Incredible Weight Loss story

I love a good story especially when it comes the determination of the human spirit.

Read this incredible story here by a cyclist who lost 331 pounds.

Story with happy ending

It is so surreal writing about my stolen bikes. When they got lost, I gave up hope on retrieving them but thanks to my condo management staffs especially the manager, Mr. Gunabalan, helped towards the recovery of both bikes.

Let me share the story.

Saturday (22/8) around 12.00 noon, my wife, who was at home, called me and said about a former night guard with information about my bicycle. I quickly took my motorbike and rushed home. Upon reaching my unit, I saw our current night guard, Jamal and he introduced Saiful, a former night guard. Jamal said Saiful came to the guard house for chitchat on Friday and Jamal mentioned to him about stolen bicycles from the condo. Jamal then showed him the picture of the bicycle that has been put up on the notice board offering reward of RM100.00 for information to the recovery of the bicycles. (Jamal did most of the talking and telling the story). When Saiful saw the photo, he said he bought a bicycle that looked like that about 2 weeks ago.

I asked Saiful if he remembered the seller and he replied he doesn't know who that person was but can recognise if he ever saw the seller again. Saiful said he bought it for RM500.00. Jamal told Saiful to get his wife to bring the bike to Selat for confirmation. Saiful then left leaving Jamal to continue talking to me. Jamal said Saiful was at a warong when he heard about someone selling a bicycle and since he needed some sort of transport as he didn't have any, the bicycle seemed handy. The negotiation started with the seller saying he knows the value of the bicycle is RM2000.00 and is offering RM1000.00. Saiful offered RM300.00 and they settled at RM500.00.

About 20 minutes later, Saiful and his wife came pushing the bike. A quick check on the bike revealed is was my bike minus the reflective stickers, the saddle bag and metal stand. At that moment, I was happy just to get my hands back on the bike and feeling compassionate for Saiful who told me he bought it for RM500.00, I paid Saiful RM500.00. I asked Saiful if he had any information on the other bike, a Schwinn model size 14.5" (suitable for smaller size people) but he said no.

I conveyed my thanks to Jamal and told him I will settle with him later about the reward money. Jamal asked if I had the picture of the Schwinn bicycle and he will help keep a lookout.

- End
A few days later I started to rethink of the event and some things did not make sense.

For instance, how does a guard who earns RM400.00 (basic) buy a RM500.00 bicycle when he is not a mountain bike rider or enthusiast. And if Saiful needed some form of transport, why buy a RM500.00 bicycle when you can easily get a RM150.00+ China made bicycle.

Footprints.
The last time I used the unit was on Sunday 9th August in the evening. I know it rained early in the morning because I sent my children to school on Monday morning and found the grounds wet. I did not open the unit as I did not cycle the whole of Monday. On Tuesday morning after sending my children to school, I decided to move my things out and that was when I found the bikes missing. There was footprint marks on the floor coming from the glass balcony entrance and exiting on the main door (I found it unlock). Boot size 10.

A friend gave his view that a thief will not use boots to commit a crime especially when you have to climb over the balcony. A slipper or rubber shoe would be better. This points to someone on duty or was still in uniform when the crime was committed.
I know many of you will say that I shouldn't have paid any money. Yes, I went through that flaming session when I shared this story with the local riders and friends. What can I say? I am a sucker if you put on a puppy face and tell a sad story.

This transaction was almost 3 weeks ago and the initial hope of recovering the 2nd bike was slowly diminishing as time passed.

My condo manager had spoken to Jamal after I got my Specialized and put it to him that he is to do whatever it takes to recover the 2nd bike. A mind game was set on Jamal and it paid off today.

At 8.30 am today (10/9), one of the day guard came to my unit and said there is a bicycle outside the fence that looked like my bike as he was patrolling the area. I followed him and saw the sight below.

It was an unbelievable sight. My 2nd bike lying at the shrubs waiting to be claimed. I was happy yet wanted to laugh. It just suddenly appeared from nowhere.

Strangely, the front tires and tubes were out of the rim. Did the thief go on a mtb ride before abandoning it there?

Anyway, I am happy to recover both bikes and thanks to all who helped, shared ideas and well wishes.

To the thief, my hope for your "blessings" still stands.

Tribute to an old friend called Specialized

When you have a outdoor hobby like mountain biking, living in a condo with a family with only 987 square feet to move around, it is almost impossible to store the bike with all the accessories.

Unfortunately for me, that is my scenario. Fortunately for me, there is an empty unit in front of my unit that was vacant since the condo was built and is now under bank receivership. Why, fortunately, well, that is where I kept my bicycles. Did I mention "kept" and "bicycles"? We'll start with bicycles.

When my wife and I just got married in 1989, we bought 2 Lerun bicycles to cycle around in the evenings which we are still keeping. When the kids came, we bought 2 children bicycles of different sizes. Then there was another bicycle that was left behind by a tenant that I refurbish to make it ride able.

I got involved with mountain biking in the year 2000 when I took part in the Malacca Mountain Bike Hash and bought my first "high end" Specialized. Cost me RM1,700.00 and I thought it was a bomb. Never thought bicycles cost more than 1K at that time and since then, have upgraded the rims to Mavic, the gears to XT, fork to lockable Rox Shox, pedals to Shimano clipless, crank to Truvative and most recently, change the seat to Fizik.

I bought another bike, this time a full suspension IBIS Mojo SL last year and alternate the usage of both bikes. Bike components are not cheap and I have installed almost all the top range components for the IBIS and would like to minimize the usage and prolong it as much as I can thus will use more of the Specialized. Specialized will see action on every Wednesday and Friday night rides and IBIS will spring to action on weekends and mtb jamborees (ECC members call it the Jamboree bike).

6 bikes of different sizes in the store room.

Penang Kayuh Lasak 2005

This schedule was working out well until yesterday.

The management office had informed us that there were queries on the vacant unit that will be up for auction so I thought we better start clearing our stuffs. Yesterday morning after sending the children to school, I went to the unit and found it unlock. Hemmm..... maybe I forgot to lock it on Sunday after washing the bike that came straight after a hash ride.

I noticed something different, where were was my Specialized? For a moment I thought I might have brought it back to the office. Then I realised my daughter's Schwin is not where it should be. The only bikes left behind are the Lerun and children's bikes.

Then it hit me that someone has stolen the Specialized and Schwinn bikes.

Thank God I decided to keep the IBIS in my own unit after washing it.

On the way to Sagil, Johor for the Gunung Ledang ride

After 9 years of confidently keeping my precious in this vacant unit, never did I imagine losing it this way. A most likely suspect would be someone staying in the same property that has been eyeing my movements whenever I ride the bike out and when and where I keep them. Or else how would the thieve know exactly which unit to break into?

I have since informed the management but I know it is a long shot of getting it back.

Today's posting will be on the mountain bike that has gone many places and brought good memories of rides around Malaysia.

May the thief receive the same "blessings" he gave me in 10 folds.

Here's to my Specialized Rockhopper.

2006 Damai Laut holiday with the family

2008 The Malacca Water Wheel

2007 KLMBH Epic Ride

The safest place, my work room

Gunung Ledang ride with Lee CH

By the Malacca river

2008 Boat ride to Pulau Besar

The cockpit when fully loaded

~ Farewell old friend ~

Happy Hunting Ground

There is a saying that when a native American (in TV language, Red Indians), dies, he goes to the Happy Hunting Ground or Heaven to most of us.

I looked up Wikipedia and it has an interesting quote and explanation for this caption.

The Happy Hunting Ground was the name given to the concept of the afterlife by several of the great plains Native American tribes, as well as the Iroquois, Cherokee and Algonquians. It is an afterlife conceived of as a paradise in which hunting is plentiful and game unlimited.

"I will follow the white man's trail. I will make him my friend, but I will not bend my back to his burdens. I will be cunning as a coyote. I will ask him to help me understand his ways, then I will prepare the way for my children. Maybe they will outrun the white man in his own shoes.

There are but two ways for us. One leads to hunger and death, the other leads to where the poor white man lives. Beyond is the happy hunting ground where the white man cannot go."

Many Horses - Oglala Sioux

That made me think. When a mountain biker passes on, can we say "He has gone to Whistler Mountain Bike Park"?

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

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.

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

Better heed this sign!

The week it was

What a week to remember.

It started on Tuesday 23rd June when Grace and I went for breakfast. I read the newspaper starting from the back. Then something caught my attention in the obituary section - a familiar face. Hey, I told Grace that I know this guy. I have seen him many times somewhere and the fact that he was the same age as me suggested that he might even be the same school.

Further enquiries revealed the cause of death.

It happened on 21st June, Sunday where Jerry Lee had durians in the afternoon. Then it was off to the Sunday Hash run in the evening. As they say hashing and drinking are part and parcel of the activity and hashers are known to drink excessively after the run - Drinkers with a Running problem. I know a few running hash members and they are good drinkers. I am not sure how much Jerry drank but it is a known fact that alcohol and durian does not go well. As he was driving back after the food and drinks, the deadly mixture must have taken effect and he passed away.

My condolenses to Jerry Lee Kuek Leong's family.

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26th July. We were preparing our children for school in the early morning on Friday, I on the tv to catch the Singapore morning news as our place gets clear Singapore channel 5 and 8. As I was dressing up Sam, my eyes was on her and ears was on the tv, I heard something about Michael Jackson. The newscaster repeated the news again and it was something about MJ dead.

That was dreadful news. The King of Pop is no longer around. The music and the message that MJ had on us was undeniably strong and we will always remember him. I am sure many of you have had some life changing moments that his songs had on us. As for us, Grace and I used his song "The Way You Make Me Feel" as our opening song in our marriage video.

We will miss you, MJ. Rest In Peace.

Vending Machine Surprise

I happen to catch this news on Yahoo today.
http://video.yahoo.com/network/100000086?v=5289218&l=100000085

It is about a woman who wanted to buy drinks from a vending machine and something else came out.

A family of racoons was living in the machine and helping themselves. A trained staff from the relevant department was called to catch the animals and comes in Ned Bruha, Shunk Whisperer.

I like the printing on his back

Holidays are here

It's now school holidays. I should be planning something for the family but Justin has extra school for the 1st week and Michelle has her girl guide camp. 5 of my mtb biker friends are cycling all the way from Malacca to Betong. Not an easy feat as the journey will take them through 5 states and they cover over 600 km of pedal power. Most of the other bikers are preparing to go by bus on Thursday night and will rendezvous with the cyclist at the border at Pengkalan Hulu on Friday morning and they will all go in together to Betong and spend the next 3 days there. 2 more days to go and I am still thinking of whether to go or not.

Anyway, my entry today is about Michelle's camping trip.
It is her first camping trip and as parents, we are naturally worried for her. We had planned to replace her drinking water and bring back any dirty clothes today but Michelle phoned this morning at 8am telling us not to go as some parents had gone there yesterday and there was some problems.

I guess some parents must have gone berserk when they found out the tents are not air conditioned.

The Wheels of Life

Life is a cycle. You wear diapers when you are a baby, you grow up and when you grow old, you wear diapers again. Another illustration that tells the same story:

Which wheel are you?

Note of thanks to Heng Lai Huat for the picture

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A few months ago we had a guest from Germany riding with us at one of the Friday night ride. He is travelling around the world on a bicycle and happens to be in Malacca. Nice guy and has a facebook account which is convenient for him to share his ride experience with his friends.

Saw this photo from his photo album and found the wisdom in the words.

To see Max Jaques Talmon-Gros's photos, click on this link http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30257153&id=1417189183&ref=nf#/album.php?aid=2013564&id=1417189183