120KM ride (Seberang Perak - Kg Gajah)

It was another great day for everyone. Today’s ride begin from Sitiawan. We’ll ride through Lekir, Kayan and turn left into Seberang Perak at the paddy field area. The route is completely flat with lots and lots of headwinds.

7AM

One by one riders arrived at our meeting point, Pizza Hut Sitiawan, I begin to feel today’s its gonna be another great ride. I, Kumar, Malakoff Boy, Rizal, Remy, Another Perak State Boy, Kwong Yew, Yong and Kong Hing will be taking off from Sitiawan and estimated to end today’s ride at 12noon. Total distance 120km.

7.15AM

Our bikes tire began to roll out of the main road of Sitiawan, passing by Kg koh with lots of spectator waving at us. We steadily maintain our speed today at 26km/h. I roll out with Remy side-by-side up front while others are chit-chatting behind us. Our first attack when on as early as we reach Batu 8. Kumar is leading while the young boys were drafting behind him. The group split into 2 groups. Kumar slow down and the perak state boy is leading. He’s very strong indeed.
Remy was leading the second group and began our chase up to the front. As the chase began, Kong Hing is struggling in the back group. He is on his hybrid bike as his road bike puncture. We regroup as we passes YTY factory in batu 10 and maintaining at a stready speed 32km/h-34km/h. One by one pulling the group and one-by-one rotating to take the lead. The speed increase to 36km/h-37km/h and Kong Hing began to lose his pace. Remy is with him and support him at the rear of the group.

The gap was too big and we slow down for Kong Hing just before reaching Kayan intersection. Suddenly, the malakoff boy with his only yellow jersey breakaway from our group. None of us chasing after him as we see how far the attack will last. He open up a gap about 200m with us and the perak state boy began his chase. Remy, I, Yong, Kumar, Rizal follow his trail as we once again close the gap with the malakoff boy. As the speed increase to 40km/h, the malakoff boy bonk and didn’t manage to follow up. I was struggling in the front group while others look strong.

With the speed at 40km/h I was following the front group for almost 3km before I broke off to the back. With Kwong Yew, the malakoff boy and Kong Hing is no where to be seen, I slow down for them. I was riding alone and the gap with the front group is getting wider.

I was alone for about 1km, I manage to see Kwong Yew, Kong Hing and the boy begin to close up with me. Right in front, I can see Yong slowing down for me too. Approaching the left turn into Seberang Perak, I manage to get close with Yong and together we stop with the front group that already arrived for a while. We waited for the rear group to join us and without any time to waste, we on the road again. 1km into the road, we split into 2 groups. I’m in the 1st group with Remy, Yong and Kwong Yew while others at the back.

Remy left us and waited for the back group while Yong was leading steadily at 31km/h. After 2km, i took the lead and maintain at 30km/h. I didn’t realize the right turn and together everyone passes it. Rizal shouted at us and soon we realize we had overshoot and we make over way back to the intersection. Entering Seberang Perak Felcra, we slow down and rested our legs. There are lots of kampungs houses and lots of kids waving at us (they might have thought we’re those professional cyclist…haha)

There is a short steep climb ahead and everyone was pacing for it. My legs were good and I was placing myself at second placing behind the malakoff boy. While we begin to climb, he accelerated and I was following his back. Upon reaching the top, the boy bonk and I manage to overtook him just over the top. Kumar, Rizal were riding steadily behind me.

With 3 of us together we maintain our journey to our first stop at Kg Gajah town. We were joined by Yong and the state rider boy. 5 of us leaving the back group and attacking on our own to the stop. The state rider boy was leading all the way and we reach Kg Gajah town just under 2 hours of total distance 54km. We stop at the intersection and waited for the back group to arrive.

We took breakfast at a mamak stall with lots of laugh and stories. We were RM60 for today’s breakfast. My god, RM60…can you guys imagine? We believe the shop owner simply calculate. Anyway, we continue on our journey back to Sitiawan. The malakoff boy’s bike had puncture on his front wheel, the air keep coming out slowly. While they were changing tube, I, Yong, Kwong Yew and Kong Hing decided to start our journey first as they were fast and will catch us soon. 4 of us begin our attack after we are out from Kg Gajah town. With each one of us rotating our lead, we were maintaining at 32km/h. 2km in, Rizal manage to join us. 5km passes, Kong Hing dropped to the back while 4 of us maintaining our speed. 10km in, everyone still strong and the back group is no where to be seen. We were finally caught by the state rider boy and Remy. They manage to catch us just about 2km to Bota town. Together we ride passes Bota town and soon we were already on the Perak river bridge. We stop at the intersection, by the road side while waiting for others to arrived.

There were another stories telling about the ride just now. Kumar and the malakoff boy arrived 5 mins later. While we rest, Kong Hing arrived 15mins later. After a short break, its time to head home. Kwong Yew were speeding away while tailing a big truck travelling at 60km/h. Again Remy and the state rider boy perform a fast speed train while everyone is trying to keep up with them. I was forcing myself to keep up with them while travelling at 45km/h. Yong waited for Kong Hing while others is trying to catch Kwong Yew up front.

Passing by Titi Gantung, Gelung Pepuyu, Roti Segar, Beruas intersection, we were all still together. We finally manage to catch up with Kwong Yew just before the Beruas junction and I slow down for him as I’m practically very tired already. The fast group is still pushing on and by the time I reach Ayer Tawar, there are no where to be seen.

I and Kwong Yew rest at Shell Petrol Kiosk while waiting for Yong and Kong Hing for refueling. We go on as quickly as possible with no time to waste as the sun already almost on the top of our head. 11.40am is the time we stop by saying hi to Ming Meng (our another long lost rider from Ayer Tawar) We manage to chit-chat for a short while and pushes on back to Sitiawan. Yong were leading all the way while I and Kwong Yew struggling following him. Approaching Sitiawan town, my legs were practically very tired and I was only able to cycle at 25km/h. I couldn’t keep up with Yong and soon I was riding alone for the remaining 2km till home. I reach home at 12.20pm in the afternoon. It was another great day for all of us. Total riding time 5 hours and 5 mins.

I guess we were all ready for this Janamanjung Ride 2009 as were doing 3 continuoes week of long distance ride. See you guys next week!