MEX - LCCT - MEX : 110km

5am - RIIIIINGGGG - Snooze - 5:15am - RIIIIINNNGGGG - Snooze - 5:30am - RIIIINGGGGGG - damnit!! Have to wake up!! Took a quick shower, gobbled down the buns I bought the day before and was out the door. Meeting the guys at Ajimal Mamak 6:30am. Ride off time 6:45am. Today were doing a 110km ride from MEX to LCCT and back.

RFC riders today : Adam, Yong, Jun An, Helmi, Ari, Lionel, Freddy and Friend, and myself.

As we entered MEX highway, it started to rain. It was not heavy but just nice. After about 5mins, all our shoes were now soaking in water. The feeling was damn sloshy!! Drafting behind Adam and Helmi, Yong and I were being sprayed by the water fountain spouting up from their back wheel. On the downhill part, I nearly hit into Adam cos when I jammed the brakes.. there was nothing.. not even a feel of slowing down.. and so I overtook him just in time and sprayed water back at him for a change.. LOL
As we reached our 1st pit stop at the MEX toll. We waited for Lionel and Ari to catch up. We took shelter at the toll booth as it was not open but was later shooed away by one of the MEX seciruty personel. We then continued to ride on.

The 2 MTB bikes - Freddy and Friend were basically leading the whole way with Helmi, Jun An and myself following closely. Adam and Yong waited for Ari and Lionel to give them directions. Not long as we were passing the F1 pit, Adam overtook and off they went. We finally came to a stop at the roundabout just before LCCT. We were in good time. Total riding time up to that point was 2hr15mins.
We then decided to rest at the Rest Stop just outside of TuneHotels-LCCT. Me and Jun An decided to wash our bikes a bit as it as covered in dried sand. It was onwards to LCCT from there. As we passed by the main drop and pick up area, we attracted many curious looks from all the people there. Our breakfast was to be at this Asian Restaurant. At 1st when we parked our bikes just outside the shop, we were stopped by the LCCT security and after a bit of debating we were then allowed to park it there. As we ordered our food, Ari and Lionel finally arrived. Curiously, Yong was not with them. I asked Lionel and he said Yong had a flat and was trying to mend the puncture.. SHIT!! Adam and I gobbled down our food and sped off to find Yong.
After about 3kms, we found him. He had punctured both his spare tube as well and I lend him mine and also my trusty bike pump. After pumping up, suddenly Freddy and Friend appeared and then we decided to continue back. We stopped at a Petronas Station just opposite and refueled while Yong had his breakfast. I had another Sandwhich as well. Helmi, Jun An, Lionel and Ari continued on 1st and then only we followed.

After quite a while, I was left behind already. The 2 MTBs were mad. They were doing like 30++ all the way with Yong and Adam following closely. Finally a the B15 highway I managed to catch up with Lionel and overtook him. Then I came upon a sight I was not used to. Helmi!! He was struggling as he just had a cramp. We then later came upon another unfamiliar sight.. Yong. He was waiting for us as he was unsure of the road to take and so the 3 of us pushed on towards MEX highway which we then came upon Jun An - who had waited for me to pass me my arm warmer which I left in LCCT.

And then like a bat of out of hell, my energy came and I pushed all the way back to Ajimal. Adam was already changed and waiting in his van. The 2 MTBs had already gone home. After ordering our drinks (the famous Ajimal 3 Layer Tea), Yong came followed by Jun An and then Helmi. After about an hour, finally Lionel and Ari came. Ari had taken a wrong road and had a puncture and was helped out by Lionel.
All in all it was a good ride.. I was pleased with myself and went back home to sleep!!

Pictures Cortersy of Yong VH

Group Training 1 : Guthrie Corridor Expressway

November 22nd, 2009. 1st training by the RFC2009 Team. Excited!

The week before when the email was sent out regarding the training, my blood was boiling already. Legs were itching to get it on. There was a slight worry about whether I could make it or not. Was hoping that the RPM classes in gym would finally pay off.

The meeting point was a mamak behind the Petronas in Bukit Jelutong at 7am. Yes you got it right. 7 freaking am. Had to wake up at 6 to get the business all done and speed all the way there following the google map on my black berry. Teh and Ian reached about the same time that I did. Nobody was there yet so we decided to have breakfast at the mamak. I ate bread at home already before leaving. Ian had Roti Telur with plenty of sambal and curry.

Then 2 vehicles parked and out came 2 stern looking cyclist in cycling jerseys. I was thinking "need or not?" and then they approached us. They were Adam and Yong. Later another girl came as well.. Mei San. Introductions were made and then off we went.

Comparing our rides with theirs.. well there was no comparing at all. They were on Road Bikes which looked damn expensive while we were on MTBs.

The early morning excitement immediately turned to despair as it was tough. For having not riden in more than 10 years, this was tough!! The small climbs seemed like Genting Highlands!!

Finally we reached our 1st rest stop. I was already gasping for air. Mental note to self.. QUIT SMOKING!! Me and Teh reached 1st. Yong was already waiting there for us. I quickly dismounted and gulped down my water. 2nd Mental note to self.. GET ANOTHER BOTTLE CAGE!! We waited there for quite a while and started to get worried cos Ian was nowhere to be seen. Finally a call came from Adam who was the sweeper, saying that Ian fell down and had a cramp but was on the way already... I was surprised at that time cos Ian looked hell a lot healthier and thinner than I was.

Finally Ian reached and it was mainly due to his using Pedal Clips. He forgot he was on them and when decided to stop, couldn't unclip and fell.

After a few minutes of rest more, we continued on with the journey. The 2nd rest stop was at the R&R and we waited for Ian to arrive then we continued on and U turned at the Sg Buloh Exit.

The way back was much worst!! There was 1 heck of a hill to climb and it took like forever to reach... there was no more stop until we were back at the car park once again. We had lunch there and chit chatted with the senior cyclist about what we should do and stuff. They were very friendly and after lunch, Teh and I went for a round in the housing area wherelse Ian loaded up his car.

It was a fun day.. though tiring.. but we all knew that there was more hell to come..

The MTB Poison Is Strong With This One..

From the time I decided to go into cycling, Ian and Teh were already very much into the whole MTB scene. So I did my research on the net and chatted with both of them. The terms "Hard-Tail", "Full-Sus", "Group Set" and "Shimano something" which was all very alien to me as all I was accustomed to last time was my simple plain and easy BMX.

And then Ian showed me the website http://www.bicyclebuysell.com/. It was one of the leading buy and sell forum for bicycle related stuff. So spent the entire night immersed into the site. Book-marking several ads and print screens several bikes. The poison flow was getting stronger and stronger.

That week's Friday during lunch I went back to Taman Melawati to my neighbour's bicycle shop - Bike World. There were tons of good looking bikes and accessories on display. Some of the Forks cost RM3000++.... MAD OR WHAT? The bikes there were also damn expensive. All about RM2000... until I saw one that caught my eye. A black and white Raleigh Elite. It was a Hard-Tail XC bike and after discount it would cost me RM1700. My heart had caught hold already at that time but was still unsure so I went back to work reluctantly.

The following week, I brought Ian there with me to see the bike and get his opinion. He said it was not bad and worth considering. When we got back to work, we saw that the email for the training sessions were out already and the 1st training was just the following week at Bukit Jelutong-Guthrie Highway. It was to be a 30km ride.

I was feeling very "Kan Cheong" at that time cos I didn't have a bike yet. And so I made up my mind. I would buy the bike ASAP. And so there I was, at the shop with my Credit Card.

*Slot in*
*Key in the amount*
*Receipt came out*
*Sign*
.. DONE DEAL!!

I was now a proud owner of a Raleigh Elite Hard-Tail XC bike fitted with Shimano Deore Group Set. I lef the shop with my new bike, a helmet, a bottle cage, cycling pants and a saddle bag with head lights and rear blinker... WOOHOOOO!!

The whole time frame from being poisoned till the sale took about 2 weeks...