less RTW

Following my third monthlong RTW for this year in May, my bike commuting has since reduced quite dramatically due to change of workplace/office. I have been in a weekly outstation stint since June and still ongoing. A 3-day week in KL initially is now graduated to a full 5-day week including the whole Ramadhan. So, this year effectively there were no Ramadhan RTW at all. Heck, today is 22.08.2012 and I haven't done any RTW at all yet in August. My latest RTW was on 24.07.2012. Such a long hiatus.

The only cycling that I did to 'compensate' were few and far between. I guess that makes it more memorable, more intense and more joyful.
1. Night ride with GLC: KL Tower + Sup Dorai - with Latfy 26.06.2012

2. Night ride with GLC: Carcosa + Tasik Perdana + S'gor Mansion - with Azlan and Latfy 04.07.2012

3. Offroad: Kayuhan Amal Skudai - 15.07.2012

Oh yes, I enjoyed tremendously all those rides. The theme was all the same: strenghtening ties between friends - long lost friends, and friends found through cycling. I rode with Latfy my friend from my MLA Cheras days and Azlan (MBPS/MBS Sentul/MLA Cheras) during the GLC night rides, and reconnected with good people from JB in the Skudai ride. Also, the places were all that had been in my wishlist, too - a ride up the KL Tower (base), late night hot soup at Jalan Doraisamy, the serene Carcosa Seri Negara, a touch of offroad at Tasik Perdana, and the Skudai Trail.

I hope more of good cycling in days ahead. The bikes at home are gathering dust and cobweb. With the exception of today, I hope the 3 days in Pasir Gudang this week could see me back on the saddle again. Spare tire is growing on my waist.

:P

Thanks for coming over.
Enjoyed your Eid?

Offroad: 15.07.2012 Kayuhan Amal Skudai

Sorry, readers. No photos. Was busy enjoying my ride

:)

There are too many events these days lining up in Johor alone, judging from the event invitations that I received through Facebook. During my initial year of mountain biking, I wished for mtb events in JB some years ago. Some wishes do come true, albeit realised after a few years. However, you better be careful with what you're wishing for; it may not be good for you. But in this case, I think it is a good thing in some aspects.

Take for an instance the recent event I took part in. A simple event, with a good cause, and kinda back to the roots. It was Kayuhan Amal Skudai, in conjunction with Festival Skudai 2012 at Masjid Zainal Abidin in Taman Sri Skudai. The mtb event was brought up by the handsomest bug in all Skudai, Ijat aka Kumbang Hensem Durjana with CTanggang Riders and Rahman KBC with KBC bros. The measly RM20 event fee goes to the masjid fund, while 200 registered riders were given a nice turquoise cotton t-shirt.

I registered as a walk-in (or pedal-in) rider that morning. The ride suits me very well in various facets. First and foremost, it is a charity ride - fii sabilillah - for the masjid's fund. And the rest, on equal ground: riding with friends, excellent trail, a short distance offroad and a closure for my offroad biking before Ramadhan (which is, not many). I noticed that my handlebar gathered dust from too much resting at home. Sheeshhh...

Alhamdulillah, the weather was fine as it was raining the day before. Mudfest expected, and more or less prepared. To get to the trailhead, 6+ km tarmac warmup required, guided by Traffic Police, on hilly Skudai Batu 10 area. I enjoyed tremendously the uphill sprint before the descend to the trailhead. The fun began as soon as we hit the dirt. Some younger fixed gear heads went in too, I guess to get a taste of offroad, but I think more of a preservation (and manifestation) of their ego. Well, you never underestimate what the young ones could do. Let them be. I went ahead to enjoy my ride.

;)

The beginning of the offroad was quite mild, but my bike was relishing it; and so did I. I intended to enjoy every inch of the trail. Soon enough, we hit the trail junction. Rather, a secret door to an awesome technical trail loop. Magical it might seem, with the damp ground and undulating, swervy singletrack  strewn with roots in certain sections. There's also a slippery KumBerm and some drops. That's Plastic Cup. The loop is about 2km. Panjang and I enjoyed it so much, we went it for a second serving of the cup. How envious we were with folks at Skudai who regard this as their evening playground after working hours (or before iftar).

We continued to Denai Trail. Here, the magic continued further. More singletracks, with some bumps and the infamous drop, decorated with a gem of a finishing at Bukit Tergolek - a steep drop that (honestly) made my heart pounding and knees wobbling. I bypassed the first mega drop, and continued on. But I knew from my first visit here more than a year ago, that BT is the pièce de résistance not to be missed. I was a bit shaken upon descending the BT drop, forcing me to suspend right at the edge of it. It took me some time to regain my normal heartbeat and shaking knees attenuated. I redeemed myself finally, and descended not once but twice. Pure adrenaline rush. Loved it.

*ye laa... tak tergolek, boleh la kata macam-macam...

After much of a carnival at the base of BT we headed to Bukit Double Trouble before a somewhat fast singletrack with an ending at a small drop. I thought that it was over, but soon enough there was a little surprise - Bukit Che Mat greeted us. Rather a big mound than a small hill. Plus, some more small drops after that. Still, simple features like this make the playground a happy place. For the bike and myself.

We got back to the trailhead, right where we came in from and pedaled uphill on the tarmac to get back to the event base. Total distance was less than 20 km, and I finished the ride at 11.30 am.

I stayed around to cool down and enjoyed the tug-of-war match at the field. I reached home at 12.30 noon, much to the delight of my missus.

:D

To Ijat, Rahman, Skudai folks and everyone else who made the event possible - thumbs up for you. May Allah bless you for all the good deeds done.

See y'all in the trails, local and elsewhere(!) after Ramadhan, insyaAllah.

Thanks for coming around.

Have a blessed Ramadhan.

Ride a Bike

I recommend for you to ride a bicycle:

for your spiritual health - involve zikr with each pedal stroke

for your physical health - even a short spin around the neighbourhood would make you sweat and put in some exercise

for your mental health - be alone even when riding in a group

.

.

.

.

.

*fill in the blanks (believe me, you would be filling in many lines after some kilometers).

Have a good day.

Ride a Bike

Merino Wool?

merino wool jersey - have ewe tried it yet?

Latfy - a reborn cyclist (and I mean a very avid cyclist at that) - was checking up on the idea of wearing merino wool shirt for his RTW. Both of us agree that in our local climate we would surely sweat when riding the bike. I had done tests myself on my RTW journeys with cotton t-shirts and polyester jerseys. No matter how cool the weather is (post rain, gloomy sky, etc.), surely I would be sweaty whenever I'm stopping at the traffic light.

The other challenge is to not be stinky because of the sweat. One of my two Sugoi jerseys would smell a bit funny when I'm sweaty - perhaps because of the polyester. The other jersey, Brooks with X-Static material is much better, with no odor due to its anti-bacterial properties.

And then Latfy gave me this link:

http://www.outsideonline.com/blog/two-weeks-one-wool-shirt.html

Two weeks with one shirt with no odor? That's something. Anybody tried any merino wool jersey in our local climate? Especially when it's hot and humid, for any types of cycling - road, offroad, RTW, touring, etc. Please share your experience. I'd like to know what you think (feel).

So far I've got a pair of Smartwool socks from a Timberland store (and they're not a cheap pair of socks!). A bit thick, I've been wearing them with my sneakers only. No cycling yet.

Why Merino Wool?

http://www.merino.com/en/active-wear/performance-benefits

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-merino-wool.htm

image taken from here.

Event: 17.06.2012 Wa Cycles XC Challenge 2012

come down to Seri Alam, y'all!

As the title suggests, it is a race. And pretty accurate timescoring at that, using timing chips system. The first MTB XC race in Malaysia utilising such tech.

Details are on the poster.

Ad: if you need accommodation (homestay) in Plentong (a few km from Seri Alam), do contact me 012.7318839.
Reasonable rate for mountain bikers.
;)

Have a good weekend.
Train hard. And enjoy it.

X-by-10 speed: inevitable?

I'm a fan of 9 speed. That's purely because of the $ aspect. Technologically, I have never heard of 10 speed (on the rear) having issues. All three bikes at home are with 3x9 setting, so I'm keeping parts inventory low. They are interchangeable. I'm a modular kind of guy, you see.

 

This morning I got the news from SRAM that X5 is now offered in 2x10 config. Of course, this was following the trend as the equal stable from Shimano - Deore - has led.

 

So, is the transition to 10 speed inevitable, be it 3x10 or 2x10?

 

I'd like to try it out for my Trance. Anyone would like to sponsor me for the shift?

Pardon the pun. Can't help it.

:)

 

11 speed?

I am left behind, it seems. Shimano in their XTR outfit is beginning to roll out 11 speed. SRAM is with their XX1 (1x11)

I'm game for this tech push, as long as it benefits in smoother shifting, less weight, durable and affordable.

Well, that last part I guess we have to wait a few years down the line.

 

Have a great day.

Thanks for coming over.

Event: 02-03.06.2012 Downmall Pelangi

You might have seen it on YouTube before. Well, that's somewhere else. DH nuts are bringing it to Malaysia for the first time ever. And it is in JB. How cool is that. (Okay, only if there are no fatal injury, of course).

Head down to JB, then. If you're not participating, witnessing it would also be awesome. Parking space as usual in Plaza Pelangi is quite limited. Heck, go there by your bike, then.

Perhaps after this we can have indoor loop race in Kemayan City like the Europeans and Americans are doing.

A bit scary, I know.

;)

p.s.: search 'downmall' in YouTube.

Event: Charity Rides in JB this weekend 25-27.05.2012

Objective:

Charity ride to raise fund for surgical operation of Azhar's (of Cyclemotion JB) 6 months old daughter Nur Liyana, due to heart complication.

Bring along some donation with you and enjoy the rides.

Pasir Gudang - Charity Baby Girl Nite Ride

Date: 25.05.2012 (Friday)

Time: 8.30 pm

Venue: Kolej Komuniti Pasir Gudang. Jalan Kijang, Taman Scientex. N1.495553, E103.912819

Type: Friday Nite Ride on road

Route: Kolej Komuniti - Kong Kong - Kolej Komuniti

Host: Angah Bike Shack

Note: F&B will be provided

Skudai - Ride of Hope

Date: 27.05.2012 (Sunday)

Time: 0830 start rolling

Venue: Techpro Cycles. Jalan Bakti 1, Mutiara Rini, Skudai, Johor. N1.527179, E103.631123

Type: Sunday morning offroad ride, distance about 30km.

Route: marked offroad trail - Mutiara Rini Trail

Host: Cyclemotion JB with CTanggang Riders and HSACC

Note: facebook event page link here.

Muc-Off Bicycle Cleaner

caution: this awesome product might turn you into a lazy cyclist

(but you save time and energy for cleaning up your dirty bike so you can ride your heart out)

Admittedly I wanted to have something clever for the title of this entry, but there are too many to choose from. So, I just leave it in the simplest form.

I bought my first bottle of 1L from Angah Bike Shack (ABS) in Pasir Gudang for less than RM40. Roughly 1L of the pink liquid would see you through about 5 to 6 washings. Of course, it depends entirely on how mucky your bike is. Now I'm buying refills of 1L for RM25. RM5 per wash is good, given the amount of energy and time saved.

It is very, very easy to use. This is how I do it:

If the dirt on my bike is already dried up, I'll wet if with water by hosing over.

Then, I'd spray the Muc-Off onto the dirt and leave for 3-5 minutes - letting it work its way to the dirt.

Finally, I spray the water with garden water hose onto the dirty bike. Just a normal jet, no need for a high pressure jet (I don't own one, anyway).

And, the beautiful part is I don't have to use any brush or even need to touch the bike.

Really.

I keep my bike in the house, so I have to keep my bike clean after every ride - especially the tires. Cleaning the tires manually by using a scrubber would take me ages, while breaking my back doing the labour. With Muc-Off I'm saving my time and also energy. Full-sussers would appreciate it even better. I find it very helpful in cleaning the suspension link on my Trance because it gets through the tight space. I would usually scrub it by using old toothbrush, but with MO I'm getting lazy now while getting almost the same result if not better. After a tiring ride, especially. Indispensable. Plus, it is earth-friendly so I don't need to worry about damaging my lawn or the drainage.

However, do not be too lazy to clean up your drivetrain. It is NOT a degreaser. You still need to clean your 3C's - chain, crankset and cassette.

The photos in this ALBUM show the steps and before and after shots.

View to appreciate.

Muc-Off Bicycle Cleaner is available in 1L spray bottle, pressure bottle and as a kit.

If you're in JB, Muc-Off is available from these friendly bike shops (as far as I know):

• Angah Bike Shack - Taman Scientex, Pasir Gudang (search facebook)
• Techpro Cycles - Mutiara Rini, Skudai
• Jean Sport Enterprise - Masai Utama, Masai

Muc-Off have other products as well.

Read more: www.Muc-Off.com

this entry is written in the light of sharing; no commercial backing whatsoever.

I don't get paid for this.

Puma Presents: Fixed-Gear 101

For Fixed heads, got something for you in case you haven't read it yet.

Puma Presents: Fixed-Gear 101

Interesting read, actually.

Read and ride better, for part of riding a bike is with our head.

Have a good day.

Thanks for coming around.

Commuter's Bike Shop

Wouldn't it be nice if we have a bike shop dedicated for non-sportive people. The specialty bike shop would cater for the needs of daily commuters, tourers, randonneurs and the like. For people who take cycling as a means of transport, not sports. Utilitarian Human Powered Vehicles.

The shop would have decent selection of commuter bikes, town bikes, Dutch bikes, hybrids, foldables, fixed gear and even recumbents - the kind of bikes (and 'bents) that people would use for travelling efficiently from point A to B. It should also have a comprehensive spread of parts, consumables, accessories and apparels for the needs of the commuters. What should the shop stock on? Read up Bicycle Times and Momentum magazine and you'll get the big picture. Of course, it would be a strange place to sell car bike racks.

I mentioned the above to my missus, and she quipped almost without hesitation:

why don't you open the bike shop yourself?

For now it's a pipe dream. And in that dream, the shop would have dedicated musolla, shower booths, bike parking facility, repair and maintenance area, and a riders' lounge. Well, pretty much like Mellow Johnny's. Oh, and the bike shop would hold leisure rides, tours and more importantly, cycling clinics. Yes, pretty much like MJ's.

:D

I think there's such a bike shop in UPM, run by Akmal. Not me, though.

Thanks for dropping by.

Ride safe, and have a great weekend!

Review: Tires - Maxxis Detonator 26/1.5 Black

whiteheads?

From Maxxis webpage:

One of our most popular road training tires is now available for your 26" wheels.  With its Silkworm protection for puncture resistance and a lightweight, foldable bead, the Detonator provides great traction and durability.  Perfect for road training when you only have one bike available - or for daily commuting.

Mine: 26/1.5 black, foldable.

Single density compound - a bit soft, sands get lodged in the rubber compound and tears all along the tire surface.

Silkworm protection - not good enough. I get punctures from glasses (cuts) and staples.

Weight: about 1kg for a pair is good, but at the expense of puncture protection. Not good trade-off; I'd rather go for a weightier puncture resistant tires, which spares me the time consumed and stresses that come with flat tires.

First of all, they're road training tires. Period. I won't take them for daily commuting. Not for my normal RTW route which is a combination of tarmac, loose gravels, puddles, glass littered road shoulders and a short section of red earth.

Been using them for 4 months of daily commuting, about 1000km. Bought the pair for RM120 from LBS - way much cheaper than other commuter tires. Anyway, since these are the only ones available (and cheap at the same time), I grab them as a much needed replacement for RiBMos. So those are the reasons for me getting these softies - not much choice, cheap, and quick replacements.

Unfortunately, it is true that 'good things not cheap, cheap things not good'. I should have known better. The compound is soft, such that sands would be able to lodge on the surface like whiteheads on a person's face. Upon closer inspection, there are numerous tears on the tire surface which is quite scary. I had a few punctures during the last 3 weeks for the front and rear tires, but thankfully not at the same time. However, it is really frustrating that these can't be trusted for my daily commute.

Ride quality is good, as the soft compound absorbs a bit of the vibration from the road. I put on 60psi from the max 80. Any lower, the ride is painfully slow and a bit squishy.

Puncture resistance is not good, mainly due to the soft compound.

Grip is good, and for more than 1000km now, they are in still good condition. The tread wear is quite good. When bought new, they are noticeably tacky when I hold them, early indication of their good grip. Braking is good, however I don't do skids.

Verdict:

I won't go back to these for my RTW unless really, really desperate and would be using them only on nicest tarmac. And being very cautious. Well, sounds like not going to be a carefree ride.

Anyway, as they mentioned: 'for road training'. Don't believe the 'or for daily commuting' bit.

Note to local bike shops:

Please stock good tires for commuting. Pretty please.

Sans Casque

Period: 19~23/03/2012 (11th weeklong in 2012).

Breezy, and no helmet hair. Surely.

I've tried once before this doing my RTW without wearing a helmet. The ride was quite aggressive, my head was sweaty and trickled down to my face. Not a good feeling. Lately, I've been riding a la bike commuter proper. Relaxed ride, spinning leisurely and enjoying the breeze from the ride. Going uphill would take some time as I'm utilising the low gears in order to spin the crank at a leisurely rate. So, it is different now. And I tried a week of RTW without wearing my helmet.

It's a sin, I know. And that's coincidentally a day after the late Rafizi Hamdan met with fatal accident on the MRR2.

:'(

Here's what I found out:

1. My head feels lighter with wind on my hair

It is simpler to go out of the house and just pedal off. I can feel the breezy air on my scalp as I hit 10km/h mark.

However, I feel awkward without the helmet on my head (of course, silly!).

2. Feeling of Freedom and carefree

I feel more like a commuter ;)

Just like people in Taiwan, China, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and fellow Bangla riders in Pasir Gudang.

With helmet, I feel like a bit over the top when riding with them.

Without it though, I feel awkward and a bit 'naked'.

3. Feel more cautious

I was guilt-ridden for not wearing my helmet, in part because I feel that I'm a role model for safety of cycling on the road.

I associate the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE, helmet in this case) as a signal of being safety conscious and that I take safety as paramount in RTW.

Without the helmet, I feel that I am much more cautious compared to wearing a helmet. Perhaps because I feel vulnerable without the protective shell sitting atop my head, for I've had it all these time.

So yes, I pedaled leisurely but cautiously without helmet. And it's a bit tiring.

4. Sweaty, still

Due to humidity, my scalp does get sweaty especially when I stop at the traffic light.

With a helmet, I need to shampoo my hair due to sweat soaked on the inner helmet pads.

Without, I just need to dry the hair a bit with towel and that saves me some time getting ready for the day in the office. Quite convenient. But, only if I ride the bike at a leisurely pace, i.e. 18km/h average. Yes, slow.

So, do I like it?

Yes and no.

Yes it is nice to be free. But I don't feel safe. To think about it, I've never met with an accident during my RTW whereby I knock my head. The worst was I hit the ground with my shoulder. So, statistically over the couple of years when I RTW on a regular basis, the helmet is a 260g mass sitting on my head strapped under the chin.

However, I have to say that I have more respect to cyclists who respect themselves; wearing a cycling helmet while riding. That's the case in  Malaysia, I think. At least, for me. Well, I'm blessed so far without any head-knocking accident. And I don't want to be without a helmet when I'm in one (na'uzubillah).

Of course, there's the debate of riding the bike with and without helmet which I wouldn't dwell about in here.

My stand? I'm wearing one because of safety and other abstract reasons. Besides, my MET Falco is sub-300g (that's light) and I look good with it.

Don't I?

Don't ride without it. Have a beautiful helmet hair, you.

Thanks for coming over.

Enjoy your weekend ride.

Milestone: 50th RTW 2012

Today marks my 50th RTW for 2012.

Stats:

Odometer: 1053.7 km 

Earliest out: 6.37am

Latest out: 7.21am :P

Fastest door-to-door: 27 minutes

Slowest door-to-door: 44 minutes

Shortest route: 10.34 km

Longest route: 14.36 km

Highest average speed: 26.4 km/h

Lowest average speed: 18.8 km/h

Monthlong: 2 out of 4 (50% achieved)

Weeklong: 12 out of 20 (60% achieved)

The one I'm really keen to improve is on the time I'm going out. The earlier the better.

As for the targets, currently I'm ahead of time and hopefully I can surpass it like last year.

Why the stats?

Well, it's fun to keep track on the progress. And for me to show with you that it can be done, rain and shine (I prefer if it's not raining, though).

However, I foresee that when I'm a regular commuter, the stats don't matter anymore. Just like when you stop keeping track of your baby's walking progress.

We'll see.

Thanks for coming over.

Be kind to cyclists. Share The Road.

Enjoy your ride.

In The News: MNCF losing out despite booming industry

Read the full article in here (NST).

And yes, mtb jamborees are now more or less a weekly event; a better scene compared to only a couple of years back. Good for the riders, they can choose to their liking. Even better for those who 'cari makan', jamborees also do give out prize money, if not as the training ground or platform to gauge their performance.

I don't know if the struggling junior cyclists are taking part in the jamborees. Well, why not MNCF sanction the jamborees and make it as a talent scout or something out of it for the advancement of the sport. Just put the bureaucracy, lengthy protocols (if any) and $-raking out of the scene. I'm okay with Negaraku, 1Malaysia and state song before the flag-off.

One thing for sure they'll be very, very busy lot all throughout the year.

Riders want to ride. Period.

Thanks for coming over.

Have a good one.