daily cycling

my faithful RTW Machine

I remember Panjang asked a group of us a defining question while having teh tarik during a night ride at Ontort's burger stall. It was as an introduction to Nas' touring activities, actually.

Kau kena tahu, dalam berbasikal ni, mana arah kau nak tuju

Well, not really a question per sé, but it got me asking myself. Of course you can take the whole thing literally, but it actually warrants more than that.

What's the direction you're heading, in cycling?

Are you a leisure cyclist, taking it as a hobby?

Would you take it to the next level, as a part of a triathlon that you're going to participate in?

Would you train and eventually be a racer?

Or venture to other types that cycling could offer?

Cycling in its general sense is too broad. There are many types, and there are many disciplines within the particular type, too. Among the major types that we have are Road Cycling, Mountain Biking, Touring, Bike Commuting and many others including as a utilitarian vehicle for day-to-day living and transport.

The different types of Road Cycling may include Time Trial, Triathlon, Road Biking; for mountain biking there are Cross Country, Downhill, Trail, Freeride; and et cetera. From all these types, the bikes are of different designs as it fit for their own purposes. Not the least, the set of skills and things associated to the different types of cycling are also different.

If you're the lucky ones who could have more than a few of the types of cycling to venture into, I envy you. I simply don't have the time and $ to invest or dip my foot into the vast array of cycling types and disciplines.

I had to choose. I'm a fan of modular things and do-it-all, so I chose cross country mountain biking. With a hardtail mountain bike frame and decent parts.

Well, at first.

It soon slowly morphed into bike commuting. It happened not entirely by chance, but more of a choice. With a bit of personal circumstances that seems to put everything in place, enabling me to pursue it. Okay, 'enjoy' is the more appropriate word, rather than 'pursue'.

:)

After 3 years since I first started to RTW on a twice monthly special thing, it is now a daily affair. And it is still special. So, perhaps this is my answer to Panjang's thought that night. AT a certain level, it defines me.

Alhamdulillah for this blessing; hope it would continue for the coming years, and getting only better.

For the record, I do enjoy my offroad rides. But with RTW, I could have my daily dose of cycling.

Have a great day, and thanks for coming.

Ride safe.

22.09.2011: World Car-Free Day

Honestly, I was not aware about this movement or the significance of the date until yesterday when Azizan shared an article from NST in facebook.

I was elated. Albeit, from the views of others (okay, limited to my family only), there is a concern. If it is taken literally, going car-free means using a bike, motorcycle, walking, and most importantly, public transport, in order to get around places.

It led me to evaluate my family's need for the car on a normal day. My wife uses hers to go to work and ferry the children to school an back (distance: 16km one way). My MIL who lives with me would use another small car to send my youngest child to the babysitter (7 km one way). There's no safe route in the morning to commute that far for wife and children, and I'm not confident enough to bring Umar to the babysitter using a child seat even along a not-so-busy road, although I'm sure he'll be very happy with the ride. So, there's a need for efficient public transport if we are to go totally or mostly car-free. 

On the national level, cheap and efficient public transport is of the utmost imoprtace for those who don't bike (don't have one, distance too far, don't know how to ride a bicycle) and those who choose to walk. Facilities and amenities for pedestrians for those who choose to use public transport should be of a good quality and ample quantity. Extended to that, is our public transport willing to take in the concept of hybrid commuting whereby people could hop in the buses or trains with their bikes, be it foldable or full size.

My cousin in Singapore never owns a car. I envy him because he gets to use any kind of car that he wishes (within budget) to travel for a long trip with his family. They rent one. For normal days, they use public transport. Well, the public transport in S'pore is ample, of good service quality and widely connected. We don't have to look as far as London or Copenhagen or Amsterdam, dear Minister of Transport of Malaysia; just head down south across the straits and have a chat with them.

Read some:

KL to go car-free for a day. http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles//6cars/Article/

Minister gets on his bike to lead. http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/11SHAB/Article/

I strongly back the points that Datuk Seri Shabery mentioned. Hope that it would materialise:

proper bicycle lanes should be incorporated in city planning

 

would like to see a bicycle rental service here

Also, from Datuk Naim (MNCF deputy president):

...to discuss measures to make Kuala Lumpur a cyclist-friendly city

 

...examine the need to create cycling lanes and bicycle parking stations

 

...identify safe routes for cyclists, look into the connectivity of cycling with public transport, inter-park channels and safety of parked bicycles

 

...a need for infrastructure for cyclists, such as changing rooms or showers, so that if an employee cycles to work, he has a place to shower in the office or in special shops

Me, as a person who commutes by bike to work:

Yay!

 :D

Okay, while they are starting to look into the proposals beginning with KL, I believe the movement would be nationalised soon.

And then, we could have something to the effect like UK's Cyclescheme, eh?

InsyaAllah.

Visit: http://www.worldcarfree.net/wcfd/

WCD Resources: http://www.worldcarfree.net/wcfd/resources.php

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car-Free_Days

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri 1432H

Assalaamu 'alaikum warahmatullah.

I'd like to wish you a blessed Hari Raya, and Taqabbalallahu minnaa wa minkum.

May Allah accept (the fast and worship) from you and us.

I hope that we would foster the strength gained from our ibadah and good deeds made throughout Ramadhan; and continue on towards the rest of the year, until hopefully we could meet with Ramadhan again.

InsyaAllah.

Be safe, and remember that moderation is key, in everything.

Till we meet again, hope you had a good one.

Sincerely,

Akmal Hizam

image taken from here

Bike license?

I read this article in the issue 10 of Bicycle Times magazine, and thought "hmmm...".

 

Well, when it does arrive to a certain number, things are never the same anymore.

 

My MIL told me that when she was working in Muar in the 60's, bikes were with license plates. And the roads were full of bikes. I can only imagine that the bike shops surely were having good business.

 

Get back to basics; it doesn't matter whether you're at the lowest rung of the road user, laws are to be adhered to. For the safety and harmony of everyone using the facility i.e. the road. We share, and we share it nicely. Oh, don't bring out that 'I pay road tax' card. Berbuat baik kan dapat pahala. Orang pun suka.

 

I agree, if we do come to that certain number in Malaysia, bike licenses would be a must. Riders should behave, and the $ should be used for bike amenities (lanes, lock posts, even lockers and showers too). If need be, riders should enroll in a certain hours of free mandatory courses for riding safely, simple repairs, etc. Of course, this would only applicable to bikes that are using the roads. And not too high a fee, compared to motorbikes ;)

 

 

Have MTB, can go to University

For real?

Yes!

 

Riding your bike, of course.

 

The trend is like that, of recent years. Well, it started a couple of years back, with jamborees/races in the northern region held in universities.

 

To name a few that I know of:

USM Transkrian - Nibong Tebal MTB Adventure (NTMTBA)

UUM Sintok - UUM MTB XC-R

UTP Tronoh - Seri Iskandar MTB Exploration (well, part of the checkpoint)

UNiKL Kulim (MSI) - Kulim Int'l MTB Jamboree (okay, only during the registration day)

UTM Skudai - Giant-UTM MTB Quest

Nottingham University Malaysia - PCC Presidential Ride

 

There are also a couple more that I know of in the pipeline for 2011, to be held in these universities:

UKM Bangi - Konvo LeRun MTB Mini Jamboree

UTeM Durian Tunggal - Burung Hantu Night Ride Jamboree

 

Are there any event I left out?

 

Ride safe, people.

Ramadhan Kareem

 

 

itulah pentingnya mtb edukesyenn...

 

 

 

RTW in Ramadhan

3 Ramadhan 1432H

58.5km/h down the bend at Taman Bukit Dahlia on the way home

 

Is commuting during Ramadhan possible?

Definitely. I mean, why not? Bangladeshi bros are doing it, right?

 

The first week or Ramadhan, I did RTW as usual, except for Friday. The first 2 days were a bit wobbly, but perhaps due to personal reasons - I was deprived of sleep and rest due to travelling to Senawang during the weekend. Yesterday was remarkably lively and energetic, but I don't know why. Perhaps the month of Ramadhan itself which contains blessings and all.

 

Anyway, what I can share with you is that my rides are like normal, except for a few things. The bike is definitely lighter by about 800g, for I don't carry water bottle on the downtube. The rear bag is also a bit lighter by about 400g due to absence of packed breakfast.

 

The time of day plays a crucial role in making RTW in Ramadhan possible. I go to work at around 7.00am, and cycle home at about 6.00pm. No sun in sight. Well, at least not as hot as the 10.00am sun. It's breezy, and for the past few days, it has been raining at about 2-3pm leaving the rest of the afternoon somewhat overcast. Alhamdulillah.

 

I intend to continue with my weeklong streaks and perhaps not too unrealistic to go for the 2nd monthlong insyaAllah. But, the definition would be altered a bit. I won't be doing RTW on Fridays.

 

Have a good ride, and a blessed Ramadhan throughout.

Ibadah harder, bros and sis.

RTW: 10th weeklong, and the first Monthlong

Alhamdulillah, I completed my 10th weeklong this morning. Well, as one good thing is a mask of another, it is also my 3rd back-to-back weeklong.

 

The big news is (yes, only for me), it's my first monthlong. Hope that this would continue on.

 

Have a good weekend, y'all.

Selamat berpuasa.

RTW: 9th weeklong

Alhamdulillah.

I completed the 9th weeklong last Friday.

It's also a second back-to-back weeklong, a 3 week continuous RTW.

 

Now, I'm 2 days away from my first monthlong. Well, technically it's gonna be a weeklong this week although I didn't ride on Monday due to an emergency leave.

 

Baby steps, and hopefully it would continue for another monthlong, then a back-to-back monthlong.

 

In overall, I'm getting comfortable with RTW. Perhaps a full-fledge bike commuter. If I could sort out the niggles, like, getting out early from home.

:)

 

Ride safe, y'all.

Have a good one.

RTW: Small Adventures

Quoted from the Editor's note in Bicycle Times issue 10:

There are opporrtunities for small adventures whenever you travel by bike. The road to work can become a mini-tour wih some creative route planning, and the chance to ride with fewer layers as it gets warmer can make a normal ride seem like a vacation. Even just a renewed appreciation for your surrounding can turn a routine trip into a pleasant sightseeing excursion.

 

True. Normal routine is boring, need to have a change every now and then.

And I always enjoyed those small adventures.

:D

First Test - Sportourer Jammy Gel Grips

A new pair of wings for my handlebar.

 

I found these ugly but comfy pair at Nick Yeap's store in The Zon Stulang Laut. After a quick haggling, I parted RM85 from my wallet (the price tag was originally RM120, then slashed to RM99). It was without the box, but I can tell that they're new unused. From the info I gather, they're Selle Italia Sportourer Jammy Gel.

 

Yes, Selle Italia.

 

From Dr. Luigi Cugola:

this grip design reduces possibility of carpal tunnel pathologies

 

Really? You could get that from riding a bike?

 

I took them for the first test on my RTW on Monday with half finger gloves, and today, without gloves. First impression, they're not as comfortable with gloves as the Specialized's BG Ergo lock grips (bought RM80 during that time) that I have used for close to a year now. Or as sexy, for that matter. The grip is a bit bulky, and felt snug when used without gloves. Well, I tried it on at the store without gloves, in the first place.

 

There's an array of vent holes along the grip, but I think due to manufacturing technique or something else, they are not effective. I tried to blow through the end of the grip before installing them on the handlebar, but it's like blowing into a hot water rubber bag. No air vented through the holes. Anyway, the holes are really small. If your hands are greasy or with dirt, it is enough to block the pores. Well, my hands were sweaty without gloves. So, I take it as only cosmetic addition to make them look loaded with technology.

:P

 

The compound is quite tacky. I've no slippage problem while using gloves or without. I could feel the tackiness of the grip while using it without gloves. The cushion is adequate, meaning that they are soft but still hard enough to retain the shape and support the palms.

 

I like the way how my palms and thumbs are completely supported on the grips, they are able to relax. Pure ergonomics. I actually decided to buy these because the way the thumbs are taken care of in the design. Love at the first grip.

:)

 

For Specialized's BG Ergo lock grips, I feel like there's a compromise for the grip while pedalling off-saddle. Fingertips of the rest of the fingers are somewhat 'hanging', not really gripping wholly while the thumbs are fully wrapping the grip. However, these pairs aren't like that. The underneath of the grip has a brickwall textured area for the fingers to grip on.

 

They are made in Italy, as embossed on the bottom of the grips. However, the appearance are not as good as you would expect from all things Italian. Hey, even them La Cosa Nostra appear dapper, don't they? Anyway, looks are secondary for me as long as they're functional.

 

There's still another pair left at NY's shop when I took these uglies home, if you want to get yours. Come down to JB, dude.

 

Sportourer's Jammy Gel page for your reference.

See more quotes in Sportourer's catalog.

RTW: 15.07.2011 - Ei8hth Weeklong

I'm happy to share with you that this morning's RTW marks the 8th weeklong for this year. That's more than what's initially planned - 3. Looks like I'm car free for most of the week nowadays, travelling to work.

 

Unfortunately that's all that I can claim to be, "travelling to work by bike". Sometimes my wife would offer to fetch me home by car, usually at night when she's out sending Marsya and Adam to tuition class. And, I'm not a real bike commuter whereby 100% of travelling from point A to B (and wandering off to C, D, E, Z even) done by cycling. At least not yet. What I do is I Ride To Work. Getting home by car is sometimes optional although I kind of like it, night rides.

 

InsyaAllah, this weeklong (and last week too) would continue to make it my first monthlong.

 

Now, what are the challenges of adopting a cycling lifestyle? A lot, in my case. Listing them out and see how to tackle them, insyaAllah, later.

 

Note:

Up to now, the odometer is displaying 8313.6 km. That's the distance I've cycled so far in total (offroad, RTW) from when I first started using a cyclometer a few years ago. Not that far for the span of time, compared to some cyclists I know. There were times when my rides were without the meter, though. Perhaps a good 100km or so.

It would be interesting to have a dedicated meter for RTW and offroad respectively. Well, looking at things nowadays, I'm sure RTW odometer would see far greater kms compared to offroad.

Anyways, the meter display would only show up until 9999.9 km afterwhich it will go back to 0.0

 

Oh, and my wife texted me just now that she's fetching me at 6 this evening.

:P

 

Have a good weekend, y'all.

Ride safe!

Event: OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2011 - 14-16.10.2011

Event: OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2011

When: 14 - 16 October 2011

Where: Dataran Merdeka

Type: Road cycling - on closed roads

 

More details:

http://www.ocbc.cyclemalaysia.com.my/event-details/categories-and-prices/

Quite costly the fee, I'm tellin' ya. I think the most expensive so far of all biking events.

 

FAQ:

http://www.ocbc.cyclemalaysia.com.my/faq

 

 

RTW 06.07.2011 - in blue

me, in a coverall

 

Tuesday, at the gate entrance

guard: nak pergi mana?

saya: ofis design

guard menoleh pada chief guard

chief guard: design pun kena pakai (c)overall jugak

guard: esok pakai (c)overall ye

saya: :P

 

Wednesday morning, I wore the blue work trousers and pedaled from home. At about 600m from the gate, I stopped and took out the blue jacket from my bag. The first time I cycled to the office wearing company issued blue jacket and pants together. They're the equivalence of the said coverall, although in some aras in the yard they are not deemed so.

 

Even for a short distance, it was quite hot. My body heat was trapped underneath the jacket, and it wasn't pleasant at all.

 

The dress code for office personnel is not the coverall, unless going out to the worksite. I can't imagine all the people in the office wearing coveralls and safety shoes. But hey, at the entrance, I don't want to waste precious time arguing about this with the security guard.

 

Wednesday evening while I was going out of the gate, I spotted the chief guard and stopped to discuss with him about the dress code thing. Apparently, the issue is that it is deemed not proper for people to go in wearing shorts.

 

Well, I'm wearing 3/4 pants, but same difference to him. He cited that there were a couple of people who copied me cycling in (I could guess who they are). Also there's the question of what if the subcontractors would also get in dressing up like I do while they are supposed to wear red coveralls (no pants and jackets equivalent for them). Well, I have the answers but that would only steer away the conversation to other topic altogether.

 

Eventually we agreed that it would be okay if I'm wearing track bottom while cycling in. As for the jacket, it's a non-issue. I can wear my riding jersey. The coverall? Far from the real issue.

 

Thursday morning I'm wearing track bottom riding to work. The NiteIze Marker Band is an essential item now.

DPM: build bicycle lanes

As a follow up to Malacca's CM Datuk Seri Ali Rustam's RTW on Fridays, the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin commented:

Many European countries have dedicated bicycle lanes ... we should also have such a facility here

 

Cool! Now that we have big voices, we can have them lanes, hopefully. JKR, townplanners and such shall look into it. Err.. while at it, I recommend to also consider cycling facilities as well.

 

Anyway, more importantly now is for us to start be seen on the roads. With bike lanes or not. Find your safe routes for now, ya.

 

Read the article from thestar.com.my

RTW: Malacca CM's Cycle Friday

2km RTW would definitely permit people to ride in style

 

I read the news first at BaikBike.com this morning. Malacca's Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam is doing Cycle Friday. Well, 2km may not be much, but the message is there. The story was also reported in here (NST), here (The Star) and here (mynewshub.my) too.

 

He mentioned

I would be cycling to work from home every Friday. This would be my role in educating my employees and the people here on the importance of helping to reduce the emission of poisonous gases from our vehicles.

1.5m wide bike lanes? Super. Better yet, stretch it to be more than 4km, like in Penang.

Err... how about bike lanes for JB, Masai and Pasir Gudang?

 

Anyway, way to go, Datuk Seri!

Perhaps we could also ride along this October's Burung Hantu?

 

Jom Basikal!

 

 

photo nicked from mynewshub.my