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)