Jelajah Malaysia Stage 4 Batu Pahat - Muar.

Flag off for this stage was scheduled at 10am. The tour entourage consisted of me and Ali (takde orang lain dah ke? Kasi le awek cun ke). We arrived at Padang JKR at about 9.15am, and the camera trigger finger ensued.


Riders lining for signature control. Riders who pulled off the race were marked with a black square on the board.


Tour Chairman, Datuk Asta-the Man Abdul Aziz. He's related to Ali. So dapat VIP pass. Hahaha. Korang ingat Ali tu kawan baik aku ke? Karot je sebenarnya. Hahahaha. Aku dah plan benda ni 5 bulan dah.


Tips for people who are going for Ironman. Down at least 5 bananas before the race. Pros do it.


The newest local celebrity. Anuar Manan is a crowd pleaser, shown here shaking hands and high-fiving his fans. One uncle shouted before the start, "SAYA PEMINAT NOMBOR 1 ANUAR MANAN!!!" and later a blardee loud "MALAYSIA BOLEH!!!"


This is him.


The previous stage category leaders. From foreground to back: Amir Mustaffa, Hossein Askari, Li Fuyu, Anuar Manan.


At EXACTLY 10am, the riders were released.


Like a true cycling enthusiast, Datuk Astaman hurried on his motorcycle (yes, the vehicle with 2 wheels) and jumped on behind the peloton. Ni baru la dikatakan minat. Kalau orang lain, mesti pergi minum teh O secawan, makan karipap sebijik, lepas tu borak-borak, then masuk keta Mercedes, air-con full blast.


After flag off, we got into the van and went straight to Yong Peng through a bypassing route, hoping to rendezvous with the peloton. But we we're too slow and they've blocked the road way ahead of our anticipation. So we had to walk quite a distance to get to the race route, but still we were few minutes too late. The pictures of the rendezvous were taken few hundred meters from the route.


Breakaway group. Anuar Manan seen here, second rider from right.


Peloton was just slightly under a minute from the break.

Off to Muar and we arrived early. Trigger finger went over-time.

I'm not really into photography. The camera was my brother's. But the reason I bring it along is so that people would take me seriously without me even trying. Point? This uncle here.


For no apparent reason, he came up to me and said "Mau ambik gambar ka? mau tengok helang punya layang-layang? Haaa. Mari mari tengok". I wasn't even going to buy it. "Takpa la. You mau ambik gambar bukan?"


Maybe he's just friendly. Or maybe he's trying to show off his Kanye West shades.


He also showed off his 'snake'. Hahaha. Don't play play. 30-foot long snake wei.

On to the race proper, the Organizer did a very good job. Everyone was updated with the whereabouts of the riders. The MC especially, did a superb job. Compared to Tour de Langkawi, where the MC's main concern was to keep the spectators off the road, the MC for Jelajah Malaysia actually hyped the atmosphere up. The relay of information is commendable.

"Breakaway group mendahului peleton sejauh 11 minit!! Dan pelumba team Kuala Lumpur, Suhardi Hassan berada di dalam breakaway group ini. Jika ini diteruskan hingga akhir perlumbaan, Jersi Putih akan bertukar tangan hari ini."

Even for thouse who don't understand how the point system works will at least feel fired up.


Stage winner, Frederick Johansson.


Last rider of the breakaway group, who's wearing an obvious battle scar. I believe this is Masakazu Ito from team Japan.

And along came the bunch group.






Stage winners: 1st place, Frederick Johansson (center), 2nd place, Kohei Uchima (right), 3rd place, Tonton Susanto (left).


Stage 4 jersey holders (L-R): Suhardi Hassan, Hossein Askari, Tonton Susanto, Anuar Manan.

Post-race window shopping:


Team Malaysia's bike.


Team Skil Shimano's bike. If only I had a bigger bag, aku curi dah benda ni.


Wheels of fortune.


When this photo was taken, at least 8 bystanders were eyeing on them bottles. Immediately a team member brought out a bag and packed everything up. Damn, melepas.

After the race, we had a big lunch with some of the crew members. Dah kata VIP. Haha.



And last but not least, may I present you the Electcom Babes.












Jelajah Malaysia is definitely here to stay and it's only going to get better. Judging from its low budget compared to TdL (I don't know exactly, but TdL had butt load of sponsors, sanctioned by the government AND was worthy to be discussed in the Parliament. Jelajah Malaysia only had one main sponsor), Jelajah Malaysia is a pocket rocket. TdL should learn something from it.


Datuk Astaman, you truly are the man!

While It's Still Closed for Cars

I've learnt from Azwar's and Adzim's blog, the Kampung Pandan - Putrajaya Expressway is almost up and ready but still undergoing some final touch ups, thus it's closed to motor vehicle until January. Apparently they turn a blind eye when cyclists use the road. One loop is 70 km (!!). Route profile is rolling hills (!!!!). It's a brand-spanking-new, smooth, virgin road (!!!!!!).


OMGWTHROTFFLMAOLOLOLOLKTHXBYEWTFBBQWWW.HOTMAIL.COM!!!

And the next possible time to back KL is during Raya Haji - Christmas holidays stretch. 2 more weekends to get there!! That's 2 wasted weekends in between!!! Aaaarrggghh!! Rugi rugi rugi!!

Astaghfirullah. Amende emo emo nih....

Friday, Saturday We Chill on Sunday

Friday: Round-up meeting with the Penghulu Kampung of Kampung Parit Othman, Batu Pahat for the community health screening IMU is organizing mid this month. Most of the kampung folks converse in Javanese among themselves. Gila cool lah Bahasa Jawa. Waras waras waras.

Saturday: Sister's wedding. Highlight of the day, makan benda merapu-rapu and topped everything up with a hefty bowl of kacang kuda rebus. That resulted in a farting frenzy few hours later. Damn bloody hilarious when there's a microphone and huge speakers available. Kacang kuda + PA system = makes you kentut like a kuda. But kacang kuda in English is chick peas. So does it make me kentut like a chick? Hahaha. Jangan harap.

Sunday: 48km bike ride with Ali. Batu 18 - Sungai Tekala - Batu 18. Rupa-rupanya there are more cyclists on Sundays compared to Saturdays. The remnants of yesterday's kacang kuda provided an extra boost especially on flats.

Today: Ada lagi saki-baki kacang kuda. Adui. Kena pasang muffler baek punya.

Pre-Burger Ride

Batu 18 - Semenyih - Batu 18

72km.

The distance didn't make the required 200km ride before the Whopper stunt. So I pushed extra hard during this ride to get more caloried burnt.

The result:

(1) At the end of the ride, I bonked and had to use the granny gear even on flats.


Ali takde kerja because he had to wait for me at the peak of climb so dia cari kerja ambik gambar. Pssttt. Ali dah kuat sekarang nih. He was always waaaaay ahead, tapi kata tak push pun. Gilak ah!

(2) Satu badan sakit. I could abuse use some muscle relaxant.

(3) I got stung by a bee. Twice!


I think the bee got confused with the honeycomb design on my bib shorts. Or simply I'm just too sweet *bbuuueeeekkk!!*.


Ali flashing his rare-in-Malaysia Lance Armstrong 10//2 cycling jersey. Tuuu tuuu. Helmet tuuu. MET Estro tuuu!!

p.s: Jangan marah aaaaa. Although I cycled 72km and not 200km, I maintained 1500 kcal per day diet for the past 2 weeks. Except on Sundays when I made it an all-you-can-eat day. And the last time I had fast food was 6 weeks ago.

This Post Is A Reminder Dedicated to My Future Brother-In-Law

Dear Qayyum,

On the first day of the coming month, two families will come together and unite as one

On that day, you will be part of the family

On that day, you will take my younger sister's hand and wed her to be your forever-loving wife

On that day, a new beginning is marked, and I wish the both of you an ever-lasting happiness and prosperity

On that day, and that day onwards

And on that day, I understand that you'll be bringing a lot of trays

One may carry the Holy Quran

One may carry a beatifully crafted cake

One may carry a songket fashioned in a shape of a peacock

And since she is my younger sister, and I am still very much single

I expect that there will be few extra trays

Two, three, four extra ones, it doesn't matter really

As long as there is one that look like this



MET Estro road cycling helmet, in white, nevermind the big red ribbon

It's a new 2008 model, so the price I knew not

But why talk about material value

When my sister is priceless to me

Hypothetically speaking, the more expensive the better

Here are some useful links

Here and here


And I will say it now and I will say it again on that day

Welcome to the family

p.s: My helmet size is L

Biar Pacit Tayar, Jangan Pancit Semangat

This week alone, I've busted 2 tubes.

The first one happened when I was recce-ing for cycling route in Batu Pahat on Thursday evening. I hit a piece of metal lying on the road and the front tyre went 'Bssssssssttttttttttttt!!!!!!!' And I was 12km from home with no money in my pocket.

Thanks to Chee Yoong who drove all the way and picked me up. No thanks to the bypassers who did not even turn a concern eye when flagged. I hope a dumptruck rolls over your pet cat.

Second tube got punctured this afternoon. I went for my first proper 'long' ride after raya (OK la, it was only 48km. Long enough lah) at Ulu Langat with Ali.

We we're already on our way back, when Ali gave this motivational talk.

"Kayuh je. Maintain cadence. Sampai bukit je, berdiri, lean forward, kayuh. Nanti ko rasa best gila."

I was geared up.

Orait lah! Here we go!

That was when my rear tyre suddenly went 'Bssstt bssstt bssst bssstt bsssst!!' What an anti-climax.

As if it was planned, I stopped mere meters from a motorcycle repair shop. I was confused. Should I be mad, or should I be happy.


Arrghhh. Mana pulak penyodok tayar nihh.



Brader Pomen: Eh, kecik benar tayar ni bang. Padan le pancit. Tengok le abang besar macam mana.

Aku: Senyap la ngko. Buat kerja tu.


Other pictures taken this morning:


OK (Orang Kuat) Ali.


Two people. One camera. Yes. We stopped and took pictures of each other. Bila lagi kan?

Today was also the second time I rode with my 'Seluar Raya'. I think I will never get use to the feeling riding in a cycling bib. It's weird. I feel fragile, yet strong. No wonder all the superheroes wear tights.


At least they got the name right. Hahaha.

The cycling bib is heavily padded. Now I can safely say that I sort of know how women feel every month. Respect.

* * * * *

Terry Fox Run is tomorrow people! See you there! 9am, Lake Gardens.

It's That Season Again

This is my seluar Raya.



The only pair of 'pants' I bought before Raya. The price tag that came with it disallows me to get anything else. Worse is, I can't wear it for Raya!

Puasa is over. Weight gain season is almost over (I'm sure the next three weeks will be heavily dosed with open houses). So it's only natural that we hit the road once again.

*Lifts towel from bike.*

*Blows away the collecting dust.*

Hello Mi Novia.

*Smooch.*

Sepeda Kuno

I stumbled across something refreshing while searching for pictures on google.

http://sepeda.wordpress.com

It is a blog about sepeda kuno (classic bicycles). I find it very refreshing to see solid-bodied steel bicycles still rule the roads of Indonesia.

This bicycle definitely grabbed my attention.



I understand why this beauty is preserved in the museum. Look further.


Bevel gears instead of chain-driven cogs!

To me, this is innovation at its best. Maybe not so much on technology, but the solutions they came up with reflects a lot on how much thought, creative visualization and to a certain degree, imagination was put in.

Do visit our friends. There's a lot to discover; Lever-operated cable-less brakes, bicycle suspension during its infancy, wheels with painted sidewalls. Enough to go around a month's worth of lunch break during this fasting month.

Photos taken from here.

Saturday 14 July 2007

The pipot primates had a ride 2gether-gether on this day. Those who showed up were Me, Ali, Adzim, Faie, Neeza, Azwar, Bacin, Dicky, Abu, Sepol, Fairuz, Kabi and Zabil (ada lagi ke yang aku tertinggal?)

The rest went to Broga. Me, Ali, Faie and Neeza went to Semenyih and made a u-turn. A good 90km altogether. And I am as charred as an over-cooked BBQ chicken. Hitam melegam.

Azwar wrote a report of this ride on his website. But I suggest you guys don't go see it. There's a picture of me with a huge, deep rear camel toe. As Bacin sweetly puts it, "Kemut baeekkk". Hahahaha. Cilakau sungguh.

Tuesday 10 July 07

A monumentous day. On this day, I discovered a loop that allows my to cycle to Labu and back to Seremban without making a u-turn. Here it is, roughly. Reading maps are difficult than I thought, dammit!


A figure-of-8 loop. Takes me about 45km. Give or take.

This is my new playground. Cycling in a loop is better. To me, I'm able to train my mental strength better this way. With a backtracking route, there is always a way to cheat by turning early. In a loop, there's no other way but to look ahead.

Tapi kenapa la sebulan lagi nak pindah baru dapat tahu pasal jalan ni. Hadoihhh.

Saturday 7 July 2007

07.07am, 07.07.07.

What was I doing? Terbongkang atas tilam, tido lepas subuh. Memang confirm rezeki tak murah. Haha.

Anyways, Ali came to Seremban in the evening for a sleepover as PD tri clinic will be on the next day. So I took the opportunity to show him around Labu Route. He had a camera with him so I managed to take some pictures from the route.


This is the u-turn point. Oil palm from horizon to horizon.


Monkey A and Monkey B. Monkey A is stronger, that's why he has his bike higher. Walaupun hakikatnya Monkey B is faster.


Ali also has a cyclo-comp on his bike, which proved my estimation of distance is pretty accurate. Labu route measured 42km on the comp, while I estimated it to be 43km. Not bad, eh!

How Ali describes riding in Seremban town, zipping through evening rush-hour traffic: Merempit.

Preng preng preeenngggg!!!!

Bangi-Bagan Lalang-Bangi 100km Ride

This ride was organized by Bacin, but the organizer pulled out last minute due to family matters (amik report card anak daa). Route suggested was Bangi-Bagan Lalang-Bangi, a 100km backtracking route, with about 95% (!!!) of it are flat road. What an excellent idea!!

Those who joined were (in order of arrival) Abu, Saiful, Adzim, Ali, myself, Kabie, Azwar and Zabil. Semua power-power kecuali yours truly.

We depart at 8am and the plan was to work together until we reach Bagan Lalang. Work together hapekebendenya. I got dropped very early in the ride. Then my chain slipped, which didn't help. Ali slipped his chain too, and got lost. So I had to turn back and wait for him. Both of us didn't know the way. Hey, at least having someone when you're lost is a lot better than getting lost alone.

We manage to navigate our way to Bagan Lalang without much problem. The route was really flat, except occasional low degree incline and one steep hill before De Palma Hotel Sepang.

During the ride, Ali told me I pedal well on flats and that I've got the speed, but I suck on hills. Aaaahaha. Pedulik apa. A compliment is a compliment.

We refueled at Bagan Lalang. I had the best plate of bihun goreng I've ever eaten (not because I was too tired or hungry, it truly is delicious!).

The plan was the same on the way back, work together. I drafted for quite a distance. The Baboon Train was going at 40+km/h!!! Few kilometers after Sungai Pelek town, the group started to pick up speed. Even keeping up with them took a lot of effort, so I backed off and went solo. Boy, was it lonely.

I was left alone, not that I mind. I was raped by a menacing concoction of headwind, crosswind, blistering heat and the occasional stench of rotting roadkill. I was in heaven.

I pedaled on the inclines and flats, and coasted on declines.

Then the durjana hill came, which is a lot steeper on the way back; the kurang asam hill before De Palma Hotel. The road gradually rises up, until a point where it shoots up and form a wall ahead. I knew I had to use the granny. As I reach the foot of the hill, I hit the granny and...................... phoooooiiihhhh!! Semput beb!! I unclipped my shoes, got down, and pushed the bike up the hill. Takpe, takpe. Next time I'm gonna get you, bukit durjana.

After that, there weren't so many problems. I did a lot of sight-seeing today. I saw a car with the plate number NAJ18 and thought that was cool. Then near Bangi, I saw another car with the plate number NAJ8. What are the odds?! Ali told me he saw a kampung called Kampung Semen. That must've been really sticky.

As I reached MTDC, all has left except Ali. But of course! I have his car keys. Haha. Zabil left us with some tuna sandwich, a kick of carbohydrate that brought me back to sanity. Cayalah Zabil. You're the best.

All in all, it's a good route to practice speed work. Truly one of its kind. Where else can you find a flat route that goes 100km with tolerable traffic and is close to KL?

No pictures this time. Orang yang kayuh slow kena denda takleh masuk gambar.

Lambat Punya Update, Busy Punya Pasal

[Updated: 25th June]

A lot has happened after that taste of pedaling in PD (do not get confused witht he PD tri clinic, happened recently on the 17th. I chickened out and didn't turn up).

Tuesday, June 5th.

After a day break from PD, tried to pedal up the route I used to go to long time ago, the trunk road to Labu. I love this route. The route goes along Jalan Rasah - Taman Bukit Chedang - Columbia Asia Hospital - Simpang Labu - Pedal all the way secukup rasa, then U-turn - Simpang Labu - Seremban Town - Jalan Rasah. Quite a mouthful to say isn't it? Let's just call it Labu Route from now on.

The best part is the 'pedal all the way secukup rasa', so I can customize the cycling session to the amount of time I have. Traffic is very light after Simpang Labu, but doesn't really matter actually. Seremban drivers are very courteous, and they respect cyclist. They actually give way!!! :-O

Distance was about 25km. Then again, it's an estimate. My cyclocomp went bonk.

Wednesday, June 6th.

Labu Route, with an extra 5km than the day before.

Thursday, June 7th.

Labu Route, same distance as the first day.

Friday, June 8th: Complete rest.

Saturday, June 9th.

This time, it's a re-visit to Sungai Tekala. My cycling partner this time is Ali, my best buddy. He cycled a mountain bike with slick wheels. Not for long though. He'll be making a debut soon on a road bike! Cayalah beb!

The route taken was exactly like the first time I went there with Ikhwan Hadi. I have to say, I'm still unfit, but fitter than previously. I use less of the granny gear. Most climbs are bearable, except that one climb at Simpang Tiga. Pundek betoi. Steep gila nak mampos. Dah la aku berat gila. I was panting so hard, I think all the beruk nearby got turned on. Nasib baik I remained seated. Should I lift my butt up, sure kena suntut dengan beruk. Haha. Sial.

Midway, we got taken over by Ikhwan, Azmar and Laif. They came from Genting Peres, and plan to take the shortcut to Batu 14, cutting across that dreaded steep hill. I went up the hill once long time ago, on foot. Memang betul steep. Ikhwan calls it Bukit Celaka. Mau tau kalu, sendiri kena kasi try lah.

Time for some pictures. These are all post-ride pictures. Sori lah. Cycling pants don't come with pockets.


Ini adalah Mr. Ali posing with my trusty mini van. To Azwar aka PrimateChief: See, I don't drive a Savvy la.


Mari mari mari! Car boot sale! Sekilo RM4.50


Toyota Unser drivers eat your hearts out. Who's more spacious? I reckon this beaten-up Ford Spectron can easily fit 5 bikes, unassembled.


Tido selepas kayuh memang best.

Sunday, June 10th: Attended cousin's wedding. Rest.

Monday, June 11th: Tido, because I didn't sleep the whole night before.

Tuesday, June 12th: Hujan. Rest.

Wednesday, June 13th: Malas. You can see where this is going.

Thursday, June 14th: Right thumb hurts. Rest.

Friday, June 15th: You guessed it, rest, yet again.

Saturday, June 16th.

Haaaa. On this day, I can't kayuh. My sister got engaged. Yes, my ADIK perempuan. Haha. I thought it was going to be kecil-kecilan. But when I got home, hambek ngko, siap berkhemah-khemah lagi. Families from segala pelosok negara showed up.

That day I sort of got tired being bombarded by my uncles and aunties.

"When is your turn?" [repeat 21,486 times]

Hah, takpe korang. I'll ask you guys the same question when we meet in funerals.

But one aunty managed to save the day. My Mak Cik silenced the rest of my family when she said "Azman? Don't be so expectant of him lah. He's too choosy. Plus he said wants to buy house, 3 big cars, and a few expensive bicycles first." Cayalah Mak Cik. You're my favourite aunty. I think she's the only one in the family who understands that I'm married to my bike.

Ok, ok. Enough family talk. The way my cycling is going, I don't think it'll benefit much. I always find a way to cheat myself. I think I should make it less frequent, 2-3 times a week, but longer rides. That way I have no way out but to do it. Let's try it this week and see if it works.

Oh, to those who are wondering what happened to my running, I've decided to give my running shoes a rest. I love my knees. I don't want to bust them from overuse. So it's gonna be cycling until I shed some kilos off. Then maybe I can get back to running, hopefully faster and pain-free.