Putrajaya Night Ride, Mar 25, 2009

RB: Col Azudin, Muhaimy, Dr Taufik, Marina, Won, Won’s colleague and another regular rider in Putrajya that I missed his name
MTB: Alif and me

The group was slightly bigger than the day before and I had Alif for company on MTB. The rest of the group arrived with the intention of doing the ride in record time :). I was a bit late than the usual but on time. As usual we started out from the Putra Square and proceeded towards Cyberjaya using the route we took on Monday. I did not know the exact route yet but basically it would be Cyberjaya back to Putrajya via the PICC. Well that was not exactly specific as with this group and in this area it could be anything. What I like about cycling here is that we could do a lot of different variations to our ride. This time around as soon as we entered Cyberjaya at the TM Innovation Centre we turned right and proceeded to do a loop around MMU and then back down the main road back through Cyberview Lodge and came out at Seri Puteri bridge towards Dengkil to turn left back towards PICC. All the way was a hit, run and spin ride for me as I would like to gain my stamina quickly before I could mend my endurance. I was limited to constant speed as I had Aliff with me. I could not leave her behind and speed on like the day before. (Alif if you were reading this do not take this the wrong way I enjoyed riding alongside you and would not leave you unescorted). I was still having problem with climbing, something that I need to work out quickly. Probably I need to go back to UKM to run the hills there.

We took a break at the usual place before we continued back. Col said we were to take the Equestrian exit and I thought the same route we took last week. I did not hear he said to finally exit at Alamanda. Both Alif and I resumed the ride first and soon the roadies overtook us. I stayed back not far in front of Alif just to make sure. As we approached the Equestrian exit I saw Dr Taufik by the roadside waiting for us and as I passed him he stayed behind to wait and accompanied Alif. Later looking back seeing Dr Taufik was with Alif I cranked up and sped into the cold night. Of course thinking it was the same route as last week I turned left to enter the boulevard just a block before the Palace of Justice. I did not know that the group in front was actually speeding ahead towards Alamanda. I entered and used the path in the middle of the boulevard and sped like mad. I did not see anybody ahead of me and I thought they must have sped away to the finishing line. But when I got to the Dataran Putra I did no see anybody. It hit me immediately that they must have taken another route. So I just spin around to cool off and waited for them. Unknowing to me the group actually waited and was trying to call me but none of them had my number. Worrying that I might fall again they took a shortcut through Section 16 back to the Dataran. I managed to spoil their ride which they could have done 35-40km that night. So sorry guys :((

Cycling Around Malaysia

The Gedebe Gang is in Kota Baru now to kick off their second phase of AMAZING RIDE AROUND MALAYSIA. This second leg would take them through Kelantan and Terengganu for three days before they stop at Kuantan. Their third leg will be from Kuantan to JB. They are going to continue the next leg from Jb to Putrajaya in July and finish off the north leg just after Ramadhan. They are doing this using road bikes. At the moment I really envy them and at the same adding great encouragement to my own effort to do the same next year but on MTB. I posted my desire in my Facebook and suggested to Lan last night and we had an encouraging discussion about it. If ever we going to do it we are going to do it conquering state by state. I still have a lot of practice ahead of me

Putrajaya Night Ride, Mar 23-24, 2009

For two consecutive weeks and three nights in arrow I had joined the rest of PERs gang cycling at Putrajya at night. The first time was slow and easy that suited a person who is not fit like me. The second night, I thought going to be easy again, we were joined by experience and fast riders on road bikes. I had my doubt of my endurance and since I had other MTB riders with me I was less worried. Still, I struggled a bit to keep up in the beginning. As I got into the rhythm I found extra incentive to push further. Last two nights I pushed myself even further and hit my maximum heart rate only once. I found the new gearing was excellence and easy to use. My objective this week is to get myself familiar with it and will test certain variation especially during a climb.

The good thing about PNR is that we do different route each night

Why Am I Cycling?

`I could give several good logical reasons why I diligently cycling now. One that must be on top of the list would be exercising for health reason. True, but if I were to be honest with my self it is not just entirely that. Just like train I guess I just love cycling and because I did not have a bicycle when I grew up the needs exploded now when I could afford any bicycle that I want. My father did not buy us a bike not because he could not afford it but more for him the bike meant a longer reach for us. Being a naughty boy that I was the bicycle will take me even further than I was used to. It was a way of protecting me from me. I could understand that but I was really angry and frustrated. All my friends had their own bike and they even cycled to school but I felt I was deprived of the excitement. My only option then was of course to borrow my friends or anybody’s bike that I could. Sometimes I was so embarrassed by it. When I was back in my kampong most of the uncles would gladly borrowed their ‘Norton’ bicycle to me. I practically could cycle every day or every time it was not being used. But I had to be very careful as the bicycle back then was the main transportation for their livelihood. The best time was when I cycled side saddle liked on paddy bund.

So I am cycling now because I did not have my own bicycle when I was a kid. Payback time!!!

Kayuhan Sawah Padi, Sg Sireh, Kuala Selangor, Mar. 8, 2009

It has been slightly more than two months since I had my last serious cycling and the Kayuhan Sawah Padi was supposed to be my reintroduction. So I was a bit unsure of myself the day before the ride. Furthermore it was a three day weekend which I could easily find many good excuses for not going. I nearly did. Deep down I knew I can’t do that as I really needed this ride. I am glad in the end I decided to go. Continue reading here.