OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2011 Part 1

Team Jetstream

It was early Sunday morning and there were some chores at hand.
First, load the bikes in the car, then, final check on all the gears.
We were packing load, at least 8kgs each for the OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2011 ride in Dataran Merdeka.
Our plan was to rendezvous with my buddy Billy, at the Bukit Aman carpark near Lake Gardens.
We managed to score a light meal from McDonalds to fuel up and met Billy at the planned location at 06:00am.

Cycling towards Dataran Merdeka

It took us less than 10 minutes to get to the venue and people were already starting to pack up the square. 
There, I met Chanson Lau and Ruey Chan from Le Run Industries. 
We chat a little bit and made our way to the pen area where Billy had decided to give the 52km challenge a go.
Michelle and I watched on the sidelines as Guan, a foldie friend of ours made his way. This dude is celebrity in the folding bike world. He was with his friend Alvin.

Foldie with an environmental message: Guan 

These guys had entered the 52km challenge with their little bikes, a minority in a world dominated by 700cc wheels.
By 06:15am, the starting grid was already packed with bicyclists.

Starmetro cycling team captain Kevin Tan and the gang

At the distance, Billy pointed at the Media Prima cycling team. It was unmistakable, orange long sleeved jerseys, mainly riders from Berita Harian. Some of them, I had the chance of being their acquaintance. These were our challengers.
As daybreak began to fill in, I heard my name shouted in background.
It was Kevin and the Starmetro team. They made their way slowly into the pen.
I was surprised that they wore their training jerseys.
When asked, they said: "Aiya! The size too big la!"
The 52km challenge started a bit late.
We were told that traffic conditions were not favourable to the cyclists. 
Many roadies were eager to paint the town red and I as I see it, it was the amateur cyclists who made up a large majority in the group.
Moments later, the airhorn blared as the cyclists slowly inched their way on the road...

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

Folding bikes for the beginner Part 2

A good quality folding bike is built to perform

The performance factor
If you are stingy, you get crap.
That is a fact.
If you are indecisive, you end up chasing your own tail. Chances are, you won't do anything besides talking and talking and talking.
One thing that any foldie would need to know is this: there are bikes that are made for general utility usage, some were made for comfort and a handful are made to perform and race.
If you have RM2.5K to blow, the Dahon Dash P-18 is the bike to go for. It has the gear range and speed. With a 55T x 32T pairing, you can't go wrong.
Its evil twin brother, the Dash X-20, is another bike to consider. Sadly, its not available anymore.
One step up the notch is the Vector X-10. 
This one is built for speed and if you want to burn rubber, I don't think any 20" folding bike can come close to its performance.
Just one step higher, is the Vector X-20 with the SRAM Red groupset. At a pricetag of RM10K a pop, this foldie is worth considering if you are dead serious.


The best
Very few people can claim they have a range from good, better and best in terms of assessing folding bikes.
I know for a fact that if you got smitten by the foldie bug, you tend to spend more time researching.
High up there, are bikes like the Mu-EX, now retired and replaced by the Vector series. These are road bikes.
Dahon is also one of the few manufacturers of folding bikes who has a range of full-suspension foldies. You can try the Jetstream P8 and EX.

Affordable: The Dahon Jetstream P8

If you are willing to spend, the EX series are the best money can buy.
Its top-notched performance components that have been proven by professionals.
So, you won't have any doubts on where it would take you.


A word of advice
If you are looking for 'something simple' without the urge to race, then get an entry-level bike. The cheap components might not perform, but it'll be enough to get you from 'point A' to 'point B'.
Don't buy into trends and following. Chances are, your bike will rot in your store room.
Ride your foldie in good health. No harm in starting small like a 2K loop around your neighbourhood.
If you are willing to spend, without putting too much emphasis on 'What people said', 'What the internet gurus recommend', 'The review says so..' good folding bikes will usually retail at prices above RM2K. That is a fact.
Don't get duped into paying a bomb for bikes that are made as 'official licensed' merchandise.
These are usually made by original equipment manufacturers.
Get a reliable brand where after-sales service support is available. 
If you get proprietary components, you might have a hard time finding a suitable mechanic who can service it.
If you have issues with squeaking noises from you bike, that is normal. Even some of the pricier bikes tend to be twitchy and also flexes. This is no issue if you don't give a damn.
Take your foldie out as much as you can, join a group so that you can get used to your bike and its settings.
Remember, the money is in your pocket, its your every right to know what you are getting before you make a decision you would regret for the rest of your life. So, spend wisely!