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BCG Tour Kajang – Melaka – Kajang Day 1

Posted on June 7, 2016 by alchemyrider

BCG Tour Kajang - Melaka - Kajang Banner

Johan S and Danial AM of BCG Tour held their second event on June 4th and 5th.  This time from Kajang to Melaka, and back again the next day.

Unlike the inaugural tour from Ijok to Teluk Intan, this time the outbound and inbound routes were different.  It was about 149km / 93mi to Melaka, and 112km / 70mi back to Kajang.

BCG Tour Kajang - Melaka - Kajang Melaka Route

Or in my case, the outbound ride would have been 149km if I had followed the excellent cue card that was given out at the start.

Kajang Melaka 04jun16

 

I downloaded the .gpx files for the routes to my Garmin 705.  I should have just stuck with the cue sheet for the ride to Melaka.  Rather than just following the downloaded route, my Garmin directed me down an alternate route.  The Garmin did guide me to the New Century Hotel in Melaka.  But from the 117km / 72mi point it took me along a path very different from the one so carefully planned by the organisers.  More on that later.

Twenty of us met at the start point near the Bandar Teknologi Kajang Police Station.

Mark, Leslie and I grabbed a quick drink before we went to the pre-ride briefing.

BCG Tour Kajang - Melaka - Kajang Day 1 Start Mark

Photograph courtesy of Mark

The pre-ride briefing by Danial was thorough, and with our safety on the road in mind. Johan chipped in as well, in between taking the photographs.  Unless otherwise indicated, the photographs featured in this post are courtesy of Johan S.

In a delightfully retro gesture, Danial had a bulb horn rather than a whistle or a gun to start us off with.

BCG Tour Kajang - Melaka - Kajang Day 1 Start Danial

We followed Johan’s car for the first 20km / 12mi as he guided us along the busy roads out of Kajang and through Semenyih and Bangi.  A départ fictif.  Just like in the major bike races!

Once Johan released us, the pace quickened.  All the riders who were in front of Mark and I, which was most of the group, missed the left turn off Jalan Kajang – Dengkil onto the much quieter Selangor State Route B48.  So the two of us were riding alone for about thirty five minutes.

BCG Tour Kajang - Melaka - Kajang Day 1 Duo

BCG Tour Kajang - Melaka - Kajang Day 1 Duo 2

The rest of the group steadily made up ground on us.

BCG Tour Kajang - Melaka - Kajang Day 1 Chasing Pack BCG Tour Kajang - Melaka - Kajang Day 1 Chasing Pack 2

Mark and I were caught 5km / 3mi from Sepang.  The faster riders pulled ahead.  By then the bunch had broken up into smaller groups as riders settled into the pace that best suited them.

BCG Tour Kajang - Melaka - Kajang Day 1 Sepang

 

Leslie had caught us too.  The three of us, and Max, made our first stop at the Shell petrol station in Sepang.  We caught our breath and shared a litre of 100Plus as the rest of the group sailed past and onto Federal Route Route 5 toward Port Dickson.

We got going again at about 9.30am.  All hopes of a cool morning were evaporating in the sun that had broken through the cloud cover.  It was going to be a hot one.

At about 10:30am, as we approached Port Dickson, Leslie, Mark and I diverted off the published route onto Jalan Seremban.  That took us to the Port Dickson Waterfront.  More specifically to the McDonald’s there.  Mark and I, along with some other Flipsiders, had stopped at that McDonald’s three years ago, during our ride to Tanjung Tuan for the Raptor Watch 2013.

Why McDonald’s?  The Brekki Wrap with Sausage is the bomb after 70km / 43mi on a bike.

Mc Donalds weekday breakfast special brekkie wrap with sausage rm4 Possible To Earn RM30,000 A Month For Malaysian Blogger From the World of Advertisement Starting From McDonald's Ads

Photograph courtesy of Golden Arches Restaurants Sdn Bhd

And there is air-conditioning.  And a sea view.  What’s not to like?

BCG Tour Kajang - Melaka - Kajang Day 1 PD Leslie

Photograph courtesy of Leslie

By the time we  got back on our bikes at 11:15am the sun was out in full force and almost directly overhead.

BCG Tour Kajang - Melaka - Kajang Day 1 Sun

The shadows were getting shorter and shorter as we made our way through Port Dickson and past the Wan Loong Temple.

BCG Tour Kajang - Melaka - Kajang Day 1 PD Wan Loong Temple Leslie

Photograph courtesy of Leslie

Staying hydrated and cool become all important as the “feels like” temperature edged towards 40°C / 104F°.  An hour after coming out of the air-conditioned McDonald’s we were looking for some shade and another drink.  Others were looking for the same thing.

We found it at Kampung Sungai Raya, at the junction of Selangor State Route 5 and Federal Route 138.  There was a row of roadside stalls selling various drinks.  Leslie, Mark and I  downed two glasses of iced coconut water each in quick succession.

Someone else was thirsty too!

BCG Tour Kajang - Melaka - Kajang Day 1 Coconut 2

An hour further down the road we were again getting desperate for shade and something cold to drink.  We started looking for a petrol station or a shop after making the left turn onto Melaka State Route 142.  It seemed like a long time before we came upon a minimarket in Kampung Jeram.  In reality it was less than 4km / 2.5mi, but in the midday heat it certainly felt further.

It had been a long time since I had done this, but it was so hot that I resorted to the ice tricks that have helped me in the past.  Ice wrapped in a bandana and placed on the back of my neck.  Ice under my skull cap.  Even ice under my arm sleeves at each inner wrist.

Ice

I was dripping all over as the ice melted, but I felt cooler and much more comfortable.  So much so that I pulled ahead of Leslie and Mark, admittedly helped in that regard because they had to stop and wait at a couple of red traffic lights that were green for me.

I should have waited for them.  12km / 7mi outside Kampung Jeram my Garmin directed me to turn left onto Lebuh Spa.  I should have stayed on Federal Route 5 to Jalan Malim Jaya.  Instead I had an unplanned mystery ride through some villages and residential neighbourhoods.

The ice on my head lasted just long enough before I rode into this.

BCG Tour Kajang - Melaka - Kajang Melaka Weather

A most welcome rain shower that kept me cool, and rinsed some of the sweat and salt out of my cycling gear.

The rain was quite heavy, but it didn’t last very long.  It had stopped by the time I popped onto Federal Route 19 with just 5km / 3mi to go.

Everyone got a bit wet before arriving at the New Century Hotel.

The rest of the afternoon and evening were spent reliving the day’s ride, eating, napping, and eating some more.

It had been an early start for Mark and I.  We had driven to Leslie’s home before 6:00am so that we could car-pool to Kajang in Leslie’s bike / people mover.  So we called it a night after dinner.

BCG Tour Kajang - Melaka - Kajang Day 1 Sleep

 

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Shah Alam Enduride 2015

Posted on April 11, 2015 by alchemyrider

Shah Alam Enduride 2015 Banner 2

The Shah Alam Enduride 2014 was the first, and so far the only cycling event, that I didn’t finish.  I struggled badly from the 60km point.  At about 100kms I packed it in.

So I came into this year’s SAER determined to finish.  Experience has taught me what to do, and what not to do.

To do:

Stay hydrated

Eat enough

Not to do:

Ride hard from the start

Go into the red on the climbs

Marvin, Liang, Justin, Mark and I took our customary positions at the rear of the pack.

Photograph courtesy of Mark

Photograph courtesy of Mark

Stephen was with us too.

Photograph courtesy of Mark

Photograph courtesy of Mark

The riders at the front were treated to some traditional gamelan music while they waited for the gun.

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

We didn’t have to wait long.  This year the VIPs were not late, and the ride started just minutes after the appointed time of 7.30am.

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

The Flipsiders, as always, took a more relaxed approach to the start.

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

The route was not exactly the same as last year’s, but it covered much of the same ground.  A clockwise run from Shah Alam through Sungai Buloh and north toward Batang Berjuntai, with a loop toward Batu Arang, before turning south again through Puncak Alam, and over the two Dragon’s Back sections on the way back to Shah Alam.

Shah Alam Enduride Ride 2015 Route

I was sure to avoid my two “Not to do’s” right from the start.  There was 1,400 meters / 4,600 feet of climbing to be done, most of it in the first half of the ride.  With the Dragon’s Back kickers to come at the end, as you can see from the route profile below.

Graphic courtesy of VeloViewer

Graphic courtesy of VeloViewer

I made sure to observe my “to do’s” as well.  It was well into high 30° C / 100° F territory by about 11am.  It was also very humid, so I was sweating a lot.  By the 75 km / 47 mi mark it was time to stop for a cold drink, a Snickers bar, and a bag of ice.  The cooling strategy I first practiced at the Kedah Century Ride had worked wonders.  It was time to use it again.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Ice under my skull cap.  Ice in my bandanna against the back of my neck.  Ice in the centre pocket of my jersey.

You can tell from the shadow that by this time the sun was beating down on Marvin and I.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

We were a trio, together with Justin, for most of the ride.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Liang, Mark and Stephen had hooked onto faster groups.  We didn’t see them again.

We did however see Marco.  He wasn’t able to participate in the ride, but he appeared beside us on his scooter as we got to the Batu Arang area.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

And look what he had with him . . .

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Fantastic.  Our own personal support vehicle, loaded with ice and cold water.  Just what we needed an hour later, as we approached the Dragon Back climbs.  We stopped at a PETRONAS station on Jalan Meru Tambahan to replenish my ice-powered cooling system, and for Justin and Marvin to top up their bidons.

Then it was 4 km / 2.5 mi more before the left turn onto Jalan Bukit Cerakah, and the start of the first Dragon’s Back.  The sensible early pace, and the ice on the back of my neck, did me a lot of good.  Last year I was thoroughly cooked after 100 km / 62 mi.  This year I could muster a thumbs up and a smile at the top of the final climb before the left right turn onto the second Dragon’s Back.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

It was hot.  It was windy.  My ice pack had melted.  But the Dragon’s Backs were behind me.  There was one last sharp little climb up to a roundabout in Shah Alam, and then it was across the line.

Marvin followed soon after.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Justin finished safely as well.  We were all pleased to have completed the ride, but perhaps none more than I.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

The Enduride lived up to its name.  Lots of climbing.  Poor road surfaces in places.  High temperatures.  Gusting winds.  Everyone who completed the ride deserves their medal.

Shah Alam Enduride 2015 Medal

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Kedah Century Ride 2015

Posted on March 29, 2015 by alchemyrider

Kedah Century Ride 2015 Banner

Four Flipsiders made the trip to Alor Setar for the Kedah Century Ride.  Everyone’s bikes were loaded into Keat’s truck.  Mark’s Tommasini, Keat’s Scott, Marco’s Hasa, and my Ritchey.  Marco and Mark handled driving duties during the 450km trip from Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

My biker chick was a student at Universiti Utara Malaysia in Sintok, which is about 50 kms from Alor Setar.  When I told her I was riding in Alor Setar, she made plans to meet up with some of her university mates who now live and work in the area.  She and I decided to fly rather than drive.

Coincidentally we arrived at the hotel just as the guys were unloading the truck.  Once we were checked in and the bikes were safely stored in our rooms, we went looking for food.  The road-trippers hadn’t had lunch yet.

We didn’t have anything particular in mind, so we explored along Jalan Anak Bukit.  This roadside stall on the corner of Jalan Madrasah caught our attention.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

I ate lunch before I boarded the flight, but the food looked too good to pass up.  Everyone agreed that this was some of the best tandoori chicken, naan and chapati we had ever eaten.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

With blood sugar levels restored, we went to the TH Hotel and Convention Centre to collect our goodie bags.

We bumped into cycling friends, as always happens when collecting ride packs.  This time it was a group of Tyrell small wheel bike riders from Van’s Urban Bicycle Co.  Cindy and William joined Mark and I to check out what swag came along with our ride numbers.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

This goodie bag was better than some we have received in the past.  The jersey design for this ride was also one of the nicer ones.  Perhaps influenced by Garmin as one of the sponsors.

Kedah Century Ride 2015 Jersey

We noticed this place on the way to collect our goodie bags.  There were a number of road bikes leaning against trees and posts.

Kedah Century Ride 2015 Ameer Nasi Kandar

So no surprise that we were back there a few hours later for dinner.  There were a number of stalls under one roof, but Ameer Nasi Briyani was the only stall with a queue of at least a dozen people waiting to chose their food.  That queue got longer and longer while we were there.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

And no wonder.  The food was very good.  And cheap.  My plate of briyani rice, fried chicken, chicken livers and half a salted egg cost me RM8 / USD2.20.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

The next morning we rode the 10 km or so to the start of the ride at the Paddy Museum.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

The Tyrell riders were there too, resplendent in their Knog jerseys.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

As is often the case, we started late.  I do wish that event organisers and the dignitaries invited to officially flag-off these events would be on time.  Participants waste time waiting in the dark, and both riders and volunteers spend more time than necessary in the midday heat.

We got away about 25 minutes late.  Cindy and Dicky were just in front of the Flipsiders, who were in their customary position at the very rear of the group.

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

The route was a clockwise loop.

Kedah Century Ride 2015 Route

As advertised, much of it was as flat as a pancake, despite the hills in the background.

Kedah Century Ride 2015 View

We headed south through Pendang and to the first water stop after 50 kms at Bukit Jenun.  Much of that distance was spent riding in a group with these guys on their vintage Panasonics and Pinarellos.  Complete with drilled brake levers and downtube shifters.

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

The Nord Vintage Cyclismos pulled over at the water stop.  Mark was already there, and he rejoined Keat, Marco and I as we rode through the water stop.

By the 80 kms mark we need to eat.  Mark spotted a food stall in Bedong, which conveniently was near a 7-11.  Marco, Mark and Keat ate at the stall while I drank chocolate milk and ate a candy bar from the 7-11.

Bedong was where the route turned right toward the coast.  5 kms later we rode up to the second water stop.  Team Tyrell Knog’s support van was there, so we stopped and chatted and took advantage of their supply of ice-cold water.

There were some short climbs in the middle third of the ride.  The steepest came within sight of the sea as the route swung north along the coast.  The last of the three climbs at Tanjung Jaga.

After that it was flat riding through the paddy fields.

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

By the last third of the ride people were starting to wilt.  It was 36° C / 97° F with a heat index of 45° C / 113° F.

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

The constant wind didn’t help.  Mark and I were trading pulls, but my efforts were becoming shorter and shorter as I overheated.

There is very little along the road from Tanjung Jaga apart from rice fields.  After 10 kms we came across a Caltex station.  We were looking for cold drinks, but the chiller in the small shop wasn’t working.  So we made do with dousing ourselves with water to help with evaporative cooling.

At 120 kms we came across two rows of shophouses.  All the shops were closed except for a couple of car workshop, and thank goodness, the Mahsuri Mini Market.

My key purchase was a bag of ice cubes.  I wrapped some cubes in my bandanna and put the bundle on the back of my neck.  Some cubes went under my skull cap.  Some went into the middle pocket on the back of my jersey.  And some went into my bidons.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

I should have bought ice at the 7-11 in Bedong.  I was amazed at how much better I felt.  More importantly I was able to take reasonable pulls into the the wind again.

We grabbed a bottle of water as we rode through the last water station at 125 kms.  One of the impressive things about this event was that all the water stations were still well-stocked when we rode through.  The last station still had bananas on offer.

Kedah Century Ride 2015 Water Stop Cycling Malaysia

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

My bottle of water went straight onto my arm screens and down the front of my jersey.  Which only delayed the inevitable.  25 kms further on all the ice had melted and I was heating up again.  Mark needed a break as well so we pulled into the Petronas station at Teluk Kechai and sat in the shade of the forecourt canopy for 10 minutes.

15 kms to go.  The headwind kept on blowing, so we put our heads down and pushed on.

There was one last surprise.  The Tok Pasai bridge over the Kedah river.  It was one climb too many for a rider in front of us, who literally ground to a halt and fell over.  Fortunately not into the roadway.

Kedah Century Ride 2015 Jambatan Tok Pasai

The view looking out to sea from the middle of the bridge is worth the effort to get there.

Kedah Century Ride 2015 River View

The speedy descent off the bridge would have been more fun without the sharp right turn at the bottom.  The marshalling at that turn was excellent.  A particular highlight of this event was how well all road junctions, corners and turn offs were manned with volunteers to ensure that riders stayed on course.

I could have used this additional service from the volunteers over the last 10 kilometres.

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

Photograph courtesy of Cycling Malaysia Magazine

Team Tyrell Knog riders finished safely.  Anyone who completes a century ride on a small wheel bike deserves a medal.

Photograph courtesy of Dicky

Photograph courtesy of Dicky

Marco celebrated his ride.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Keat finished with a smile.

Photograph courtesy of Keat

Photograph courtesy of Keat

Cindy and I were just glad to be in the shade.  I was especially glad to take my shoes off and to work on drinking as much as I could of the 1 litre bottle of ice-cold 100 Plus the organisers handed out at the finish.  There was food as well, but all I want at the end of a hot ride is cold fluid.

Photograph courtesy of Marco

Photograph courtesy of Marco

My Flipside companions and I eventually got back on our bikes for the 13 kms ride back to our hotel.  180 kms and change in total for all of us.

Medals well-earned.

Kedah Century Ride 2015 Medal

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