PT Riders at The Wetland, Oct 11,

We started cycling together again last week (Oct 3&4, 2009). With two months laps and the additional weight and fat contributed by the endless consumption of lemang, ketupat, rendang, lontong, kueh and the lots it was really a trying moment for us to complete a mere 10KM. In anticipating this difficulty on the first day we decided to explore a new route along the Semenyih river. After the bridge at Impian Putra we turned left next to the river and rode off road along the river expecting new adventure. Din and Izam were cheeky letting me to lead just in case a surprise came jumping out of the bush or something to chase us. We arrived at a spoke just before the highway bridge and when I saw construction debris almost blocking the path I continued to cycle under the bridge. By then I saw ahead the Sg Buah's Driving School and Testing Center telling me roughly where we were heading and the possible exit point to the main road. Soon we came to the front yard of what I suspected a three well built squatter's residents. They could not have been legit due to the position of the houses closed to the river. We cycled pass the houses that took us to a section where a single car wide tarmac on our left and an off road path leading up to the main road of Sg Buah. We reserved the tarmac road for another day to explore and we cycled straight on to the main road to turn right towards Bangi Lama road for us to be on our normal route to Teras Jernang aftre that.

Once we reached the round about I decided to stop to take my camera out. Naturally Din and Izam stopped as well for a breather and we ended up taking a short rest before we tackled the long climb ahead of us. To make life a bit more interesting, I am not going to say who, one of us suddenly had to go big time. By the look of it, it was one nasty motion that needed to be passed. So that person scrambled up the climb quickly with the idea to stop at the Petronas Stataion at Sg Merab. I announced there probably one surau at the Kampung. Down at the end before the climb at the Spastic Children Complex we turned left into the kampong and true enough there was a big new surau on our left and we stopped.

With that diversion our next logical option was to cycle out and turn left towards Limau Manis. We discussed how far we wanted to go and Izam confidently said Alamanda. The thing I like about the route was the series of climbs that we had to do. Save one most of them are not steep but the cycling will sag your energy definitely if you are not careful with your cycling. Climbing too fast initially would drain your energy quickly while taking it too easy would drain you all the way. So just like anything else constant speed is the best approach. Through these climbs I realized my cadence was not consistent.

I let both Din and Izam lead in front during the climb as I almost reach the maximum HR level. At the steep climb in front of Kakak’s friend’s house I saw Din dropping to the side to stop and Izam agonizingly climbing to the peak. I passed Din and it was his chain and as I slowly passed Izam I asked for confirmation whether we were continuing to Alamanda as planned or heading for home. Loudly and instantaneously he exclaimed ‘balik! Aku dah nak pengsan ni!’. I could understand his dilemma because right in front of us would be another two nasty climbs. I immediately turned left to fly downwards towards Sekolah Teknik Sepang. Then slowly we cycled home via the same off road we got out. At 0906 we were under the highway, not resting, killing times as we were early.

Check our our photos here

On Sunday (Oct 4, 2009) the same three musketeers rode out to take the same off road as the previous day after Impian Putra bridge. Still none of us had any ideas where to go. As we were cycling along the river we started to talk about Sg Buah where I once been and Din once or twice. Immediately it was decided that was where we were heading. We cycled out to the Bangi Dengkil road and turned left after the bridge climbing towards Sg Buah. The Eidil Fitri was still very much in the air, the fact even more stronger once we approached the Kg where the houses around the area was like any typical kampong scene. All the three of us suddenly became nostalgic. We even suggested to each other next year to created the atmosphere to plan to bakar lemang and rebus ketupat. Which none of us had even an ounce of clue how or what to do to masak lemang. Nostalgically we cycled slowly through the kampong until the end when we entered the other entrance to Bukit Unggul. We kept on cycling ahead until we reached a tunnel under Elite Highway leading to the other side. We took it that was the place to take a break and to turn back later.

We stayed there around 20 minutes chatting until we decided to cycle back home. Since we were there already I loudly suggested we cycled through the tunnel to see what’s exactly on the other side. Din and Izam followed. Immediately on the other side was a short climb and we stopped next to the highway. Beyond us was definitely USIM and it would be a different day for us to explore further. We turned back and took our own sweet time cycling home. Once we reach the kampong we decided to explore the inner route and were presented with a pleasant surprise of coming out to the Bailey bridge that we passed on the way in earlier. Since it was still very early we stopped at the bridge just to enjoy ourselves before we head for home. As we were standing and talking a familiar car came onto the bridge to turn left into the kampong. We acknowledged her and speculated on her objective.

The bridge that we stopped at was actually a Bailey bridge. Somewhat a rare thing these days and I took an extra interest on it. On the bridge we talked about our river cruising project. Looking at the water we decided it would be doable for us. Still, confidence that we are, we still need a few kayak or white water rafting lessons. We talked about exploring the area in the near future.

After awhile we decided to cycle home and we reached home just after 0900. As usual we stopped at Midi’s for breakfast.

Our photos from the ride

The day before, Saturday (Oct 10, 2009), I could not join the guys cycling as I had an important matter to deal with in Bera, Triang, Pahang so we planned to do the Putrajaya Wetland on Sunday, Oct 11, 2009. The plan for that morning for the four of us, Din, Izam, Baqir and myself, was to cycle there from home and for our wives to follow in a car to meet us there. Sam, my wife, was to join us cycling at the wetland whereas Din’s and Izam’s families were to have picnic and family fun time there. We left the house at around 0700 and cycled earnestly so that we would not be too late to reach the Wetland. I suggested to Sam to start at around 0815 together with Din’s and Izam’s families so that they we could arrive together at the Wetland at 0900. On the way there we explored new route the best we can. Those that have used the Sekolah Teknik route to Putrajaya know what kind of terrain that we have to conquer to get to Putrajaya. We were punished. Not fit and we had to do three steep climbs in a row. Huffing and puffing we reached the entrance to Putrajaya and stopped for a well deserved break. Ahead of us would be another long gradual climb to the Wetland.

Everything seemed to be perfectly timed. As soon as we reached the boathouse our wives drove into the parking lots. At the same time Allah prevailed by gifting us with a rain. As it turned out Izam and Din actually planned to park and picnic at the Wetland Park which was just a short drive ahead. We conferred and decided they will proceed there with their wife and I chose to park at the boathouse and cycled to the Wetland Park from there. The rain started to get heavier and we waited for awhile at the boathouse. After a while we concluded that there was no point waiting as we were going to get wet anyhow. We started to cycle under the rain. It was not bad but we knew eventually we were going to be drenched. Baqir decided to cycle ahead and I stayed back with Sam to cycle slowly.

At around 1000 we reached the Park and climbed up to the main office area. On the way we met with Izam, Din, Azrul and Azrul’s friend. They were cycling towards us. On reaching us they invited us for a picnic breakfast.

After the mee hon, nasi lemak and the hot Nescafe the rain stopped prompting Izam and Din to rent bicycles from he park office for their families. As for us after we had rest a little bit left to explore the place further and eventually took a short cut back to the boathouse.

Our photos at the Wetland

This is photo of Din, Izam and their families at The Wetland

April Fool Ride, Putrajaya, Apr 1, 2009

A total of 20 riders turned up for the ride and three quarter of them were from the Gedebe gang. Except for Alif and me all of them came down with their road mean machines. I said mean machines because they were indeed a very powerful bicycles where even the weakest of the rider will leave you breathing wind behind from the get go. A couple of Cervelo, Bianchi, Trek, Merida and the like. There I was with my Trek MTB thinking very hard on how or what to do to make sure I would not be too far behind. As usual I had Alif but I wanted to build up my speed and endurance and planned to stay in touch with the roadies. Which mean if Alif stayed back I’d hope someone would sweep.

Surprisingly when I arrived at the Dataran I was presented with a clear sky. In fact a few minutes after a crescent came out with stars flickering around. We definitely riding tonight I said to myself. We rolled out around 2145 and as I guessed tackling the outer ring of Putrajaya. Alif and I started off among the second pelaton but when ahead after the first pelaton waited at the last bus stand before we went out of the big Precint 1 round about. I pushed hard at the front but I knew the roadies will pass me in due time which they did as I was climbing below the junction just before the PM’s resident. With the biggest crank on I stayed with them. I could not help to think if I were on one of those flyers I would be blazing the Putrajaya night myself. With that kind of machine there is no way I would be just cruising. So for now to protect myself from myself I would stick with my Trek MTB. I was cruising at a constant speed passing the PM’s resident on my left and over Section 10 before proceeding towards the Cyberjaya Dengkil highway. It was a long nice incremental climb from there to the bridge over the old MDC HQ, my old office.

As I was under the pass to Cyberjaya Marina, the birthday girl, passed me. Quickly I moved behind her tail and let her pulled me through the gradient going towards Dengkil. As we passed Cyberlodge looking down at my old office I wondered whether I would be riding there had I stayed working for MDC. I continued tailing Marina closely until we were approaching the turn to Precint 5 that I let her go a little bit. But instead, probably not realizing I was behind her, she stopped waiting. I thought there was something wrong with her bicycle but when I came close she said she was not sure which way to go. I asked her to follow me and cranked up around the junction towards our halfway rest spot. At the rest point waiting were Pak Wan, MBA, Muhaimy, Pak Samad and Doc Taufik. By the look at it the first pelaton must have sped away. As usual we took a five minutes break. Apart from the obvious at the rest point is where bicycle stories were flowing. Each rides for us a new adventure as well as another classroom of anything to do with bicycle and cycling. This time Pak Wan held court narrating mostly their recent tour down from KB to Kuantan.

Pak Wan gave the ladies the honor to resume the ride and off Alif went almost flying followed by Marina. Knowing that if the guys follow suit I am going to be left behind I took off after them. Relishing a long climb in front of me plus the desire to regain my fitness I overtook them and rode at a constant speed alone upfront. I knew in no time the guys would be behind me. I felt I go harder but I restrained myself afraid I drained myself during the long climb. Soon I heard them coming from behind and one by one overtook me. Pak Samad on his road Trek came to my side about to pass but I held his progress by asking him about his Trek. He gave a thumb up. As Pak Samad slowly move up Pak Wan joined me from behind and we had a chat for a while.

Looking at the red flickering night riding light in front Pak Wan decided to chased and when he pulled out I tailed him hoping he could pull me. I never ever was going to last long tailing him as he inched forward further and further from me. However Allah knows best as about 30 metres before the overhead bridge to Kg Limau Manis came the rain. It was not heavy but we saw in front of us the guys beside the road. When I got there I thought I wanted to join them but since I am in the momentum to climb I decided not to stop and Pak Wan followed me. The guys stopped because they wanted to secure their handphones from the rain. As I passed I joked by asking ‘nak bukak payung ke?’ I made the right decision as I climbed the rain stop for a while giving me enough dry tarmac to push harder. By that time Pak Wan was way ahead of me already. I pushed and pushed until almost three quarter of the climb when the rain started to really fall and hitting my face. About 30 meters to the top I pressed forward using Pak Wan’s red tail light as my beacon. Once I was almost at the peak I was thinking of slaloming down but I saw flickering signal lights on my left down below indicating several of them were waiting the rain out under the overheard road. I hit the break and pull over slowly.

If not for the rain we could have been back to our starting point by 2330 but it was not all lost. While waiting with, mostly the Gedebe gang we got to know each other better. I witnessed also the Chief Poison and Super Dealer and Trader at work ). Pak Wan was relentless with his dealing and managed to get a deal done out of nothing. It was a joy to witness. The rain came pouring for about half an hour or so and nothing much we could do accept to wait. It was about midnight when the rain eased a bit and would be acceptable for us to continue and finish our cycling for the night. We waited for the last group and as soon as they joined us we pedaled hard home to our cars.

Since it was still raining when we reached the Dataran everyone just quickly packed their bikes, said goodbyes and drove home. Thus no makan-makan for the birthday girl just a wet Aprilfool ride.

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 :((

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

Another Cycling Story from My Main Blog

Hopefully this is a new beginning that I am going to be serious again. I am thinking of upgrading my bike since the pleasure is here again.

Destination Putrajaya, May 27, 2007

Acong, Mazri, ‘Bang Cik’ and Faridza went out to UKM yesterday. I got some errands to do and managed to check-out the bicycle shop that Mazri mentioned just after the Simpang Balak junction. I spent a bit of time there chatting with the owner, an ex-Malaysian rider, about bicycle, mainly Trek, and several groups of cyclist around Kajang and Bangi. It was nice to know there are actually several groups of road and mountain biker in our area.

Today Mazri, Acong and I decided to go to Putrajaya. Since I had to send my daughter to school first I decided to take my bike with me on the truck and join Acong and Mazri at Sg Merab.

This was where I waited for Acong and Mazri before we headed for the day's outing

Mazri was already far ahead down at the far turning when I decided to stop for these shots. It was the road heading towards Limau Manis


We had just finished climbing up and down three very steep road before heading for Putrajaya

Arrived at Alamanda around 0845 and took our break before heading home

The Horses