Hari Raya Holidays Well Spent on Bike

Yes, the last 3 days of Hari Raya holidays were well spent on bike.

Day 1 (13-10-07)-1^st day of Hari Raya.

Managed to persuade my family to make a day trip to Fraser's Hill. They drove, I rode J. Woke up early at 6am and surprising everyone was up at that time. This never happen during working day J.

Started our journey at 6.30am and reach KKB stadium slightly after 8am. After a quick change into cycling outfit, I quickly started my solo ride up to the GAP. It was so quite during this first day of hari raya. Traffic was so few and I only see a few stray dogs along the way. The weather was so good and the ride was so enjoyable. Although I was riding alone, the support from family in the support car made me feel 'accompanied' all the w ay. Scenery was supurb like usual. In actual fact, the beautiful scenery was the reason for me to travel all the way to cycle here.

Arrived at GAP in 1 hr 42 mins for a total of 32km ride. My family was there receiving me in the support car. As I promised my wife to drive from GAP to clock tower, I stopped and load my bicycle into our car and continued our journey. We arrived at the clock tower around 11.30am, just in time to have our lunch in the store. Hanging around for another 11/2 hours taking photos and rest, we left Fraser's around 2pm. While descending, we saw a group of cyclists (around 8-9) riding up.

Day 2 (14-10-07)-2^nd Day of Hari Raya

Joined my usual Sunday cycling group (PCC) for a ride from Batu 14 to Genting Perez and Titi and back. The turn up was big surprisingly (>20 riders). After a quick briefing by the ride director, Dennis Soh, we push off at a pace of 30-32km/hrs. This time, I managed to tag along with the main peloton until the foot hill of Genting Perez. Then, I took a short rest before climbing the 9km ascending route to Genting Perez. Managed to reach the peak without much problem. Waited a while for the rest of the group at the regroup point at the peak.

Majority of the riders decided to turn back and not continue to Titi in view of the hot weather. Only 6 of us decided to continue our ride to Titi for "Wantan noodles". The journey to Titi was quick enjoyable with lots of down hills and rolling hills. However, we knew that we have to pay for this on the way back as we will be taking the same route back. This simply means "a lot of uphill climbing" waiting for us.

Had our breakfast as planned in Titi and refilled our water bottles before we started our journey back to Batu 14. The weather shown no mercy to these 6 cyclists and we were put to test by the "never ending climbs". I was dropped by the front riders and had to ride alone in most part of the journey. It was a big relief when I finally reached the peak of Genting Perez again. I thought the front guys will wait for me but I don't see a single "ghost" when I reached there. So, I continued riding downhill to the foot hill of Genting Perez thought that those guys will be there. Again, I don't see anyone. So, it is confirmed that I have to cycle back to Batu 14 alone.

The sky started to get gloomy when I reached Batu 18. In no time, the heavy down pour showered me and I was completely soaked. This has actually cooled me down and I started to feel a bit more energetic. Although it was not so pleasant to cycle in the rain, but at least it was not so hot.

Arrived at the car park at around 1pm where I saw Adeline and Andrea already changed their clothes. In total, my cyclometer registered 99.4KM.

Day3 (15-10-07), Day 3 of Hari Raya

Received sms from Andrea and Adeline to join them for a recovery ride in Kesas after cleaning my bike yesterday. I was hesitating as I had just cleaned my bike. But, it is so near from home……, can't resist the invitation and decided to ride from home joining them in Kesas highway. All together, 6 of us including me riding along the highway. I took a big loop from Puchong to Sri Petaling to Shah Alam and back. This time, I could not keep up with the pace as my legs still feel the strain from the last 2 days of cycling.

The distance this time was 42km.

All in all, I have cycled 180km for the last 3 days. Legs are sore and body is tired but I am totally satisfied with the way this holiday is spent.

Going to Egypt next week, so no cycling for the next 2 weeks L.

 

 

Mizuno Waves Run 2007 Update

I am really surprise that I managed to finish running the Waves Run in 1hr 12 Mins time despite lack of training couple with the fact that I am not 100% fit due to my bad cough and also last week interstate. My mate, Mac also completed the run and we are more determine to sign up for the Lumut Powerman this coming November……

Mizuno Wave Run (9/9/07)-10km

Have not been running for the last 1 year ever since I took up cycling. Will try to run again tomorrow with my other fellow cycling friends. Hope to be able to finish the run as body still tired and week after last week Interstate 365KM cycling from Ipoh – Taiping – Tanjung Bungah. Here I come again…………………..

Sinful weekend

The past weekend was a sinful lazy weekend. Took leave from work on Friday, went to Penang for holiday as had a free hotel room in Golden Sands Hotel.

The whole weekend was about being lazy; over indulge in delicious penang hawker foods, junk foods, durian and worst of all, no workout at all. For the first time after I bought my Polar watch and start recording all my workouts, I did not achieve my weekly calories burn target. Only achieved a dismal 41%.

Had 6 episodes of purging starting on Sunday night and fever. I think this is the price to pay for all the sins committed. Feel so weak and so lousy today. In order to drag myself out of this vicious cycle, I went to my regular gym for a RPM class this evening. True enough, I suffered like hell and had to slow down a few times in the middle of the class. Managed to complete the class, finally.

Now, I feel so much better. I think my body start to feel refresh with the rush of adrenalin in my blood stream.

 

 

 

Reunion Dinner - Ex-Pharmacia

Attended an "ex-Pharmacia" reunion dinner in PJ Seafood at Tropicana last nights. It was great to see old friends in my ex-company that was acquired by Pfizer 4 years ago. This first belated "reunion dinner" was made possible by Alvin, Sylvia, Moon and Ong.

Few are still working in Pfizer and the rest are either change company or be their own boss. It was a pleasant dinner where we get to mingle with old friends, check out the latest of others, talk "C" and of course enjoy the delicious seafoods.

Hope to make this reunion an annual event.

My First Cycling Event (Ipoh Century Ride, 6/5/07)

I started cycling in September 2006 when I first joined the PCC group in one of their Sunday ride (Ulu Langat). That ride was a disaster for me as I ignorantly followed the wrong group that went so fast until I was totally dropped. Later, I found out that they are actually not the PCC group. What a bad start!
Even since then, Sunday PCC rides become “highlight of the week” as I joined almost every ride with the exception of a few. I got to know quite a number of new cycling friends and started to enjoy cycling more and more. Once I confirmed my interest in cycling, I then make some upgrade investment in my bike. Upgraded the frame to Pinarello Prince from the Raleigh bike that I first bought. … I just enjoy the feeling of wind brushing through my cheeks, the adrenalin rush during cycling and of course the moments spend with other cycling friends after the ride. I found a brand new life in cycling……
Last Sunday, I took up a challenge for myself in participating in the inaugural Ipoh Century Ride. The challenge was to complete a total of 160KM in 10 hours time. It is regarded as the “marathon in cycling”. Although I had done some serious training both indoor (RPM) and outdoor cycling with PCC few weeks prior to the ride (including the 110KM Centrepoint – Meru, 120KM Ulu Langat-Broga and the 165KM Centrepoint – Sg Tengki), I must say that I was very nervous and no confidence in completing this one. Afterall, this was my first ever cycling event.
We went to Ipoh the night before the ride with some PCC cycling friends. We spent a night in Sun Inns near the starting point of the ride. I hardly sleep that night as I was so nervous and the aircon. in the room was so cold. Woke up feeling zombie but felt better after breakfast.
We went to check in at the “Lost World of Tambun” at around 6.30am. I was thrilled to see so many riders (first time in my life). The ride started at 7.00 am. I set for myself 2 personal.
1. To complete the ride
2. To complete it below 8 hours.
At the beginning, I tried hard to follow the PCC peloton and managed to keep it up to the first check point at KM 50. I was dropped at a point when there was 3 riders crashed and I had to stop to avoid the crash. After that I had to pedal hard to chase the PCC peloton and managed to do that at the 2nd checkpoint at KM 82. Not too long after the 2nd checkpoint, I was dropped again and decided to just follow my own pace as I knew my legs will cramp if I keep pushing. I saw another crash where one rider crashed into a “kampong” cyclist who stopped abruptly and the rider did not manage to avoid him, poor man…..
Took a break after the Kuala Kangsar bridge when I bumped into a group of PCC riders who decided to take a short break at the coffee shop for a cold drink and rest. I had cramp on my both legs when I stopped at KM110 to check on a pack of riders who stopped. Apparently one of the rider of a cramp. When I stopped to be “busy body” , I had a strange feeling on my both legs and when I got of my bike, my both legs cramped. That was my first cramp experience and it was so painful. I decided to keep pedaling at my own pace and refused to give in.
With friends’ encouragement and the spirit of not giving up, I managed to complete the ride at 2.15pm. At that time, I had cycled for 6 hours and 50 minutes. My extremities had serious sun burn, I was dead tired but feeling elated because I achieved my both targets.
(Proudly posing at the finish point)
I have done it…….. and I feel more like a cyclist now. (My First Cycling Medal)

Soft Launch - 2/5/07

I have been admiring and wondering how my friends created their blogs and shared their life stories in this virtual world. Today, I finally find some time playing with my computer and finally figure out how to do it.

Hope, I could note down my stories and be able to share it with you, if you find it interesting. After all, life is beautiful and live it to the fullest......., this is my believe.

Cheers!!