Imperial Century Ride (Preview) – 29/6/08

With the Ipoh Century Ride coming in 2 weeks time, this ride was just right for us to have a taste of what it meant for the "century ride", at least for me.

The turnout for last Sunday was very encouraging. About 60 riders (inclusive of the TBB animals and the Kepong groups) joined in this challenge. Again, this proved our theory of "the longer the ride distance, the better the response will be". We pushed off at about 7 am with quite high pace after Sungai Buloh. The peloton moved smoothly like a train and soon we reached our first R&R i.e., Ijok Petronas at around 9am.

Few riders lead by Ariff turned back and the rest continued our journey to Pekan Sg Tengi. The weather was extremely kind to us and we were able to keep the pace around 30-33km/hr until Pekan Sg Tengi. After a short break in Pekan Sg. Tengi, the train lead by PK aka Pain Killer headed back to Ijok Petronas. Weather was still very nice and the peloton managed to keep up the good speed all the way to Ijok. Along the way, one rider broke his spoke but was able to continue his ride. The journey back to Centre Point after Ijok was split into 3-4 pelotons when some stronger riders decided to hammer all their way back. Of course, for me, I opted to ride at my own speed and took it easy. The drizzle around Guthrie corridor was a pleasant surprise for me as it cooled me down and freshen me a bit. Reached Centre Point slightly after 2pm. A check in my cyclometer shown that mileage achieved was 162km in 5 hours 40 minutes (riding time). All in all, it was an uneventful ride but really a pleasant ride despite the long distance. Thanks to the weather and the team.

For me, this was the second ride to Pekan Sg Tengi and the last time was also just before last year Ipoh Century Ride. It was definitely easier than the ride last time as the weather was much better this time round.

6 Apr 2008 – Not my day

Like any other Sunday, today is the day that I look forward. Cycling with my usual mates in PCC. Woke up at 6 pm and left home at 6.20 to be on time for the ride at 7 am. On the way, in the LDP near Kelana Seafood Centre, my car just lost the power and was halted at the road side about 300 meters away. Damn, there gone my cycling……

Called AAM for help and the man from AAM turned up about 45 minutes later. After checking on the car, he pronounced "death" for my car. Timing belt "putus". The AAM man help me to call for tow truck from AAM to tow it to my usual regular workshop. Waited for another 45 minutes before the Tow Truck arrived. This is the first time I experience car breakdown in the middle of the highway. This is the first time I feel the advantage to be a AAM member after more than 10 years becoming their member.

My car mechanic again confirmed the diagnosis and had to send the car into ICU. Apparently, I have over stretch the changing of timing belt by 40,000 KM. Now, the car is still in the ICU. The engines has been dissect piece by piece and it will only be ready tomorrowL. I think it will be burn another big hole in my pocket L.

Lesson learnt. To read the stickers stuck on the car as it is a reminder for maintenance. Cannot rely on the workshop for remainder to maintain……………..

I also missed my 110KM cycling to Batu Arang. I hope to be able to ride next week….keep my fingers crossed.

 

Ride Report: 13 Jan 2008

Route: Centrepoint-K Damansara-Sg Buloh-Ijok-Btg Berjuntai-Tg Karang-K Selangor-Kg Kuantan- Btg Berjuntai-Kg Jawa-Ijok-Guthrie Corridor-Kg Subang-K Damansara-Tropicana-Centrepoint (160KM)

 

After riding with PCC for almost 2 years, this is the first time I am writing a report about our ride. It is not an easy task as it forces me to recollect some details of the ride just two days ago. The problem is. I have a short memory …..

As usual, PK ride was always started at 7am sharp and as usual you can expect a long ride with short stops in Petronas. The plan was to revisit the same route that we went through just 3 weeks ago and this time everyone knows that it was a 160KM challenge. 160KM of endurance and 7 hours of sunshine (maybe less for some fast riders).

Arrived at Centrepoint at about 6.45am and saw a few riders already there setting up their machines and weapons ready to concur the challenges ahead. Knowing PK reputation for pushing off at 7 am sharp, I quickly got out of the car and got my stuffs ready. I did not count the number f riders turned up but it was estimated to be around 30 to 40 riders.

The ride pushed off at 7am at a decent pace of 25km/h at Kota Damansara and soon after Sungai Buloh, pace was increased to a decent 32-35km/h. The peloton was holding up well until the Indian temple near Ijok where several riders made a break away and peloton broke into smaller groups.

We made our first stop at Ijok Petronas to refill our bottles and also filled up out stomach. Shortly after that, the group from Kepong lead by "Jelly Belly" arrived at the same station. After a short rest, we pushed off to the next regroup point in Kuala Selangor. A few riders who opted for a shorter route turned back to Centrepoint lead by Don. "Jelly Belly" group joined us to Kuala Selangor and made the total group to be around 20+ riders.

I can still remember the mind weakening "long, flat and never ending" road that we rode in the last ride to Kuala Selangor. So, I knew I needed to conserve my energy in order to "survive" this ride. When I found a "first class spot" just right behind my hero "Jelly Belly", I drafted behind him as long as I could to enjoy the "vacuum" effect created by him. Thanks mate. Unfortunely, after several KMs of enjoying this privilege, I have to give away this position when a dog that decided to "commit suicide" dashed across the streets, cut through the peloton in between me and my hero. The dog hit my front wheel and I had to slow down. I was lucky enough to be able to hold my balance to avoid crashed and kissing the tarmac. The rest of the journey was quite uneventful until everyone reached Kuala Selangor, the "Kampung Kelip-kelip" Petronas station. The time check then was 10.30 am and the cyclometer shown reading of around 100KM. We have made a reasonably good pace this far. The sun started to turn violent and we started to feel the heat above us.

After resting about 25 minutes, we pushed off again toward Ijok via Kampung Kuantan, Batang Berjuntai and Kampung Jawa. The peloton was divided into 2 groups with the front group lead by Daniel Lim, Shahrin and the other "Speedy Gonzalez" gang members. I started to feel tired and butt was painful by now. But what choice do I have? I just had to "tahan" as it was still about another 50KM to go. Suddenly, Azahar shouted "KOM depan" and he just sped pass me flying up the hill when we entered Batang Berjuntai. A few riders followed suit but unfortunately, I was too far behind to see who the winner was. I was dropped miserably about 2-3 KM before IJOK Petronas, rode alone to the station.

After refilled our bottles and short rest, we started our journey for the last 40KM via Guthrie Highway. The faster group pushed forward and they were lost in sight in no time. To me, this is the most challenging stretch of today ride as body was tired and the sunshine penetrated deep into my skin layers. I had to make 2 more short stops (one under the bridge before Guthrie Highway and the other in Petronas Kampung Subang to cool down and rest. Better to do that to avoid "heat stroke" that can be detrimental to body.

Reached back to Centrepoint at 2.30 pm with body "well tanned", extremely exhausted and just in time to avoid the rain. Rainfall started to pour right after we reached Centrepoint.

Overall, it was a good ride and it felt harder compared to the last ride 3 weeks ago. I completed the ride 1 hour later that the last one. Probably, it was due to the hot weather. It was relatively uneventful ride with some small incidences in the peloton. Thanks all for the ride pals.

 

 

By CC Wong