Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Monday, May 06, 2019
Audax Malaysia BRM300 Teluk Intan, 4 & 5 May 2019
An adventure I set for myself, with support from dear husband Eu Jin Ang and children. This is my furthest distance cycling 300km over 19 hours. I wasn't afraid of the dark but I have not tried doing so and this BRM covered about 8 hours of darkness cycling through rural and even passing Chinese cemetery. But the quietness is very enjoyable. The rollings hills of Felda Gunung Besout was fun and challenging. Worst was at Felda Hotspring Sungai Klah. With steepness above 10 degrees. The best part is lengthy descend at Kuala Dipang all the way to Malim Nawar. Last 50km was draggy due to fatigue. Overall satisfied. Time for recovery. Thank you to all the organizing crews and fellow cyclist who have helped with drafting and giving encouragement.
Here is a more detailed blogging about this BRM.
1 May: I took this public holiday to start packing for the event. As we have decided to bring the children along, I started packing the children's clothes and etc stuff. A checklist really helped keeping things on track. This day was filled with activities as I hurriedly tried to finish a birthday cake for my son and also preparing a pre-birthday steam boat dinner for my in laws.
2 May: Working day and more packing.
3 May: Went home earlier to take a 1 hour nap. Had early dinner, blew cake for Kay Son and went home to pack my biking stuff from 9pm till 11pm. Hurriedly finished off and went to bed at 12pm. Had a brief sleep and woke up at 1am. We load our kids into the car and off we go with Eu Jin driving. He is really a tough guy and can with stand mid night drives (as we seldom do this kind of drive). Drove all the way to Teluk Intan Mac Donalds and arrived at about 4am with 2 hours to rest and set up.
4 May: 6 am flagged off from Teluk Intan with a welcoming rain. The rain was heavy, but still able to open my eyes and zig zag through the patches of water on the road. I could not draft too near to the bike in front to avoid mud splashing onto my face. It was flat all the way from Teluk Intan to Hutan Melintang junction and made a left turn into Jalan Kuala Selangor - Teluk Intan. As the sun rises, I could see the familiar routes which I used to drive back to Sitiawan to my mother's hometown every Chinese New Year.
I overshot the junction of Jalan Sungai Panjang by 2km and had to back track. This road had no sign boards and had to navigate on own. This route passes by beautiful paddy fields. I saw one signboard "I Love Tok Khalifah" which is worth stopping to take photos but being in Audax, we are always on a run to arrive checkpoints before the cut off time, so no appetite to stop for much photos. But I did manage to take one photo of the paddy fields. This stretch of road is long and flat, certain parts of it I managed to catch up and draft behind groups of cyclist which I do not know their names. Thank you ~
At the end of Jalan Sungai Panjang, I turned left into Route 1 and wanted to dash for the 1st check point but found myself unable to. I stopped at Hentian Sebelah Slim River just before the CP1 to have a quick lunch. I forgot to pack my salt stick so I chose salted egg, omelette and Begedil with white rice for lunch. I supposed CP 1 restaurant will have many cyclists stopping for lunch and wanted to avoid the crowd. That lunch pumped me up for the next session. Stopping, rest, pee, poo and doing other things for 5 to 10 minutes can help our body recover a little before continuing the next leg of the journey.
After Slim River, comes the rolling hills of Jalan Gunung Besout. I love this stretch, it is both challenging and fun especially going downhill and the mental doing the counting of how many hills have gone by.
After this I got onto Route 1 again and covered some distance before reaching the junction of Felda Residence Hot Spring. This was not what I have anticipated. It was no longer the fun rolling hills of Jalan Gunung Besout, but a very steep gradient climbs of ups and downs. Probably because my body is shouting for a stop, I pushed on to the next CP, reaching there about 4.30pm.
I cursed a lot during this stretch of road. The thoughts of going out again dreaded me. After a few bites of rice and egg, I showered my head, lied down a bit and continued. It wasn't so bad after the rest and soon I was out to Route 1 again, heading to Bidor where I had a quick dinner, bought some more bread for storage and reached Jalan Chenderiang Lama junction after sunset.
It was uphill uphill and down and then up again, passing by the cemetery, and I could hear the cars buzzing fast at the nearby North South Expressway. The road towards Kuala Dipang is bumpy and downhill. I was going easily at 35kmh and it was downhill all the way till Malim Nawar CP3. Very very enjoyable to be downhill.
Last 50km to go, exhausted, I lied down on the floor of the shoplot, it was about 10pm. The shops were closed, I set my alarm and tried to fall asleep for 10 minutes but failed. I got up and continued. This time passing by the happening university town of Kampar. Unfortunately I could not see much as it s dark, the scenery would have been nice since it is lake side. I went out to Route 1 again and shortly turn right into Teluk Intan. Very draggy last stretch and had tummy discomfort, felt like throwing up after drinking coffee and eating the red bean bread. Took a rest and later caught up with a group and was riding above 30kmh again. I felt energized knowing that the end is coming very soon. Felt so relieved at the sight of the mile stone counting down towards Teluk Intan.
I reached Mac D at about 1.15 am. Struggling to get my QR code as my phone was out of battery. clocked in at 1.27am, took a few photos and left for the hotel. My husband made me cycle back to the hotel. OMG my legs, couldn't feel my buttocks too!
Total damage? chaffing of the buttocks, sore arms and lower back, lack of sleep. Spent about RM50 for food and drinks, RM75 for hotel, petrol and toll probably about RM150, RM75 for registration fee. Expensive hobby!
Music that played in my mind for 19 hours: Boy with Luv by BTS
Favorite stretch of the ride: Kuala Dipang to Malim Nawar
Worst stretch of the ride: Felda Residence Sungai Klah
Favorite animal spotted: Frogs (I hope I didn't smack into any)
Favorite rider: Ms. Winnie (thanks for accompanying me from Tanjong Malim to Jalan Sungai Panjang)
Worst smell: Chicken coop or was it cow dung?
How many punctured tires witnessed throughout the journey? I think close to 10
Best words of encouragement: "come on, 2 more km! Go Go Go"
Best meal: Nasi campur before CP1 at Hentian Sebelah Slim River
Best scenery: Gunung Besout rolling hills, Teluk Intan Leaning Tower
Here is a more detailed blogging about this BRM.
1 May: I took this public holiday to start packing for the event. As we have decided to bring the children along, I started packing the children's clothes and etc stuff. A checklist really helped keeping things on track. This day was filled with activities as I hurriedly tried to finish a birthday cake for my son and also preparing a pre-birthday steam boat dinner for my in laws.
2 May: Working day and more packing.
3 May: Went home earlier to take a 1 hour nap. Had early dinner, blew cake for Kay Son and went home to pack my biking stuff from 9pm till 11pm. Hurriedly finished off and went to bed at 12pm. Had a brief sleep and woke up at 1am. We load our kids into the car and off we go with Eu Jin driving. He is really a tough guy and can with stand mid night drives (as we seldom do this kind of drive). Drove all the way to Teluk Intan Mac Donalds and arrived at about 4am with 2 hours to rest and set up.
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| Thank you Sam Tow for the photo |
4 May: 6 am flagged off from Teluk Intan with a welcoming rain. The rain was heavy, but still able to open my eyes and zig zag through the patches of water on the road. I could not draft too near to the bike in front to avoid mud splashing onto my face. It was flat all the way from Teluk Intan to Hutan Melintang junction and made a left turn into Jalan Kuala Selangor - Teluk Intan. As the sun rises, I could see the familiar routes which I used to drive back to Sitiawan to my mother's hometown every Chinese New Year.
I overshot the junction of Jalan Sungai Panjang by 2km and had to back track. This road had no sign boards and had to navigate on own. This route passes by beautiful paddy fields. I saw one signboard "I Love Tok Khalifah" which is worth stopping to take photos but being in Audax, we are always on a run to arrive checkpoints before the cut off time, so no appetite to stop for much photos. But I did manage to take one photo of the paddy fields. This stretch of road is long and flat, certain parts of it I managed to catch up and draft behind groups of cyclist which I do not know their names. Thank you ~
 |
| Photo credit to Ang Eu Jin |
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| Photos from Instagram faizul_injection |
At the end of Jalan Sungai Panjang, I turned left into Route 1 and wanted to dash for the 1st check point but found myself unable to. I stopped at Hentian Sebelah Slim River just before the CP1 to have a quick lunch. I forgot to pack my salt stick so I chose salted egg, omelette and Begedil with white rice for lunch. I supposed CP 1 restaurant will have many cyclists stopping for lunch and wanted to avoid the crowd. That lunch pumped me up for the next session. Stopping, rest, pee, poo and doing other things for 5 to 10 minutes can help our body recover a little before continuing the next leg of the journey.
After Slim River, comes the rolling hills of Jalan Gunung Besout. I love this stretch, it is both challenging and fun especially going downhill and the mental doing the counting of how many hills have gone by.
 |
| Can you see the hill behind the first hill? >.< |
After this I got onto Route 1 again and covered some distance before reaching the junction of Felda Residence Hot Spring. This was not what I have anticipated. It was no longer the fun rolling hills of Jalan Gunung Besout, but a very steep gradient climbs of ups and downs. Probably because my body is shouting for a stop, I pushed on to the next CP, reaching there about 4.30pm.
I cursed a lot during this stretch of road. The thoughts of going out again dreaded me. After a few bites of rice and egg, I showered my head, lied down a bit and continued. It wasn't so bad after the rest and soon I was out to Route 1 again, heading to Bidor where I had a quick dinner, bought some more bread for storage and reached Jalan Chenderiang Lama junction after sunset.
It was uphill uphill and down and then up again, passing by the cemetery, and I could hear the cars buzzing fast at the nearby North South Expressway. The road towards Kuala Dipang is bumpy and downhill. I was going easily at 35kmh and it was downhill all the way till Malim Nawar CP3. Very very enjoyable to be downhill.
Last 50km to go, exhausted, I lied down on the floor of the shoplot, it was about 10pm. The shops were closed, I set my alarm and tried to fall asleep for 10 minutes but failed. I got up and continued. This time passing by the happening university town of Kampar. Unfortunately I could not see much as it s dark, the scenery would have been nice since it is lake side. I went out to Route 1 again and shortly turn right into Teluk Intan. Very draggy last stretch and had tummy discomfort, felt like throwing up after drinking coffee and eating the red bean bread. Took a rest and later caught up with a group and was riding above 30kmh again. I felt energized knowing that the end is coming very soon. Felt so relieved at the sight of the mile stone counting down towards Teluk Intan.
I reached Mac D at about 1.15 am. Struggling to get my QR code as my phone was out of battery. clocked in at 1.27am, took a few photos and left for the hotel. My husband made me cycle back to the hotel. OMG my legs, couldn't feel my buttocks too!
Total damage? chaffing of the buttocks, sore arms and lower back, lack of sleep. Spent about RM50 for food and drinks, RM75 for hotel, petrol and toll probably about RM150, RM75 for registration fee. Expensive hobby!
Music that played in my mind for 19 hours: Boy with Luv by BTS
Favorite stretch of the ride: Kuala Dipang to Malim Nawar
Worst stretch of the ride: Felda Residence Sungai Klah
Favorite animal spotted: Frogs (I hope I didn't smack into any)
Favorite rider: Ms. Winnie (thanks for accompanying me from Tanjong Malim to Jalan Sungai Panjang)
Worst smell: Chicken coop or was it cow dung?
How many punctured tires witnessed throughout the journey? I think close to 10
Best words of encouragement: "come on, 2 more km! Go Go Go"
Best meal: Nasi campur before CP1 at Hentian Sebelah Slim River
Best scenery: Gunung Besout rolling hills, Teluk Intan Leaning Tower
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Run for it X TBNSA 12 Hours Challenge
My first Ultra Run. Run For It 12 Hours Challenge at Taman Botani Shah Alam was held on 12th - 13th January 2019. It is a minimum of 65 km run over a 5km loop. And please do not underestimate this 5km loop as the elevation was crazy.
I always have a weak knee. My right knee suffered through this run. I gave up after 44km and 9 hours run. This was my longest run so far. Ultra running is nice especially when the food provided is of a variety and there were hot porridge, drinks, cakes and etc. I have always enjoyed long distance run when food and time is sufficient. What I learnt from this ultra is that DNF (Did Not Finished) is a common term in Ultra running and that I must learn how to take short breaks or naps before continuing the race.
I always have a weak knee. My right knee suffered through this run. I gave up after 44km and 9 hours run. This was my longest run so far. Ultra running is nice especially when the food provided is of a variety and there were hot porridge, drinks, cakes and etc. I have always enjoyed long distance run when food and time is sufficient. What I learnt from this ultra is that DNF (Did Not Finished) is a common term in Ultra running and that I must learn how to take short breaks or naps before continuing the race.
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| Start and End and timing belt |
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| Food and beverage tables being set up |
Review on Fuji Spreme LE Road Bike
My new bike. Fuji Supreme LE. My first bike was very basic stuff with Shimano Claris groupset and twitter alloy frame weighing more than 10kg. It gave me different experience and I am able to compare both specs of bike. For beginners, pros and cons on buying a low spec bike. If you aren't sure if you will get hooked on this sports, a simple spec road bike is good for a start. In my case, it lasted me about 2100km of riding, over about 9 months.
There is really no end and the buying is limitless when it comes to bicycle (the budget is the limiting factor). It really depends on what is your style of riding. If you are into slow and relax touring spanning over several nights, then a titanium bike will be the most comfortable bike. Carbon bike may be light but involves more handling skills when you are on high speed above 40kmh going downhill. I felt my heavier twitter alloy bike was better when going downhill, since it is heavier. Carbon frames can go fast too if you pedal downhill.
Nontheless, this upgrade is a good one and lots more to gain out of this new bike.
Friday, February 08, 2019
Silangit - Perapat - Lake Toba - Berastagi - Medan
Day 1: Arrival at Silangit Airport | ||
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| Salib Kasih, a big cross on top of the hill |
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| Beautiful trees canopy |
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| Salib Kasih, a cross on the top of the mountain |
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| Air Soda Tarutong, a natural cool spring water that releases bubbles from beneath. the water temperature is cool, not warm as assumed. |
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| Huta Ginjang, a viewpoint that gives you a panoramic view of Lake Toba |
Day 2: |
| majestic Lake Toba |
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| Batak architecture |
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| Samosir durian, setanding Malaysian durian |
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| sepeda awan, cloud bicycle |
| Si Piso Piso waterfall |
Monday, January 07, 2019
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Day Ride: Hospital Orang Asli Gombak - Bentong, Route 68
20 Dec 2018: we took a day off to try our first ride on this cycling heaven known as HOA, short form for Hospital Orang Asli or Route 68. We arrived at Gombak and stopped at this food centre where there is an empty land for parking and a few restaurants operate here. According to the breakfast stall mak cik, this is a good place to park for the day but be sure to park your vehicle at the side and not in the middle of the empty land as there are heavy vehicles moving in and out of this place.
Generally road conditions are rather rough with occasional potholes and gravels. Going downhill will be bumpy for alloy and carbon bikes. Titanium bikes must be very comfortable on these road conditions.
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