What the hell was I thinking???

Somebody shoot me!
I made a beeline to Rodalink bicycle store in Desa Seri Hartamas on Monday.
My primary objective, was to score a Burger King Whopper.
The side mission was to check out the bikestore scene. 
These days, I made it a point to visit bicycle shops once every three months.
And right there before me was a Polygon Helios 100.
This is a basic bike, entry-level buy at RM1.6k a pop.
Then, somewhere in the corner of my mind, I gave it some serious thought about riding with the Starmetro cycling team.
I managed to get them four Polygon Helios 500 bikes. Two were put to good use, one was literally a goner and the other, well, we are thinking seriously of taking it back.
Way I see it, sponsored cyclists can yield their ugly faces.
They want the freebies, but won't put any effort to earn it.
In the case of the Starmetro cycling team, we have two useless buggers.
One was in for the glamour, the other, made empty promises and I found out that later, the Helios 500 was given to his kid.
Well, like any 'free' stuff, its prone to abuse.
Just like the laptops that were issued to reporters back in the days when I was on the beat, some of the bosses actually gave them to their children. 

The affordable road bike: Polygon Helios 100

 Some soul-searching
Road bikes are not for me. 
I had a good run for at least 10 years with my Raleigh 400. That was it.
Even at an affordable price of RM1.6k, I think the Helios 100 would gather dust at home.
The idea of cycling with the boys in their training stint is noble. But I think they can do it on their own under the leadership of the team captain.
Much of my work remains in the background and I do hope that somebody will take on a succession plan when I am fed-up of helping to run the team.

A decision
Well, after giving it much thought - my heart and mind is all for a 24" high-performance folding bike I have just the right model and make in mind.
So, sorry Polygon. Better luck next life!

We are good to go!

Starmetro's cycling team with Kevin Tan, Glenn Guan, OCBC's Jeff Chew, Milo's Ng Ping Loon and Low Boon Tat

In the beginning... 
Way before the CFAL3, my colleague Kevin Tan asked if I'm interested to help in forming a cycling team.
I told him that the sales pitch would be for a small four-man team with two reserve cyclists. It has to be from the Metro section.
To get the numbers going, I asked around. Seems that none of the reporters were interested.
This left me with nothing by the pixmen who formed the core group. He had an office helper to come along.

The deal
Everyone has to chip-in. We have to look for sponsorship and I've set a goal to finance four brand-new bikes.
Initial discussions were made with Le Run Industries to procure four Polygon Helios 500 road bikes.
Its frame colour matches The Star's corporate scheme and is the perfect bike at a decent price.
I cut a deal with Le Run's Danny Teoh and ordered four bikes.


Taking a turn for the worse
By mid-August, letters were sent out.
We had The Star's Executive Director and GCE's blessings to proceed with the project. I told him that we are taking the challenge to answer Media Prima's entry to the OCBC ride.
Days went past and not a single response from our so-called 'Friends of The Star'
Time must have been hard.
A tobacco company asked for paperwork. We responded. At the end, they wanted to give a measely contribution of RM1k. 
I think that is not even pocket change, so fuck them! We don't need them.
Even some corporate big-wigs have kept their silence. We've helped them a lot, but for a small budget sponsorship, they shunned us...


A break
By early September, our boys are bringing in their bounty.
We've secured sponsorship from our old friend Milo and Powerbar.
Canon cameras came next and an event company also contributed. With the funds, we were all raring to go.


Delays, delays, delays....
I've closed a deal with the Le Run boys and managed to get four loan bikes.
Our official jerseys were fucked.
We couldn't meet the production deadline due to so many issues.
Finally, I managed to get Le Run's Chanson Lau to help out with a training jersey.
This was based on their Polygon Helios jersey. The colours were right. All we need to do, was to add our sponsor's logos.
Danny Teoh was also tasked to this before this trip to Bali, Indonesia.
When the bikes and jerseys were delivered earlier this week, I was astonished by the quality, fit and finish..

The Polygon training jersey

Fucking sour grapes..
I've been busting my chops to get the Starmetro cycling team going.
When the bikes and jerseys arrived, one asshole said: "Haiya, you should get me the Helios-700 instead of the 500 la!"
I told him that he had been jerking me off since the team was formed.
"Fuck you! and the politician next to you and the busload of supporters behind him! You said you can get funding, all I hear is you talking cock, singing song and playing mahjong... At least the rest had come up with funds, you got fuck all!"
I guess my outburst had silenced him. No more whining from this turd-knocker.


Rushed training..
With the bikes on hand, team Captain Kevin Tan conducted two training sessions with Glenn and Ehfan. The rest didn't take part and one of the pixmen had to travel overseas on assignment.
Milo's Ping Loon was committed on this project.
On Thursday night, we rode with OCBC's head honcho Jeffery Chew. 
It was also a photo ops that puts Starmetro's cycling team back on track..


And, now, the main event..
With hours away from the big day, I am all set to ride at the 21k community ride.
I paid a bomb for my wife to take part at the event.
Initially, OCBC's PR company had wanted to slip her in as a media participant.
I don't want a free ticket.
So, I was told that walk-in registrations are still being accepted. But to no avail.
This didn't deter me from forking out nearly RM300 to get Michelle and my buddy Billy in for the ride..

At the nick of time: Ehfan posing with the Helios 500 and our ride jersey