Third Ride : 70km and beyond ....

Third Ride : Adela – Sg Rengit – Tanjung Pengelih - Adela
Date : Wednesday, 18/06/2008 Distance : 72.59km Avg Speed : 22.4km/h
Max Speed : 43.5km/h Time: 7.30am-11.30am

This is the extended ride from the first ride. A 19km ride Adela-Sg Rengit ride, plus 16km coastal ride to Tg Pengelih. Tg Pengelih is the second most southern tip of Asia continent, facing the South China Sea. From the shore, I can see Changi, Singapore clearly. I believe anyone who is fit can swim cross the channel without much problem. The channel that separates Malaysia and Singapore is Selat Tebrau.

This time, the ride feels shorter. Probably because I was on the same route several days ago. The coastal road from Sg Rengit to Tg Pengelih is dead flat. I cruised at 23km/h comfortably for half an hour each leg.

The Kite Runner : The Movie

"Do you want me to run that kite for you? For you a thousand times over"

I am looking forward to watch the movie adapted from the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.

Watch the thriller here.

The Kite Runner by Khaleed Hosseini

This is a story by a truly gifted story teller, Khaleed Hosseini. It is about a friendship of two boys, or more like ‘master and servant’ relationship. And at the end, the secret was revealed which force Amir (the master) to return to Kabul, Afghanistan to look for treasure left by his half brother.

Indeed, blood is a powerful thing. Blood binds people even if they used to be enemy before.

Excerpt from the pages;

“He let out a chuff of laughter, revealed missing lower incisors. It was the most tired laughter I’d ever heard. “I see America has infused you with the optimism that has made her so great. That’s very good. We’re a melancholic people, we Afghans, aren’t we? Often, we wallow too much in ghamkhori and self-pity. We give in to loss, to suffering, accept it as a fact of life, even see it as necessary. Zendagi migzara, we say life goes on. But I am not surrendering to fate here, I am being pragmatic. I have seen several good doctors and they have given the same answer. I trust them and believe them. There is such a thing as God’s will”

Replied Rahim Khan after Amir advicing him to get back to America to get better treatment.

On page 17 ….

“Good” Baba said. But his eyes wondered. “ Now, no matter what the mullah teaches, there is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft. Do you understand that?”

“No. Baba Jan”

“When you kill a man, you steal a life” Baba said. “ You steal his wife’s right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone’s right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. Do you see?”

“There is no act more wretched than stealing, Amir”. Baba said. “ A man takes what’s not his to take, be it a life or a loaf of naan… I spit on such a man. And if I ever cross paths with him, God help him. Do you understand?”

A Note on the Author

Khaleed Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan and moved to United States in 1980. His first novel, The Kite Runner, was an international bestseller, published in thirty-four countries. His second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, was a number one bestseller and was published in May 2007. In 2006, he was named a goodwill envoy to the United Nations Refugee Agency. He lives in northern California.

Pain in the Butt

Yes. I know this already from my previous experience and reading. A long ride can give you pain in the butt. Some suggested getting a broad seat. Some recommended trying different seats until you find the best fit. But first, try to adjust the seat position. Make sure the seat is level and at the right height.

This can be really irritating, especially when you have long distance to cover and you are not willing to stand on the pedal for the rest of the journey.

Second Ride : Adela – Desaru Golf – Adela

Second Ride : Adela – Desaru Golf – Adela
Date : Saturday, 14/06/2008 Distance : 49.53km Avg Speed : 20km/h
Max Speed : 59.6km/h Time: 9.30am-1.30pm

On the second day, I cycled near to 50km from Adela to Bandar Penawar to Desaru Golf. I did on average 20km/h, slightly less than the day before. I realized that I did not consume any food before any ride. This may affect my cycling speed, but I am not use to eat early in the morning.

Usually I started the day with morning prayer, then little bit of stretching. This includes The Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar), one of the Yoga practice that I read from book. I am a complete beginner of Yoga and wish I can learn more about this ancient practice.

Then, I prepare the necessities for the ride. Check the tire pressure and refill the water bottle with water.

Desaru Golf :: A lonely road towards the beach.

For this ride, I chose a route with a long descent on my way out of Adela. At this particular slope that stretch about 150 meters, I cycled (technically doing nothing, just let the gravity do its trick) at maximum speed of nearly 60km/h. It brought good feeling when you are at speed. And I need to be careful, even a small pothole can bring disastrous outcome.

First Ride : Adela – Sg Rengit – Adela

First Ride : Adela – Sg Rengit – Adela
Date : Friday, 13/06/2008 Distance : 38.87km Avg Speed : 23km/h
Max Speed : 41.7km/h Time: 8am-10am

This is my first long distance ride, less than 12 hours after I purchased the bike. I don’t think I ever tried cycling more than 15km before. I used to cycle from home to university every day. The length is about 2.5km.

And I realized a big difference with this bike. I used a Claud Butler Milano before. The frame (Milano) is big. Giant TCR3 has compact frame geometry. Thus, it looks smaller and easier to handle. Furthermore, it accelerates faster and easy to maneuver. However, since Claud Butler Milano used Campagnolo instead of Mizuno, I found that Campag was smoother in shifting gears. I also like the idea of having two separate levers for brake and gear shifting, as used by Campagnolo Ergopower.

Campagnolo Record Ergopower Carbon Lever

The ride took 2 hours including breakfast and stops. It was an enjoyable ride with medium traffic. However, there was significant amount of risk and the cyclist need to be careful all the time. Especially when big buses and lorries took over. The force created by passing vehicle may cause the bike to be unstable.

Breakfast at Sungai Rengit. At the back is South China Sea.

My New Ride

2008 Giant TCR3

I had ordered my new ride, Giant TCR3 on Monday, June 9, 2008. It took two days for the bike shop in Kota Tinggi to get the bike delivered from Johor Bahru. It cost RM 2300, relatively low compared to my initial budget. Probably because this 2008 model did not include carbon fork. I also being told that by adding another thousand Ringgit, I can get Fuji Roubaix which is more geared towards high end performance bike.

Fuji Roubaix

But I settled down with compact frame Giant TCR3, so that I have more cash for other things and kept my expenses low. All other accessories cost another RM4++. This included bike computer (Cateye Velo 8), pump, saddle bag, bike stand, spare tubes, grease, helmet, puncture kit, Allen key and water bottle.

Eyeing My New Ride

I am looking forward to purchase something that i dream long time ago. A road bike. My last bike "Claud Butler Milano" was stolen during my final year at university. And it was stolen right in front of the main university building between 3 to 5pm. Huhu.. Since then, I want to buy a new one when I have the opportunity.
Cycling can be competitive. The competitiveness can be in the form of competition. But what interest me is the competitiveness within myself. We feel competitive when you body was exhausted but your mind still take control. Pushing every single stride, and you realize that your limit is infinity.
I am eyeing for a moderate and good bike. Not that all carbon fibre built. I am wanting something like Scott Speedster S50 24-s.





This ride costs SD1300 which is about RM3100. Well, within budget. But it will not only the bike that I look into. I need helmet, pump, puncture kit and other things.