RTW 09.07.09 - cadence training with zikrullah

Went out at 0705 hours. Reached office at 0745 hours.

 

Stats today (to):

Ride time: 31m 4s

Dist: 11.64 km

Ave: 22.5 km/h

Max: 40.8 km/h

Odo: 2317.2 km

Good doggies : 3 – looking for their breakfast. No time to play around chasing people on bikes.

 

Forgotten to reset my computer for this morning’s stat. Only noticed it when I was already about 1 km on the road.

 

Carred out cadence training, trying to get the rhythm for 80 rpm. Gear changing plays a big role here. Too many times I slipped into 60. My thighs are burning in getting to 80. Have to keep reminding myself that it’s the rpm that counts, not the speed.

 

One of the things I like about RTW is that I have a quiet time for myself along the 40 minutes journey. For me, it’s not an ideal session for self-reflection, so I try to fill it with zikrullah. Zikrullah also helps in cadence training. The rhythm aids in the cycle of spinning the crank. Up the tempo, I’ll get higher cadence. If I notice that I’m doing it slow, I know that my cadence is low.

 

It is more or less inspired by a movie (an old one) starred by Bruce Willis – can’t remember the title. Two burglars, who time themselves by singing songs. If they have only 3 minutes, they would sing a 3 minute song that they know, and so on. It kept them on track, timewise, and keeping out the tense. With zikrullah, insyaAllah, the journey is a blessed one.

 

Quite often, I found myself slipping into a song playing in my mind. Not an easy thing, zikrullah. However, I believe that with repetition, it will become second nature. Give it a try.

RTW 08.07.09 - pasir gudang highway counterflow

Went out at 0711 hours. Reached office at 0751 hours.

 

Stats today (to):

Ride time: 31m 13s

Dist: 10.56 km

Ave: 20.3 km/h

Max: 41.9 km/h

Odo: 2294.7 km

Doggies : nil.

 

Out late (taking out the trash, feed the cats, yada yada yada…).

It’s been quite some time since my last ride via Kota Puteri, Bukit Rinting and Taman Rinting.

 

Two hills, an estuary and coming out to the Pasir Gudang Highway. I decided to go towards the workplace using PGH, counterflow. It was already past 0745 hours, so the flow towards JB is not as busy had it be earlier than that. I rode on the grass most of the time, sometimes hopping up onto tarmac when there are no vehicles coming up. The journey is quite smooth, as in uninterrupted, while the grass gives bumpy ride all along.

 

Distance cut by 2.5km, ride time shortened by about 8 minutes. And, no doggies at all.

J

 

Boy, it’s quite exhausting. Trying to keep cadence, while riding on grass and the incoming wind from the lorries and other vehicles. Not to mention, the two hills at Taman Bukit Rinting earlier.

SRAM's XX

I’m scouring the net, to find out about Avid’s Matchmaker. It led me to some other thing.

 

SRAM XX - SRAM's first MTB groupset, featuring:

·         2x10 gearing system.

·         2-ring crankset (not planetary ones like HammerSchmidt – too heavy for XC).

·         hydraulic pushloc for Motion Control (essentially, a lockout).

·         10 speed cog - CNC machined from solid metal block.

·         10 speed chain (okay, they’re using their road groupset for this).

 

Okay, this news is rather old. It was first unveiled in late May in Italy. Slated to go on sale this month.

 

My current setup on the Bianchi is SRAM/Avid/Truvativ/Rock Shox componentry. I vouch for the smooth shifting of the X.9’s, paired with Stylo GXP crankset. So yes, I’m glad that they’re finally coming together with this groupset. One thing I really like about it is how boundaries are pushed, revealing innovative ideas and put to reality.

 

I doubt that they are going to be cheap. The rivalry is against Shimano’s XTR. Me, I could just drool. X.9 setup is doing great for me for now. Besides, I’m using 44T for RTW, and resting it over the weekend for offroads, using 34 and granny rings. I’m happy. No, no sour grapes here.

 

Ah, and for the Matchmaker, it won’t fit for Avid SD7 levers and X.9 shifters I’m currently using.

Hmm… never mind, then.

 

take a look at the products here:

http://www.sram.com/en/XX/products/

 

design stage storyboard here (very nice):

http://www.sram.com/en/XX/innovation/

 

good previews here:

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/sram-unveil-new-xx-mountain-bike-groupset-21756 (price and weight listed here too!)

http://bicycling.com/blogs/millimeters/2009/05/27/sram-xx-part-ii/

http://www.bikemagic.com/news/article/mps/uan/7053

 

photo from SRAM’s website

RTW 03.07.09 - the shortcut via Kg. Baru Masai II

Went out at 0711 hours (again). Reached office at 0751 hours (yet again).

 

Stats today (to):

Ride time: 37m 14s

Dist: 12.93 km

Ave: 20.8 km/h

Max: 40.6 km/h

Odo: 2204.2 km

Good doggies: 3.

 

Late again, and riding mode is mixed. At times leisurely, and some short periods of power pedaling.

 

I’m bringing a camera along today, just to take the photo of those gorgeous rambutans - my excuse for using the kampung route.

 

 

RTW 02.07.09 - the shortcut via Kg. Baru Masai

Went out at 0711 hours. Reached office at 0751 hours.

 

Stats today (to):

Ride time: 37m 31s

Dist: 12.50 km

Ave: 19.9 km/h

Max: 35.7 km/h

Odo: 2181.3 km

Good doggies: 2.

 

Running on full knobbies yesterday, I suffered yet another puncture on the rear tire on my way home. I decided to take my time with that, and put a patch on the tube. Usually I would just replace the punctured tube with my spare, and patch it at home. It marked my first time of patch and re-use the tube to move on. Time taken: didn’t care J

 

This morning I’m riding in puasa mode. Slow and steady, although I’m already late. My plan to catch up with the time lost: use the shortcut that Ramesh told me of. It’s a relatively flat route, going through Kg. Baru Masai.

 

I enjoyed the alternative route very much, though it’s only a short one before resuming back to my usual route at the downhill behind Balai Polis Masai. A change in scenery is nice. Nice indeed, looking at the rambutan trees gleaming with red and yellow patches early in the morning.  The kampong route brought me back to the days when I used to ride through Kg. Chubadak and Kg. Bandar Dalam in KL. Ahh… bliss…

 

Reached the office past 0750 hours, and my office mate greeted me with ‘lambat hari ni?’.

Hmm…

 

Well, the shortcut that I thought of is not really a shortcut. My distance traveled this morning is the same as my usual rides. I did skip the uphill at Suria area in Seri Alam. Not to mention the blissful time riding through Kg. Baru.

Thanks for the tip, Ramesh.

 

I’m still thinking of the rambutans hanging from the trees…

RTW 01.07.09 - full knobbies + cadence 80

Went out at 0701 hours. Reached office at 0739 hours.

 

Stats today (to):

 

Ride time: 35m 44s

Dist: 12.51 km

Ave: 21.0 km/h

Max: 35.8 km/h

Odo: 2158.9 km

Good doggies: 3.

 

My rear tire suffered 2 punctures last week. Upon inspection, the rear tire is already thinning, and most of the tread in the middle are nearly gone. My spare tire around the waist somehow is gaining thickness. Thus, I decided to don a full knobby wheelset on the bike. A bit of resistance training, coupled with cadence training.

 

I don’t have a cadence meter, but I tried to keep track of my cadence by counting the strokes and glancing at my watch. 20 strokes in 15 seconds means 80 rpm. 15 seconds x 4 = 60 seconds = 1 minute. Thus 20 strokes x 4 = 80 rpm. Why 80? Because MBA mag says so. Well… it is quite efficient pedaling rpm, taking into account the volume of oxygen taken in vs. power output.

 

So far, it is quite tiring. Quite early to say whether the theory works for me or not.

Offroad 21.06.09 - heroes

Quite a few mishaps along the 26km offroad ride last weekend. Every time, heroes emerging among the 13 riders, lending helping hands for each other.

We went in from Cafe Ruza without our usual guide Inche Panjang, who went back to his kampung to see his folks and a friend coming back from the Middle East. So, we had to rely on our agak2 guide - Atuk. The first hero of the day.

hah... ini laa Atuk

On road from Ruza to Nusa Damai, then to Seri Alam via palm oil plantation. Up to the Galaxy Tower (aka Bukit Love) near Cactus Inn (aka Kandang Kuda). Took a breather following the uphill, enjoying the Seri Alam scenery, and deciding where to go next.

view of Seri Alam

From the vantage point, we saw the hill (and the downhill) of 'Bukit 9G'. The group decided to scale it, to savour the speed afterwards. And yes, we decided to call it 'Bukit Sembilan G'. No, not sembilang the fish.

I took the half climb route, then went down. So that I could have a good view of people bombing downhill. This is the second time, and the condition was quite good. Quite controllable compared to before. So I decided to go easy on the brakes. Man, what a thrill speeding downhill.

stronger and able men pedal up all the way. the rest, well...

*actual slope. image not tilted

superb skill, going downhill backwards. get in touch with Amir for lessons.

no, not the wild one like in Chenulang.

taking a breather after Bukit Anjing, before going downhill.

We climbed from halfway up Bukit Anjing af terwards, and went down. The first mishap happened. Amir somehow banged his knees on the pedals. Bruises on both knees, and could not continue the ride. Bob helped with the scratch wounds.

Called up his dad and agreed to meet up at Cactus Inn. Jamal assisted by giving a push while Amir pedaled on his bike. About a few hundred meters later, we heard the rumble of a motorbike. The man agreed to help send Amir to Cactus Inn. Another hero. Unfortunately I didn't ask for the man's name, and tak sempat amik gambar aney tu.

Another hero needed, to bring out Amir's bike. I'm not sure what's the distance, but Kadafi did superbly going both up and down the terrain out to Cactus Inn. On foot, and on the saddle. Lu memang champion la bro!

Kadafi - twin bike riding.
on foot...


...and on the saddle

Reza broke a chain link while going to Cactus Inn, and I helped with the 'longer time but cheap' way. Used for the first time my chain cutter on the Topeak Mini 18+. Man, it is now rusted a bit, although I had oiled the whole of the unit. Oit Reza, apesal kau tak amik gambar aku haa?

Hafiz suffered a flat tire. Bob, EG and Budiman to the rescue and offered help.

We moved in again, and off to the 'badminton' rubber tapper hut. Then to Mashi Maro, another hut. After that we went back through the sand desert, exiting at Flora Heights.

Hafiz, Jamal and I were at the back end. Jamal asked me to take a video of him jumping up a mound, so Hafiz went by himself to group up with the others. When Jamal and I arrived, we came to know that two falls had taken place at the downhill towards FH. Hafiz and EG were involved, in two separate accidents. No heroes needed, as the guys could take the fall, and the ride nearing end already - you know how charged up you could be when the ending is near.

So, that's my coverage for last week's ride. We had those basic mtb emergencies and injuries. Hats off to all the heroes. Spirit of Biking Brotherhood alive. Been 2 weeks for me, and I enjoyed it tremendously.

RTW 25.06.09 - puasa mode with flat tire

Went out at 0651 hours. Reached office at 0749 hours. Close to an hour.

 

Stats today (to):

Ride time: 39m 55s

Dist: 12.63 km

Ave: 19.0 km/h

Max: 35.0 km/h

Odo: 2110.7 km

Mangy doggies: 3 :)

 

I'm riding in puasa mode today. Slow and steady, no rush. I went out of the house early for that. The roads are not busy. Looking at my stats, yes, I was really taking my time. 19 km/h average, and max 35.0 km/h.

 

As I crossed the road after Stadium Pasir Gudang, my tire went flat. I managed to be calm and composed. Took out the fresh spare tube (note to self: patch the punctured tube, and put it back in later) and hand pump (or is it actually ‘compressor’?) and looked at my watch.

 

I have ample time for replacing the tube. Luckily my semislicks are of those folded type, easy removal and putting them back in. Pumped in air just enough to carry on, and I’m back on the saddle again. That took me 8 minutes. I don’t know whether that’s considered fast or slow, but I think that’s the fastest I’ve ever done changing tubes.

 

The culprit? A shard of glass. Quite a big puncture. Oops, I threw it away. Usually I’m a bit sentimental about it. You know, how that shard of glass presented me the challenge, bla bla blah… I kept the tiny thorn that ‘helped’ me learn how to change tubes, but I lost it now. So I thought for this glass, just rather move on and fahgeddaboudit. I keep the lessons, good enough for me.

 

RTW 24.06.09 - simply late

Went out at 0716 hours. Reached office at 0755 hours.

Stats today (to):

Ride time: 36m 47s
Dist: 12.60 km
Ave: 20.5 km/h
Max: 41.4 km/h
Odo: 2088.2 km
Good doggies: a lot! Lost count. Everyone seems to be up already by the time I pass by their spots.

 

Simply late.

Fed the cat, and took my time.

And ride ultra-leisurely. Don't want to get too sweaty. Also I wanted to see how it would fare, in preparation for tomorrow's fasting ride (as in 'puasa', not 'speedy').

 

I think this is the most late arrival at the office of all my RTWs. Still it is before 8 o'clock. I don't quite like it. The roads seem to be much busier, and vehicles are speedier when it is 0740 hours. Everyone is racing for the punchcard (or swipe machines). Quite challenging to cross the roads, although it is quite easy when pedaling uphill towards the Masjid Jamek Pasir Gudang's traffic light - cars are jam packed and static, giving me comfortable room to needle through.

find the rider

can you find EG in all these photos?

EG in full camo suit, from top to toe, including water bladder.

RTW 19.06.09 - puasa yang yok mode

Went out at 0656 hours. Reached office at 0735 hours.

Stats today (to):
Ride time: 35m 43s
Dist: 12.59 km
Ave: 21.1 km/h
Max: 37.7 km/h
Odo: 2039.0 km
Good doggies: a lovey-dovey couple and another who seems to care about his poo more than anything in the world at that moment.

I'm riding in puasa mode today. That though actually came about after a I was a few kms on the road this morning, after I have sipped a few short gulps of water. Yes, why not. Ramadhan is nearing, and it has been quite some time since my last puasa sunat.

Pedaling slow and steady is the trick. The results: a bit faster, not much sweat and heat. Also a little less tiring. The thing is, I can only try it out first time next Wed or Thu.

Explored a route yesterday evening for riding back home. It's alongside the Pasir Gudang highway. On grass and gravel. No more riding along that short distance where I have to go head-to-head with vehicles on a narrow path.

RTW 18.06.09 - kayuhan malas

Went out at 0656 hours. Reached office at 0739 hours.

Stats today (to):
Ride time: 36m 06s
Dist: 12.58 km
Ave: 20.9 km/h
Max: 36.1 km/h
Odo: 2013.8 km
Good doggies: 3

mode: leisurely (read: malas kayuh).
:)
Been a week since my last ride. Phewww...
As usual I enjoyed it, nonetheless.

I started with my odometer at 2001 km this morning. On to the next 1000 km! Err... in a few months time, perhaps? Not really targeting my distance, but 80 km a week would be marvellous enough for me. That would take me 12.5 weeks. 3 months or so.
Hmm... not bad.

octalink crankset removal - the solution

I noticed that local readers and from faraway lands visiting this humble bike blog are looking for solution on a problem posed by Shimano: how to remove octalink crankset.

You need a special tool for it. Shimano's TL-FC15.

If you don't have it, you can machine it yourself. Atuk from Seri Alam did just that. I borrowed from him to remove my LX crankset. My problem solved.

We are not fortunate enough like Atuk, having a lathe machine at his workplace to machine bike parts during lunch hours. Heck, he also machined a metal bashguard for himself. That's another story altogether of course.

Rejoice, everyone, for we have the help of engineering marvel. And hardware stores.

You can use a bolt in lieu of the special tool. Okay, you can shout 'yay!' now.

Yes, a bolt. No, not that Disney's dog. Just a humble bolt from your local hardware store.

Go find yourself a bolt with the head diameter of about Ø16mm. No bigger, and not much smaller. Also take note that the height of the bolt head should be as minimum as possible. Height of about 13mm would render it useless - you would not be able to screw in the crank removal tool onto the crank thread.

I hope this helps. If it does, do come back here and tell us your story (in less than 100 words). This tip was given by BC Kelolo many moons ago.

CF TT session 12.06.2009

I attended OGA 2009 exhibition at KL Convention Center on Friday 12th. June 2009.

Killed 3 birds with 1 stone.

1. Visited Ibu and Ayah at Senawang the night before.
2. Attended the exhibition.
3. Meet up with riders for CF TT session at Pelita Restaurant Jalan Ampang.

I went there quite early - was already there by 5:30 pm. Famished, for I didn't really had a good lunch. The sky was also getting dark, with occasional thunder. It's never a bad thing to be early, anyway. Well, I'm quite early - by half an hour for the regular once-a-month meeting on every second Friday of the month. I killed time with a plate of nasi goreng and iced tea avec lychee. Apparently I killed only 10 minutes of the time with those. Very well then, it wouldn't do any harm to me for a glass of teh tarik, though the TT session is not about teh tarik itself.

Azizan came around 6:30 pm. He was caught in a jam. Imagine being caught in a jam in KL streets even though you're riding a bicycle. That bad. Kuman came too, albeit only for a while. Thoryol Pemalu, BC Kelolo and Axy were also there that evening. Ahh, faces are now attached to familiar nicknames found in BBS. 2 other fellas joined us, before the scheduled slow ride from Pelita starts. Being a shy guy, I didn't ask for their names. *blush*

What do I think of the session? It's a social meet up among bikers. Naturally, the topics being discussed are about bicycles - bikes, gadgets, happenings, events and the likes. I got positive feedbacks about this blog from Azizan, too. Something that we need, once in a while. Azizan also told me that somehow this blog bars him from posting comments through Opera on his mobile phone. Must be some setting somewhere, which I don't really have a good knowledge of.

I didn't RTW on a CF last Friday, but I reckon attending the small gathering is much more special. So yes, it's a good monthly gathering. I'll try to make it the next time I'm in KL on the meeting day insyaAllah.

Huhu... I bet Azizan is itching to post a comment on this one. How about a short ride to the 'net cafe, bro?

:)

l to r: azizan fixie, thoryol pemalu, ?, ?, bc kelolo, axy

classic bike bell

I was browsing the net with my daughter Marsya to help her with his school work. The subject is 'springs'.

So we googled for images of ehm ehm, full suspension bikes and also a bike bell (among other everyday things with springs of course).

This one from Zakkaliciousness' flickr caught my attention. Rustic bike bell. A visit to Søren Sögreni's website, and suddenly I was like transported to 50 years ago.

The price? 199dkk. That's about RM140. Pheww...

Anyway, a website with prices displayed is very nice website. I have always liked them.

Also from the flickr pages, I came to know that in Denmark bike bells are mandatory.

By the way, I still can't figure it out how to ring the Sogreni's bell.

Image by Zakkaliciousness