Riding Essentials

The original messages are quoted from PCC's facebook group discussion board.

The following list contains items that you should have in your bag this coming presidential, or any other jamboree.

1) Spare Tube – There is nothing worse than being on the side of the trail with a flat tire and no spare tube. It is unfair for other fellow riders to spare you their spares.

2) Tire Levers – Changing out a flat is much easier with the aid of some good tire levers.

3) Mini-Pump – While other riders will have, it is better to carry your own.

4) Magic Link - A MagicLink is a single connecting link that connect one end to the other. This item could possibly be one of the most important things to carry while riding. If you break a chain on the trail, this is going to be your best friend. It allows you to remove the bad link with your multi-tool and then reconnect the chain without having to press in the pins.

5) Nutrition – Powerbars and gels. Oral salts are a good substitute for electrolytes. Mix this in water. Cramps develop from either too little salt or too much salt in the body.

6) Multi-Tool - This “do-it-all” tool has almost everything you need for a trail side repair in a convenient and small package. Get one with a chain tool built in.

7) First Aid Kit – This one is pretty self explanatory. It is not if…it’s when you or someone you are riding with wrecks, it is good to have a small first aid kit available to clean everything up.
In your first aid kit, try to have the following in there.
a. Opsite spray. Disinfects and seals without any actual contact.
b. Spray on Iodine. Again, no physical contact. Great stuff.
b. Salonplus spray or Yoko Yoko. These two are fantastic to keep cramps at bay. With both, the more you ride, i.e. use the muscles, the warmer they get. Super !!

8) Toilet Paper – This multi-use item can be a life saver during a trail side restroom break, but it can also be used to wipe off anything.

9) Lubricant - This is something which will save you $$$ when you ride in muddy conditions and do river crossings.

10) Sunblock - you are going to need it even though there's a fair bit of canopy.

11) Waterproof bag - Worth to bring along just in case it rains.

12) Mobile phone - emergency contact numbers are on the back of your passport/race plate.

13) Sense of Humour - Do bring copious amounts of this. It tends to make the ride more enjoyable.

UUM XC Race 19/7/09

I was working overtime one night when Kalvin called while he and the other ECC members were having a meeting, that they were planning to attend UUM XC Race and asked if I wanted to go. I immediately said yes without the slightest hesitation.

A few days later, it dawn on me that UUM is located in Kedah, a very long way from Malacca. Gosh, just came back from Betong slightly more than a month ago and now going again on a long trip. OK, since I have committed in going, I better prepare mentally and physically on my first cross country race. 1 month before the event, I plan to cycle more, climb stairs up to the 14th floor of our apartment, swim more, take evening brisk walks, etc.

The first week I managed to squeeze in 1 cycling ride, 1 swimming session and stairs exercise. 2nd week, 1 cycling ride and 1 swimming session. 3rd week, took a break for the whole week until Sunday where I went for Batu Pahat Hash Ride. Final week, only managed to catch 1 cycling ride. Looks like training was heading towards a down trend.

Finally, Friday arrived and it is time to catch the 11 pm bus to Sintok, Kedah.

The night before was registration and collection of jersey and race plate. We were there sharp 9 pm and were told to wait as the organisers were still sorting out some things. Looking at the university students, we were making assumptions that the ride will probably be like Taiping, mostly riding on flat areas and almost no hills. There were comments like "I don't think these uni riders know how to lay a good trail if they don't have riders like us, etc, etc."

Pang KN (left) and me

The consolation during registration was the cycling jersey which was surprisingly good quality and was an actual cycling jersey, not one of those modified micro fibre Tees sewn to look like a jersey.

Kalvin (left) and Mah SK with the latest brain protection cycling gear

We were told flag off would be at 7.15 am with cut off at all check points at 12 pm and when the announcement was made to delay it to 8am, fueled even more skeptics on the organisers.

The riders all ready for the horn

First hill climb.
"Hemm not bad", was my thought. They do have hills after all.

Then, it was "WTF, the hills don't seem to end". It was uphill climb, a short descent and then uphill again - repeat that about 10 times. There was an area where we had to carry our bike over rocks that scattered all over a shallow river. Wow, this was getting tougher than I thought.

The first 3 checkpoints was tough with so many challenges. After that was like cycling at our own backyard, going through oil palm plantations which was good for recovery. It was here that I overtook a good number of riders. Still, not good enough to be in the top 100 where you will receive a custom made cap with embroidered number of your placing, something I wanted because acquiring caps is one of my hobbies.

This proves more training is needed!

My IBIS Mojo SL that provided the action.

Mei, receiving monetary reward for getting 5th place in the Ladies category

Keong, receiving a momento for group registration. ECC sent 23 riders, all completed 5 checkpoints and 10 were in the top 100 riders. Good job ECC!

While we were washing our bikes, these 2 lovely students from Vietnam requested for photos with us. The smell of macho sweat is irresistible.

Heng LH showing off his latest bandana which comes with 2 large holes for better ventilation.

Eric having a closer look at it. Wow, multi purpose. Can also use down there. Cute embroidered logo is optional

An accident along the way home

This is one ride that I pushed myself to my limits. There were only short stops to catch some breath before pushing the bike and the checkpoints where water and bananas were available, it was fast refuel and off. Another reason besides hoping to get a cap was to cross the last checkpoint before it closes at 12 noon.

I was exhilarated to know it was only 11.30 am when I finished the whole 40 km ride.

Now that we have experienced the trail and the good ride, I must admit we underestimated the organisers and humbly thank them for organising the event which was a huge success.

Thank you!

Note of thanks to Heng LH for the GPS tracking. My "never leave home without it" GPS was left home when I was rushing to pack and to catch the chartered bus leaving at 11 pm on Friday night.

GPS track available for download here
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=285962

Iron Man Competition

Part 2 of UUM XC Race tomorow as I am having some technical problem with the other pc that stores the photos.

In the meantime...

Hatyai, Thailand 18.7.09

What I like about going for rides even though it may be far up north is the chance to explore Malaysia and occasionally, even to cross over the border since we are already at the edge of Kedah.

If you were to ask me if I was interested to drive to places like Sg. Petani or Kulim as a tourist, I will give you a head shake stating no interest. And yet, these are some of the places that my friends and I have travelled to and I am not surprise if one day the trip includes taking a flight overseas, all for the thrill of mountain biking.

Last weekend was no different. We were already going to travel 8 - 9 hours by bus way up north to the edge of Kedah for UUM XC Race, why not cross the border into Thailand for some sight seeing in Hatyai.

Bukit Kayu Hitam, the border town exit to Sadao, Thailand

Our plan to Hatyai town was detoured to visit this temple where a monk who died some years ago is kept in a glass coffin.

The picture of the monk

What was fascinating about it is that the body that has not changed much since he died and the mysterious reason that it did not decay.

Our ECC members praying for luck in their personal lives and some, for fast ride and good poll position in the race

Low buying a pendant casing in Hatyai town for the amulet received at the temple

Fried large prawns for any hungry tourist

Taking the opportunity to visit a local bicycle shop to see if there are bargain bike stuffs to buy

Mei among the Trek bikes

When we went to Betong in June, I was surprised how small it was when I found out there were no fast food outlet and shopping mall. One of the "things to do in Thailand" is to eat something that is not found in any fast food outlet in Malaysia due to religious reasons.

The juicy Samurai pork burger in McDonald's

It was a short day trip to Hatyai. Going in at 8am and out by 4.30pm

Batu Pahat "Epic" Hash Ride 12.7.09

I recently wrote in ECC's facebook group that the majority of mountain bike jamborees and rides are held in the northern region and to have a club down south of Malacca organising a ride was a good change especially the shorter traveling time.

I have known Terry Ho who is the president of Batu Pahat's Nature Bikers Club (NBC) since I joined the Malacca Mountain Bike Hash (M2BH) in year 2000. NBC and M2BH have always had a good ride relationship with each club supporting each other in rides.

Goody bag and its contents for participants

11 riders from Malacca drove down to Batu Pahat on 12.7.09 and took part in NBC's grand ride of 55km off road. Their selling point for getting us there? Guaranteed off road suffering. Not to mention the value for money ride fee of RM15.00 which includes Nasi Beryani and a bag full of goodies.

Terry doing the briefing and getting the local municipal president to flag off the participants.

ECC members on the forefront ready to go

Lots of hills to keep the fit riders happy and unfit riders cursing

Happy to have reached one of the peaks. Payback after that-down hilling.

Lee CH

There were a number of stream crossings that took away most of our strength as we struggled to push the bike up on the banks.

Which way dude? Check point that has no leads. After a long futile search, a desperate phone call to Terry revealed that we need to back track and take another route.

Lee CH on a short downhill trail

Overall, it was a very good ride with ECC's Ah Yong first hash ride and also taking the podium as first rider to finish the ride.

I wished the organisers had not put in the checks and false trails especially when the ride is going to be a long one. 55 km ride with additional 2 km looking for the correct routes. Aarrrggghhh!

Thanks to Terry and his group for a well organised ride. Bravo!!

GPS track available here

Burung Hantu Ride

For the very first time in Malaysia, a cycling event that will pave the way for others to see mountain biking in a new light. In fact, bright lights are needed!

Miscellanous

This book suddenly popped out of the blue from our bookshelf. It was our bible just before Justin was born. Getting a name for a baby is not that simple as it seems. You have to consider the meaning and most importantly, how it sounds like when you say it out loud. Why loud? Well, in just a few years later, you will find the child doing all the opposite of what you want them to do, you'll know what I mean.

Our firstborn is a boy and luckily didn't take that long for we found the name Justin which stands for Justice well received by my parents and us. Justin is now 17 years old and I find the name suits him as being the one that gives in to the younger siblings and gave us the least problems when he was young. Can't say about it now as he is in that teenage stage where hormones are raging and rebellious at times. Just patiently waiting for the period to be over.

Our second child is Michelle who was named after one of my favourite songs during school days, a Beatles's song of the same name.

Youngest in the family is Samantha who's name was suggested by Michelle and sounded nice when we call her Sam.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Just sharing some photos that I came across on the net.

Better heed this sign!

Melaka cycling and food trail

Lee CH and I played host to Wooi YT, his wife and 2 friends from Penang last Sunday 5th July. They were in Melaka for a company seminar and took the opportunity for a holiday.

We met them at Newton food court beside Dataran and although we have never met them before, it wasn't hard to spot them as they were in cycling jersey and with bicycles. After the formalities of hand shakes, we took them on the kampung road that led to St. John's hill.


Lee CH suggested giving them a taste of cycling amongst the graveyard of Bukit Cina and we were about to cycle in when one of the friends bike had a pit stop to change tubes.

We hope they enjoyed this trail as this is one of my favourite trails when we cycle at night!

I was worried the joggers will not be happy to see us as Bukit Cina trails is famous as a jogging site. So far no problem and we thanked them when they gave way to us.

This is probably one scenery that you hardly get on St. Paul's hill. Tourist with mountain bikes.

Well, since we're up here, might as well take the opportunity for a photo with my daughter, Michelle.

The statue of St. Francis Xavier with his missing right hand. There is a reason for it. Come to Melaka and I will tell you the story.

After that was the ride along the Melaka river. Another cycling trail that I am proud to bring guests.

This is one of the best projects Melaka has done to promote tourism.

Sam Poh temple at the foot of Bukit Cina.

I am not sure if our Penang friends had drunk the water from the well and legend has it that the person will sure to return to Melaka if they drank it.

We went for an early dinner at Ole Sayang for Nyonya food. Thanks to our friends for the treat. It's off to the 2nd part of the river ride.

Cycling on the boardwalk with the Eye of Melaka in the background

The night ended with us going to this "food stall" as Wooi mentioned they want to eat food that has shells.

Sometimes, the best kerang can be found at the back lanes.

We hope our friends from Penang enjoyed the short 6 hours ride along the streets of Melaka and we welcome them back for another ride, perhaps during the Burung Hantu Night Jamboree in October.