Yesterday, 16th September 2012, Malaysia Day, we went to Alor Setar for the 4th Cycle for Health and Environment event. Starting outside the Stadium, we went south, then up north, turned east and then south back to the stadium, a distance of about 62 km. Organised by the LM Bikers Club and several other parties with many corporate sponsors, the registration fee was a mere RM40. The goodies bag included a t-shirt which everyone is supposed to wear (most did, a few did not but who's going to stop them and make a scene?).
We decided to stay the night so that we didn't have to get up at 4 am to drive to an unfamiliar place. The hotel near the Zahir Mosque (gorgeous architecture) was old but clean and cheap except the air-con was loud throughout the night and the damn sink takes forever to drain. We had the night to paint the town red so we went for a heritage walk. The map was quite poor but the worst was the walkways - broken, pools of water, slippery, uneven and very poor construction and design. Of course, the city folks did make a big effort to spruce up the CBD but it's still a hazard walking around. So, we headed for Thai dinner opposite the hotel, which was a disappointment. Then we went hunting for a can of beer(yes, only one can) and found it in a small sundry shop. And we slept early.
That's the story of our one-night stand in Alor Setar.
Next morning, we woke up at 5 am, mainly because I am the one who needs to be properly adjusted for the long ride. I need to eat, drink and wait a bit for the critical movements. You don't want to do your business by the roadside in the bush.
By 6 am we were out of the hotel and arrived at the stadium carpark early (less than 10 minutes from the hotel) for me to reassemble the two MTBs. Putting back the wheels is actually very fast - just put it in the slots, and clip it. No tools needed. BUT remember, before you clip them, spin the wheels to see that they turn freely. The way to know it is, it needs to spin fast for quite some time, like at least 20 seconds. If the wheels come to a stop after turning for say four or five rounds than it's not properly aligned. Remember if you have disk brakes, a slight shift would cause the disks to rub together.
OH, note to self. In future, bring a torch light for working in the dark.
When we bought the tiny GETZ hatchback, we didn't realise it could now double as our MTB carrier. Nice bonus.
BTW, the bike shop guy had discouraged me from dismantling the back wheel because he said the gears could go out of alignment. Always make sure that the gears set are not damaged by pressing against other objects.
Our first long distance ride was with the MPSP gang (35 km) with our old bikes. Then we did the 28 km for the LP MTB grand opening. And we had done 66 km before but mostly, we ride between 35 km to 45 km on our weekend rides -very slowly. Unfortunately, we went to New Zealand and Australia for a holiday before the Alor Setar ride so my poor wife was without "practice" for more than one month.
So, she was bit out of shape for yesterday's ride. She had to ride fast in the beginning because some marshalls were telling people to "hurry up" so she probably burnt herself up at the beginning. I need to work on her pacing. She had asked me to ride ahead but what the heck, we were supposed to do it together. So I reminded myself to slow down and wait once in a while for her to catch up.
She thought she would just let the sweepers carry her up on the trucks after the 38 km feeding point. But she got energised with the bananas and 100 Plus and made it all the way without aid. Along the way, several marshalls paused to asked if she was alright. Towards the end, she was actually worried the sweepers would lose patience with all the slow riders and just put them on the trucks. I assured her they wouldn't do that unless we exceeded the time limit. At one stage, an ambulance shadowed her and it was quite funny. Honestly, I think the ambulance just happened to be driving slowly behind her. We were way back at the end of the long line of riders.
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| Marshals on bicycles did a good job riding along on the outside, even with the slow riders. There were also marshals on superbikes, RELA on small bikes and the traffic police on their huge bikes. Takes a whole team to ride safe. |
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| An ambulance trailing Moong Nah. |
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| About 6:30 am, waiting for the 7 am flagoff by the Minister. |
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| At the 38 km feeding station. We were about 25 minutes behind the front runners. |
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| Bananas are essential for any bike event |
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| A sweeper truck - get a free ride back if your legs give way. |
I am puzzled at this latest craze with cycling events. What makes people come to such events? The CFAL (campaign for a lane) in Penang the previous weekend reportedly attracted 3,600 riders, with many unable to register. And that's a super tough 82 km around Penang Island through the hills of Balik Pulau and Telok Bahang. Is it the free gifts? The very attractive lucky draws? Or the camaraderie, or being part of a very public event? Many of the riders are very good friends, belonging to small or big clubs, riding on weekends all over the country and even outside the country (like Phuket). Many are obviously serious riders. From the timestamp on the photos on facebook, many old, young, boys, girls, men, women ... the front riders made it to the finish line by a little passed 10 am. And also probably slowed down by the marshals in front (riders were warned not to ride faster than the marshals).
I did look at my handphone clock a little after we arrived back at the finish point - it was about 10:25 am. So, actually, we did very well.
Are people joining really for the health benefits? Probabl,y but it takes quite an effort to join these activites -the registration, getting the events. Or do they join to make a statement and to fight for the right to ride safely on our streets?
I saw people coming in expensive vehicles (even one carrying his MTB in the trunk of his Mercedes).
They can't all be there just for the thrill of the lucky draws, could they?
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| BTW this was our lucky prize, one of the consolations drawn while we were riding. |
If it weren't for the three changes to retirement age (originally 55, then 56, then 58, now 60 years), I should be shaking legs from today.
Since the above post, there has been some really lovely photos published on facebook, especially by Cycling Malaysia Magazine so I am putting it up here for posterity. The cameraman from the magazine have super long lenses to give you beautiful shots. Imagine with 1,200 participants and we both showed up in some really nice pictures. Thanks CMM!
And here's the Endomondo route of the ride in Alor Setar.
I tried a solo run after the Alor Setar ride covering 55 km from home, non-stop except for very brief stops to reset the sports tracker, quick drink of water and of course at junctions for traffic lights and crossings. I did the whole round in about 2 hours 45 minutes but towards the end was quite drained (without the banana stop). The first 38 km was done in about 1 hour 45 minutes. Quite respectable. I know I can do endurance better than speed. My heart won't take it, 'cause I have not trained for it. Leave that to the young people.
Alright, looking for the next event to participate.
And in the meantime, Happy 55th Birthday to ME!
Good job mom!
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