YAY!!

After 6 months of riding, my bicycle chain started to flex, causing my bike to vibrate when i pedal. Of course it is about time to change, so I bought a chain, at the same time, decided to change my tire.

Yeap, yellow color it is! Brand, Continental. Don't ask me why I choose it! Anyway, I had compliments from Uncle Vincent, and uncle Michael Ong, and Anne LOVES IT!

Which reminds me, yes, about my last ride to belakong and back. It was a good day, 10th January 2008, initial plan was to stop by Putrajaya through the new highway. We experienced the first major problem when, Michael Ong forgot to switch on his alarm, thus the plan to start at 7.30 got posponed till 8.30. By the way, this trip only involves 3 person, Uncle Vincent, Uncle Michael and me.

We started our journey from Anne's house, work our way to Sri Petaling petrol station to fill up my water bottle and to pump air. We paused for a while to figure out the route to take, and finally decided to try out a back way to Kuchai Lama, hoping to find a loop hole towards the main road.

Tough luck, couldn't find any! So we turn our attention towards Belakong side. The highway was nice, very flat, thus enabling us to travel at a very fast pace, 30 - 35 km/h. I hit 40 at one point, but couldn't let my comrads be left behind too far.

When we reach the belakong interchange, Michael looked tired, so we decided to stop there and turn back through Sri Kembangan way. Later felt it was a mistake, as there were many cars on the road, and Michael nearly ram into 1! hehe

From there, we cycled straight to the bicycle shop.

Later in the afternoon, Michael, Anne and I went to another bicycle shop, where I have already placed a booking for Anne.

Nice boh? a lady's specified bike, size "S", with basic gears and a cool frame!

Christmas ride with Newbies

We had a short ride on Christmas day, total of 7 including me, blazed the motorbike lane of Kesas Highway. Joining the ride this time, Gavin (newbie), his wife, Sandy (newbie), Uncle Vincent, Uncle Michael, Daniel, Rachel and me. We covered a distance of 47km, thank God my meter worked this time, so the distance is accurate!

Started by waiting for Daniel and Rachel at 7am. We need to meet Gavin and his wife about 1.5 km away, in Sri Petaling, to tune their bike. They have just bought a LeRun Solaris from KSH the day before, and it seems that they had trouble with the brakes after fitting in the wheels. Well its more of inexperience than nothing.

Uncle Michael cycled from Summit, about 13km away, and met us on the way to Kesas from Gavin's house. We had a pretty slow ride, averaging 16kmh only. Gavin and wife ware very occupied with gear shifting, its a whole new dimension for them, having 21 gears at their disposal.

At the 14km mark(my meter), I decided to pull out my camera and take some shots of the group.

I didn't know my helmet looks so good!

It took about 1 hour to reach Summit, that's pretty slow, but it was fun to have newbies joining us.

We took a breather at Summit;


Took us some time, but we finally decide to continue to Shah Alam.

"No worries,"

I said,

"Got a lot of taxi on the way..."

The ride was routine, slow and steady. The weather was good, explains why the newbies could cope! The only complain they gave was,

"Backside pain la!"

Yeah, if you are new to cycling, aching butt is pretty normal. Anyway, we made another stop at a petrol Kiosk. This stop was particularly long, Uncle Michael took time to explain to Gavin and Sandy about the proper cycling position, so we spend time tuning their bike, the saddle height, techniques, and so forth.

After that, we journeyed home. Uncle Michael turned to home when we reach Summit, and the rest of us went ahead towards Bukit Jalil. We made a final stop at another petrol Kiosk. I made a sprint, so waited about 10 minutes for the rest to arrive.

While resting, Rachel noticed something funny;

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, if you're going to wear a helmet, please make sure there's enough padding.

My 83km ride

This post is long overdue. Yeah Daniel and I attempted a 100km ride on the 17th of November 2007, which was roughly 9 days ago. For this trip, I spent the night at Jus house, hoping to wake up early and prepare early.

We prepared the route via hill count, we will conquer 3 hills this time around, starting with Tekali -> Genting Perez -> last but not least Ampang Hill.

Of course, we woke up late, couldn't really sleep because...... the trumpets were noisy....

We set the alarm to shout at 4.45am, but ended waking up at 5.30 when Daniel called me. We rushed to prepared, and that was when I realize the lausai symptom were starting to plague me, had a terrible spell at the loo, hope Aunty Judy won't mind. Still, had my morning prayer, prayed that God will keep my stomach intact, and braved on.

We took the long route to Ulu langat this time, reasons? To cover more distance. The ride was fairly easy, but my high gears were making funny noises, and the lausainess were starting to drain me.

We reached the foothills of tekali and took a breather. Actually, was pretty much tempted to release, but couldn't.

At the foothill

Jus prepared me well for the climb, according to him;

"Ah this hill very easy wan la, sure can wan"

Of course can la! For him! hehe. Anyway I really pushed my heavy frame (bicycle + body very heavy) up that hill, and made it to the top with only 1 stop. Yet, Jus complained he waited for me, TRY CLIMBING WITH 100KG!!

Image compliments of Jus

Of course it wasn't a problem for Daniel and Jus, but the long, winding climbing roads really drained me. Every turn I see, you would pray and hope it is the last, but the next turn seems to shoot you down with another apex that is curving upwards. To aptly described the feeling, "IT SUCKS!".

Yet all is forgotten when you're up there, the pure satisfaction, knowing that many had tried and failed, YES THAT PURE SATISFACTION!!!! By this time, my lausai syndrome subsided a little.
We zipped down, knowing how fast my Free Wheely can go, I decided to tap the brakes lightly, staying at least 20m behind Daniel who in turn was behind Jus. Still, I hit the highest speed among us all, told you Free Wheely is fast!

We stopped by Semenyih Damm to snap so me pictures;

Taken by my phone
Daniel and I having some light moment
Ahhhhhhhhhhh Selesanya

Next up, short flats towards Genting Perez. By now, my lausai syndrome started to kick in again, this makes the hill felt like a mountain! The slopes aren't really that steep, but the climb was a daunting 10KM!!!!! For this climb, I literally took my time, peddling at a mere 10-15kmh, speeding up a wee bit at the flats.

Took a leak half way through and had an encounter with some wild monkeys. Those buggers stole one of my sneaker bar (I think). So continued on, even though my back ached so much, my stomach felt so bloated, and my butt was so uncomfortable (due to the lausai syndrome), plus the lack of sleep is starting to play a major factor now.

Was at the 8km mark up the hill when daniel called, I told him I'll continue, NO GIVING UP NOW! At this point, every turn was playing tricks on me, my eyes would tell me that I've reached the peak, yet it all seems just a mirage when yet another turn leads to another one and another one, it seems ENDLESS!!!!

Once again, all the pain and suffering disappeared when I spotted a sign that says "JELEBU"! WAH!! I REACHED THE PEAK!!!!!!!!!

That felt great, yet another hard earned victory!

We wasted no time, going downhill from here, I went really slowly this time, back was really hurting and my legs were numb. This time, my greatest fear started to unfold, I was running out of juice, my water bottles combined was left with less than 100ml. It was pretty worrying, but I had to go on nevertheless.

The ride home was disappointing, so much so I had to rest 2 times, buy a bottle of excel, push my bike about 1km up ampang hill, suffered cramps,...... lets not talk about it.

But all in all, I managed to reach the peak of Ampang hills, and there, Jus was sooooooooo tired, he looks like he was going to sleep (tired of waiting). That's about it for the so called "100km" ride.

I really hope to make it with minimal stops the next time

Free Wheely

Since the mavic have served me so well for the last few rides, I've decided to name it "FREE WHEELY".

Oh yeah too bad it looks nothing like the orca from Free Willy

Day Trip to Gabai

A group of us, 6 in total, Danl, John, Rachel, Uncle Vincent, Eman, and me had a nice slow leisure cycle to Gabai waterfalls from Cheras. It was time for uncle vincent to unveil his latest installment to his ever changing bicycle. New handlebar (carbon), new bar ends (also carbon), new Stem (alloy) , new speedometer, and new brakes, WOW!!!!! I've only gotten new brake pads since the update......

My Bike

Uncle Vincent's bike

Just a shot of my bike and uncle vincent's bike.....

As usual, we started out from Justus' house, apparently, justus had to do gardening (what he claims) at PD (from what I hear), thus he was unable to join us newbies; and headed up Ampang Hill towards the lookout point. This is my 3rd time going through this hill, and a first for me doing it without stopping, averaging 13.7kmh.
This picture clearly shows Eman as the last rider reaching the peak, though he tried to claim otherwise, John was just a few seconds infront of him. Well poor john, his first ride up with a racer, and suffered he did.

That is where he suffered

His back aching la! He still pushed on though, kudus to John!

Eman with his "Mr. Sub" mountain bike. He's using a rollerblade helmet, cool eh?
Daniel and Rachel taking a breather

After the ampang hills, it was downhill, this time around, I hit my personal best of 67.4kmh. Really could have done 70, but had to react fast as my bottle cage became loose and fell off. Thank God managed to catch the bottle in time, and had to ride down with only 1 hand, the other wan holding the bottle.

We took a leisure ride, averaging 25kmh at ulu langat going towards Gabai. After a while, it dawned upon us that EMAN IS MISSING!! So we stopped and waited about 5 minutes, apparently, his chain fell off (better than crank falling off)

Where's EMAN!!!!

The ride was pretty much routine, except the part when a little malay girl, riding a racer stopped and fell down, she forgot to unclip her shoes...OUCH!!!!

After about 28km of cycling, we reached Gabai waterfalls. We were greeted with fleets of cars parked by the road side, and a group of friends who travelled by car, which include, Wesley, Mavis, Joanne, Katherina, Brian and last but not least, my lovely girlfriend, Anne.

Anne and I had a nice natural foot massage;
While Wesley and Mavis were enjoying themselves by..... enjoying themselves
Most people enjoy themself with food, same can be said here.

Anne and I later made the climb to the peak of the waterfalls, there were alot of people there, some were even cooking!
Of course I couldn't resist the temptation of trying out the natural slide, DON'T LAUGH!!!

After that, it was a routine ride towards Cheras. The hardest part was the Ampang hill again!! Made another personal record when I only stopped once to wait for uncle vincent and Rachel, right.... was actually tired too hehe. I think we waited almost 1/2 hour for Eman and John, yeah this time Eman beat John to the peak, I guess his back ache isn't a fake at all!

He neede help getting up! Poor John.......

Left shortly afterwards, nothing interesting happened, except when Uncle Vincent's chain fell off.
Well that's about it, a wonderful < 60km ride

On the other note, Anne and I noticed how much cycling can help you loose weight!

BEFORE (img courtesy of Jus where he tagged her as "Queen of Ulu Langat"):
And AFTER:

Interested? Do not call me, I don't have the authority to reveal other people's personal information! hahaha

First ride on Mavic Aksium

cccccLast night's riders, missed out eman, he's laying down somewhere gasping for air

Just completed me first ride on the newly purchased mavic aksium...

FUYOOH!!!! that was the only response I can conjure up. The climb feels easier, slopes felt like straights (I'm exaggerating). Anyway, did some short climbs around OUG and it felt GREAT!!!

Yesterday's trip was delayed when Daniel had to work, so our initial plan of 8pm got held back to something in the region of 9pm? While waiting, Rachel suggested we hit the hills, and yeah, we went up the OUG hill 2 times! hahaha felt like nothing really....

Here's where Rachel and I climb, twice

After the second climb, Danl finally reached home (his house is the gathering point). So we went up the OUG slopes again, this time with uncle Vincent, John, Eman, Victor (new guy). Things went well until Eman's crank dislocated and I had to help him. The lack of tools forced us to travel about 1km inside OUG to uncle vincent's house, where they finally tighten the crank properly.

Yeah all those delay! Next up, hit kesas at almost full throtle. I decided to follow the pack and breakaway at slopes (there's one short slope after OKR/Puchong bridge) and yeah the new wheels ROCKS!!!! Went up at 30kmh constant with daniel hapily drafting behind me. No choice lor, have to slow down after the slope because the guys couldn't keep up :p.

Route in Kesas

The return trip yeilded the same result. BTW, Eman and Victor did a great job, especially victor, on his LeRun Solaris with offroad tires an front suspension! Eman pulak, has semi slick tires on, always drafting behind someone, and falling back when we hit the slopes.

We stopped by OUG to take a breather, and then Daniel, Johann and I decided to hit my girl friend's house slope (lets call it Anne's slope). This can be considered the 3rd steepest climb, but it is also the longest around OUG area.

How we went to Anne's Hill

Well I did that climb and proceeded to Anne's place, where I rested, took a shower, fell asleep, forgot that I was suppose to stand by for the scheduled task for one of our client, went home, slept..............

Darn, feel like taking MC today, but then, work load don't permit, and yeah, totally enjoyed the Mavic Aksium, hoping for Kryserium next time!!!!!

Bi Updates

Here are my "Bi Updates"

New Word = "Bi Updates"

Since getting my trusty KHS bike, I've pimped it up a little. Well, upgrading your bike is fun, as you have something to look forward to.

1st buy, of course safety is utmost important, I got a helmet right away. It is a SARS helmet (sounds familiar doesn't it?).

2nd Due to my relatively small bicycle frame, a 52inch one, I find it hard to pedal as my leg would arch too much, thus affecting my hill climb kung fu (had to meditate extra long to conquer a 1km hill). Thus came along the bontrager raceXlite carbon seat post, FUYOOOH!!!!! Yeah, Improved a lot since then.
3rd, a cyclometer was impossible to live without (though I actually managed to live without it for 2 months), thus the cateye STRADA got engraved at my stem. Not bad right? hit 530km in 2 months time. A cyclometer is for me to pace myself, and encourage myself to go further (although most of the time its pretty discouraging). Yeah, it helps measure, distance, total distance, time elapse, average speed, maximum speed, and it shows you the current time.
4th, New handlebars! Top is my old one, bottom is my new one.......... Helped reduce overall bicycle weight and increase comfort. The new one is almost 2 inches wider, suites my big body frame better!
Ahh, thanks to uncle mike, I've been introduced to CLIPLESSNESS!!!! Of course suffered a few minor falls, and 1 major one, but its terribly worth it!
And of course the cliplessness shoes hehehe that's my 5th and 6th item
7th NEW WHEELS!!!!!
nice or not??? that's the old one la

Below is the new one!!! its a Mavic Aksium I posted about here. That's the rear wheel;
followed by the front wheel (just for your information ya)
That's all, I've pimped my bike to the fullest in a short time, so for the next couple of months, my aim is to rake up at least a millenia of KMs

Aiks

I've just created "My Dictionary". No explaination needed....

New Word = "FRIDAY"

Well it is lunch time at work now, I've just finished my lunch, some siew yuk and veggie. To be frank, quite bored today, nothing much to do. That's what happens when you have finally solved all your bugs! GRRRRRRRR.....

That's how I look now..."young", as in I look young hehe.

Okay, lets recap what happened on Wednesday night. As portrayed by a previous post, I took emergency leave due to lack of sleep and pure tiredness. Played maple story for an hour of so and managed to level up to level 27 now. 8.00pm, arrived at Anne's place, took my bicycle, changed and left.

This was a relatively short trip, to summit, bukit jalil golf & country club, and then back. Personals involved, Uncle vincent, Johnathan, Johann, Daniel and me. Distance covered,less than 25km.

My front wheel is giving me real problems now, the vibration, the buzzing sound, I'm suspecting a cracked hub. Well guess the Mavic Aksium wheelset I've been craving for might arrive earlier than expected.

Arrgh feel like taking another EL for the day, but then again, why waste leave just because you're lazy? But then again, I am lazy today......ITS FRIDAY!!!!! You know, Friday? As explained by my newly created "My Dictionary".

Btw, Mun Yau came in to my cubicle, happy to show me his new work, As I present to you, "Melvin Lai Presents".

Oh yeah you have to click on the link to view "Melvin Lai Presents".

Hulu Langat

The date is 20th October 2007, a group of us gathered at Justus' house at 7.30am. Personals involved were Uncle, Justus, Daniel, Rachel, Alan and me.

That's justus with the discovery channel baju

Our aim today is to climb the main hill towards Hulu Langat town, and then cycle another 20km or so towards Gabai waterfalls. The total journey would be roughly 50km +++++. We started climbing the hills, as usual, Justus and Daniel (being the lightest amongs us) were one of the better climbers. I had to stop midway to wait for Rachel so that our group will not spread too far.

Waiting for rachel

Took this picture while cycling hehe

Crappy the slopes are LONG!!!!!!! We stopped at the peak to take a break.

At the top of the hill Here you go, uncle smilling at the top of the hill. Oh daniel forgot his cycling shoes, thus a trusty dragonFly will work

Thank God we all managed to cover the slopes and then its all downhill WOOHOO!!!! My personal best was about 65km/h, I know its not the fastest, but not bad considering my dented wheels. (No worries, I'll be fixing them soon).

Where's Alan???

Unfortunately, Alan suffered a punctured tube, so Justus and Daniel to the resque, will post seperately about their tube changing adventure. Uncle, Rachel and I headed first towards Gabai Waterfalls. We went slowly, about 21km/h average, allowing the rest to catchup.

Alan looking satisfied with his tube change

Once again, we were distracted by something.... Well yeah, there goes all the puffing and huffing again. Here's a short clip of the trip towards Gabai. As you can see, the atmosphere is pretty serene.

We finally arrived at our destination after almost two hours of cycling (I think it was shorter).
Here are some shots of the waterfalls..

Here's the group Picture

We headed home after about one hour playing at the waterfalls. Well, my camera went out of battery and so, no more pictures lor.

By the way, the climb uphill going back is way harder!!! I had to make a few short stops to refuel, thank God we all made it in one piece.

Can you please wipe that smile off?? I'm DEAD TIRED!!!

I really enjoyed this trip, it is a personal satisfaction for me, as it is the second attempt on Ulu Langat, well, the first ended in a disaster!

Hoping for more success next time!