting into shape as well as my fitness level. Alhamdullillah. More miles ahead as we slowly look into the events that will be unfold soon.