akmal's bike park

akmal's bike park

Tuesday 28 April 2009

klmbh epic bike hash

I've registered for the event today.
It'll be on the 10th. May 2009, Sunday.

My personal objective for joining the ride event is to:
  • ride with fellow KL friends
  • measure how far can I go

On the way to KL, I could deliver my elder brother Amri's bike. Perhaps I could stop by MPH at Mid Valley to grab an mtb book. And also to Giant Sri Hartamas just to check it out.

A lot of factors needed to be sorted out. Dino, Kadafi and a couple of friends in KL helped a lot for the transport, accommodation and waypoint.

Go here to register.

The hash is one of my ride wishlist (see panel on the right). And talking about ride wishlist, Dino updated me about my other one - the PCC Presidential Ride '09. Apparently, the event scheduled on the 14th June is postponed to some time in August. More time to prepare for it. And hopefully the final date won't be clashing with other family events or anything.



Thursday 23 April 2009

think green



I don't really calculate how much I save on petrol bills when I RTW. Non-monetary benefits that I get out of it, however, I cherish so much:
  • Stress buster. A way for me to vent my steam - through the pedals.
  • Workout for my health. Remember - health is wealth.
  • Disciplined, time-wise. I seldom arrive at the office later than 0740 hours on my RTW days.
  • Being green - one less car on the road (and one free parking space in front of my office for others too).
  • Saves me money. I'm less prone to divert to hypermarkets or even a sundry shop, compared to if I'm driving the car.
However, you can calculate how much you save by riding a bicycle to work with tips from Azizan.


I'm not really a green guy, but I like to think that I contribute a small part whenever I RTW.

image hacked from my friend T's original.



Wednesday 22 April 2009

night ride - 30.04.2009

Night ride is back, a pre-holiday ride before May day.
That's what Panjang's poster says.
This time it'll be from Pasir Gudang to Senibong and back to PG.
I'll be joining the ride from Seri Alam insyaAllah, and complete the loop by riding back to SA from PG.
Or so the plan :)
The other option for me is to go to Kafe Ruza Taman Scientex straight from work and join the ride from there.
Join us!


carbon clavicle, anyone?

inForm Technology Aids in Lance Armstrong's Recovery
from:
http://www.bontrager.com/news/inform_technology_aids_in_lance_armstrongs_recovery/en dated 1st. April 2009.

Armstrong and equipment sponsor Bontrager, jointly announced that he was the world's first recipient of an inForm® Full Carbon Clavicle Upgrade

Few points there:
  • Bontrager not only sponsor bike equipment, but venturing into body replacement parts as well.
  • Clavicle Upgrade. Yup, you get lighter clavicle. I wonder if there'll be another surgery for the left clavicle - just so to balance things out.
  • There are always opportunities for every mishap.
  • There are unlimited ways to April Fool
'Nuff said. It woulda be cool, though.
:)


Tuesday 21 April 2009

Welcome to Seri Alam

I got an email yesterday from Fitri, a UniKL Seri Alam student. Been here in Seri Alam since early April. Hails from Langkawi, and looking for riding buddies while he's here.

I went out from the office early yesterday and met him with his friend Bob. We talked, and shared stories over roti canai, otak-otak, roti nan, and drinks.
He's a proud owner of an old school Schwinn hapakenamantah full susser. It'll be a cool thing to see such bike being ridden by a young lad.

The main reason for this blog is for me to share my passion for mtb. I'm glad that through this medium also riders are connected. Hope that more good things would come out of this.

Welcome to Masai, Fitri.
Bring along your bike and stuff the next time you come back to SA from Langkawi. And those cheap stuff and jajan over there, too. Meanwhile, join us for pre-ride breakfast on Sundays at Ruza Café.


Wednesday 15 April 2009

RTW 15.04.09 - clipless and leisurely

I went out at 0650 hours.
The orange-red rays of the sun cast on the lower clouds greeted me, on the bike after 5 days of resting.
Subhanallah. What a sight.

Stats today (to):

  • Distance: 12.33km
  • Average speed: 23.6 km/h (this is beginning to be a good habit, beyond 22)
  • Max speed: 40.4 km/h
  • Ride time: 32 mins 56 secs
  • Total ride time: about 38 minutes (traffic lights, crossing the road, etc.)
  • Number of doggies: nil

My average is nowhere near 25, but well above 22. Something to be smiled about.
Again, managed to be in 44/11 ratio most of the time. Except, of course at Kg. Baru Masai uphill before the school. I guess I'm a bit faster than most cars, if they give me the chance to overtake them.

A bit of the experiment - clipless and leisurely. Yeah, not really pushing it this morning. Anyway, a 5-day hiatus got me a bit excited. I might have pushed a wee bit uphill towards the traffic light near Masjid Jamek Pasir Gudang. Man, it feels awesome. It would have been better if greeted with the green light, though.


 



Friday 10 April 2009

RTW 10.04.09

I went out at 0707 hours. Not a good habit nowadays, going out after 0700.
Stats today (to):

Distance: 12.31km
Average speed: 24.4 km/h.
Max speed: 37.1 km/h
Ride time: 31 mins 23 secs
Total ride time: about 37 minutes (traffic lights, crossing the road, etc.)
Number of doggies: nil

My average is about the same as yesterday's.The thing is, like yesterday, I pushed a little more than usual. Stopped for traffic only twice, and managed to be in 44/11 ratio most of the time.

Next ride would be experimental - clipless and leisurely. That is, if I go out real early. Nevertheless, I enjoy having the early morning sun accompanying me with my ride.


Thursday 9 April 2009

RTW 09.04.2009 - clipless

It has been almost a month since my last RTW. I went out a bit late today, and took the shortcut route.

I went out at 0710 hours. Stats today (to):

Distance: 12.45km
Average speed: 24.6 km/h. Unsangkarable.
Max speed: 38.7km/h
Ride time: 30 mins 25 secs
Total ride time: about 37 minutes (traffic lights, crossing the road, etc.)
Number of doggies: One. She was actually startled when I rang my bell while she was about to cross the street after peeing on some rubbish by the roadside :)



At 0630 this morning, it was pouring down for a while. By the time I was out of the house, it stopped, leaving the road a bit wet. Never mind. I'm riding clipless to work today, for the first time.

Virtually riding with 44T in front and 11T at the rear for most of the time. Thanks largely to the magic of clipless pedaling system. It actually helps to pull up the pedal and gain more pushing power. Thus, the high gearing and high speed henceforth. So, I could more or less maintain my speed and momentum. Also by the grace of Allah, I stopped only thrice (usually 5-6) at the junctions and traffic lights - seems like that traffic lights are cooperating for this historic day(!).

Well, perhaps reaching above 25km/h someday? Not a target, really, but I'll post about it if the day arrives.