Cycling Evolution

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

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

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

www.bikeradar.com

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

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

Now the S1 is on Red :]

The Red Katak 

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

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

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

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

Drooling images by the pros...

Putrajaya MTB Jamborace 2013

Now I felt like an avid mountain biker already. After just a week from Ayer Keroh Jamboree, I got myself into another trouble signing up for a race instead. Race! Yep. Not a jamboree but totally a pure race format with a 6km loop of trail mixed with road where the participants will have to complete 2 to 4 laps depends on the category you sign up for.

After a late announcement by the organizer of the event program, I was stuck with my personal Saturday schedule e.g. the usual chauffeur duty for my kids. I almost missed the event when my category’s flag-off time clashed with my kids’ tuition class. Aiyak! With some adjustments and begged and plea, I managed to make a quick dash to the race.

When I arrived somewhere near 12.00 p.m. the Men’s Open Category was on going. I can see suffer fest among the faces whilst climbing the final 1 km back to the finish line. My time will be up soon.

Race atmosphere was cool. I mean cool as of relax mode, but the day was pretty much hot. I think Putrajaya is always like that. Alwin just completed his race while Azmar was ready for the Veteran Category, just like me. I did some warming up, though it felt insufficient but the scorching sun already burned me up. I was penalized later during the first lap. We’ll get into that.

As I saw more familiar faces getting ready for the Veteran Category, I started to have the feeling that these old guys means business. When we were called to the Caller Box, there were about 55 of us veteran guys and 15 are mostly big names in the cycling arena. Nor Affendi Rosli and Muhammad Hafiz Wong were among them. I just stood behind them shivering me legs :D

The countdown for flag-off was so hyped by the emcee, the butterfly in my stomach rattled even wilder. The horn blew off and I tried squeezing through riders as fast as I could, regulating my juice wisely.

The first climb stood there after only 100m and it was so hard, steep and long. Gauging from the heart rate zone, I don’t wish to push into red zone early since I have no idea of how tricky the trail will be. The strong ones have already gone into the trail, never to be seen again until the end. The enthusiastic ones that have embarked into a suicide attack mode from the beginning; have already shown signs of…death!

When I reached the top, I had to toggle between recovery and ready for the next burst. There was no time for a breath of relief, that’s why we call it RACE! It’s not until the end is over.

A short and steep climb was the mark for the trail head. It was a twisting turn from the main road where most of the weakling legs from the first lung buster have gone kaput here. A few guys dropped, I gave my best shoved to balance myself not to get tangled up with them. Phew! That was a relief.

Then it was fast downhill through forest lanes with gravels on the surface. Speed was priority at this point since there are still strong riders catching up. Then there was this narrow turn followed by another short burst climb. Great! Insanely intense! The second downhill trail was steep and fast, there was no chance of killing the speed for an abrupt stop. I was just going with the flow whilst tapping the brakes as I grip the handlebar steadily.

Halfway into the ‘killing zone’ I saw a rider was already lying on the trail side. I was definite he crashed, and it was sure a nasty one. The descent has 3 lines, the even one on the left, a gully in the middle (impossible to ride here) and a super-elevated on the right line. We either choose left or ride. Deciding to switch lines mid-way would mean disaster. Adds up with more speed demons in front and the ones tailing, it felt like a pressure cooker. My call was that he switched lines or might have slipped from the right line.

I didn’t have the chance to slow down or stop to investigate since it was too risky for me and the riders behind. I only saw Azmar stopped to check it out. I think it was somebody we know.

The following stretch was a roller coaster ride with a few bumps here and there. Most of us were stretched apart but still visible. We were recovering from the shaky downhill. Then we were back on the road again.

It was getting hotter once we hit the tarmac. Of course, it was in the middle of the afternoon! I simply neglect the heat and soldiered on chasing whatever group that I can latch on to. But, when I arrived, the group just didn’t respond to any of my nudge to form a drafting train.

The final turn brought us to the last climb of the loop. It was long. I mean really long and there was no wind, both from the rider and the real wind. When there’s no wind, heat was inevitable, from the tarmac and from the sky above. It was almost static. I just paced myself as long as I could maintain a good enough momentum to reach the top and continue on for the second lap.

Second lap had a more dispersed atmosphere where most of the time I was alone. Hence, tackling those tricky trails without pressure was a more enjoyable situation. I passed by the injured rider from the first lap crash and only to know that it was one of my friend. He was sitting against a tree with a painful face and a few marshals were nursing him. Hopefully it wasn’t a bad crash.

We hit the road back again and ready for the final push at the final climb. The final one! If we were required to complete 3 laps, I think I might skip the third one. It was just so laborious. And I think I am a late warmer (as if there’s a word for that). Lambat panas. I think I did better this time compared to the first round climb. There were 3 of us and we were closed to each other started from the road section. Again I tried to organize something to share the ride load especially when we have cross winds, but too bad only one guy responded and the other guy just muttered in a faceless manner.

As we started the climb together, again I tried to be friendly by nodding a few smiles. Just to reduce the monotones and suffer feelings among us. Again, too bad they decided to stick to their own, the faceless kind.

At the last 300m was where I decided to just leave them with their pace when I dropped the gear a notch and boost myself away. I was surprised to still have the legs for that kind of stunt. They didn’t respond to it, perhaps they had it and simply wanted to just finish the race.

Alhamdullillah.

As usual, mountain bike events are generous with post race meal and lots of prizes (I only whacked the lunch). We waited for the Elite Category Final Stage whilst enjoying our lunch and of course basking under the baking sun. These guys really meant business. Even their warm up was throughout an hour before the flag-off. They just kept spinning around the venue like sharks waiting for the final kill. I should’ve done the same, but sure doesn’t look like a pro la :]

They did 4 laps but due to the intensity and competency, most of them showed suffer faces also except for the winner la, Fauzan our national cyclist. Anuar Manan and a few other big names had to settle for other ranks.

Once in a while, races like this can be a great measuring stick for our strength capacity. As long as we enjoy each of it, I don’t find it as a sufferfest :]

The following photos goes credit to Cycling Malaysia Magazine. They are always around for lots of great photos of you and your bike.

The Veterans at the first lung buster.
Notice the strung out?

The Elites. See how packed they are.

Looking at their determination also
I kalah already :P

Fauzan Lutfi the Elite Champ

Anuar Manan at 5th

Hero Kampung only at 19th
in Otai Cat still looking blur :P

JKNM Mini Jamboree

All good with the bikes. Dandy. Just need to be ridden and tested. I crave for some miles on them. Had the chance to ride up Peres last 2 weeks for a spin and a cuppa coffee at Anje’s Place :]

A week later Azmar threw an invivation to sign up for Malacca Mini Jamboree at Ayer Keroh hosted by Jabatan Kemajuan Negeri Melaka. The fee was cheap and yet we got ourselves the normal jamboree kind of goodies e.g. free lunch, drinks, cash prizes and lucky draw awesome gifts. Cheap eh?

The issue with Malacca trip is the driving distance without the need to spend overnight. Then we had to sacrifice our sleep for a super early morning drive from KL. I woke up at 4.30 and we hit the road at 5.30 a.m.

With stopped for prayer and breakfast, yet we still managed to put ourselves at the start line in time. Mr. VIP was at his typical ‘punctuality’, hence providing us ample time for casual talks. That was before we were chased away from the VIP parking when a black Honda Accord with exclusive plate number approached us at high speed. Lucky la it was just a Honda. If not for the coming GE, I bet it will be a Bentley!

“OK la. We know you’re late already but don’t pull that kind of stunt in front of us weekend warriors la. We see all of those stuff many times already!”

The horn blew off and and these 500 mountain bikers hit the tarmac for the first 7km. As usual, the purpose was to screen the participants before clogging the narrow trail ahead. I remember passing by Malacca Zoo and all those tourist spots before hitting the trail. With the advantage of a 29 inch, the tarmac roll was awesome. Likewise, I also noticed some weirdo trying to wheelsuck. Is that cool? Lantak korang lah.

Once inside the trail the race tempo started. Everybody wants to attack that climb, he wants to be the first on top. Don’t loosed those grips on the slippery climb! Push bike please step aside! Don’t block the riders trying to cycle up! It was all chaos!

I presumed that I was already in the middle of the pack after the tarmac roll or maybe the last quarter, due to late start giving away to the large group to start first. I don’t know. Maybe. But there seemed to be less congestion when most of the riders around me were cycling and not pushing their bikes. Hence that would mean I am in the mid-pack. That’s good news.

The trail head

The only time we got stuck in a haul up when there was a very steep cliff where we had to shove our bikes down with the help of some marshals. The rest was between us and the trail. Be it a single track, a trail across some vast vegetable plots, some grass field cycling, parallel to the North-South Highway and more single trails. We got leaves brushing on our left cheek for a kilo or two. Then followed by another kilo on the right cheek. The mix of different terrain and kind of trails made the jamboree an enjoyable one. Plus, they don’t give you big amah hills to take our breath away. Instead, we were given a big highway long gradual climb for a change. It was nasty due to head winds and sun.

Muddy

The sight of the next loop of shaded trail was a great relief. I had a hunch that the end is nearing when the scene of MITC area seemed familiar. Kawtim-ed in top 100. Alhamdullillah.

School Break Tripping - 2

Train Trip

Present time

Our next outing two days after Broga Hill was taking a train trip to Ipoh. It was a first experience for the kids but not for me. As I walked into KL Sentral, the new KL Train Station, I sensed the different atmosphere from what I’ve been used to 15 years ago. Things have changed for the industry. I missed the old station; with a more relax ambience and old school stuff. Remember those metal stand ticketing machine? Almost mistaken for a statue with fountain! And the small thick cardboard tickets. The train conductor would then goes around the train punching holes into them. 

KL Sentral has that metropolitan driven atmosphere. Hectic. Just like the usual LRT stations all over the city. Combined with shopping retails and kiosks, the mood was different.

It brought me back down memory lane when commuting by train was my favorite thing especially the trip to the rural east coast state. I would normally skip my hometown trip during semester break for an outdoor adventure. Mostly to Pahang and Kelantan. The midnight train was the only best time saving killing and most convenient and cheapest way. Via concession ticket price for student e.g. MYR11 for a return trip. Coaches were lighted with those dim yellow bulb, stimulating the classic mood, and those opened rattling windows letting in the cold night breeze. We can’t survive a normal conversation due to the thundering sound of iron clanging against iron where wheels meet the rail. And sometimes the sound grew even louder when the train slices through those gravels.

Transit at Gemas was always a classic one. We would stop to wait for another train from Singapore. The coaches would then change tracks and split for their own destinations. The normal waiting game would be from 12.00 midnight to 2.00 a.m., but Gemas was never silent. Passengers and business folks would litter the station platform for early morning snacks or hot coffee tied up in a plastic with a straw. The hot curry puff was always the best take away deal for the remaining times aboard the mail train.

Unlike Senandung Malam, its faster/express predecessor, our midnight mail train stops at all stations, be it major ones and also the smallest ones. It takes in all types of cargo that require their mail delivery service which mostly letters, motorcycles and parcels. This mail train cuts through the night like a steel blade.

A few of my trips ended up at a few places in Pahang and Kelantan. Jerantut, Merapoh, Dabong, Gua Musang, Dabong and Tumpat. Some are big stations like Jerantut, Gua Musang and Tumpat, but the rest are merely nothing. Arriving at these stations in the early morning would mean pitch dark experience in the middle of nowhere. And we would only have a small window to get off the train. The stop is only 3 minutes max.

The early morning train into rural Pahang and Kelantan would also be a good eye opener of how life can be as basic as possible for the locals. Train would be their only mode of transportation. School children commute to school. Marketers and traders alike were doing their business on and off the train from stations to stations. Live chickens can be a surprising turn up at times.

Coming back to the present, the speed train can achieve 165 km/hr reducing the time from KL Sentral to Ipoh to about 2 hours 30 minutes; almost same time like driving. My trip down memory lane was longer than the current trip itself. The air-conditioned coaches with LCD tv and comfy seats broke the mood of the old days Nescafe Classic train trip.

In fact, the kids were not quite really enjoying the trip since they were mostly busy haggling with those iPads, iPhones and such.

I wish I still  have those pictures of yesterdays...

Got this from lebai google of Gua Musang

Perhaps I will plan for a revisit to these places, but maybe not by train. Bicycle perhaps...?

School Break Tripping - 1

Broga Hill

Peace

School break was just over. There were no big plans for the family except for a few local short trips. It was actually a more preferable plan to avoid the hectic school break crowd and traffic trauma. And also steep suicidal hotel rates.

I dragged the whole house for a Mother Nature retreat that particular weekday morning. We scaled Broga Hill. It was Friday morning, when we left the house slightly after 8.00. People may prefer to be up there early admiring the phenomenal sunrise but for our first attempt, we find it better to trek up in broad daylight. Besides, we are amateurs and inexperience trekkers.

The drive from home was casual and short which took less than 30 minutes. Semenyih town was hectic with traffic commuting from sub-urban areas towards city center. The population has surpassed the road capacity. With ever growing housing schemes, the trunk road has choked.

Reaching Broga Hill carpark was a straight forward affair after paying the RM2.00 fee. Parking was ample, perhaps due to the late hour and non-weekend timing. We chose a spot nearest to the trail head but still visible enough from parking attendance view, so just in case if anything happen.

Anxiety crept in. Wife & kids were suddenly ahead scaling into the trail. I howled to them to keep it at a manageable pace since we don’t know how far and how difficult the trail will be. A signboard showed 1.7km to Bukit Broga, the peak I presumed.

The trail was covered mostly, and clean. Wide enough to receive ascending and descending trekkers. Some may be slippery due to the dry and loose soil. As a trail itself, it is always in its true nature form with ruts and gulley along the way. But still, a safe one for everyone as long as we watch our step.

Due to its short distance, an abrupt elevation gain is expected. The boys seem to have no trouble scaling the trail as it gets steeper, especially my youngest Padawan. He was the fastest and most energetic. The one in trouble was my dearest. Due to rare physical expeditious like this and retirement from previous hobbies, anyone can conclude to jump into labor breathing, nausea and discouragement. I decided to pull the brake on the chugging train to ensure that we continued on together. The progress was intermittently swapped with a few breathers along the way, plus loads of pep talk.

We finally reached the open area where suddenly the sky opens up revealing a different kind of scenery. A large green meadow of lalang covering acres of land, high and low. It was gorgeous. The first to yell about the discovery was of course my ‘personal Padawan trekker’. We relayed down the achievement to our fellow comrades who was struggling, but manageable in an effort to provide a boost for motivation. It seemed to work for a bit, but that was only before we notice ‘the wall’.

In plain sight, it may seem like an open and bare surface where we had to climb. Truthfully, it looked scary. Came closer, it was a bit difficult to climb due to the loose and slipper sand plus without any place to grab for hold. Obstacles were tackled in a jiff with patience and virtue. Alhamdullillah.

The boys and father decided to finalize our mission straight to the final peak where as the ladies had enough of climbing and gave way to the breezy escapade at the first peak.

Mission accomplished. The walk down was easy for most of them except my trying to control the tingling knee pain (aging factor). An attempt to lobby about our next outdoor adventure e.g. FRIM or Bukit Apek was flunked aside straight on. I think they had enough.

That's the final peak

One of the peak

More awesome place

Malaysia Boleh...Ubah! :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 :]

LtdL Stage 5 - Genting Highland

Within days after clocking awesomeness on my cycling map, the international cycling scene hit our country with le Tour de Langkawi since February 21^st. The much awaited stage came last Monday, February 25^th where the peloton will climb the Hors Category, Genting Highland. The hardest there is in the country of course but nothing compares to the majestic ones in Europe though.

It was a working day, hence these bunch of enthusiasts (konon) took the day off and plan for some fun on high altitude. Some of us even took the challenge of riding up which was kind of an annual affair nowadays. Det and me just stick to our original plan driving up with packed nasi lemaks and hot Nescafe.

It was a blessing for those who cycle up when the weather was just perfect with no sun around until noon. In fact, it rained! Our drive up was filled with more anxiety as we passed familiar faces. Most of them filled with regrets and curses. I almost got myself into that option of riding up, perhaps next year. I did attempt once a few years back. The climb was one thing, but the descending was the worse. You get numb arms, numb fingers, numb butt, and numb face from the freezing cold. And that ain’t pretty while approaching a downhill corner at the speed of 60 kph.

However, most of us decided to bivouac at the Temple area (temple lagi!). This spot where we can cheer the pro riders when they passed by and perhaps give them a push up the steepest climb. We had a carnival atmosphere. A few local cycling groups had barbeque (Kambing golek!) while waiting for the peloton to arrive.

It rained throughout the outing; it got heavier when the peloton arrived. But that didn’t dampen the pro riders’ spirit of climbing or our fun cheering. I had my waterproof Cybershot with me, hence I just point and shoot for the fun and experience!

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