BACK ON THE ROAD!

Yesterday, 28th Dec 2008.

I decided to give myself a ride back on the road. Together with Yong, we decided to tackle the headwind route through Spg Dua till Kg Bahru.

Eventhough the headwind is very strong, it was a great fast ride. However, I only managed to clock 1hour 22mins for a 40km ride. I feel good after the ride and guess i'm ready to BACK ON THE ROAD again.

January 2009 is just around the corner, see you all guys soon!

ON HOLIDAY!

Sorry to all my cycling friends & members.
i have been on holiday for the whole month of DECEMBER 2008

Will be riding again on JANUARY 2009!

I'll be back!!!!

JANAMANJUNG FELLOWSHIP RIDE 2008

With the heat of 160km century ride that i did on early July, i decided to partipate into this first year of 143km ride organise by Janamanjung. This event is held in my hometown and i definately wont be missing it.

We start off at Teluk Rubiah, a spectacular golf resort with nice beaches. We will be hitting the first climb right after heading out Teluk Rubiah Resort and there will be no uphill till KM60. Right after the climb, we will be passing by one of the biggest power station in Malaysia. Next, we will be passing by Seri Manjung, a develop town that is currently rising up fast before hitting into open road with kampungs, scenic route with rubber and oil palm plantations towards the only rest stop in the whole ride at Pasir Salak.

It was relaltively flat and little downhill all the way. After Seri Manjung, we will be passing by Lekir and Kayan (the last town in Manjung district) fill with rubber and oil palm plantations. After Kayan, we will be heading to Seberang Perak, a felcra estate that most of the land is cover with "padi" - malaysia national food (rice).

On KM60, there will be a short steep climb right after Seberang Perak before reaching Pasir Salak. There is food, drinks waiting for us in Kompleks Sejarah Pasir Salak for us to refuel before hitting the road again to Bota via Kg.Gajah.

Another spectacular route with kampungs view all the way from Kg.Gajah to Bota, another old small town in Perak. After Bota, we will turn into the main road between Sitiawan-Ipoh with double lanes wide. Suspected the wind is going to pick up where most of the surrounded area is widely open.

Titi Gantung is the next town we will be passing by as most of the people here mostly works in plantations division. Soon we be arriving into Ayer Tawar, a town that split into two (right and left) where the main road was build through right into the middle of the town.

About 20km to go, we will be passing by beside Sitiawan town before reaching back into Seri Manjung town which we have start from earlier. The finish line is back into the Teluk Rubiah Resort.

This whole ride may take up to 6 hours. Imagine 6 hours on the saddle may cause your neck, shoulder, hand, thigh sore and numb.

No pain, no gain.

The night before

There is a ride briefing by the marshall on the night before the ride. I'm suprise with the names thats on the board - Team LETUA and ARMED FORCES group is participating, i believe tomorrow ride will be mostly control by them. There is also Ipoh riders, Kulim riders (MKH), local Janamanjung riders and our Manjung riders. Few solo riders also can be seen around the area that couldnt wait this first ever ride organise by Janamanjung.

After the registration and goodies bag collection, I begin to felt I just couldnt wait till tomorrow. After the briefing about the route, safety, water stations stop, I left and begin to gear up my bike, supplies, fluid and power gels. I slept early for the night for a good rest.

RACE DAY stories ahead! Stay tuned!

The night before (Century Ride 2008)

It was 1 week left for the Century Ride 2008 after my first Ipoh International Run.

Everything was prepared as earlier as possible (3 days before)- the bike, gearing, tools, jersey, power gel, muscle cream and the leg’s muscle of course.

On Saturday, I and Yong decided to go down to Ipoh earlier to collect the goodies bag and race tag number for all Sitiawan participant.

We travel at 3pm and once we at the race secretariat area, we were told that the jersey provided has run out of sizes. S and XS is the only size left to be collect. We collect for total of 19 participant and begin to feel the heat of tomorrow race. Lots of national, state riders were hanging around at the hotel lobby.

Once we left with the goodies bag in our hand (all 19), we drive our self to our accommodation (arrange by our coach Kong Hing) It was a great place, with 6 rooms and fully air condition with TV provided.

We unloaded our bikes and begin to look for food while we waiting for others to arrive. Team TNB came early and took their goodies bag together with their race number. Pangkor Kheong is next to take the goodies bag as he is staying overnight at a different location.

Ah Chui, Rafi, Kumar arrive not long and we have our self loaded with carbohydrate. Nasi Goreng Ayam, Roti Canai is among our carbohydrate loading.

Soon we are heading back and rest for the night. At 12am, I woke up due to loud noise outside of my room door. And then I realized, Hamid, Remy, Jasni, Kong Hing and Ming Meng is all here. I tag my race tag number on the helmet/bike the same night and we managed to chat for a while before heading back to sleep.

RACE DAY stories coming up soon. Do Wait!

Century Ride 2008

3 more days to the ultimate challenge of cycling. The century ride 2008 is finally here.

Confirm participants list representing "MANJUNG". We come from all different type of culture, religions, races but we all are ONE! This is the true cycling spirit.


Nor young or old, Nor tall or short, Nor black of white, Nor strong or weak, we all are ONE!


Representing Sitiawan
Yong (domestic rider)
Albert (backup rider)
Kong Hing (coach)


Representing Manjung
Ah Chui (time trialist)
Remy (climber)
Kumar (climber)
Rafi (climber)
Jasni (domestic)


Representing Pantai Remis
Eng Chong (solo rider)


Representing Ayer Tawar
Ming Meng (sprinter)


Representing Pangkor
Hwa Hong (endurance rider)
Kheong (endurance rider)


Representing TNB Janamanjung
Zaki, Jefri, Wan, Raja, Faudzi and Azhar.

TOGETHER we make it GREAT!

IPOH INTERNATIONAL RUN 2008

ITS HERE! ITS HERE!

After a long wait, its finally here. This is my first time joining the IPOH INTERNATIONAL RUN 2008. 10km it’s the distance I’m gonna do it for thi s year. I registered myself early June to book my placing in this event.

Before the event, I was training almost everyday, 5km – 8km in distance. The last 10km non-stop run I did was last year on the Powerman event which I was in walking pace for the last 4km.

Can I do it this year? I don’t know.

On Saturday, the night before the big event, I was gearing up all my necessary clothing, power bar, isotonic drinks and travel down to Ipoh for a stay.
July 6

Sunday. I couldn’t sleep well, probably too excited for the event and finally woke up as early at 4.30am. Gearing up and getting myself into running attire and begin to travel to Stadium Ipoh for the start/finish area.

There were thousand of participant already warming up and couldn’t wait for the race to start. International participant also can be seen especially from Kenya, Thailand and Africa.
Getting myself into registration area and registered myself on the 10km run.

5.30AM
I begin to warm up with Kheong (Pangkor), stretching my legs muscle and consume myself a bottle of 100plus. Being too excited before the race begin, I make my way twice to the washroom.

6.50AM
All participant for 21km and 10km Men’s Open, Woman’s Open, Veteran categories were call to the start line before the gun blow’s off exactly on 7am.

7.00AM
BOMB! The gun fires and the race start. I was in the middle of the pack and begin to push the front row to move. It took me about 2 minutes to free myself from the heavily pack after 300m into the race.

I begin to push myself hard and my heart rate monitor begin to sound when I hit 1km mark. I was worried and begin to slow down the pace. Lots of runners passes me by my side (right and left) and I begin to drop to the back.

I keep on running on my pace and hoping to complete the whole 10km without walking. I go on and on and somewhere in 4km mark, I begin to realize there is lots of others runner slowing down and drop to walking pace.

I can feel my leg is still strong and I begin to push myself again. Passes the Ipoh Parade roundabout, I feel great and carry on to move forward, overtaking one runner and on runner.
Water Station ahead but I did not manage to grab any cause there is too many participant queuing up for it. Instead of stopping and take turn to grab the drinks, I go on without looking back.

I was not told about the route and decided to keep my normal pace before pushing myself all out for the last 2-3km.

On the first turn back to the Stadium Ipoh, there is a sign showing “6KM”. I was surprise with the time I did till 6KM sign, I shouldn’t be that slow. I was actually mistakenly thought it a was 6KM to go but it suppose to be mean that I’m already at 6KM point.

Without blowing myself all out, I keep on running and pass the Polo Ground area.

Another water station ahead, but instead of giving out water, they giving you sponge with water to cool down. I grab 2 sponge and drain myself with the cold water on my neck, hand and thigh.
On the Army area roundabout, I saw the 5KM and 7KM distance runners joining with us and I realize that the finish line will not be that far anymore.

I push myself hard and started to make my way to as front as possible. With the runners from 5KM and 7KM distance joining my route, its sometimes impossible to passes them as most of them were walking, talking on the phone. There is a few times I have to budge into them to go through.

There is another water station ahead but with less than 2KM to finish line, forget about the water, I’m aiming for the finish line.

I go all out and my heart rate boost up to 200 per minute causing me almost black out for a second. I crosses the finish line at the time of 1hour and 9mins beating the time limit of 1hour 20mins.

I was extremely happy that I did it my actual first 10km in a race within time limit.
It was a hard day but its worth it. 13000 participant from all around the world joining this Ipoh International Run 2008 for 21km, 10km, 7km and 5km distance.

Joining again next year? That’s for sure!

Century Ride 2008

Team Sitiawan is collecting entries form.

Riders
Sam, Yong, Albert, Kong Hing, Kheong (Pangkor), Kumar and Rafi had already submitted entries form joining this year Century Ride 2008.

Century Ride is an ultimate ride, a true 160km ride must be completed within time limit. Riders that manage to complete will be named CYCLIST in the whole cycling career.

With pain in the neck and shoulders, sore in the back and thigh, numb on hand and foot. Endurance, mental and physical fitness is tested, nor rain or shine, riders is force and torture to achieve this ultimate true of cycling. With high consistence training, power and focus, we will survive.

LET'S CROWN OURSELF TRUE CYCLIST!

PCC Interstate 2008

PCC Interstate 2008 had launch!



5 guys from Sitiawan Team had confirm tackling the best scenic route with gruelling climbs and fast flat, passing by kampungs and beaches.

Kong Hing, Yong, Albert,Kheong (Pangkor) and our support car driver Patrick (Ng Loong Seng) had confirm placing in this 3-days multi cycling tour from Kajang-Bahau-Kuala Rompin-Kuantan covering more than 460km.

We did it on 2001, 2002 and 2004. We will do it again this year 2008!

POWERMAN 2008

POWERMAN 2008 here i come! I'll be joining this year to beat my last year timing.

Are you guys out there ready??
LET'S MAKE IT GREAT!

Coolbert's Bikes

My previous ride (it used to be a complete bike and now what's left)

Frame : Trigon Full Carbon Frameset with Trigon Carbon fork Handlebar + Stem : Trigon EX Carbon Integrated

Saddle : Selle Italia

Seatpost : Trigon EX Carbon Integrated

Wheelset : Cosmic Carbone SSC


My road bike

Frame : Scott USA Lightweight Alloy Frameset with Scott Carbon fork

Drivetrain : Ultegra 9s complete
Handlebar: Ritchey Pro Alloy

Stem : Ritchey Pro Alloy

Saddle : Scott USA
Seatpost : Richey Alloy
Bootlecage : Look Carbon Wheelset : Mavic Ksyrium Elite
Tire : Monaco Lightweight Tire
Meter : Cateye Double Wireless Meter with Heartrate function
Pedals : Ultegra

My TT bike (not a true TT bike but still building)

Frame : Proton T-Sprint R Carbon Frameset with Proton Carbon fork

Drivetrain : Ultegra 10s with Pazzaz Carbon Crank

Handlebar + Stem : None

Saddle : Selle Italia

Seatpost : Bontrager Carbon

Bootlecage : None

Wheelset : Xero XCR-1

Tire : Victoria Corsa

Meter : None

Pedals : None

FRASER HILL

It was raining on the night before we travel to Fraser’s Hill for the climb on 19^th April 2008. Everyone was excited and couldn’t sleep well on the night and finally decided to travel early to Ulu Bernam R&R instead.

We travel at 11pm and it’s still raining. The bike already wet all the way to Bidor (a small town) half way journey to Kuala Kubu Bahru. We stop for “petrol” and one of the cars having trouble with misfiring engine. We woke everyone up from the car and start looking for tools to dismantle the engine “spark plugs”. Unfortunately we couldn’t find any suitable tools to remove it and decided to stop for “minum pagi”. It’s already 1am (where got workshop open rite). The engine needs to cool down and we stop for nearly 40mins.

Journey continues and we finally arrived at Ulu Bernan R&R. It’s about 2am and we decided to sleep till 5am before traveling to Kuala Kubu Bahru for the climb. Sleeping in the car it’s not the best idea at all but that’s where the excitement is.

5AM.

I and Ho decided to get ready first while others still “Alice in wonderland”. After a short bath, I and Ho wakes everyone up and soon everyone is ready and having breakfast in the R&R.

6AM

We gear up and drive down to Kuala Kubu Bahru about 15km away via Tanjung Malim Exit. On the way, I manage to take in a Power Bar sponsor by Yong, thanks to him.

Pangkor senior veteran rider, Kheong rang me up and waiting for us at the mini stadium parking lot. We stop by a petrol kiosk for some refilling (water, Gatorade, red bull, anchor beer, etc etc…)

7AM

We arrive at parking lot and starting to gear up, assemble the bike, filling up 100plus into water bottle and soon we are all ready to hit the road. We manage to snap a group photo before leaving Kuala Kubu Bahru town up to Fraser’s Hill on this very chill cool morning.

7.30AM

11 riders hit the road and begin to climb after 1km from the town. 3 TNB riders where waiting for another rider that is getting ready quite late. We are 20mins in front of the TNB guys before they leave the parking lot.

As decided, 15KM is the distance ahead for our first regrouping area. The group splitting up into pieces right after we reach the Kuala Kubu Bahru Dam. With the sunshine, the view is superb although the road is getting steeper after 3km down the road.

Sam, Remy, Ah Chui, Rafi, Yong, Kheong were speeding up fast and leaving me, Hamid and Ho struggling up to the 15KM meeting point.

Once passes the Dam, the big two way road become narrow, the entrance to the jungle of mystery. Fill with green trees & waterfall is what we had to pass for the whole 30km climb to GAP.

Upon reaching 15KM meeting point, I try to break away at 12KM mark pushing myself to the meeting point, Hamid is behind the wheels and Ho is struggling to keep up. Did I say he’s on mountain bike? He’s really strong.

I finally arrived at 15KM meeting point and seeing all the fast, front riders already cooling down and I guess they have been there for quite a while already.

There is a discussion going on whether we should wait up the TNB guys before hitting the road again. We confirm from our support car driver and somehow they are still 8KM away from us and we decided to leave them and meeting up at GAP. (Before the gruel 8KM uphill steep climb).

I’m trying hard to keep up the pace that the front group is leading and finally at KM20, I am really tired and decided to leave the pack and cycle by my own. For nearly 10KM I’m alone all the way up to GAP.

I was quite happy to see the 15KM mark point to Fraser Hill knowing that I was near to GAP. I was doing 39x23 all the way which at some point, I need to use my lowest gearing 39x25. I was doing 11-14km/h for almost the last 5KM climb.

I was hoping the back group to catch me and cycle together in the group but there is no one to be seen. Corners and corners, up and up and finally I saw the GAP Rest house knowing that I’m few hundreds meters away from the Gate (one way road up to Fraser’s Hill).

I arrived and before I manage to cool myself down, Ho arrive follow by Ming (another Pangkor representative). 30mins later, the TNB guys arrived and we all waited together for the next 8KM climb when the gate opens at 11.00am.

I’m doing 2h 50mins for the 30km climb.

11AM

8KM to go, that’s my finish line up on top of Fraser’s Hill. Gates open and we all 15riders started the climb. The few corners were so steep making me think “Will I arrive at the top”. The gradient becomes steeper and steeper and we only 1km into the 8km climb.

One by one passes by side leaving me in the middle of the pack. My gearing is at 39x25 all the way up, hardly drop 39x23. On 6KM miles stone, I was doing 8km/h on the climb.

Remembering I had my Power Gel on my back pocket (again sponsor by Yong), I ate half and kept another half for the final 1-2km to go. Almost instantly, I regain my power to push 10-11km/h up the hill. On the final 2km miles stone, I ate the remaining Power Gel and start to speed up to 30km/h. There is a flat portion for about 500m giving me hope to catch up with a rider in front of me.

I saw Kheong just around the corner and pushing my legs as fast as possible to overtake me before the top. 1km to go, the flat portion begins to get steep again. Knowing I got 1km to go, I push as hard as I could with the aim to overtake Kheong. Surprisingly, I manage to catch up with him and overtook him just 20m before the gate (Fraser’s Hill Top).

While waiting for others to arrive at the top, we manage to sneak around Fraser’s Hill (this is my first trip here). Like on the advertisement, Fraser is mini England. The building, gardens very similar to European styling.

11.35AM

That’s when I reach the clock tower. The statue monument of Fraser’s Hill.

12PM

Its downhill time and I finally decided to follow the support car instead.

It was a great experience going up Fraser’s Hill for most of our riders here as everyone first time here. We will do it again soon. See you on next climb.

Our Top Riders

TNB Team (thanks for their support)

Our Brave Man
(involve in accident on the way down)