A ride in the paddy fields

Michelle riding along the paddy field in Sekinchan on Saturday

At the location marker

On a bridge in Sungai Tengi, Sekinchan, Selangor

I was supposed to have conducted a recce ride around Sekinchan late last month, but never got around doing it as the weather was bad.
A couple of weeks ago, veteran adventure cyclist TT Siang and his wife Angela had put up an invitiation to ride in Sekinchan which I gladly accepted.
I planned an early ride around the rice fields and linked up with the couple later along with a few other riders who came with their families.
So, we shot off to Sekinchan from our place in Subang Jaya at 06:00am and arrived there around 07:45am.
As soon as we got there, we wasted no time in setting up the bikes for a ride around the town area and proceeded to Jalan Parit 6 and made our way to Sg Tengi where Michelle used to work, laying down a network of gas pipes in the trans-Peninsular gas grid.
From the pumphouse, we rode to Sg Burong and the Bagan To fisherman's village.
Now, the tricky part was to get back on the West Coast trunk road where traffic is heavy.
On one instance, a truck flew past us so fast, we just a few feet away from being hit by it.
Fucking asshole driver!
The loop across the paddy fields and towards Sekinchan's coastal fishing village was roughly about 36km and with an average speed of 15km/h, we covered the route in about 2.5 hours.
Later in the day, we took a break in a coffee shop while waiting for Siang's group.
We caught up with them around 12noon.
They were late due to some riders who were not punctual.
In an outstation ride, its very important to observe time as there are many factors that would make a ride unpleasant.
Lucky for us, we managed our time pretty well.
From Sekinchan's Harbour View hotel, we rode back to the paddy fields and made our way to the Bagan for lunch.
That's where we parted way and shot back to Subang Jaya.

Hulu Langat Training Ride Series 4

Michelle, Me and Jackie at the junction (km10)

The mighty Uncle Meng and his recumbent machine

Michelle making it to the junction

Michelle and I took on the Hulu Langat training course for the third time and for this year, its a curtain-opener for more planned rides around the country.
I must admit that the hill-climbing sessions on slopes of various degrees along this 40km round-trip course has given me the 'turbo boost' during the Putrajaya night ride on Friday.
Believe it or not, when I made my way past the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, I actually smoked some GT foldies including the RallyArt racing folder.
That was an achievement as I powered away and took on the slopes around Putrajaya with ease.
In short, the 20km single-journey ride to the Hulu Langat Dam is working its course.
I found that the first 8km was just a warm-up session and as veteran rider Bil Choy would put it: "Ah, you get ready for the 10km climb towards Kuala Kelawang.. You can do it!".
Choy's inspiring words would be the catalyst for more rides especially on tough terrain in Peninsular Malaysia.
Today, I also had the privilege to meet Uncle Meng, a seasoned tourer who had completed a ride to Tibet.
He came with his RM15K recumbent bicycle which was a sheer spectacle.
Two other riders also joined in and one of them had a classic Dahon Boardwalk.
She rode all the way and was supported by her husband who drove to the starting point.
After we reached the dam area, we headed back to the Kuala Kelawang - Bt 14 junction and there, I saw a guy with a Dahon Jetstream EX.
That was a really solid bike and we also met up with his group at our usual coffee shop hangout.
Sadly, the guy and the rest of gang were quite stuck-up. So fuck him!
Anyway, I for one, am looking forward to another training ride session next Sunday!

A clean and sober celebration

Michelle, riding along Putrajaya's main boulevard



A shot taken with the Putra mosque in the background



We did it!

Instead of getting drunk and disorderly, Michelle and I took a new approach in celebrating New Year's eve.
Right after I was done with work, I rushed home to jump into my wife's car and with our bikes packed in place, we drove to Putrajaya's Precinct 2.
There, we joint a large crowd of cyclists - totalling to nearly 500 people for a night ride around the country's administrative capital.
All this, for RM2.50 a person.
Rather than blowing our money at pubs or restaurants, we chose a healthier alternative and that was to use our folding bicycles and ride it hard.
At the registration booth, we met up with some old friends.
Some folding bike riders were there too.
Riding around Putrajaya at night was an unforgettable experience.
The route took us on a 20-km loop, covering some scenic areas around this township.
We caught a glimpse of Putrajaya at night which can be rarely seen of you are cooped-up in your car.
The ride ended at 11:30pm and with some stage performance and lucky draw, we left at 02:30am.
Saturday was a day of rest as we recuperated from the ride.