Plentong Epic Ride 2010

checkpoints and details

 

I arrived at Neo's place to gather with the trail crews for manning the CPs and trail works. We went in at around 7.00 am. Atuk and I are assigned to man the first fork. Basically to get the riders to flow to the correct trail (eventhough the trail marking is adequate). The other job there is to take off the markings once the sweeper (Tarmizi EG) passes us by. That site is quite near to the finish run and we don't want the incoming rider to take the wrong turn (and complete another run of 60 km) instead of pedaling home.

 

Jai came by and eventually we agreed for him to man the post. Atuk and I proceeded to another junction not far ahead to station there. Again, to get the riders to flow to the right turning. The first four riders with Ali Tamago 5 in the bunch came swooping by at 8.21 am. EG came by quite late as there were 3 riders from S'pore who reached Plentong only after 8.30 am.

 

We proceeded to the trail en route to CP1 and stopped at a junction to re-route the trail. Cleared off the markings and laid down new ones for the Chicken Run for riders coming in from CP1. This time Fadzil and Zaid were with us too. Job done, and we headed to CP1.

 

We arrived at CP circa 10.00 am. I met a few familiar faces, including Fuad, Jai (again, on his motocross), Nassim, Sham Rudy and few others. Heard about a rider having a gash on his leg from a fall over there.

 

Not long after that, Panjang came by and we proceeded to CP5 straight away. I love the uphill towards CP5. However, there's a caveat. You have to go through some sort of a swamp before you could start climbing. My otherwise clean bike was instantly splattered with muck.

 

I spent quite some time up there, waiting for the first rider to arrive. At 11.33, the first rider who completed all CPs arrived. Acai had to paste the green spot on his riding passport on-the-fly, for the caucasian didn't want to stop at all. Tulang the ABS rider came by at 12.09 pm. Not bad, he's among the top 20 finisher.

 

At around 12.30 we went down towards the starting/finishing point and browsed around the gallery. There were a few stalls that day. Cycling Asia, Nur Ikhsan (Md Noor), GA MTB (ride registration), Angah Bike Shack, Jean Bike Shop (Jason), mj@bp's (finall, get to meet the person), Red Bull (free drinks). Did I miss any?

 

I lingered there until 1.00 pm and pedaled home to the house in Plentong. Not too exhausting, for I cycled only around 16 km. As always, I couldn't take the heat from the sun. It's too taxing for me. Anyway, the weather was nice all throughout the event, before it rained quite heavily a few hours after that.

 

Anyone could attest that the organisation and execution of the event are tops. From the few feedbacks I had from riders at CP1, they enjoyed the trail eventhough I could see their energy drained. I missed the lucky draw event. Better that way, for I would be really envious with the person who brought back a complete bike - Giant full suspension Yukon FX, sponsored by Angah Bike Shack.

 

Were you there? How was your experience riding the Plentong Epic?

 

If you've missed out the ride, make sure you free up your schedule for the next one.

 

Read some of the reviews and feedbacks:

http://www.cyclemotion2000.com/cycleforum/YaBB.pl?num=1258356171

 

photos from my camera.

 

RTW 27.11.2010 - Haris' First RTW

Helmetless rider on his maiden RTW

 

I have a RTW buddy now, at least for half of the way to and fro via the L-Route.

 

Saturday 27/11, I RTW with Haris for his maiden ride to the office. As agreed (and on time), I reached his house at 7.15 am. Snapped a few photos, and we're off 3 minutes later.

 

From his house, the route is virtually flat at the beginning, going to the nearby flats (pun intended!), and a gentle slope downhill towards the jetty at Sungai Rinting before Kampung Pasir Gudang Baru. After crossing the narrow bridge is a short, steep climb. Then it goes downhill again, gently, and flat all the way to the office.

 

Total time from Haris' place to the office is 15 minutes leisure ride. Less than 10 cars in total passing us by, including the short stretch of Pasir Gudang Highway (around 300 meters). A reason obvious enough to take up RTW.

 

No stats, accidentally deleted.

Duhh!

 

Other photos are here.

 

Have a safe ride.

Thanks for coming around.

PER 2010 - Bertaraf Dunia (kata HM)

Heheh... gua dah kata dah...

Tapi listing masa tu tak termasuk daripada Brazil.

 

Macamana pulak boleh Hairan Metro letak 'Kejohanan', gua memang heran.

 

scanned newscutting dari Mr. Ayub CA

See Ya!

See y'all at Plentong Epic Ride 2010.

 

I won't be riding along, but insyaAllah manning checkpoint 1.

 

Enjoy your weekend rides!

GA MTB Ride 2011 - 30.01.2011

Tahun depan punya cerita...

Ia akan kembali!

 

Aku turut serta kayuhan ni sebagai pembuka tirai untuk kayuhan luar kawasan tahun ini, tapi masa tu namanya GA Fun Ride (GA = Gugusan Adela). Memang cun, aku enjoy sangat masa tu.

 

Masih terlalu awal, tak tahu apa inti cerita untuk kayuhan anjuran untuk edisi kedua ini. Yang nyatanya, akan ada perubahan lah, melihatkan dari yuran penyertaannya. Kali ini RM40, berbanding RM10. Tapi tak boleh lah nak harapkan sampai 4 kali ganda lebih best (atau bukit 4 kali ganda tinggi, jarak 4 kali ganda jauh), kan? Jarak kayuhan 50 km, up 25% dari yang pertama. Harga nasik ayam takkan naik tinggi macam tu kan. Ni aku saspek disebabkan ada bagi t-shirt, goodies, medal dan cabutan bertuah (eh, tahun lepas pun ada) Maknanya penganjuran dah up siket lah. Yang penting, trail mantap. Aku yakin diorang buat lebih baik dari yang lepas.

 

Tarikh tutup penyertaan 31.12.2010. Ada masa lagi ni, nak kumpul $. Sehari singgit, insyaAllah cukup siap ada belen lagi, sikit-sikit tu.

 

Apa-apa pun, aku memang teruja untuk turut serta insyaAllah. Dan aku yakin, kali ni ramai lagi yang akan turun ke Gugusan Adela. Dengar-dengar Tinker Juarez pun dah kontek Joni dah tu, tempah nombor plet dengan nak bukak gerai mihun.

 

Ayoh!

 

Lawat sini: http://gamtbride2011.blogspot.com untuk maklumat mutakhir.

RTW 13.11.2010 - Ridge: Haris' Rig

It's a Saturday, and it has been quite a while since I last RTW on a Sat. The main factor: I hate to be baked under the scorching afternoon sun.

 

Today it's different, it's a test ride. I assembled my officemate Haris' Raleigh Ridge. Build from largely second hand parts, except for the saddle, pedals, tire tubes and rear brake cable. My personal thanks go out to Fuad of MAIJ for selling me dirt cheap near complete bike parts. In turn, the low cost is transfered to my client. All in the cause of inducting one new rider in the office, for RTW.

:)

 

The bike is a hardtail 8 speed with v-brake setup. Basically it'll be used on the L Route. From Haris' house, it'll take him max 15 minutes, to the office. That's the main motivation for him to start RTW, and so I'll have a riding buddy soon.

 

The bike is fairly light (that's according to Haris; I didn't weigh it). For me, it is not. Well, he's a newbie, perhaps excited with it. Anyway, light is not what you get for very much less than RM1000.

 

The ride is quite good. Although the BB's bearings are kaput, the pedalling is not uncomfortable at all. However, I'm going back to the bike shop to discuss further on the BB. Shifting is smooth, but there's a minor glitch on the RD setting (if you've been following me, that's my specialty). Brakes are good with ample stopping power. Overall it's a rideable bike, good for the purpose. His only concern is the handlebar could be better if it is wider. So I'll be looking out for one.

 

Stats for today:

no computer installed on the bike

Out from home: 0715 hours

Arrife office: 0746 hours

Door-to-door: 31 minutes

Good doggies: one busy momma

 

Photos? Nanti nanti lahh...

Have a good weekend, y'all.

RTW 10.11.2010 - Feeding the Crave

6.40 am and I thought that it would be good if I could RTW this morning, the first for this week. I'm suffering from lack of endorphin. Bike's gleaming ready from Sunday's wash after the offroad ride. Gloves, pants and jersey are all smelling fresh.

 

But, I have to send Umar to his babysitter's house and come back home in time. Decision has to be made real quick, for sending and getting back home would eat up precious 18 minutes (if the traffic is smooth and I could maintain 100 km/h on the road).

 

Suddenly it entered my mind that it has been a week since I had that awesome nasi lemak at Taman Rinting. So that was the deciding factor, made in two minutes. It'd be satisfying two cravings in a go. How nice.

:)

 

Eventually I went out of the gate at 7.17 am - certainly I failed to maintain 100 km/h, and the lights were not green along the way. Hence, I took the easy route - Tesco Seri Alam and crossed the interchange to Taman Rinting. Pit stop: the nasi lemak stall.

 

I don't know how the seller justifies the price, but it's quite peculiar to me.

The 'nasi lemak telur' is RM1.50; nasi lemak with a slice of cucumber, sambal, fried peanuts and some anchovies, and a whole boiled egg.

The 'nasi lemak biasa' is RM1.00; nasi lemak with a slice of cucumber, sambal, fried peanuts and some anchovies, and one half of boiled egg.

50 sen for one half of boiled egg is rather expensive!

Obviously I went with nasi lemak biasa, with lots of sambal. Its sambal is nice, reminds me of the nasi lemak by one akak tomboy in front of Wisma Technip in KL.

 

Continued the ride via the L Route, and I was greeted with mud at the unpaved section. It has been raining these past few days, and that's the result. I never imagined it could be like that, and have to accept the prospect of my bike (and quite possibly, shoes) getting dirty.

 

Well, it's not like I've never encountered such thing during offroad rides, but hey, during RTW I like it to be as clean as possible. Not so nice to haul a bike with mud-clogged knobby tyres up in the building and park it in the pantry. After all, the bike was gleaming clean when I went out of the house.

 

I finished with my shower at around 8.00, and had the awesome nasi lemak biasa afterwards.

 

So there I went, two cravings satisfied.

Alhamdulillah.

*burrpppp...

 

Stats today:

Out from home	0717	hours
Arrive office	0748	hours
Door-to-door	31	mins
Ride time	27'22"
Distance	10.15	km
Ave. speed	22.1	km/h
Max speed	39.0	km/h
Odometer	5580.0	km
Good doggies	0
Mode	tesco + L route,	Hollowpoint, knobbies

 

Thanks for coming over.

What's your RTW adventure today?

Essential Roadside Repair Clinic

An officemate, fellow RTW rider, encountered a broken chain not long after pedaling out from his house to the office yesterday morning. The nearby bike shop in Taman Chendana opened quite early, circa 9.30 am.

 

Two things can be avoided, with some essential roadside repair knowledge, skills and necessary spare bits with tools:

1. much delayed journey

2. cutthroat fixing fee

 

It was very unfortunate that he had to take a half-day off due to that. What's equally surprising is that the shop charged him RM5 (!) for the job.

 

With that, I'm planning for an Essential Roadside Repair Clinic soon.

 

Tentatively it will cover the common repairs such as fixing a broken chain (yes, you guessed that right), changing inner tube, how to patch a tube and some tips and tricks.

 

The plan is to do it at the parking lot of Bukit Layang Layang Pasir Gudang (nearest to Darul Hanan Orphanage), on a Sunday morning.

 

You don't have to pay any fee, just pay your attention.

Oh, and you need to bring your own essential repair kit, tools and spare bits too.

 

Amacam?

Plentong INTERNATIONAL Epic Ride 2010

Looking at the nationality of the event participants, I think it should be renamed as Plentong International Epic Ride 2010.

 

Largely Malaysian, there are also riders from various countries who have registered to take part. My guess is most are expatriates in Singapore, as I gathered from last year's chat during 2009's Epic Ride.

 

This year, there'll be riders of these nationalities (as of today):

Malaysian

American
Australian
British
Canadian
Dutch
Filipino
French
German
Hong Kong (Hongkese?)
Irish
Scottish
English
Spanish
Swedish

 

The registration closing date is coming to a close, on 13th November.

 

Be a part of the event. Come down to Plentong.

Rubber Snakes by Velo-Re

metalhead rubber snake for your waist

 

Cheap? Not so.

Cool? Definitely.

Obsession statement? You bet.

 

Wash before wear, though.

Sertu, much better. Pay attention to the small holes and crevices - particles of dog poo may still be present.

 

More of its siblings (and cousins) in the snakepit here.

 

photo taken from velo-re website

 

07.11.2010 - Seri Alam offroad - Epicon!

Tak ramai yang turun kat Kafe Ruza pagi semalam. Lepas sarapan, lagi sikit pukul 9, kitorang gerak bertujuh. Ok lah tu.

 

Dari 7 tu, 3 basikal guna Epicon siap dengan lockout remote control. 1 lagi XCR (SR Suntour jugak tu) pun ada remote control juga. 3 lagi RockShox apa tah, tak berapa ambik tau sangat.

 

Sepanjang kayuhan, memang rider-rider Epicon kat depan aje manjang. Naik bukit pun iya, turun bukit pun iya, flat section pun iya jugak. Toleh-toleh belakang, rider lain dah tertinggal dah. Terpaksa kitorang tunggu kejap.

 

Banyak kali jugak ride leader yang guna RockShox dan berGPS asek-asek suruh patah balik. Bila dah macam tu, rider Epicon automatik jadi sweeper lah kan, kat belakang pulak. Lantas rider-rider Epicon mencium bau konspirasi dari rider-rider RockShox. Tapi macamana pun, rider-rider Epicon tetap di hadapan semula, tanpa disedari menyelinap di celah-celah rider-rider RockShox. Naik Bukit Anjing pun siap boleh lumba lagi tu.

 

Ada ura-ura akan ditubuhkan Kelab Pemilik Epicon.

Berbagai aktiviti dah dirancang, termasuk rumah kelab, sticker (untuk kereta, fork, helmet, dahi), t-shirt, pertandingan pimp your Epicon, klinik selok-belok Epicon, lawatan ke kilang, mesyuarat agung tahunan berserta lucky draw, dan macam-macam lagi.

 

Amacam, berminat?

Dapat Epicon dulu, brader.

 

p/s: Nombor ahli dari 0001 hingga 0003 kitorang dah reserve.

Review: Deity Classic Grips

Deity Classic Grips - clean looking and, well, grippy

 

I got these about a couple of months ago, and has been using them on my XC rig since then. Offroad and on road use, full finger and half finger gloves, even with bare hands.

I'm not sure of the real function for the flanges on the inner end of the grips; and on these Deitys, they are not as tall as the normal ones you'd find on BMX bars. The design is as such so that it would not hinder the thumb movement and also not to restrict the shifter levers.

These are lock-on type secured on both ends with an allen key, and so they do not twist on the handlebar should you handle them roughly while gripping through offroad (although white knuckling is not really a good habit). Bar end closures are secured with an allen key, the same size as for the lock on rings.

The looks are decent and the build quality is good, with no visible untrimmed edges. The diamond knurled surface on the grips provide sureness along with the tacky rubber compound material. Be it with or without gloves, I get good grip on them even when my palms are sweaty. They are not too soft while not too hard or plasticky, and I guess Deity nailed it on the compound recipe. The design is simple and clean, with no assymmetrical details whatsoever. Just plain, diamond knurled profile surface, flanged lock-on grips.

I'm loving these now, for the grip it provides and its size fits my hands well - lengthwise, and diameter too. I find myself resting my thumbs' inners on the flange; and it feels, well, secure. Sort of.

See Deity's product page.

Downgrading - Epicon 120 mm with remote lockout & rebound

SR Suntour Epicon with remote lockout - does the job well

ziptie kat kaki kanan tu naik sampai atas - kayuhan Burung Hantu 2010

 

RockShox Revelation 409 100-130 Dual Air U-Turn aku menghadapi masalah. Anjal hanya setakat 30-40 mm. Apa barang macam tu, dah lah nak dibawak untuk Burung Hantu 2010. Maka Epicon 120 mm dengan remote lockout dan rebound adjust dari basikal isteri menjadi ganti.

 

Istimewanya, Epicon tu ada fungsi lockout. Hehehh... memang aku sangat suka. Tambah pulak kat handlebar dah banyak ruang sejak guna Matchmaker, maka tak ada masalah untuk letak remote control lockout. Seperti Revelation juga, ada fungsi rebound. Aku cuma letak setting di tengah-tengah.

 

Pagi Jumaat lepas, kebetulan cuti, aku buat proses pemindahan dan tanggalkan Revelation tu untuk dihantar servis (bila ma$a entah nanti). Dah siap tu, terus aku bawak untuk diuji. Hajat di hati nak masuk trail pendek jongkang jongket, tapi masa tak cukup untuk itu. Pandu-uji hanya di sekitar kawasan rumah. Boleh lah, ada drop dan cenuram dalam sekaki untuk aku uji kebolehan.

 

Aku isi spring angin dengan tekanan sekitar 80-100 psi. Ternyata tak menghampakan, Epicon tu sangat anjal dan fungsi lockout berjalan dengan lancar mengikut kemahuan aku. Memang aku suka betul.

 

Sepanjang Burung Hantu 2010 Sabtu lepas, aku guna sehabis baik lockout tu, dan aku rasa memang ia banyak membantu aku sepanjang kayuhan. Asal naik bukit aje aku lockout, atas jalan tar aku lockout, malah denai rata pun aku lockout juga. Terkadang ada masa terlupa untuk anjal bebas, tapi disebabkan remote control tu mudah dicapai maka bukan satu masalah besar walaupun sedang menurun bukit (yang tak berapa curam lah).

 

Dengan Epicon ni, aku suka sebab ianya ringan - berat sikiiit je dari Revelation, mengikut firasat kasar, timbang gitu gitu dengan cuma mengampai di kedua belah tangan :)

Lagi satu, dia agak anjal (plush). Aku tak berapa pasti apakah tekanan udara yang sesuai (dan patut) untuk berat badan aku 70 kg dan untuk kategori XC. Aku letak 100 psi, duduk atas basikal untuk 'sag' dalam 25%, dan biarkan aje. Aku rasa masa aku kayuh sepanjang Burung Hantu tu, memang habis 120 mm travel tu digunakan. Mungkin nak kena cuba 120 psi pulak, tengok macamana. Tapi setakat ni memang aku suka. Sekurang-kurangnya lebih baik dari Revelation tu lah.

 

Bukannya nak kata Epicon yang jauh lebih murah dari Revelation tu adalah lebih baik. Tidak. Revelation tu aku beli atas tangan, mungkin dah ada rosak sikit-sikit dan aku tak dapat nikmati sepenuhnya. Cuma, dengan Epicon yang murah ni pun aku dah dapat nikmati kayuhan 45 km (termasuk lebih 10 km atas jalan tar), maka di situ ada mesejnya.

 

Mesejnya (mungkin hanya untuk XC), Epicon does the job well. Bagaimanapun, dari segi ketahanan, mudah selenggara, dan lain-lain aspek dalam menilai sesuatu barang, belum teruji lagi.

 

Bukanlah aku nak kata tak perlu untuk membazir $ untuk mendapatkan fork yang mahal dari RockShox, Fox, Marzocchi, Manitou, Magura dan lain-lain lagi. Ada kelebihan masing-masing, dan dari aspek yang berbeza. Aku pun tak berpeluang untuk mencuba yang lain-lain tu lagi setakat ini. Maka, aku bukan di posisi untuk membanding.

 

Natijahnya, Epicon yang ada di basikal aku sekarang ni, sudah cukup untuk aku berkayuh XC.

Alhamdulillah.

 

Nak juga aku cuba SID World Cup ka, Manitou R7 MRD ka...

:)

ECC Burung Hantu Jamboree 2010 - 30.10.2010

Aku pergi, aku kayuh, aku habiskan kayuhan dalam pukul 12 malam, pengayuh ke 458 sampai ke garisan penamat, tak dapat apa-apa untuk cabutan bertuah, dan AKU PUAS.

 

Itulah cerita pendeknya. Sedikit lebih terperincinya (tapi tak berapa sangat pun), kat bawah ni. Gambar pun tak ada.

 

Petang tu hujan, bawak ke maghrib masih renyai-renyai. Hah! memang 'enak' lah tu berkayuh pada malamnya. Akan ada lumpur, dan kebarangkalian kayuhan terganggu disebabkannya memang tinggi. Terimbau episod kayuhan KLMTB Epic Hash yang lalu. Getus hati mengharapkan tak begitu, dan ternyata ia berbeza.

 

Kali ini aku kayuh dengan optimis. Aku nak nikmati setiap detik dan setiap kayuhan. Pada masa yang sama, aku nak kayuh laju dan sepantas mampu. Eh, sudah berapa lama punya training, kan...

:)

 

Aku mulakan kayuhan dengan Panjang, Yad dan Hafiz (member Yad). Ikut gerombolan, dan kayuh laju menghirup udara nyaman atas jalan tar. Sebelum masuk turun offroad, aku berhenti di tepi jalan mengetatkan faceplate pada stem yang longgar. Si Panjang dan Yad pantas aje mengayuh masuk offroad meninggalkan aku. Keselamatan harus dijaga, maka aku tak hirau masa yang terbazir.

 

Offroad menghidang lecak dan lumpur, hasil dari hujan siang tadi. Masing-masing berkayuh licin dengan dua biji donut melungsur malam. Sepanjang kayuhan, mahu tak mahu, keadaan trek yang licin dan tayar donut memang lumrah. Kalau patah hati, memang menyumpah kerana sepanjang 5 checkpoint dan 45 km sentiasa ada keadaan itu. Tekad hati, aku terima keadaan dan mencuba yang terbaik. Memang aku beri yang terbaik. Maka kayuhan aku terasa puas.

 

Hanya sekali aje aku turun dari basikal dan buang lumpur yang melekat pada FD. Itu aje, malas aku nak bersihkan sangat, pasal aku jangka memang akan berulang lagi sepanjang kayuhan. Ubatnya: berkayuh sepantas mungkin dan biarkan momentum pusingan roda membuang lumpur terlekat. Untuk lain kali, harus dipasang fender untuk tayar depan. Ada sekali tu aku dok terkenyit-kenyit mata kiri dek pasir yang masuk ke mata.

 

Aku cuba kayuh sepantas mungkin, sebab kalau nak nikmati hidangan pancaindera pun, tak berapa dapat sangat. Cuma dingin hutan waktu malam yang aku rasa, dan lumpur menyelaput kulit yang terdedah. Tapi, pada satu lapangan tu aku terhenti, bila aku ternampak bintang di langit. Shahriman menegur sambil dia teruskan berkayuh. "Dah lama tak tengok bintang", aku jawab pendek. Aku biarkan pengayuh yang di hadapan hilang, dan kebetulan untuk masa yang panjang tiada pengayuh di belakang. Aku keseorangan, dan mendongak menikmati hidangan bintang bertaburan di langit malam.

 

Betul, memang lama dah tak tengok bintang. Aku lupakan sekejap 'berkayuh sepantas boleh', dan 'berburung hantu' sebentar. Lama juga tak berburung hantu. Dah 20 tahun jugak lah.

 

Kalau ikutkan takrif Burung Hantu di kalangan geng-geng JBS WP dan Pelapis KSKL dulu, cenggini:

Selalunya masa berkhemah, lepas tengah malam, kami akan berjalan menyusur denai. Selepas agak jauh dari tapak perkhemahan dan suasana sunyi sepi, Penghulu fasilitator akan meletakkan seorang demi seorang di sepanjang denai. Jarak di antara individu agak jauh, kira-kira 5 minit berjalan. Lepas dah tinggal kat port masing-masing, dibiarkan lama, barang sejam dua. Objektif Burung Hantu ada banyak. Yang utamanya untuk mengenal diri, berani tak berani. Jugak, dengan sunyi malam tu mudah untuk muhasabah diri. Tapi biasanya kecuakan tidak memungkinkan untuk itu lah. Lagi satu untuk tengok samada jujur atau tidak. Jugak, kecuakan akan buatkan ramai yang berjalan dalam gelap mencari kawan di depan atau di belakang.

;)

 

Kalau nak cerita bab Burung Hantu ni, panjang lagi. Tidak di sini. Kita teruskan cerita pasal kayuhan haritu ye...

 

Taklah lama sangat aku tengok bintang. Rasa nak aje berbaring di tepi dan kira bintang, tapi mana boleh. Kang badan dah sejuk, degup jantung pada kadar berehat, jadi malas pulak nak berkayuh kang.

 

Kayuh, kayuh, kayuh, tiba-tiba sampai checkpoint. Minum 2-3 teguk air, makan sebijik pisang. Ulang lagi, sampai habis kat garis mula/penamat. Aku sampai garis tamat, ambik lucky dip dapat lah bottle cage (nak beli? aku jual...).

 

Kayuhannya taklah 100% offroad, mungkin 75% aje kot. Banyak juga atas jalan tar. Tak terlalu teknikal, cuma dek selut dan longkangan yang dibelasah oleh pengayuh di depan memerlukan penumpuan. Nak kayuh perlahan, jawabnya gedebab lah. Nak kayuh laju, harus ada fokus. Dan set lampu yang baik.

 

Disebabkan kayuhannya di waktu malam, maka kurang rasa haus dan penat dek panas matahari tak menjadi isu. Sesuai untuk aku. Rasa menyesal pulak berbekal air kosong dalam botol air pada kerangka basikal. Di checkpoint 5 aku buang air tu, dan kurangkan berat 750 gram. Nak minum pun, tak lalu dek lumpur yang melekat. Lagipun air mineral sentiasa ada di setiap checkpoint.

 

Dari checkpoint 5 ke garis tamat harus berkayuh atas tar. Aku pecut selaju boleh, demi mengejar Dino yang tinggalkan aku masa aku dok sibuk dengan air tadi. Punya lah laju, tak nampak kelibat walaupun aku tak berehat dari memecut sepanjang tu. Aku sampai pukul 12:12 minit (ikut jam aku lah), dan dapat medal dengan pelekat hijau nombor 458. Ok lah tu, top 460 riders.

:D

 

Basikal punya lah kotor, memang harus basuh. Terjumpa si Ben budak JB, dia tunjuk kat aku tandas tempat dia basuh basikal. Ramai jugak dah beratur situ. Aku pun turut beratur lah, Yad pun ada. Ada dalam sejam juga tu, sebelum giliran aku menyental bersih selut dan lumpur dari basikal. Dah beratur punya lama, takkan basuh ala kadar aje ye tak?

 

Habis basuh, penganjur tengah baca nombor untuk cabutan bertuah dalam gelap. Menarik juga hadiah, besar-besar. Yang aku ingat, ada bike rack Thule, XT groupset, complete bike Raleigh (hardtail, fullsus). Satu pun tak mengena kat aku. Takpelah, kalau dapat pun, benda tu ada yang aku dah ada, ada yang aku tak boleh nak gunakan. Nanti jadi tamak aje. Cheh! Kunun...

 

Secara keseluruhannya, aku memang enjoy dengan jamboree ni. Pilihan trail adalah bagus - open, tak terlalu teknikal (dah malam, nak buat teknikal memang tak sesuai pun), 95% boleh dikayuh, bukit tak mencanak dan bersiri, pengayuh pun sporting, pengurusan checkpoint mantap, trail marking bagus (aku tak ada tersilap arah), plet untuk nombor peserta berkualiti, parkir kenderaan banyak, dan banyak lagi yang boleh dan patut dipuji. Syabas untuk semua pengayuh dan terutamanya pada ECC untuk Nite Jamboree 2010 ni.

RTW 28.10.2010 - slacks

the stretch on the L Route - all for me!

:)

 

Salaam.

 

It's the third RTW for me this week, and still in training mode in preparation for ECC Burung Hantu 2010. Albeit, not intense this morning. Just that I'm resting my RTW Machine for this week (and last week), out with full knobbies on Hollowpoint and hydrobag on my back.

 

While showering this morning, I decided to ride with office pants instead of padded shorts. I decided not to have another shower at the office, but only to shampoo my hair to get rid of the smell (from smoke, sweat) and the helmet hair. However, I donned a jersey with back pockets, for 2 purposes:

1. Upper body will be sweaty no matter how relaxed I'll be pedalling. Perhaps due to humidity, and especially so when I'm stopping at the traffic lights.

2. I need to flash out my workers pass/ID upon entering the gate. Putting it in my back pocket would be more secure, and faster for me to whip it out while rolling.

 

In order for me not to sweat as I would normally do, the pedalling is quite relaxed, and I chose to take the flattest route. It's a combination of my normal route, and the new L Route. Coincidentally, it's a bit shorter (by about 2 km) than the normal route. Instead of going to the Suria neighbourhood in Seri Alam, I went uphill to Tesco Seri Alam, continue towards Taman Rinting, another short uphill to Kampung Pasir Gudang Baru after the small bridge at the jetty, and take the L Route to the office.

 

The average speed with knobbies registered at 21.3 km/h, which is quite fast for a relaxed ride. It goes to show that the route is quite flat. There are only 2 small hills along the way, which I climbed with low gears and high cadence without much strain for the objective of the ride this morning is not to have my bottoms sweaty.

:)

 

I reached office 31 minutes after I left home. Took me only 5 minutes to shampoo, comb my hair and put on a collared t-shirt. My usual shower and change regime would normally take about 10 minutes.

 

Now, after doing RTW for a while, options are springing out. Good for me, for I'm the type of person who'd be bored with routines after a while. However, I reckon the L Route won't be there forever, as the alternative highway from Pasir Gudang to Bakar Batu will be opened some day. For now, I'll use it whenever I'm in L circumstances - lazy/late/lone mood.

 

Stats this morning:

Out from home	0706	hours
Arrive office	0737	hours
Door-to-door	31	mins
Ride time	28'45"
Distance	10.2	km
Ave. speed	21.3	km/h
Max speed	38.5	km/h
Odometer	5443.6	km
Good doggies	0
Mode	tesco + L route,	Hollowpoint, knobbies

 

Thanks for dropping by.

Explore new routes and modes, and get rid of getting bored.