Firsts - a note to self

Note to self:
My first mountain bike is a 24 speed Polygon Xtrada, bought second hand in August 2007 during my short stint in KL.
My first offroad (it was at FRIM) was on Deepavali 2007 (November) .
My first offroad in Pasir Gudang was on Sunday, 6th January 2008.
I first started my RTW on Saturday, 12th July 2008.

LTdL 2010

Le Tour de Langkawi 2010 | 1st - 7th March

Two things amiss:

1. Langkawi is not part of the tour
2. What's with the event name in French?

What's wrong with 'Jelajah Langkawi' or 'Jelajah Semenanjung Malaysia', for the sake of logic.

Bahasa Melayu is not good enough for the world stage?

Also, people are quite surprised there's no criterium in KL this time.

Cateye Mity 8

I lost my trusty meter during last Sunday's offroad outing in Seri Alam.

How's that for a nice excuse to get myself a new one. Yay!

Thinking that it would serve a few purpose, so I went ahead with it. To be honest, it was not really with much thinking, actually.

Anyway, it means:

1. A newer design than my Velo 8.

2. Hopefully better features.

3. A spare magnet for my RTW wheelset with slicks.

It was purely by chance that I ended up with Cateye Mity 8 (CC-MT400). Well, it's no accident that it's a Cateye, since I wanted it to be compatible with Velo 8's bracket and sensor. I've more or less narrowed down my choice to either Enduro 8 or Mity 8. I made a few calls that Sunday afternoon, and most shops are selling at about RM85. Surprisingly, Velo 8 is priced at RM80.

I went to the bike shop in Masai to send Marsya's front wheelset for repair. They have a Mity 8 (the only Cateye meter in the shop), and after haggling with the owner, I managed to get it for RM80. Not too bad. No need to burn fuel to Skudai or Tampoi. No need to wait for a few days if through BBS. And best of all, it's priced the same as Velo 8 - although I would be happier if it's not more than RM70.

Spent an hour to understand the functions of Mity 8 through the included manual. The difference with Velo 8 is that this one does away with the calorimeter (not of much use to me, by the way). Other new functions are dual trip distance and dual tire setting. Both are perfect for my RTW/offroad rides.

With dual distance, I could set the distance for my RTW to and from the office. With dual tire setting, I could set it for the two wheelsets I'm using - one for slicks (26/1.6") and another for knobbies (26/2.1").

Another plus: I could set the odometer manually. Currently continuing at 3500 km mark (my rough estimate of my dear 'ol Velo 8's reading).

I have to note here also that Cateye has improved the meter bracket for handlebar (no more using cable ties) and the sensor bracket for fork leg mounting. Much better than the Velo 8's.

Well, it proved to be a good buy in many aspects. Just that this morning I went out RTW without installing the new extra magnet on my slicks wheelset. Duhh!

Night Ride: Offroad Seri Alam - Plentong

19.02.2010 - Friday

Panjang et. al. have been doing NR around Pasir Gudang on Friday nights for a few weeks already. I joined them for the first time last Friday, thanks for things being in order at home. The other factor is that that Saturday is a non-working day for me.

I phoned Panjang half an hour before they start rolling from the RV point in Nusa Damai. He told me to use knobbies instead of slicks, for we are going offroad. Due to lack of time, I decided to wait for them at Seri Alam.

At the back of my mind, I thought we were to go only a short distance offroad. Heck no, we went offroad all the way from Seri Alam to Plentong! Return route was via Jalan Masai Lama on tarmac. I went with them to the restaurant in Seri Alam near Atuk's residence for a drink, and then only we part ways.

Two things:

One - what a nice different atmosphere! Totally different experience, although we went through familiar routes.

Two - the headlamp I got from BC Kelolo is simply awesome. Retailing at RM45, uses 3 AAA batteries, it lit up the trail very well. So much so that I was unofficially nominated to be the sweeper. It lasted for a good one hour and a bit more on the batteries using low power.

Kadafi, Yad: korang takde masa tu. Best gile (sebab offroad NR, bukan sebab korang takde).

Jamboree MTB Jasin 2010

What: Jamboree MTB Jasin 2010

When: Sunday 2nd May 2010, 0900 hrs

Where: Stadium Jasin, Jasin, Melaka

Fee: RM50 (before 2nd April), RM60 (2nd April onwards)

Ride description, taken from http://www.mbikejbc.co.cc/2010/02/jamboree-mtb-jasin-2010_18.html:

Jarak laluan untuk program ini adalah dianggarkan sejauh 50 kilometer dan lokasi laluan ini adalah meliputi lima ( 5 ) rupabentuk mukabumi ( Laluan Jalanraya / Ladang Getah / Ladang Kelapa Sawit/ Taman Perumahan / Kawasan Kampung ) di kawasan sekitar Pekan Jasin yang meliputi Kampung Air Barok, Kampung Kesang, Kampung Kesang Pajak, Kampung Kemengkang, Felda Tun Ghafar Baba Kemendor, Kampung Seri Kesang, Kampung Orang Asli Gapam II, Kampung Bukit Katong, Kampung Rim, Jasin Height dan Stadium Jasin.

Secara teknikal, Program ini bukanlah berbentuk pertandingan tetapi lebih kepada acara ' cross country ' yang memberi peluang kepada para peserta untuk menjelajah laluan yang telah ditetapkan dalam tempoh masa selama lima (5) jam.

For more info, go here: http://jasinjamboree-mbikejbc.blogspot.com/

-------------

One good reason for me to go back to Jasin (after a long, long time).

Perhaps I could spare some time to visit the school, too.

Shahnaz, Zul Hess, you're up for it bros?

CST tires

Seen a few of the folded type variant of CST brand tires in bike shops lately. I've seen (and used) the inner tubes since my first mtb experience a few years ago, though.

It's quite enlightening to know that they are some sort of a contract manufacturer. And Maxxis is actually their brand name. Psychologically, names can make a product well received, rather than reputation. At least for me, I didn't really give a damn good thought about the CST tires at first. However, they are quite cheap compared to the other brands (Kenda, Hutchinson, ehm Maxxis, Continental, etc.).

Now, with reputation and attractive price, it's a sure bet that CST tires would give a good run for the other popular brand's money.

CST XC treads:

http://www.csttires.com/Products/Product-Search-Results.aspx?divisionSearch=/Bicycle.aspx&searchType=0&productSearchType=2&productSearchTerrain=8&pageRef=54

Interestingly, all models start with a C.

Other referenced links:

http://www.bikepro.com/products/tires/cst.html

http://www.tire-information-world.com/maxxis-tires.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheng_Shin_Rubber

Batavus Favoriet - photo gallery

I've posted entries regarding Batavus Favoriet parked in the yard some time before.

Got the chance to have some private time (with Kadafi) to take some photos of the beaut.

Photos are here.

Change of Guardian

When: Wednesday 10.02.2010, 10.00 pm

Where: Bandar Bistari Perdana, Pasir Gudang

Who: Akmal, Aladin

What: My everdearest Bianchi Mutt with parts new and used changed its guardianship.

It's a mixed feeling.

Sad to let it go. Happy for helping a newbie. Elated with the cash received in lieu.

I think, the feeling is more towards happy. I was once helped with a T-Bolt, and I thought I should extend the deed to another.

Sure, there are memories pasted all over the Mutt, not to mention dirt marks and scratches. I was ready to let go and not be too sentimental about it, hence the frame sitting pretty in my store room was revived for the new owner.

Took parts from Naza's idling bike, and bought new and used ones too for this project. I'm satisfied with the result. Well, the feeling is indescribable, upon seeing your assembly finished off. Wheelset, handlebar, stem, shifter, fork, crankset, chain, seatpost and saddle are all from Naza's. Bought new Deore 2009 RD from BBS, used Deore 2009 FD from Kadafi, and new BR-M575 hydraulic brakes from Tajudin.

Wait. That means Naza's bike is practically stripped off.

Big grin for me. Now hunting for parts to build up again her bike.

Woohoo!

value of cash exchanged for parting with my creation is requested to be kept confidential by owner

photo by Aladin

07.02.2010 Seri Alam - Plentong offroad: 33km of XC

I went out early morning and cycled 9.55 km to Ruza Cafe for my fix of offroad ride on Sunday. It occured to me that the last ride was during GA Fun Ride. No wonder I was psyched up and looked forward for that ride.

There were 2 groups that morning - XC riders and FR/DH junkies. I went with six others and headed to Flora Heights, led by EG who is guided with Panjang's GPS on his handlebar. The rest went in with Panjang.

We went in and rode quietly non-stop. The first proper stop being at the 17th km mark - neither at Badminton, nor after scaling Bukit Panjang. We rested at the canopy en route to Plentong. Quite nice, for a change. I guess it's workable because the fitness level of the 7 riders are on the same level. The other big factor is the small group of riders that day.

The next proper stop was at the 28th km, just 5 km away from The Big Valley Ranch where I depart from the rest and headed home at 12.30pm. Nope, didn't watch Melodi when I reached home 10 minutes later.

It's interesting to note that I brought enough isotonic with a little bit more to spare in my bladder for that ride - just 1 liter. I brought along a bottle (600 ml) full of plain water on my bike too, still half full by the end of the ride.

The ride was different. We went through the Plentong Epic Ride route. I enjoyed especially the flowy mild descending singletrack towards CP1. Kudos to EG for leading us in and out safely. Albeit for the numerous track checks, for me it's still okay.

No photos, sorry, I deliberately left the camera at home to enjoy fully this ride.

Hope your weekend ride was good too.

Thanks for stopping by. Take care, you, be it on the road or offroad.

Ibera PakRak, Senawang Bicycle Station

I went back to Senawang for Ayah's birthday, and my cousin's son Suhaimi's wedding ceremony last weekend.

There's a nice bike shop in Senawang, which I have been wanting to pay a visit. Senawang Bicycle Station is closed on Sundays (ride day), so I made it a point to go there on Saturday morning. I went out at 10.30 am after breakfast to the bike shop (an excuse to Ayah when he asked me where I'm going to). Before the bike shop, I went to Dataran Senawang to get Ayah's surprise birthday cake (an excuse to the others).

The mission of the visit: One is to check out the shop itself, and the other one is to get myself a Topeak MTX BeamRack, and discuss with Jeffree on which one should I get for the bike - Type A, E or V. At the same time, I'm getting the system bag MTX TrunkBag DX to complement it. Damage to the wallet expected to be in the range of RM350, following discussion with BC Kelolo. All for the joy of back-free RTW journey.

The bike shop is nicely stocked with bikes, parts, and good service. I was attended by Jeffree, all the while. And he remembers my name. From what I heard, he was Negeri Sembilan's cyclist in his heyday. If that's so, he should be good with bikes. Well, I would say that he is.

I told him what I was looking for, and he replied that he's just out of stock with the beam rack. For the bag, he's got only the EX, which is not what I'm after. However, he gave me an alternative - something I have never seen or heard before, goes by the name Ibera.

Huh?

Time for internet research, then. Well, at least they have a website that I could refer to. That evening, I went to my elder brother Amri's house nearby the shop (how nice...), and began my short research. Short, because I was short of time, and there's not much reference in terms of product review for Ibera's RA1 Carrier nor their BA1 bag. I guess I'll be the first to give a review in mtbr. At the time of writing, there's none.

Things that made me buy the items:

(+) The products are of high quality (well, I would say that it fared well compared to Topeak's EX), although both lacks the waterproofness. However, Ibera's have ABS carbon-look plastic base.

(+) It is a system - in this case, PakRak - looks neat and tidy. The carrier is rated at 10 kg, compared to Topeak's 9 kg. However, Topeak's MTX BeamRack is using QR clamp while Ibera is using allen bolt. Well, I could live with that.

(+) Price for both Ibera bag and carrier is RM228 (RM69 carrier, RM159 bag) - saves me $ by a bit more than RM100, although I have to pay RM10 for a year of BS membership in order to enjoy the discounts.

(-) I have to note here that as a system, Topeak's weigh in at 1.7kg while Ibera is 1.9kg.

Next, will be my review in this blog, and perhaps some time later, my mtbr review. I planned to have my first ride with it for RTW on Tuesday. Good things can't wait, I had it on Monday instead. Still to early to give my views, though. I got to tell y'all this: it's great to feel the wind on my back.

Now toying with the idea of a short road tour... hmm...

No Cycling on Dock Gate

It could be dangerous, and fatal if you fall down.

About 11 meters deep.

Photo taken from the dock gate.

Downhill Race - JB!

A good reason to come down to JB next weekend for y'all, especially you gravity nuts.

Organised by JB's own Element Cycle and ROAM, the race is a part of Malaysian Downhill Super Series (MDHSS).

The race will be held over 2 days, Saturday 30th Jan for the practice run followed by BBQ dinner, and Sunday 31st Jan the race proper - Qualifying, Seeding and Finals.

The venue is Mount Austin in JB.
Prizes are worth more than RM20,000, from lots of sponsors - around JB and throughout Malaysia.

Check out the race website for more updates and juicy details - videos, photos, maps, race track, and news. Yes, the site has real updates.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to be around JB at that time. Have to be in Senawang for a family occasion. To all of you competing, all the best! Spectators, have a good time in JB and sample our warm hospitality.

RTW - a weeklong!

11th - 15th January 2010. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Cycle Friday.

A week that was, my first weeklong RTW. Herein I etch to record it as a personal milestone.

The whole of last week I was without a car. The trusty Avanza being traded for a bigger brother - an upgrade that insyaAllah would make everyone in the household happy. Cycling wise, that means easier loading of bikes. The other car was with Naza, her transport for work and ferry children to/from school and the babysitter.

That also means I could do a weeklong RTW, a feat I have wished to attempt. And so I did it last week. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It was not a working Saturday, so I skipped Saturday. I collected the new Innova on Friday, hence I have to skip the ride back home. Naza fetched me from work and we headed off to Plentong with my bike and Umar in the car as well.

I have to say that it was not easy, doing the RTW day by day. Cycling out to work at about 7am in the morning, and going back home after 6pm every day. That means I cycled about 12km in 40 minutes, at intervals of about 12 hours, for 5 days (now that numbers are included, it sounds like a great feat, huh?). It also means that I have to recover from each ride within 12 hours - at work during the day, and in my sleep at night. Oh, and my odometer registered an addition of 107km due to that weeklong RTW.

I know that there are many, many people around the world who commute every day by bike, for years. Daily commuting is second nature for them. A guy who lives in Iowa rides his bike everyday, even in thick snow during winter, too. Another guy I know rides his bike halfway and take a boat the other half of the journey. Perhaps with time, this weeklong RTW would be no ordeal anymore. Admittedly in my case, it was partly forced, but mostly intentional. After this, I hope it would be fully motivational and without the external push.

To look at it in a perspective, I did my RTW progressively. First I started out only on working Saturdays i.e. 2nd and 4th (and 5th, if any) Sats of the month. Then I started to try it on a weekday, during school holiday when the traffic is not as heavy. Then it became on a regular weekday. After that I progressed on two days per normal weekdays and on working Saturdays. Then I graduated to 3 weekdays. Finally it came to the last week's weeklong feat. Perhaps one weeklong in a month after this? I never plan to do it, but who'll know, I'd be a daily bike commuter someday. It was a pretty big thing when I started out - needed meticulous planning and mental preparation. Nowadays, I could decide whether to RTW in a snap, even at 7am in the morning - usually if I didn't iron my shirt and slacks :).

All in all, I'm quite satisfied with my progression thus far, and hope that I could do better hereafter. Here I would like to register my thanks to people who supported my RTW directly or otherwise, especially my workplace.

Alhamdulillah. Thank you very much!

GA Cycling Fun Ride - 17.01.2010

Acara mtb pertama untuk tahun 2010 ni. Mula-mula tak terasa nak pergi - jauh tempatnya tu. Tapi tiba-tiba rasa macam menarik pulak, maka rancangan pun di atur. Lagipun ini dikira acara tempatan, maka siapa lagi nak sokong kalau bukan pengayuh tempatan, iye tak?

Asalnya nak tumpang Kadafi aje, malam tu rencana di ubah. Malas nak menghantar basikal dan alatan ke rumah Kadafi, dan malas nak menapak dari rumah ke tepi lebuhraya Pasir Gudang.

Gerak dari rumah dalam 6.15 camtu, sampai kat Air Tawar 3 tunggu Rizal dan berkonvoi ke Adela. Teruja punya pasal, aku termasuk simpang ke kilang sawit Adela. Patah balik (malu!) dan terus ke destinasi sebenar. Sampai sana dalam pukul 7.45 jugak. Ramai rider sudah/sedang setup basikal masing-masing. Aku nampak Panjang, Panjang nampak aku. Terus dia suruh kawan-kawan yang dok sibuk dengan beskal masing-masing lapangkan satu tempat parkir untuk aku. Fullemekk... macam VIP pulak rasanya. Aku tak perasan kalau Kadafi ada kembang-kembang hidung dia ke tidak. Terima kasih la untuk semua yang sudi kosongkan tempat parkir untuk kami.

Dah salam lebih kurang, aku dengan Kadafi turunkan beskal dan apa-apa yang patut. Lapar pulak rasanya, kena cari sarapan. Tapi apa-apa hal pun, kena daftar dulu, ambik nombor. Dah tu, sambung setup beskal. Penganjur dah sibuk panggil-panggil rider semua ke tempat mula. Aiseh... gua lapar lagi ni. Naseb baek ada gerai jual kuih-muih. Aku sempat la beli kuih keria, dapat 4 singgit. Murah tu! Kat JB dah pupus dah harga camtu.

Sempat jugak aku tolong Rizal pasang roda belakang dia. Rider baru pertama kali nak masuk offroad, kena tolong lah.

Pegi kat tempat mula tu, dengar taklimat pasal keadaan trail, penanda, water point, ucapan 2-3 orang, lepas tu ada baca doa, lepas tu kitorang start kayuh. Tapi sebenarnya masa ucapan tu, ramai (termasuk aku) dok sebok borak lah, amik gambar lah.

Trek XC yang ekselen

Kayuhan mula dalam pukul 9. Tak pasti berapa ramai, agaknya dalam 100 orang jugak. Lepas dalam satu km atas jalan, masuk ke XC track yang dibuat oleh rider tempatan, di sekitar kawasan takungan air (baca: bukit). Mula-mula dah kena panjat. Trek melingkar-lingkar, banyak tempat boleh buat jalan pintas. Tapi buat apa nak pintas, ini kan Fun Ride. Ikut aje lah, rasa trek kat tempat orang macamana. Memang teknikal. Siap ada drop lagi (tapi aku ikut chicken aje kat tepi tu). Yang sedapnya, penamat trek disaji dengan downhill siap ada bonggol satu, dan drop siket. Naseb baek aku kontrol hensem (sebab Joni tengah dok amik gambar), kot tak, sure dah tergelebak.

Tapi memang bagus lah, trek XC tu memang ekselen dan mencabar. Syabas orang Adela!

Plantation trail

Lepas tu, jalan tar semula dan masuk ke ladang kelapa sawit. Banyak turun bukit berbanding nak kena panjat bukit. Memang best. Cuma nak kena hati-hati sikit, pasal jalan berdebu, banyak batu gerewel (nota untuk orang putih: sila baca 'gravel') dan batu batu kecil.

Slalom course

Masih di dalam ladang kelapa sawit, tapi kali ni pokok rendah-rendah dan dedaunan melambai-lambai ke tengah laluan. Rasa macam lalu kat slalom course pulak. Syok. Tapi dah banyak sangat la pulak, rasa sakit jugak muka dok kena usap dengan daun sawit (kes malas nak elak-elak).

Water point

Meter dah tunjuk lebih kurang 20 km. Maknanya, dah nak dekat stesen air la tu. Tapi kena panjat bukit siket. Aku sampai kat situ, ramai dah rupanya yang lepak kat sana. Makan pisang sambil teguk air mineral sejuk dan ambik-ambik gambar. Aku lepak lama siket, atas alasan nak tunggu Rizal. Nak kayuh santai sama-sama pulak lepas ni (konon). Sedar-sedar, 2 botol 500ml aku dah balun, dengan 2 bijik pisang. Rizal sampai, ambik gambar lebih kurang, lepas tu sambung kayuh. Bertiga dengan Mansor. Santai.

Vast open trail

Memang la santai, kena lalu kawasan lapang, pokok sawit baru tanam semula. Dah pukul 11 masa tu. Nasib baik masa sebelum kayuh tadi dah lumur sunblock (bukan fair & lovely).

Pokok tinggi

Tak jauh lepas tu (tapi rasa lama), masuk ke kawasan sawit tua pulak. Pokok tinggi belaka. Redup, angin sepoi-sepoi bahasa. Kalau bawak hammock, memang sedap lepak situ. Bila naik bukit, aku tinggalkan Rizal. Pastu tunggu dia. Pastu jalan semula. Pastu ada satu tempat tu aku tunggu punya lah lama, rupanya dia dah tersesat. Heheh... rider laju sangat la tu, tak nampak anak panah. Tapi rasanya lepas tu dia lebih berhati-hati, pasal ada sekali tu sekumpulan rider dok sibuk panjat bukit. Aku pun dok ikut jugak, tapi Rizal tak ikut. Dia dah nampak yang bukit tu bukan trail. Hah! Sekali jalan kena, dua kali jalan tahu.

The long climb

Tah masa bila tah, aku dah tak larat nak santai sangat. Nak laju aje (konon). Potong rider itu, potong rider ini. Lepas tu betis kanan sudah ada sikit mau krem. Layan cadence, low speed. Tiba pulak nampak ada jalan berpasir, dengan headwind lagi, panas pulak tu. Kat depan nampak ada sekumpulan rider tengah berehat (sambil mencungap?) kat atas bukit. Ingatkan diorang lepak kat atas bukit, rupanya di tengah bukit. Kayuhan diteruskan sambil layan krem yang dah menjangkit ke betis kiri pulak. Elok la tu, cadence dan ultra low speed. Pelan-pelan panjat bukit. Macam tak habis-habis.

Tapi akhirnya berjaya jugak aku naik ke atas. Maka aku pun hembus nafas lega. Tapi rupanya kat depan ada lagi. Sambung kayuh lagi, tak nak kalah, dan taknak krem. Gila ah, apa punya kerja ni...

Homeward bound

Aku pun dah tak ingat apa bentuk trail lepas tu, main kayuh aje. Dalam kepala dah ingat nak sampai aje. Tengok meter, tak bergerak. Rupanya sensor ada terkucil siket, tah masa bila tah. Ada la dalam 2 km kot. Dalam pukul 1 macam tu, aku berjaya sampai balik ke tempat mula, tanpa ada krem. Alhamdulillah. Kawan-kawan lain dah lepak-lepak makan nasik ayam, ada yang dah mandi bagai, aku layan sejukkan badan. Sambil minum sirap. Syok!

Overall, aku ucapkan tahniah pada penganjur, marshall, riders dan jugak penduduk setempat. Memang berbaloi aku travel jauh-jauh untuk event ni. Syabas! Ada event lagi, insyaAllah datang lagi.

Gambar-gambar yang sempat dirakam - di sini.

03.01.2010 - Seri Alam offroad

It's my first ride on road and offroad with the newly built-up EPX Hollowpoint. Supposed to be a review of the frame's geometry and handling. Went out at 7.30am towards Kafe Ruza in Taman Scientex. I was the last to have breakfast over there when I arrived. Saw lots of new faces, which is always a good thing. This mountain biking craze is picking up, really.

It seems that white is the rage, at the moment. Wak Leh is riding his new Asiamachine bike - in white and green, a replacement for his stolen Kona Coilair and another bike. Also, there was a Raleigh Enduro (24 speed) - in white and green, too. I like the sexy curvy top tube profile very much. And forgotten entirely to snap some photos. Duhh!

There were 22 riders starting from Taman Scientex that morning. We headed to Nusa Damai to the trailhead at 8.45am. Just as we were starting, 3 riders bailed out and have to retreat. with 19, we went to Seri Alam to meet up with another 3 riders awaiting there.

After a brief session of ice-breaking, we went to the observation tower (tower no longer exists) at Seri Alam. A few went up, the rest waiting near the Cactus Inn entrance. We went down and into the Seri Alam trail soon afterwards. Destination: lake.

On the way, Panjang went through a muddy waterfall. Err... he actually tripped and fell down into muddy water. Another collection of cuts and scrapes on his knee. We postponed the nursing to when we reach the lake. Jamal, Panjang and I went into a shaded area nearby the lake and dressed up Panjang's wounds. I don't know if the others were enjoying the swim in the lake, for when we were finished, it was time to go. I try not to be idling under the sun at the open area. Last 2 weeks I was there and suffered fever on Monday. Albeit, dipping in the lake is fun.

En route home, the wobbly bridge towards Dura Ace (a stop point) was found collapsed. Not only that, Kadafi's GT (now Afizan's) suffered a broken derailleur hanger. We made a river crossing and stopped by Dura Ace to remedy that. And the remedy was a painful one - single speed conversion, failing to utilise the spare hanger that I have. Too bad the frame's hanger is different from mine.

We went back towards Flora Heights. I have always dread that, for it means I have to endure 3 hills to get back to Seri Alam. However, it's different this time around. Panjang suggested to use the UniKL/MRSM Seri Alam construction entrance path. No more hills to tackle, but all the way coasting down the hill instead. Woo hooo! So after this, be it a FH ending or (even better) Seri Alam exit, I'm all for it. Nothing to lose.

My new frame? Can't really say much. Just that the geometry is about the same as Bianchi Mutt 17" (same size), hence the handling is quite the same. No apparent noticeable traits from the carbon rearstays. At least for now.

Photos are shared here:

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/akmalhamid/20100103SeriAlamOffroad