I have been cycling for about 10 years now. I have seen cyclist come and go. One thing that I have noticed is that when a person decides to take up cycling or any sport seriously, that person will often be at the bicycle shop. Be it in the morning, you see the person hanging there, other days you see them during lunch break, tea break and sometimes until the shop closes.
So much so that their circle of friends are now people of the same hobby. It becomes so obvious that when it comes to a celebration of a birthday or any anniversary, the invitees are usually the same group of people who cycle with you. It makes you wonder, what about their other friends? What was their life before cycling?
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I am appreciative of many things that have come by. A good family, a large circle of friends, our 16 year old Proton Wira that is still running (almost) smoothly, my bike technician who without being told, replaces the missing screw and lubes the squicky parts while servicing, etc.
I used to be in a youth club called the Rotaract Club. My life before being a Rotaractor was pretty dull with the family business taking up most of the time. Being in the Rotaract Club open my views on so many things and I have learnt a lot from the training, mingling amongst other Rotaractors and best of all rubbing shoulders with the members of the parent club, the Rotary Club where you get to meet so many interesting people with open hearts willing to share their vocational experience and expertise. For this, I am appreciative to my friend, Edmond Koo who introduced the world of Rotaract and invited me in.
The same goes to hobbies like cycling. There are some who walk into the bicycle shop and after buying, joins a cycling group. But majority are usually influenced by friends. Like they say, poison the person into cycling. If you are one of the latter and now enjoys cycling like it is the best thing that ever happen to you, do remember to thank the person who introduced you to it. I was one of those walk in customer but I am appreciative to Lim HT for the encouragement during the early days of mountain biking in the Malacca Mountain Bike Hash club (M2BH).
As for the many people I have "poison", I say to you, "You're welcome".
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19.6.09 - I am now listening to one of my favourite group band, Journey. Suddenly I remembered this article about Appreciation and I realised I need to record my appreciation to another friend, Leu Kok Keong who was instrumental in introducing so many bands and songs to me during schooling days. My daughter Michelle has now taken to liking the song "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey and I will slowly open her world to more Steve Perry's wailing voice when he sings most of Journey's hit songs.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
KLMBH Epic Ride 09
Almost every event needs some kind of promotion to make it a success. It can be in the artwork graphic like below or the writeup that is so good you cannot wait to go. As for me, I made up my mind to go the moment I saw the promo flyer and now with the ride details, it is even more confirmed that by hook or by crook, I have to get my butt there on 10th April.
So far 6 have confirmed going from Melaka and 2 more are still thinking of it. Maybe this write up will seal the deal.
Taken from KLMBH forum. My favourite line on the last checkpoint "Welcome to Valhalla my friend"
Ride Description.
1. Check Point CP 1 -Comment: The first chicken loop for people on a short ride.Description: The first section aka CP1 is relatively easy and starts with a 1.7km road section to a oil palm plantation in Ulu Yam. The terrain in CP1 is moderately undulating and nearly fully shaded. This is the quintessential Malaysian plantation cross-country ride consisting of mature trees and well manicured trails. There is one river crossing between Ulu Yam and Ulu Tamu. The river is beautiful and scenic and is knee high most of the time. However, after a heavy rainfall, the river can be as deep as waist high in parts and fast flowing and therefore, may not be safe for unsupervised children. This is a fantastic warm up route. Come and stretch those cold muscles here and breathe the fresh air.Distance to check point : Approx. 16.9kmDistance from check point to Home : Approx 1.2kmClosing time: 11:45am(TBC)
2. Check Point CP 2(Water Point) -Comment: The second chicken loop for people on an intermediate ride.Description: The route traverses kampung roads through Kampung Genting Malek. There is also a small shop set up in front of the owner's house in Genting Malek for riders to buy drinks. This section is characterised by narrow single lane 'kampung' roads that meanders gently around small 'kebuns' and is relatively flat and shaded. There is a short single track section in a rubber estate just before check point CP2. Riders can replenish their water here at CP2.Distance to check point: Approx. 26.4kmDistance from check point to Home : Approx 3.7kmClosing time: 11:45am(TBC)
3. Check Point CP 3 -Comment: HYH's favourite route in Ulu Renning and the third chicken loop.Description: This section has been used in both the 06 hash and 08 Epic Loop 2. 6km of beautiful and shaded cross country riding through a mature oil palm estate. At the end of the ride to CP3, riders enter the village of Ulu Renning. There is a small shop here that sells drinks and some food. Riders can take a break here to eat and have their tea break. Riders on an intermediate ride can follow the main road back to the starting point.Distance to check point: Approx. 32.6kmDistance from check point to Home : Approx 6kmClosing time: 1:30pm(TBC)
4. Check Point CP 4(Water Point) -Comment: The fun starts here!Description: Up to this point, the ride has been civilised. The fun starts here! The first section is a shaded steep and steady climb on narrow premix road. There are some very good views of Ulu Renning here before we enter into a downhill section. The bottom of the downhill leads to a red metal bridge and riders will face the main climb on the Epic aka Hill Nos 1. The hill is steep. However, when the planets align and conditions are perfect, our stronger hares have claimed to have ridden all the way up. The subsequent downhill will lead the riders to our second and last refill point. Check-point 4 is located in a cool and shaded riverine picnic area, frequented by the villagers. This is a good spot to take a break and fuel-up before attempting to complete the remainder of the Epic. Riders can replenish their water here at CP4.Distance to check point: Approx. 38.5km(TBC)
5. Check Point CP 5 -Comment: Continuous climb in rubber estateDescription: The ride from CP 4 to CP5 is a continuous 5km climb albeit, on a relatively easy gradient. The trail is shaded by rubber trees and there seems to be a constant light breeze here. This is a lovely ascent, which has been used many times by the hash. We expect only the faster riders to make the closing time and the rest will be ushered through a chicken loop back to CP 1.Distance to check point: Approx. 42kmDistance from check point to Home : Approx 7.5kmClosing time: 2:30pm(TBC)
5. Check Point CP 6 -Comment: ‘First Among Equals'Description: You are super fit and strong. After 42km of fast riding, you are still fresh and you should be. You are the uber man/woman. You laugh at how easy our monthly hashes are. You want a challenge. And so, we will throw at you more hills, more sun, another river crossing, more single track, slippery and steep gravel roads...and you say, "Bring it on!." If this fits your bill, then our final route from CP6 to CP 1 is tailor-made for you. Welcome to Valhalla my friend.Distance to check point: Approx. 45kmDistance from check point to Home : Approx 6.7km
So far 6 have confirmed going from Melaka and 2 more are still thinking of it. Maybe this write up will seal the deal.
Taken from KLMBH forum. My favourite line on the last checkpoint "Welcome to Valhalla my friend"Ride Description.
1. Check Point CP 1 -Comment: The first chicken loop for people on a short ride.Description: The first section aka CP1 is relatively easy and starts with a 1.7km road section to a oil palm plantation in Ulu Yam. The terrain in CP1 is moderately undulating and nearly fully shaded. This is the quintessential Malaysian plantation cross-country ride consisting of mature trees and well manicured trails. There is one river crossing between Ulu Yam and Ulu Tamu. The river is beautiful and scenic and is knee high most of the time. However, after a heavy rainfall, the river can be as deep as waist high in parts and fast flowing and therefore, may not be safe for unsupervised children. This is a fantastic warm up route. Come and stretch those cold muscles here and breathe the fresh air.Distance to check point : Approx. 16.9kmDistance from check point to Home : Approx 1.2kmClosing time: 11:45am(TBC)
2. Check Point CP 2(Water Point) -Comment: The second chicken loop for people on an intermediate ride.Description: The route traverses kampung roads through Kampung Genting Malek. There is also a small shop set up in front of the owner's house in Genting Malek for riders to buy drinks. This section is characterised by narrow single lane 'kampung' roads that meanders gently around small 'kebuns' and is relatively flat and shaded. There is a short single track section in a rubber estate just before check point CP2. Riders can replenish their water here at CP2.Distance to check point: Approx. 26.4kmDistance from check point to Home : Approx 3.7kmClosing time: 11:45am(TBC)
3. Check Point CP 3 -Comment: HYH's favourite route in Ulu Renning and the third chicken loop.Description: This section has been used in both the 06 hash and 08 Epic Loop 2. 6km of beautiful and shaded cross country riding through a mature oil palm estate. At the end of the ride to CP3, riders enter the village of Ulu Renning. There is a small shop here that sells drinks and some food. Riders can take a break here to eat and have their tea break. Riders on an intermediate ride can follow the main road back to the starting point.Distance to check point: Approx. 32.6kmDistance from check point to Home : Approx 6kmClosing time: 1:30pm(TBC)
4. Check Point CP 4(Water Point) -Comment: The fun starts here!Description: Up to this point, the ride has been civilised. The fun starts here! The first section is a shaded steep and steady climb on narrow premix road. There are some very good views of Ulu Renning here before we enter into a downhill section. The bottom of the downhill leads to a red metal bridge and riders will face the main climb on the Epic aka Hill Nos 1. The hill is steep. However, when the planets align and conditions are perfect, our stronger hares have claimed to have ridden all the way up. The subsequent downhill will lead the riders to our second and last refill point. Check-point 4 is located in a cool and shaded riverine picnic area, frequented by the villagers. This is a good spot to take a break and fuel-up before attempting to complete the remainder of the Epic. Riders can replenish their water here at CP4.Distance to check point: Approx. 38.5km(TBC)
5. Check Point CP 5 -Comment: Continuous climb in rubber estateDescription: The ride from CP 4 to CP5 is a continuous 5km climb albeit, on a relatively easy gradient. The trail is shaded by rubber trees and there seems to be a constant light breeze here. This is a lovely ascent, which has been used many times by the hash. We expect only the faster riders to make the closing time and the rest will be ushered through a chicken loop back to CP 1.Distance to check point: Approx. 42kmDistance from check point to Home : Approx 7.5kmClosing time: 2:30pm(TBC)
5. Check Point CP 6 -Comment: ‘First Among Equals'Description: You are super fit and strong. After 42km of fast riding, you are still fresh and you should be. You are the uber man/woman. You laugh at how easy our monthly hashes are. You want a challenge. And so, we will throw at you more hills, more sun, another river crossing, more single track, slippery and steep gravel roads...and you say, "Bring it on!." If this fits your bill, then our final route from CP6 to CP 1 is tailor-made for you. Welcome to Valhalla my friend.Distance to check point: Approx. 45kmDistance from check point to Home : Approx 6.7km
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Cookie
It's been some time since I last updated this blog. It's not because of writers' block, in fact, there are some stories lined up in my mind that I want to share but life's reality always hits me that prevent all these from happening. The thing that we try to avoid but never possible, the word that brings shivers to some and changes :) to :( when you think of it. The mood swings that definitely comes after Sunday and called Monday blues. WORK. But like or not, it's the thing that brings the bacon to the table. Now that I am able to slot in some time between work, it's time to share this small news.
Our Miniature Pinscher, Cookie recently gave birth to 3 puppies. Unfortunately not pure breed as the father is Lexus, our Chihuahua. I don't think we will find any problem selling them off. Small toy dogs, cute and adorable, who can resist them. The only thing is to identify the cross breed. What shall we call them when they are half Miniature Pinscher and half Chihuahua?
MiniHuahua, ChiPinsher, MiniChi?
Our Miniature Pinscher, Cookie recently gave birth to 3 puppies. Unfortunately not pure breed as the father is Lexus, our Chihuahua. I don't think we will find any problem selling them off. Small toy dogs, cute and adorable, who can resist them. The only thing is to identify the cross breed. What shall we call them when they are half Miniature Pinscher and half Chihuahua?
MiniHuahua, ChiPinsher, MiniChi?
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