B i k e n u t s

Hullo Snowman

2009-12-20T22:53:00.005+08:00

Dear Readers, it's 5 more days to Christmas. If you don't know .. this is your Christmas card. My gift to you. I took two snowman, gave it a nice ad hoc shot in the car and edited it with a customized greeting.

It is by no means a better way to save money. At the age of global warming, it is also another way to save more trees. This way, Santa won't come after me for misbehaving. Plus, I get another brownie points.

If you have been reading my blog faithfully this year - you get this greeting of "Merry Christmas" for FREE! Isn't it amazing how connectivity brings us together.

I love all of you. This Christmas - I wish all of you happiness, joy and peace .. wherever you all may be. The Lord bless you and keep you stronger for 2010!

p/s: Thank you for loving back this cheapo.

How Gary created mountain bike

2009-12-14T21:10:00.000+08:00

Gary Fisher is of the Klunkerz alongside Joe Breeze, Mike Sinyard, Tom Ritchey and people you should know if you are ride a mountain bike. They re-invented the wheel and the rest is history.

See video of how Gary started off.

Sunday Spin

2009-12-13T08:11:00.001+08:00

Toes clipped in
Crankset creaked
Hubs clicked
Clouds pink & fluffy
Skies partly blue
Lavender it silly
Orange sun brightly
Felt a drizzle
Good for sleep
Even better for a ride

The bike moved
Passing by groove
Purple, yellow
Green and blue
Christmas lights
Everyone's asleep
Snore aloud
Sunday morning
Make the day
For your perfect spin!

Putrajaya Challenge Park

2009-12-11T20:31:00.001+08:00

Malaysia's first concept park is fully complete now and officially opening on 10th January 2010. Designed by Didi Schnider, it is the length of 6km and with colorful outlook of fast corners, switchback, steep climbs, downhills and rolling hills. Aside that, it is also a place for BMXers, skateboarding, rock climbing and trial biking.

Putrajaya Challenge Park website
http://putrajayachallengepark.com/

GPS outlook
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=103361

Singletrack
http://video.mpora.com/watch/4wwcXsR17/

Downhill section
http://video.mpora.com/watch/fbL132xuq/

Berm section
http://video.mpora.com/watch/Jo2wg7GIN/

New tee-shirt

2009-12-10T03:21:00.000+08:00

I know some of you are frustrated talking to me but ... but ... haha

Thanks madu :)

7 hours of Kayuh Lasak - Bye bye 2009!

2009-12-10T02:15:00.002+08:00

Whatever goes up must come down ... whatever goes up must come down ... whatever goes up still goes up ... it still goes up ... it is still going UP ...

*pukes*

I am not fascinated by the going up of all hills during Kayuh Lasak 09. It's awesome really, to be consistently fighting. We learn about suffering and err, the law of gravity is mind over matter or whatsoever.

Barely 4 kilometres into the ride, I am already hiking my way up. Hell, I have no idea when it ends. The climbs are very steep. It is difficult to balance, it is difficult to spin and it is also difficult to walk. The strange voices of the hills is asking me to turn back. Ice kachang awaits me at the foot of Youth Park, it says. Crap, I said.

The panting continues. It doesn't help when my bike is a slacker and plus a 140mm front travel - I think it is a lot of weight. I am waiting for that downhill - God knows where. The map says it is Poison Arrow and Roger Peng next. Frankly, I do not know where that was. The information is barely useful but I like that mysterious part of it.

Payback time, aha! DOWN .... and down we went. The trail is a singletrack cemented path with some bits of loose broken gravels. We entered a path where the trail descended through tight winding, hairpin switchbacks. No death drops are found here but any bad control will see you rolling down into the jungle abyss. It's at least 800m in elevation here. Talk about being acrophobic, woot!

The middle point is right down here I suppose because it leads up right to Tiger Hill after that. While it is only 6km away from the town of Penang, this place is a huge mass of hill. It is however all tarmac roads after the break all the way up to the other side of Penang Hill. Tiger Hill is another 700m of elevation up. It is another grunt up to the top, hence a lot of refills here.

Up and again, painful spin towards to the peak again. It's a punshing ride at this spot as the sun is all up around noon. Casual riders coming down from the opposite direction was very encouraging by saying "Another 20km out" ... Doh! How nice of them to remind us.

Reaching the top, many bungalows are found here. My bad guess that this must be the road which leads to Summit Road and towards Western Hill. Seriously, no idea at all but I can sure inhale a lot of air here. Gallons perhaps. The fresh mist is still in the air where we were stopping to take a break. The unrelenting hills ends here and it's time to head back.

This is where we head towards checkpoint 5 - my favorite part of the ride is. The ride is slightly wet, muddy, barely wide enough to take a leak. It is all downhill and very scenic. Each pedal stroke brings you towards splashes and puddles. Exactly what I was waiting for - the muddy part of the ride. Cruising down them feels like skiing.

At 3pm, I am back into Youth Park again. 7 hours of Kayuh Lasak. It made me smile to be there and ending my final tour for 2009. Till then granny rings. See you next year!

Penang Kayuh Lasak 2009

2009-12-08T00:08:00.001+08:00

And only some few miserable pictures. Wait till I get a ride profile on it, the hills resembles of the best singletracks I have ever rode on earth - and not forgetting the nutty climbs lasting kilometers.

My rider number also won me a Topeak saddle!

Flights

2009-12-05T00:15:00.001+08:00

No more tan lines

2009-12-03T23:13:00.001+08:00

I have a lot of short sleeves biking apparels and it irritates me when there are tan lines on the arms even after using sun block. This piece from Sugoi should be able to curb all the ugly tan lines.

Of course, you get nicknames like Sissy or Wuss - like I care. Mine's something like the one in the picture. Imagine skeletons, flames, eyeballs. This funky Sugoi Tatu Warmer is from Two Wheel Action Singapore.

Happy Hippo

2009-11-30T00:01:00.004+08:00

Back from SIBKL YA Camp and now as happy as a hippo. Here's what we did over the weekend.

Apparently, the group mascot for team 4 is a HIPPO.

And the nutty people who made the whole camp awesome.

A jump shot over sunset

Landed in town

2009-11-25T19:52:00.000+08:00

From the voice of Dwayne Johnson - American Astronaut Charles Baker stepped foot on an a little green planet but taken as an alien instead. Catch Planet 51 - Out this week without a bang.

Plentong Epic - videos!

2009-11-16T09:00:00.004+08:00

For more information, log on to http://www.cyclemotion2000.com

2010 Le Tour de Langkawi launch

2009-11-15T12:20:00.001+08:00

The nation's pride of launching a continued prestigious race.The 15th LTDL 2010.

Le Tour de Langkawi is a 2.HC UCI rated race. If the numbers sound weird to you, 2HC represents a category which is defined as a multi-day race for Elite Men rated as Hors Categorie.

2.HC races are one-step below the Grand Tour. The race is equivalent category to Tour of California, Tour de Georgia & Tour of Qinghai Lake. Europeans has the most list of 2.HC tours listed here.

The tour rides through 1001.8 kilometres over 7 days with the stages below:
The seven stages are:
1 Kota Bharu – Kuala Berang (174.5km)
2 Kuala Terengganu – Chukai (182.9km)
3 Pekan, Pahang – Mersing, Johor (144km)
4 Mersing, Johor – Parit Sulong, Johor (163.5km)
5 Muar, Johor – Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan (140.2km)
6 Putrajaya, WP – Genting Highlands (103.9km)
7 Kuala Kubu Baru – Dataran Merdeka (loop x6) (92.8km)

The comparison of time

2009-11-09T19:03:00.004+08:00

Athletes of Powerman in the bike event resembles closely to cycling ITT - Individual Time Trial. The only difference (in Powerman) is the athlete has to run first, hop onto the bike and then run again. This is as compared to tour riders where they ride for 2 weeks on bike over 3,000 kilometres. Usually 1 or 2 stages are ITT.

The time comparison below is versus similarity by the distance of the race. A shallow outlook of competitive cycling, this analysis doesn't measure the terrain difficulty and equipment availability. TT bars however made it's debut in the tour classic 1989 where LeMond won.

I just find the Powerman athletes too darn fast when they zipped past me yesterday and am now curious at the speed that they were going.

Powerman Malaysia best times:
Andy Sutz, 64km, 1:31:00 - Powerman Malaysia '09
Jason Spong, 64km, 1:28:39 - Powerman Malaysia '08
Joerie Vansteelant, 64km, 1:27:50 - Powerman Malaysia '07
Benny Vansteelant, 60km, 1:29:42 - Powerman Malaysia '06
Jason Spong, 60km, 1:26:27 - Powerman Malaysia '05

Versus some of the winners on cycling tours:
Denis Menchov, 60.5km, 01:34:29 - Giro d'Italia '09
Stefan Schumacher, 53km, 1:03:50 - Tour de France '09
Jan Ullrich, 58km, 1:15:25 - Tour de France '98
Abraham Olano, 63km, 1:15:57 - Tour de France '97
Lance Armstrong, 55km, 1.11.46 - Tour de France '05
Miguel Indurain, 64km, 1:15:58 - Tour de France '94
Greg Lemond, 73km, 1:38:12 - Tour de France '89

Run-bike-run weekend

2009-11-08T23:05:00.012+08:00

So, I did it - I mean that stupid u-turn.

This Powerman 11km run-64km bike and 10km run is a murder for some of us noobs. I gave way at the final 5km at 12nn thinking it would be too late by the time I finish in which the last cut-off time was 12.30.

I asked the marshall - "Bro, can U-turn ka?"
The marshall said - "Why you pusing balik? 5 more km only. Get finisher medal and tee-shirt"

I gave up at this thought and went straight to the transition point to pack-up. The feet was blistered, the temperature extremely hot, the body is already almost down and there is another 3 hour drive home to Kuala Lumpur.

Thinking I have already done enough, I prefer to go back. Maybe next year for another Seri Manjung DU. A good effort after all for a noob racer.

Orchard Inn apparently came with a sea-view. Yes yes. SEA view wat

The room is fantastic, cosy and nice

Alvin at the transition area, 7am

Mean machines out to kill us

Alvin's favorite equipment, FOC from the ambulance

At the starting grid of the run - 730am and everyone's ready to rock

Celebrating her birthday

2009-11-05T00:13:00.000+08:00

We had a great time having birthday dinner today at Las Carretas - her birthday. It's happy to be spending time with her and knowing the best years are really ahead. The birthday gift isn't anything really useful but I really do think that the best gift to give someone is always yourself.

That's to say, my love is your umbrella and sunshine, just like yours is to me.

I love your smile, I love that pair of eyes you have, I love the way you eat the mussels today and how I can eat more portion of your cake. he he he :)

Cycling quotes

2009-11-01T00:25:00.001+08:00

Found an old school picture I took somewhere, old school quotes that I love and happiness of a lifetime by sharing it here :)
p/s: Cheesy I know. Too bad!

Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever - Lance Armstrong

I won! I won! I don't have to go to school anymore. - Eddy Merckx

Ride your bike, ride your bike, ride your bike - Fausto Coppi

When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking - Arthur Conan Doyle

Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live - Mark Twain

The secret to mountain biking is pretty simple. The slower you go the more likely it is you'll crash - Julie Furtado

You not bike rider, you nobody — Eddie B

If you brake, you don't win - Mario Cipollini

I guess I just have bigger ovaries — Missy Giove

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving - Albert Einstein

Plentong Epic, final call - Hurry!

2009-10-29T12:57:00.003+08:00

The great epic at Johor Bahru happening 15th Nov 2009 - Click on image to read more about it or log on to http://www.cyclemotion2000.com!

Cardio Log - 251009

2009-10-25T22:25:00.000+08:00

Activity: Road biking
Weather: Windy/Cloudy
Location: Bukit Lanchung
Distance: 29.8km
Average: 27.2km/h
Max speed: 46.2km/h
Time: 1hr 05m
Calories: 566.5 calories

Freeride Godfather

2009-10-22T23:53:00.001+08:00

Wade Simmons has always been a favorite and also the great guru of all freeriding. This is a perfect video. I have always loved the way he direct his riding to suit videography and photos.

Cardio Log - 161009

2009-10-20T19:59:00.003+08:00

Activity: Mountain biking on tarmac

Weather: Dry
Location:
Day 1 - Tapah to Tanah Rata
Day 2 - Tanah Rata to G. Brinchang & Tapah
Total Distance: 156km
Average: 15.7km/h
Max speed: 53.2km/h
Time: 9hr 50m
Elevation: 2032 metres (6667 ft)

No handlebars

2009-10-20T17:17:00.001+08:00

Funky hip-hop music by Flobots is catchy and funky. Recommended for your training ride mp3 list :)

Cameron Highlands on a bike

2009-10-18T02:59:00.009+08:00

Historically, the last time I am at Cameron Highlands for a mountain bike ride, it was a nightmare. I can't still figure out how we cycled from 7am till late 11pm at that time. Anyhow, Cameron Highlands is a place that has got a lot of potential for adventurous road/mountain bikers. Whatever or whichever way you like it, the ride always ends with some sense of satisfaction due to the nature of the hills (which eventually gives you a lot of bragging rights).

Riding to Cameron Highlands is quite common nowadays. Most riders will ride from Tapah to Tanah Rata as it is more shady versus the Simpang Pulai road via Ipoh town. If you are interested, here are the notable notes on the estimated elevation (from Tapah road):

Tapah to Ringlet - 1,000m elevation
Ringlet to Tapah - 400m elevation
Tanah Rata to Brinchang - 300m elevation
Brinchang to Mt. Brinchang - 532m elevation

The road is the usual winding everywhere. The distance from Tapah to Ringlet is 51km. The hill become steeper gradually. While it is still rideable for the first 25km, it seems to be much steeper after Lata Iskandar and goes way up to Ringlet where you will go for a downhill before it turns into a nightmare by the time you pass by Habu. It is adviseable that you arrive Ringlet before 12 noon as it will take another 13km to Tanah Rata.

While it sounds easy to climb from Ringlet to Tanah Rata (as the distance is the mere 13km), do not get misguided as it has the steepest hills here. The journey will take a lot of cursing for the not-so-fit cyclist or my recommendation is - make sure you have a SOS contact just-in-case. Other than that, from Tanah Rata to Brinchang is an estimated 6km with minor hills. This is relatively easy to ride on with a slow spin up smaller climbs.

Apart from cycling to Cameron Highlands, (I mean the usual Tanah Rata and Brinchang) there are also other fun things to do. Like, riding up Sg. Palas tea centre and all the way to Gunung Brinchang. The condition on this road is partially with holes and loose rocks. It is ideal to climb this on a mountain bike although it is all tarmac. The best time to climb this is early in the morning as it would be very fresh air, get greeted by the flora & fauna. And if you are as lucky as I do, the airplane was in action seeding the tea plantation.

Bike gears and preparations: I think it's all on your own. Whether you want to go shirtless or just one underwear, it is really up to your level of comfort. It is recommended to go up with a bike-rack as it is tiring to carry a backpack all day long into the climb. 2 litre is usually sufficient or bring the amount of F&B that is enough to go for your typical 100km ride.

From last weekend's ride to Cameron Highlands - Photo album available on my Picasa web.

AK's Taiwanese site

2009-10-17T21:36:00.006+08:00

This came as a surprise for me when I chatted with MH. He has apparently shifted from Taiwan to China and we managed to catch up with each other online. Here's the thing that I am surprised with - We met AK some 8 years ago and now when asked of how he was doing, he is a bike champ for GT Golden Series in Taiwan.

His photo adventure with his bikes is available on the url here.
Or if you can read Chinese, visit Taiwan website at http://www.fserow.com/serow.html

GT Golden Race Series URL : http://www.gtisgolden.com/int/eng/

What's cooking?

2009-10-09T16:53:00.001+08:00

I love it when she cooks. I was too eager to eat this and shot a picture of it while nobody's looking. The picture is a bit dark. The dish is actually oven baked minced meat with char siew sauce. And there's ikan tenggiri too.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, yummmy!
The princess can cook well. Thank you for cooking, I love it. Please cook more, errr oops.

Life is never empty with her. You know what it means :)