Team Flipside at the Kuantan Century Ride 2014

The first century ride of the year for Team Flipside was in Kuantan.  This was my second KCR, having ridden the event last year with Team 165.

Fifteen Flipsiders made the three-hour trip to Kuantan from KL.  A number of us got there late on Saturday.  We were thankful to Mark for collecting goodie bags on our behalf.  The Power Bar and granola bar came in handy during the ride.

Photograph courtesy of Marco Lai

I stayed with my cousin and her husband.  By coincidence they had decided to take me to dinner at the same restaurant where the other Flipsiders had made a reservation.  It was a good thing that a reservation was made.  Alor Akar Seafood Restaurant was packed with diners.  Good food at a reasonable price.  A recipe for success anywhere.

We met at the start at about 7am.  Some drove from their hotels.  I rode from Izan’s and Paul’s home.

Photograph courtesy of Marco Lai

Once everyone had gathered we posed for the obligatory group photograph.  We need to get Griffin a Flipsider jersey.

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Evolution

The Flipsiders have made a habit of starting rides at the very back of the pack.  In the case of the KCR 2014 we were so far back that we were behind the police escort vehicles.  It wasn’t long before we were told to move up.

Over 2,000 riders signed up for the event.  So it took a while before we back markers got across the start line.

Photograph courtesy of Faizal Shaupi

The route took us north-west before curling south.

I didn’t remember Kuantan being hilly.  I know better now.  Fortunately the climbing was limited to the first part of the course, when it was relatively cool.

Photograph courtesy of Mohamad Shazreen Arif

It wouldn’t be the KCR without a portion of the ride along the beach.  It was a particularly scenic part of the ride.  Unfortunately by the time we got to the beach it was getting hot.

Photograph courtesy of Zue Rahman

34° C / 93° F that felt like 42° C / 107° F hot.  I was so glad to see Pam, Maggie, Cindy and Van at the second rest stop.  With a van full of ice cold 100 Plus and water.  And bananas and energy bars.

Photograph courtesy of Iskandar Ahmat

They were out in support of Team Knog.  Seven friends from Van’s Urban Bicycle who completed the TCR on folding bikes.  Chapeau to those guys.

Photograph courtesy of Wan Amril

The third stop was on the grounds of the University Malaya Pahang campus.  Where ice-cold cendol was being served.  I had five servings.  Did I say it was a very hot day?

The heat took its toll and quite a few starters did not make it to the finish line back in Kuantan.  All the Flipsiders completed the ride.   Marco and I finished together.  Hot and tired, but happy to get a finisher’s medal.

Photograph courtesy of Marco Lai

I’m not sure which was worse.  Riding in that heat, or being one of the girls who handed out the medals, waiting in the heat for the last of the finishers.

Photograph courtesy of Cyclomotion

Speaking of medals, these were pretty impressive.

Everyone I spoke to who had done the ride last year agreed that this year’s route was an improvement.  The omission of the Gebeng Bypass was greatly appreciated.

We all had nothing but good things to say about the organization and planning that went into the Kuantan Century Ride 2014.  The ride strted on time.  The marshaling of the route was excellent.  All the rest stops were well-stocked with cold drinks and fruit.  Thumbs up to the organizers and volunteers for a great event.

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Evolution

Now if only they could do something about the heat.