I was bored that night....I didn't go riding the previous day as I just got back from the Melaka Jamboree on Saturday night..and so I took the day off thinking of going for a ride in the morning but end up baby sitting my daughter since my mum-in-law have another appointment in the morning..it's okay with me coz I got to spend some quality time with my daughter...and it was also raining the whole day...so I'm stuck at home...sigh.....
It was 8 pm....though it was dark....I could see that it was cloudy outside...and windy....as though as it was gonna rain....took out my bike for a spin around the neighbourhood....after several times convincing myself that it's not gonna rain....I changed into my riding gears and left home at exactly 9.30 pm....
It was quite chilly with cold wind blowing to my face as I rode thru the neighbourhood...riding steadily towards Larkin via the STF route....got past the killer MPTI hill climb (with little effort), cross the main road and head straight to RTM..the feeling was different as that night, I was riding alone...so I was counting on the rear blinkers to stay visible to other motorists..the hill climb was tiring...but I managed to get by it...then straight down to the Chinese Cemetary and another uphill climb towards Jln Abdul Rahman Andak...rode pass the Bukit Saujana and schools, MB residence and my old office at Jalan Taat (kinda creepy there...don't ask...)...riding thru JB town, straight to the Lido stretch..and finally reaches Danga Bay at 10:10 pm....kinda fast..I thought to myself..took a 15 minutes break before starts riding again..heading towards the Angsana Flyover..and then straight down to the Perodua intersection and then straight back home....
Reached home at 10:45 pm..so I figured that my time on road should be around 1hr...there's some improvement there...completing a 20km ride in just an hour...to me...my personal mission to improve my speed and ability to ride alone at night has accomplished..=p
Not gonna be riding tomorrow's NR with Ali and his gang as I have a meeting scheduled at 6 pm tomorrow which I bet would end around 9-10 pm...well....I guess I can always join them on their next NR...
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
nice shirt....err jersey....
What do you guys think of this jersey?....nice huh?....was posted in Lelong dot Com few days back...some lucky guy won the bid.....too bad....=p
If I were to wear this jersey during rides...some people might think that I'm a poser....wasn't even in Kuantan to watch the race..let alone participate in it...hehehe...but hey?...it's just a jersey...any Ali, Muthu or Ah Seng could purchased and wear it....it's the respect for the event that counts....if it were me...I'd wear it with pride....one of the most talked about event by riders world wide and I got to wear the official jersey?....damn.......what a feeling.....hehehe
Well....that's just my humble opinion.....=p
If I were to wear this jersey during rides...some people might think that I'm a poser....wasn't even in Kuantan to watch the race..let alone participate in it...hehehe...but hey?...it's just a jersey...any Ali, Muthu or Ah Seng could purchased and wear it....it's the respect for the event that counts....if it were me...I'd wear it with pride....one of the most talked about event by riders world wide and I got to wear the official jersey?....damn.......what a feeling.....hehehe
Well....that's just my humble opinion.....=p
Sunday, July 19, 2009
pendas ride 19/07/2009
Arrived at Ali's place at 7:30am sharp.....few guys were already there....Ali had just finished adding the finishing touch to my bike set up....took it for a quick test spin....gear change felt kinda funny..too early to make comment so I decided to test it along the ride...
The ride started quite late, 9:45am....Hafiz woke up late so we all end up waiting for him....he was injured during yesterday JB @ctive race...and yet he still wants to ride today.....tough lad....gotta respect that....ah! and yes......Ali won the race yesterday......kudos to him.....=)
To kill time, I went for breakfast at the nearby Mamak....I was alone at first...then Saiful and Wan decided to join me......another guy showed up shortly after that..I was lucky coz I'm not the only one with knobbies...Ali decided to ride his MTB...so does another 4 guys...only 5 guys rides roadies....so I'm saved from being left behind...hehehe
I started the ride by being the third rider up front....we were riding at a steady pace...my guess is around 25-30 km/h...I passed the Nusa Bestari hill climb with much ease...compared to 2 months ago....where I always went out of breath every time I used the same route when riding back home after rides with Mohd Noor and his gang....the same goes with the Seri Orkid hill climb....piece of cake...hehe.....
The trio stayed intact until we reached Lima Kedai when the other riders managed to catch up (either we started to go slow or they must've rode super fast-no prob with a road bike)...and from there, I struggled a bit to maintain my pace...remained in middle of the pack till Gelang Patah....then...something happened.......
Believe it or not...we were pulled over by the local law enforcer....yup!...we were pulled over by two cops on kapchai's for no apparent reason....we did nothing wrong...we rode in a single file...not road hogging...in fact...I believe we ride within the state speed limit....duhhh......=p
cop: sir...you were riding way over the speed
limit ....
smart ass rider: huh?was I?...how fast did I go just
now?
cop: 10 km/h....
smart ass rider: huh?...%$#@^&
sheeshhh...u-n-b-e-l-i-e-v-a-b-l-e.........
me ^_^
the unknown rider...forgot to ask for his name....bro?...what's your name ah?
So what's wrong?...they just say that's it's a routine check...and they were only carrying instructions from "some officer's from Nusajaya IPD" to get our details written down....for what?...they wouldn't say....something's fishy and so one of us called his contact in IPK (someone with higher ranks) to dig further...but that's just it...I'm not interested to know further....after handing over my I/C, the officer taken my details, I started riding again with another rider (didn't catch his name...some other time perhaps)...pretty soon the other guys begin to catch up and we were cruising the Gelang Patah route again....
At this point I was a bit exhausted with so many hill climbs (I lost count already...hehe)..and by the time I reach the CIQ junction...I was already the last man....Ali slowed down to accompany me and another rider...my left foot was already aching and my toes started to get numb...tried to wiggle my toes a bit but the pain just won't subside...end up paddling one footed most of the time till I reached the destination, Kg Pendas....
finally....RV point at Pendas..........
Finally reached the RV Point at Kg Pendas at about 10:50am........took off my riding shoes and walked bare footed to normalised my blood circulations on my left foot.....perhaps my left footie is slightly larger than the right one....hehe...any other possible explanations?....=p
I know...pics blurry....was too weak to hold the phone.....hehe
even the bikes knows how to hanged out....=p
We stayed there for almost an hour...I consumed a bowl of Mee Hoon Soto and two glasses of Iced Tea...to recover back my strength....really....=p
By 11:50am, we were on our saddles again, heading home....I managed to snap a photo using my trusty N70...the only photo taken on saddles during the ride.
rempit in action
We decided to took a short cut passing the Gelang Patah's R&R during the ride back home....by this time, it was getting cloudy and windy....signalling that it's gonna rain anytime soon...kinda difficult to ride especially when you're riding against the wind....very...very tiring.....
Finally it rained by the time we rode past Leisure Farm...it doesn't drizzle....straight up heavy rain...so sudden that I've to stop by the road side to stashed my handphone in my backpack....switched on the blinker and I'm off riding again...the blinker doesn't help much though as it was raining very heavily....rode steadily...assuming 20-25km/h...till I reached Gelang Patah where the rain stopped pouring......the town folks gave us this weird look...we were soaking wet...but it wasn't raining at their town area....hehe...
taking a breather at Petronas....
We stopped for a while at Petronas Gelang Patah..then decided to take a short cut (ended up not being a short cut..longer distance ada ler wey? =p)...the route (short cut) end up at Nusa Idaman (where Mohd Noor and his group usally RV-ed for each rides)....we rode on thru Bukit Indah, past Jusco, reach Perling and headed straight to the final check point, Ali's place.....arrived at 1:45pm....exhausted..but really satisfied...=)
I finally completed the feat...maybe struggled a bit at the beginning...but I managed to complete it nonetheless...there were some tiring moments, climbing hills, foot cramped...but it's nothing I can't handle...hehehe...
The guy that I couldn't catch his name commented on my ride....saying that I was okay for a first timer....he says that most of the time I rode faster than him...so he sum up that I probably rode in average 25-28km/h.....on few occasions, he said that he was riding 30km/h and I easily passed him...so I must've rode >35km/h at that time...not going downhill (you hearing this Boboy?)....the other guys were vouching his statement...might be true...I'm so gotta get myself a meter...when?....by month end perhaps....hehe
Overall I could say that the ride was very challenging and I really tested my endurance to the limit today....and I'm glad to say that I've passed.....concurred by Ali and his gang.......=p
Maybe after Raya I'll be joining them again for another ride to Pendas....for the meantime....regular NR is sufficient enough.....
Next weekend I'll be participating in Mr Mobic's Petronas Refinery MTB Jamboree in Melaka....I'll be joining Akmal and Reza from PG Gerekers for this event...my first event outside JB....I'm so excited...can't wait...=)
Then on 8th and 9th August....another outting organised by Kelab Ali Baba at Pasir Lanun, Mersing.....guys on bikes will be riding from Mersing town...some 40km away from the location....shouldn't be a problem for me....hehehe.....
I'll reserve 1st and 2nd August for my wife and Nana....so I'll be riding within Uda vacinities during those 2 days....I guess....hehehe....
So..till my next riding log...ride on guys....ride safe...=)
First look...Deore 2010 group set
Articles from http://www.singletrackworld.com/2009/02/shimano-deore-2010/
Forget about those nay sayers..the new Deore sure looked awesome.....got me the crank and RD....decided not to change the FD and shifters as it is only a cosmetic upgrade from the old ones...the old ones works just fine....
Forget about those nay sayers..the new Deore sure looked awesome.....got me the crank and RD....decided not to change the FD and shifters as it is only a cosmetic upgrade from the old ones...the old ones works just fine....
The Deore rear mech is now Shadow flavoured, so you now get increased rock clearance for decreased cost
Looked darn better than its predecessor...
I have my sights locked on the super slick hyd disc brakes set.....ordered from Che Leng but still no stock yet...
Deore has gone a bit more angular and looks quite like Saint and SLX now, all good. As well as cosmetic changes there are some neat technical changes. The brake hoses and gear cables now exit at the same angle for tidier cable routing.
Guess I have to wait a while more before the minor upgrades is complete....hopefully before the Jamboree....no...not for showing off....others with deep pockets will go for the higher end products..me...I prefers practicality=quality=economical....besides, these are the only ones that I could afford....hehe......BTW....I'll be posting my used 2009 crank and RD in BBS...anybody interested?.....selling cheap....honest!......=p
Saturday, July 18, 2009
another rideless day...sigh...
It's has been a busy day for me today.....I have to go to work since I requested a duty swap with Lini...this is all due to the Mr Mobic's Petronas Refinery MTB Jamboree that's gonna be held next week at Melaka....yup!...I finally registered myself in one major event....can say major coz I've never participated in any event so far...hehehe....
So instead of riding this morning, I have to drag myself to work....on Saturday for a mere RM$$ allowance (note:Company executives are not entitled for OT claim).....hehehe.....what to do?...rules are rules....anyway...somebody has to do it...right?...sigh...
Due to that also, I missed the JB @ctive event at Larkin this morning...which Ali and his gang participated in....Kevin also...and maybe some of the PG Gerekers too...dunno what's the result....have to wait until tomorrow to get the whole story....=p
Though working today is not as busy as weekdays, me and my colleagues were required to attend a fire drill training (more like a briefing coz it was too short to be called a training-about 4 hours) which ended at 6.30pm...lost some valueable time there....I actually have made plans to ride with Uncle to Loji Sultan Iskandar....hmmm....as what the late P.Ramlee has said..."bikin rosak plan ana~lah"....hehehehe
I went back and reaches home just in time for the Tahlil held next door...then called Ali at 9:30pm to ask about my bike....which he took back home yesterday to check on my "jumping RD" problem....and oh yes....I've changed my RD to the new 2010 Deore which looks much better than the old ones...kinda resemblence the SLX and XT a bit....I haven't read the review but I hope it performs like them too.....cosmetically...it looks better...=)
Ali invited me to join him tomorrow for Pendas ride....it's a 75-80km ride...on road...ah?..the distance!...ah?...on road summore!.......oh..oh...and worst, the rest of the guys might be riding roadies!....with me on knobbies....I'll surely be left behind.....but I took the challenge...so it's fixed then....I'm off to Pendas tomorrow...with probability that I'm the only guy on knobbies...hehe....kerja gila! (this is crazy)...well it wouldn't be gila if Boboy would join me...at least there'll be two schmucks among the roadies instead of one...hahaha...but as usual..."Ali bawak apa?""MTB ke road?""Ramai tak?""Kul berapa mula?""Der nanti aku confirmkan balik" (which he never did!)...he asked too much questions instead of giving confirmation....excuse..excuse....=p
Well....since this Pendas ride has been given too much hype by the gang (including Boboy)....I guess I'll give it a try..no harm, right?...(rightttt......) hehehe...
I could also take it as a test ground for me....see how far can I go...endurance wise...they said it's quite tricky with several hill climbs...it's gonna be challenging....especially on a Panaracer Fire XC Pro....excellent off road...crappy on roads!!!...hehehe....
So...I'll be back with full story on the ride tomorrow....till then.....ride safe bro!......=)
So instead of riding this morning, I have to drag myself to work....on Saturday for a mere RM$$ allowance (note:Company executives are not entitled for OT claim).....hehehe.....what to do?...rules are rules....anyway...somebody has to do it...right?...sigh...
Due to that also, I missed the JB @ctive event at Larkin this morning...which Ali and his gang participated in....Kevin also...and maybe some of the PG Gerekers too...dunno what's the result....have to wait until tomorrow to get the whole story....=p
Though working today is not as busy as weekdays, me and my colleagues were required to attend a fire drill training (more like a briefing coz it was too short to be called a training-about 4 hours) which ended at 6.30pm...lost some valueable time there....I actually have made plans to ride with Uncle to Loji Sultan Iskandar....hmmm....as what the late P.Ramlee has said..."bikin rosak plan ana~lah"....hehehehe
I went back and reaches home just in time for the Tahlil held next door...then called Ali at 9:30pm to ask about my bike....which he took back home yesterday to check on my "jumping RD" problem....and oh yes....I've changed my RD to the new 2010 Deore which looks much better than the old ones...kinda resemblence the SLX and XT a bit....I haven't read the review but I hope it performs like them too.....cosmetically...it looks better...=)
Ali invited me to join him tomorrow for Pendas ride....it's a 75-80km ride...on road...ah?..the distance!...ah?...on road summore!.......oh..oh...and worst, the rest of the guys might be riding roadies!....with me on knobbies....I'll surely be left behind.....but I took the challenge...so it's fixed then....I'm off to Pendas tomorrow...with probability that I'm the only guy on knobbies...hehe....kerja gila! (this is crazy)...well it wouldn't be gila if Boboy would join me...at least there'll be two schmucks among the roadies instead of one...hahaha...but as usual..."Ali bawak apa?""MTB ke road?""Ramai tak?""Kul berapa mula?""Der nanti aku confirmkan balik" (which he never did!)...he asked too much questions instead of giving confirmation....excuse..excuse....=p
Well....since this Pendas ride has been given too much hype by the gang (including Boboy)....I guess I'll give it a try..no harm, right?...(rightttt......) hehehe...
I could also take it as a test ground for me....see how far can I go...endurance wise...they said it's quite tricky with several hill climbs...it's gonna be challenging....especially on a Panaracer Fire XC Pro....excellent off road...crappy on roads!!!...hehehe....
So...I'll be back with full story on the ride tomorrow....till then.....ride safe bro!......=)
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
what's so great about cycling?
I'm bored....so I guess i'll write something in here....=p
A colleague had asked me recently, what so great about riding bikes?...I paused for a while..then replied..what do you like most about fishing?....he kept quiet for a sec...then replied...the thrilling and best part is when the fish bit the bait..."there's where the fun starts", he says....then he began explaining and talking about his craze for fishing...and so on and on and on....and then suddenly he came to a halt...."what does my fishing got to do with your cycling?"....I just looked at him and smiled.....it's not about what you do for fun or as a hobby....it's the passion that came with it....that's what I feel about cycling....it's something that I do with passion...something that's unexplainable...hehe
To me cycling is more than a hobby....unlike my other hobbies such as kit building....although it may cost me a fortune (for a small potato like me), at least my body and health benefit from it...kit building is another thing...you just stay put at one place trying to put together something and requires your full concentration to get a perfect scale model...but that's just it..the satisfaction is just when you've completed it..other than that...it's just another trophy in your cupboard or trophy wall....get me?
And so I quit kit building and starts something beneficial to my health and gave me unlimited satisfaction...cycling....
I bought my Merida in February 2009....you can say that I'm a newbie...heck...I admit I am...and there loads of things that I need to learn...and I guess I'm more than willing to learn stuffs related to MTB...the tips and tricks..the right techniques..and so on...that is why I do not attach myself to a particular group of riders..other than my colleague Boboy...I've rode with Ali and his gang.....Mohd Noor from Nur Ikhsan....and PG Gerekers...not to mention some other riders whom I met on the trails.....with these people who're more than willing to share their experience....(thanks guys!)
My health also benefited from this newfound hobby....believe it or not...I used to have severe back pains.....at first I was worried that the pain might get serious each time I ride my bike but the result is the other way round.....I felt better, fitter and my back pain is virtually gone (except when I do heavy lifting lah)....
To me...to each is his own....you choose what you want to do...what you wanna be....final...
Me...for now...I just wanna ride as much as I can....I wanna feel the whole enchilada...and savour every moment of it.....=)
Ride on guys....ride safe....
A colleague had asked me recently, what so great about riding bikes?...I paused for a while..then replied..what do you like most about fishing?....he kept quiet for a sec...then replied...the thrilling and best part is when the fish bit the bait..."there's where the fun starts", he says....then he began explaining and talking about his craze for fishing...and so on and on and on....and then suddenly he came to a halt...."what does my fishing got to do with your cycling?"....I just looked at him and smiled.....it's not about what you do for fun or as a hobby....it's the passion that came with it....that's what I feel about cycling....it's something that I do with passion...something that's unexplainable...hehe
To me cycling is more than a hobby....unlike my other hobbies such as kit building....although it may cost me a fortune (for a small potato like me), at least my body and health benefit from it...kit building is another thing...you just stay put at one place trying to put together something and requires your full concentration to get a perfect scale model...but that's just it..the satisfaction is just when you've completed it..other than that...it's just another trophy in your cupboard or trophy wall....get me?
And so I quit kit building and starts something beneficial to my health and gave me unlimited satisfaction...cycling....
I bought my Merida in February 2009....you can say that I'm a newbie...heck...I admit I am...and there loads of things that I need to learn...and I guess I'm more than willing to learn stuffs related to MTB...the tips and tricks..the right techniques..and so on...that is why I do not attach myself to a particular group of riders..other than my colleague Boboy...I've rode with Ali and his gang.....Mohd Noor from Nur Ikhsan....and PG Gerekers...not to mention some other riders whom I met on the trails.....with these people who're more than willing to share their experience....(thanks guys!)
My health also benefited from this newfound hobby....believe it or not...I used to have severe back pains.....at first I was worried that the pain might get serious each time I ride my bike but the result is the other way round.....I felt better, fitter and my back pain is virtually gone (except when I do heavy lifting lah)....
To me...to each is his own....you choose what you want to do...what you wanna be....final...
Me...for now...I just wanna ride as much as I can....I wanna feel the whole enchilada...and savour every moment of it.....=)
Ride on guys....ride safe....
nite ride - JB town - 14/07/2009
All I can say about yesterday’s NR is….exhausting….perhaps..too exhausting...I need more training....hehehe
I’m not sure what happened to me last night….but the trip was extremely tiring….I was catching my breath all the time. Maybe it was due to wrong breathing techniques or the bike set up…ooopppss!!….bike setup was excellent….thanks to Ali….hehe
I left work quite early as I don’t want to rush to the RV Point…..reaches home at 7pm, waited for my wife to have dinner at her mum’s…then started riding to Larkin at 8:05pm…..I decided to ride instead of driving there as I usually did….it took me exactly 30 minutes to reach the designated RV..quite slow paced…maybe I was trying to conserve my energy for the NR…or maybe the MPTI uphill climb slowed me down a bit….a bit?..yeah right!...hehehe
I was the second person to arrive at the scene….the other guy (don’t know his name) greeted me and we were minding our own business…dunno what to talk about coz he seemed like the quiet type….so I took out my tools and reset my handlebar angle as I noticed that the angle was quite off when I rode there…done…and then I begin testing the bike again to see if there’s any other adjustments needed….perfect…..
The rest of the guys started to arrive and finally at about 9:30pm, we were already on saddles and riding along Jalan Datin Halimah towards RTM….climbing the hill is usually a breeze for me but yesterday, the first sign of fatigue showed there…..I was struggling to reach the top…and was out of breath when I finally did….not want to think about it, I rode on going downhill towards the Chinese Cemetery, riding past the schools, downhill again at Saujana and finally reaches town…
I wore a buff headgear during the ride that I used as a face mask…as all my previous experience riding in crowded street reminded me to wear one due to the exhaust fumes from passing vehicles especially busses and lorries and any other unpleasant odours which you may smell along the ride…
Riding thru town was a breeze…no obstacles, no stopping to cross Jalan Ibrahim, then going pass the Post Office and then straight along the Lido stretch…usually at this point of the ride, I am still energetic, can easily sprint in the straight line but yesterday night, I was exhausted…not quite sure why….maybe because of the Maggi Goreng that I consumed at 6pm with Jeff or something else…
Reaches Danga Bay at about 10:15pm…we all stop at the usual RV point for a breather. I didn’t bring my water bottle as I thought my bladder bag could store sufficient fluid for the whole ride…I was wrong…..by the time I reaches Danga, the content was only enough for a few sip….not sure how…but I must’ve drank a lot while riding…
The break was until 10:45pm and we were back on saddles and riding past Skudai Kiri heading back to Larkin. I was riding leisurely..letting other riders to past me and not making any effort to give a chase…that is until I realised that I am at the back of the pack with only a few riders behind me….I sprinted going uphill towards the Angsana Flyover, I know…unnecessary use of strength but I was chasing the green light…I do not want to get caught in the traffic…I managed to beat the red light and head straight down to the Perodua/BBU intersection…red light again…there were few cars waiting….since there were no vehicles crossing the road, I decided not to stop but instead dashed pass it….managed to catch up with a fellow rider but since he was cycling slowly (maybe out of breath too), I decided to leave him and move on, trying to catch the front runners but they were already too far…I ended up riding alone at a steady pace (assuming 25km/h)…
I rode pass STF and climbed the killer MPTI hill….managed to get to the top and then straight to the final check point at a restaurant beside the public library…most of the guys were already there and I was a bit disappointed with the ride..I could’ve gone faster since the beginning …definitely need to improve on that in the next ride….
Another thing that I noticed was that, I kept on dehydrating during the ride…probably because of the use of face mask which prevent me from inhaling cool air…with no moist in my mouth, I tend to drink a lot which explains why my water reservoir dried up quickly…I guess that must be the case…so no more face mask for me….well maybe….
I hanged out for quite a while before heading home at 11:44pm….need to leave early as I need to ride home unlike most of the guys who drove there. I rode the same route as last week, Jalan Datin Halimah-FAMA-Kenwood and then reach home exactly at 12 midnight.
Overall I can say, it’s a good ride though exhausting….and my mission to test the new set up by Ali has accomplished. My next ride will be this coming Saturday – to the Loji Sultan Iskandar with Uncle….if time permits….and God willing….hehe…Sunday, I’ll be riding leisurely around town again before heading to Larkin for the @ctive JB event near the Sports Complex.
Till then….ride on..ride safe..
I’m not sure what happened to me last night….but the trip was extremely tiring….I was catching my breath all the time. Maybe it was due to wrong breathing techniques or the bike set up…ooopppss!!….bike setup was excellent….thanks to Ali….hehe
I left work quite early as I don’t want to rush to the RV Point…..reaches home at 7pm, waited for my wife to have dinner at her mum’s…then started riding to Larkin at 8:05pm…..I decided to ride instead of driving there as I usually did….it took me exactly 30 minutes to reach the designated RV..quite slow paced…maybe I was trying to conserve my energy for the NR…or maybe the MPTI uphill climb slowed me down a bit….a bit?..yeah right!...hehehe
I was the second person to arrive at the scene….the other guy (don’t know his name) greeted me and we were minding our own business…dunno what to talk about coz he seemed like the quiet type….so I took out my tools and reset my handlebar angle as I noticed that the angle was quite off when I rode there…done…and then I begin testing the bike again to see if there’s any other adjustments needed….perfect…..
The rest of the guys started to arrive and finally at about 9:30pm, we were already on saddles and riding along Jalan Datin Halimah towards RTM….climbing the hill is usually a breeze for me but yesterday, the first sign of fatigue showed there…..I was struggling to reach the top…and was out of breath when I finally did….not want to think about it, I rode on going downhill towards the Chinese Cemetery, riding past the schools, downhill again at Saujana and finally reaches town…
I wore a buff headgear during the ride that I used as a face mask…as all my previous experience riding in crowded street reminded me to wear one due to the exhaust fumes from passing vehicles especially busses and lorries and any other unpleasant odours which you may smell along the ride…
Riding thru town was a breeze…no obstacles, no stopping to cross Jalan Ibrahim, then going pass the Post Office and then straight along the Lido stretch…usually at this point of the ride, I am still energetic, can easily sprint in the straight line but yesterday night, I was exhausted…not quite sure why….maybe because of the Maggi Goreng that I consumed at 6pm with Jeff or something else…
Reaches Danga Bay at about 10:15pm…we all stop at the usual RV point for a breather. I didn’t bring my water bottle as I thought my bladder bag could store sufficient fluid for the whole ride…I was wrong…..by the time I reaches Danga, the content was only enough for a few sip….not sure how…but I must’ve drank a lot while riding…
The break was until 10:45pm and we were back on saddles and riding past Skudai Kiri heading back to Larkin. I was riding leisurely..letting other riders to past me and not making any effort to give a chase…that is until I realised that I am at the back of the pack with only a few riders behind me….I sprinted going uphill towards the Angsana Flyover, I know…unnecessary use of strength but I was chasing the green light…I do not want to get caught in the traffic…I managed to beat the red light and head straight down to the Perodua/BBU intersection…red light again…there were few cars waiting….since there were no vehicles crossing the road, I decided not to stop but instead dashed pass it….managed to catch up with a fellow rider but since he was cycling slowly (maybe out of breath too), I decided to leave him and move on, trying to catch the front runners but they were already too far…I ended up riding alone at a steady pace (assuming 25km/h)…
I rode pass STF and climbed the killer MPTI hill….managed to get to the top and then straight to the final check point at a restaurant beside the public library…most of the guys were already there and I was a bit disappointed with the ride..I could’ve gone faster since the beginning …definitely need to improve on that in the next ride….
Another thing that I noticed was that, I kept on dehydrating during the ride…probably because of the use of face mask which prevent me from inhaling cool air…with no moist in my mouth, I tend to drink a lot which explains why my water reservoir dried up quickly…I guess that must be the case…so no more face mask for me….well maybe….
I hanged out for quite a while before heading home at 11:44pm….need to leave early as I need to ride home unlike most of the guys who drove there. I rode the same route as last week, Jalan Datin Halimah-FAMA-Kenwood and then reach home exactly at 12 midnight.
Overall I can say, it’s a good ride though exhausting….and my mission to test the new set up by Ali has accomplished. My next ride will be this coming Saturday – to the Loji Sultan Iskandar with Uncle….if time permits….and God willing….hehe…Sunday, I’ll be riding leisurely around town again before heading to Larkin for the @ctive JB event near the Sports Complex.
Till then….ride on..ride safe..
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
preparing for NR
Yesterday night I went to Ali's after he called to inform that my bike was ready for pick up...I sent it to him the day before to fix the problem with my crank and presumeably chain......it turns out that my bike set up was incorrect....the previous shop had wrongly installed an 8 speed chain instead of 9 speed resulting unsmooth (betul ke ni?) ride since day one....ahhhhh...no wonder la my gearing tak betul?....hehehe
I end up forking out RM100 for a Dura Ace chain....and after a test ride, it felt just nice..nearly effortless to climb a small hill...(again..betul ke ni?)....I hanged out for a while at his place, talking about bikes and stuff....you know..it's amazing how we could learn a thing or two from the pro's...hehe....there are soooo many things that I don't know, and hanging out with guys like Ali, Akmal, Panjang and some of the bike shop owners really enhance your knowledge on bikes as long as you stay on the topic...bikes...
I really feel that I need to learn more on basic bike set up, technical and riding skills....I guess it's an ongoing lesson for me....I believe I need to experience it to really feel it....so that is why spend my weekend mornings with bike riding....even if I have to ride alone.....=p
Alhamdulillah my wife understands me and gave her full support...and I usually compensate by spending the afternoon with them.
Also, since I started riding, I have joined several riding groups to fuel my riding hunger..and of course, to gain experience and make new acquintence...groups like Ali and his gang, PG Gerekers and Mat Noor from Nur Ikhsan, they welcomes you to join them as long as you have a bike (how to join if you don't have any?...duhhhhh?)...they're a friendly bunch...and more than willing to teach you tricks and tips on mountain biking...
Back to the topic....after the set up yesterday, the bike felt somewhat lighter.....I will surely test it tonight during the Nite Ride (NR)...too bad Boboy won't be joining tonight (he never join NR!)...
When asked, he keeps on giving excuses....hehehe...I guess he prefers to ride at Impian Emas doing laps rather than riding around town which to me far better and more fun. I'm not keen on going round in circles.... =p
For tonight NR, I'll try to maintain my pace and see how fast I can go.... too bad I don't have any meters on my bike....to know my speed normally I'd stay in the main group and try to keep up with them....and then asked how fast they ride....then I'll know lah? =p
Till tonight then......
I end up forking out RM100 for a Dura Ace chain....and after a test ride, it felt just nice..nearly effortless to climb a small hill...(again..betul ke ni?)....I hanged out for a while at his place, talking about bikes and stuff....you know..it's amazing how we could learn a thing or two from the pro's...hehe....there are soooo many things that I don't know, and hanging out with guys like Ali, Akmal, Panjang and some of the bike shop owners really enhance your knowledge on bikes as long as you stay on the topic...bikes...
I really feel that I need to learn more on basic bike set up, technical and riding skills....I guess it's an ongoing lesson for me....I believe I need to experience it to really feel it....so that is why spend my weekend mornings with bike riding....even if I have to ride alone.....=p
Alhamdulillah my wife understands me and gave her full support...and I usually compensate by spending the afternoon with them.
Also, since I started riding, I have joined several riding groups to fuel my riding hunger..and of course, to gain experience and make new acquintence...groups like Ali and his gang, PG Gerekers and Mat Noor from Nur Ikhsan, they welcomes you to join them as long as you have a bike (how to join if you don't have any?...duhhhhh?)...they're a friendly bunch...and more than willing to teach you tricks and tips on mountain biking...
Back to the topic....after the set up yesterday, the bike felt somewhat lighter.....I will surely test it tonight during the Nite Ride (NR)...too bad Boboy won't be joining tonight (he never join NR!)...
When asked, he keeps on giving excuses....hehehe...I guess he prefers to ride at Impian Emas doing laps rather than riding around town which to me far better and more fun. I'm not keen on going round in circles.... =p
For tonight NR, I'll try to maintain my pace and see how fast I can go.... too bad I don't have any meters on my bike....to know my speed normally I'd stay in the main group and try to keep up with them....and then asked how fast they ride....then I'll know lah? =p
Till tonight then......
Monday, July 13, 2009
routine ride to Pekan Nanas 12/07/2009
The day started with heavy downpour since early morning...I was unsure whether to proceed to the meeting point or just continue my sleep...so after a quick solat, I geared up and load my things in the car and starts driving to Pekan Nanas, some 45km away from my house.
Reached the location at 7 am sharp, called the "El-Presidente" Boboy just to find out that he's still at home. We're gonna start off late...again...sigh...
So I hanged out at the local mamak restaurant, waiting for HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS to arrive. After completing a glass of Teh Tarik and a roti telur, I decided to call him again but unanswered...double damn....so I proceeded to the RP at Ah Fan's and waited for about an hour before I decided to go on riding without him..it's just the two of us...the rest of the guys were unable to join in. Ai participated in the IronMan at PD...good luck to him...that leaves me with HRH Boboy...double sigh.....
It's 8 am, and the rain has stopped...the sky was clearing from the dark clouds...so I got out from my car and unload the bike and the rest of my gears...as I was assembling the front tire, Boboy arrives with a smirk on his face....hmm...I gotta admit..this guy must be "wearing" something (note:malay says it's like a tangkal @ talisman) so that people won't get mad at him or something......nahhh.....
Actually, I have made plans to join Ali and his gang to ride to Pendas this morning but since Boboy says that he has other plans in the afternoon, so we decided to ride Pekan Nanas instead.
We left Ah Fan's at 8.45 am and rode the wet and slippery road heading to Gunung Pulai Reserve Park. While riding past a Chinese house, I stumbled upon a dog whom was quite startled to see me...he had this undecided look on his face...whether to jump on me or to back away....maybe it's me giving him this fierce look or maybe he haven't gotten his breakfast yet that made him backing away and not giving me any problem...haha...Boboy rode past him cautiously....in case he changed his mind and decided to give us a chase.......=p
Reached the location at 7 am sharp, called the "El-Presidente" Boboy just to find out that he's still at home. We're gonna start off late...again...sigh...
So I hanged out at the local mamak restaurant, waiting for HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS to arrive. After completing a glass of Teh Tarik and a roti telur, I decided to call him again but unanswered...double damn....so I proceeded to the RP at Ah Fan's and waited for about an hour before I decided to go on riding without him..it's just the two of us...the rest of the guys were unable to join in. Ai participated in the IronMan at PD...good luck to him...that leaves me with HRH Boboy...double sigh.....
It's 8 am, and the rain has stopped...the sky was clearing from the dark clouds...so I got out from my car and unload the bike and the rest of my gears...as I was assembling the front tire, Boboy arrives with a smirk on his face....hmm...I gotta admit..this guy must be "wearing" something (note:malay says it's like a tangkal @ talisman) so that people won't get mad at him or something......nahhh.....
Actually, I have made plans to join Ali and his gang to ride to Pendas this morning but since Boboy says that he has other plans in the afternoon, so we decided to ride Pekan Nanas instead.
We left Ah Fan's at 8.45 am and rode the wet and slippery road heading to Gunung Pulai Reserve Park. While riding past a Chinese house, I stumbled upon a dog whom was quite startled to see me...he had this undecided look on his face...whether to jump on me or to back away....maybe it's me giving him this fierce look or maybe he haven't gotten his breakfast yet that made him backing away and not giving me any problem...haha...Boboy rode past him cautiously....in case he changed his mind and decided to give us a chase.......=p
We were riding leisurely...enjoying the cool morning breeze after the rain.....and we thought we were the only schmuck rid
ing that morning....when we come across this guy, Najib from Cyclemotion JB....he leads us to his gang, who were unloading their bikes from their cars. They were going for trail riding, surveying for new trails for their upcoming HASH in Pekan Nanas in early August...they invited us to join in but since Boboy could not commit...and I don't want my bike to get all too dirty..so we had decline the offer. But I will surely participate in their HASH..if God willing......just have to monitor for the latest updates in their website and see whether it's a go or no go....
ing that morning....when we come across this guy, Najib from Cyclemotion JB....he leads us to his gang, who were unloading their bikes from their cars. They were going for trail riding, surveying for new trails for their upcoming HASH in Pekan Nanas in early August...they invited us to join in but since Boboy could not commit...and I don't want my bike to get all too dirty..so we had decline the offer. But I will surely participate in their HASH..if God willing......just have to monitor for the latest updates in their website and see whether it's a go or no go....
We had our breakfast at the warong near the picnic area for about an hour before heading back to Ah Fan's...It was still early, so we decided to hanged out at the mamak till noon....
I left Pekan Nanas at 12.30pm...heading home..not quite satisfied with the ride this morning....if only it had'nt rain.....maybe I'd be trail riding to PUB reservoir....hmmm...
I have another plan with Leman in the afternoon - to survey riding route to Empangan Sultan Iskandar, Kongkong for our next riding event...but that's another story.....
I have another plan with Leman in the afternoon - to survey riding route to Empangan Sultan Iskandar, Kongkong for our next riding event...but that's another story.....
mukadimah
Mukadimah or simply in english, introductions means that I've to say something in advance before I start writting in this blog..hmm..
The reason I created this blog is to share my new found interest...cycling or to be more precise, mountain biking.....
I have always fond of cycling..ever since my school days...but gave it up as I entered Secondary 4 in '91....where I took public transport to school..and since then, cycling has been a long lost memory for me...
In '98-'99, the urged to start riding again kicks in when me and some colleagues starts renting bikes and cruising along the seaside in Desaru...we planned to get ourselves our own bikes but then the idea just dissappear...just like that...probably due to our busy schedules and workloads...
I have tried other hobbys such as mountain climbing (twice..hehe)....playing soccer, futsals and even kit building....but when I was re-introduced to MTB by a colleague in December 2008, I just don't hold back anymore..
After 3 months riding a loaned bike from a friend, I finally purchase my first real MTB in February 2009...a stock Merida Matts MD40...and since then has gone some upgradings till the bike it is today.
In this blog, I will share my riding experience, in hope to enlighten others to join in...with one aim in mind...to create a healthy society thru sports....err...I guess.....=p
Pardon me as I will be writting in both Bahasa and English or even sometimes "rojak" (mixed)...much easier for me to expressed myself....hehehe
The reason I created this blog is to share my new found interest...cycling or to be more precise, mountain biking.....
I have always fond of cycling..ever since my school days...but gave it up as I entered Secondary 4 in '91....where I took public transport to school..and since then, cycling has been a long lost memory for me...
In '98-'99, the urged to start riding again kicks in when me and some colleagues starts renting bikes and cruising along the seaside in Desaru...we planned to get ourselves our own bikes but then the idea just dissappear...just like that...probably due to our busy schedules and workloads...
I have tried other hobbys such as mountain climbing (twice..hehe)....playing soccer, futsals and even kit building....but when I was re-introduced to MTB by a colleague in December 2008, I just don't hold back anymore..
After 3 months riding a loaned bike from a friend, I finally purchase my first real MTB in February 2009...a stock Merida Matts MD40...and since then has gone some upgradings till the bike it is today.
In this blog, I will share my riding experience, in hope to enlighten others to join in...with one aim in mind...to create a healthy society thru sports....err...I guess.....=p
Pardon me as I will be writting in both Bahasa and English or even sometimes "rojak" (mixed)...much easier for me to expressed myself....hehehe
So I guess this is it...my mukadimah......so till my next riding log.....ride on....
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