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...

Ride For The Children Charity Challenge 2010 : How To Participate

November 12 2010, the email on how to participate in the Charity Ride was out. I was taken a back slightly cos we were mulling over how was the registration going to be like... and here it was :

Team Dura - 400

Raise minimum of RM2000 and be part of Team Dura-400 to ride down to Singapore over 4D3N with accommodation and return transport from Singapore fully paid. You even get marshal support en-route, free exclusive rider jersey, entry fee into OCBC Cycle Singapore 2010 and certificate of achievement signed by CEO among others. The first 24 riders to raise RM2000 will secure a guaranteed place. You read right... your accommodation en route and transport back frm Singapore are fully paid. If a nagging voice in you says it doesn't seem right to get a free holiday out of charity, no worries. While you will receive above goodies worth close to RM1000, every MYR you raise will go towards the charity cause...Guaranteed!

Team Record - 80

Raise at least RM300 and join Team Dura-400 for the first 80km of the journey from OCBC Puchong to Port Dickson (50miles or half century). You (and your bike's) return transport will be covered. Raise RM500 (or more) and we will also throw in a certificate of achievement signed by CEO for you to brag to your friends. Receive goodies, benefits and services worth over RM150 back.

Then we had a discussion amongst ourselves about which one we should join and it was decided that it would be the Team Dura - 400... all the way down to Singapore... Something to brag about for ages and also to my son who is due in another 1 month plus.

Now the only problem was how to raise the funds... ideas were pouring into my head about having a Paintball Charity event at Canyon Paintball, emailing friend's companies for corporate sponsorship and etc... Time was of the essence!!

Ride For The Children Charity Challenge 2010

In February this year, the OCBC KL-2-S'pore Ride for the children raised RM42,000 in just over 4 weeks

15 cyclist rode 400 kilometres from OCBC Puchong branch to Singapore Marina Square, with just 1 mission & 1 aim - in aid of the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) and Home of Peace. The 15 cyclist then participated in the inagural OCBC Cycle Singapore 2009.

Now in conjunction with the upcoming OCBC Cycle Singapore in March 2010, we plan to have a larger team with the same mission & in aid of the same charity organisations.

Lets make a difference and go beyond the limits! Be a part of this exciting event by joining in the following ways:



TEAM DURA 400
Fun pedaling tour from KL to S'pore and participate in OCBC Cycle Singapore 2010
- 4D3N cycling tour via scenic trunk road and 2nd crossing into Singapore
- 3N twin share accomodation at Port Dickson, Muar & Pontian
- 1N shared accomodation in Singapore
- FREE entry to participate in the OCBC Cycle Singapore 2010 event
- 2 limited edition cycling jersey
- Refreshments, marshalls, medic and support vehicles en-route
- Return transport for bike & cyclist back to kl
- Certificate of Completion signed by the senior management of OCBC
- Help raise funds for 2 charity causes

TEAM RECORD 80
Not a frequent cyclist but eager to try out? Join us for this fun-filled ride!
o 80km from OCBC Puchong to Port Dickson via scenic trunk road (equivalent to 50 miles or better
known as Half Century to avid cyclist)
o Return transport for bike & cyclist back to KL
o Certificate of Completion signed by senior management of OCBC
o Exclusive Half Century riders T-shirt
o Refreshment, marshal support, medic and support vehicles en-route
o Bragging rights among your friends that you cycled to Port Dickson
o Help raise funds for two charity causes

When i saw this announcement on the Facebook page... I was sold!! DURA-400 here I come!!

Check out the Facebook Page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ride-For-The-Children-Charity-Challenge-2010/174843160772?ref=mf

The Transition

I have loved Paintball for as long as I can remember. Ever since my 1st game in Bukit Tiggi 7 years ago. The joy of shooting someone, the adrenaline rush of being shot at and the pain of being shot. It was all part of the lifestyle called Paintball.

My real start was after getting to know my then colleague and HR manager - Jason "Cookie Monster" Ramesh. He was the head honco and creater of Paintball Maniacs group in Facebook. His tagline was "Now Everyone Can Play". He brought me to my 1st real game in Tanamera, Sg Buloh and after that everything else was history.

From Team Napshot Marauderz to Maniacs Corp to ESP to Traitors and finally The Simpsons. All these teams were special to me and we went thru sweat and blood together. Winning tournaments and losing some... but after going into Speedball full time with The Simpsons which I created with fellas from Traitors did the pinch started. My wife was pregnant and the medical cost together with Paintball cost was too much to handle and I took a short break from Paintballing.

It was around the same time that something new caught hold of me. 2 of my colleagues form IT-OCBC were cyclist in the offroad scene and their talk about it caught hold of my heart. It was fun, exciting, thrilling and cost nothing whenever you ride. Well of course there is the initial investment to get a bike... but that was all going to be covered by the sale of my RC cars and equipment.

The final event that sealed my path down the cycling road was an email from OCBC Sports Club that there was a cycling charity event and it involved cycling from KL to Singapore. I thought to myself, what an opportunity! To be able to exercise and lose weight and at the same time give something back to the community. I told my wife about this new thing that I wanted to get myself into. Approval was granted, RC was sold and a New Start Begins....