Tag Archives: Guthrie Corridor Expressway

Thirsty Work

Nineteen of us set off from outside the 7-11 at Bukit Jelutong on the Van’s Urban Bicycle Co. group ride this morning.  We were a roughly 50-50 mix of folding bikes and road bikes.  Our route to Kampung Sri Kundang was a bit different this time.  Instead of heading north on the Guthrie Corridor Expressway we took the hillier option along Jalan Batu Arang to the west.  Hillier to the tune of  200 meters / 650 feet of elevation in the first seventeen kilometers.

Kundang Route

We made regular stops to regroup and to ensure that no one got lost.  This was our first break at the bus stop outside the UITM Puncak Perdana campus.

Reverse Dragon's Back to Kundang 05

Photo courtesy of Van’s Urban Bicycle Co.

From here it was five more climbs before the right-hand turn toward Sungai Buloh and Kuala Selangor.  Everyone was relieved that the rest of the way to Kampung Sri Kundang was flat.  Hence the smiles at the traffic light at the junction with Jalan Kuala Selangor.

Reverse Dragon's Back to Kundang 02

Photo courtesy of Van’s Urban Bicycle Co.

Reverse Dragon's Back to Kundang 04

Photo courtesy of Van’s Urban Bicycle Co.

It was a warm morning, but there were lots of clouds in the sky.  So we weren’t in direct sun.

Reverse Dragon's Back to Kundang 03

Photo courtesy of Van’s Urban Bicycle Co.

Even so the humidity was high so the ride was sweaty work.  We were all glad to get to Kampung Sri Kundang.  As always the roti canai and teh tarik was worth the ride.  By the time we saddled up again the sun had come out in full force.  It was at least 35°C / 95°F during the 33km back down the Guthrie Corridor Expressway.  And a tough 33km for those who weren’t used to riding as far or climbing as much as we did today.

We were all hot and thirsty by the time we got back to Bukit Jelutong.  I had emptied both my bottles in addition to the two teh tarik I had with my roti canai.  I went straight into the 7-11.  Firstly because it is air-conditioned, and secondly to buy a 1.5 liter bottle of 100 Plus.  I had never drunk a liter and a half of anything in one go before.  There is a first time for everything.

I Know What To Buy You For Your Birthday

It rained hard in the early afternoon before the Putrajaya night ride yesterday evening.  So for the first time since I got home I clipped on my SKS Raceblade Long mudguards.  As it turned out the roads had dried out by the time we started the ride.  The mudguards attracted the interest of my riding companions but were excess to requirements.

The Raceblade Longs came off my bike last night.  Their place in my kit for this morning’s ride was taken by a tube of sunscreen and a couple of bottles of frozen drink.  The plan was for Syihan, Azhar and I to ride 20 km /12 mi or so from Bukit Jelutong along the familiar Guthrie Corridor Expressway.  Then would come the “Uncle Wiggily” bit for me.    A 25 km / 15 mi blast along the Kuala Lumpur – Kuala Selangor Expressway to the Ijok interchange before following our wheel tracks back to Bukit Jelutong.

Naturally it started raining as we got onto the Kuala Lumpur – Kuala Selangor Expressway.  It started raining hard.  Right about the time Azhar thought it would be fun to ride at 40kph plus.

I spent a lot of time in Azhar’s rooster tail of spray.  And Syihan’s.  I quickly learned that I was better off being right on the wheel in front rather than 3 meters behind.  Somehow the volume of spray increased exponentially the further back I was.

Needless to say we all got soaked to the skin.  Not that we minded in the least.  The rain and the overcast sky made for a cool morning.  I didn’t need my sunscreen.  The only downside was that my frozen drink wouldn’t melt fast enough.  I know I know.  Complain when it is hot.  Then complain when it is cool.

My Raceblades wouldn’t have helped me this morning.  I wish Azhar and Syihan had a set each though.