From Left: Syamsul, Zack, Faizol, Beppe and Zaha

Original Route: Sg Long
Extended Route: Sg. Long-UKM-Salak-UKM-Sg. Long
Total Mileage: 80+ Km
Beppe's Blog: http://beppedamioli.attivi-blog.com/Primo-blog-b1/PORT-DICKSON-b1-p30.htm


There’s nothing like waking up on Saturday morning for a ride on the bike. I took a quick look to check the weather condition. It was cloudy and a bit windy but It didn't look like it’s going to rain soon in the morning. The ride was On On!

The drill was simplicity by itself, Saturday route will be Sg. Long, RV at Sg. Balak toll plaza at 7.30am. Least would I expect that we’re about to embark on a journey to.... Salak....with an Italian guy by the name of Beppe Damioli, age 61, riding solo from Phuket en route to Singapore and was making a trip Port Dickson.

Video 1: guy launches off huge jump but drifts backward

A message from Zack to Saipol

Note: this is a 1st draft entry with raw images and video footage. Changes will be made from time to time

Date: Sunday, November 15th 2009
Route: Kajang-Mantin (LEKAS)-Semenyih-Kajang (Old Road)
Distance: 80+ Km (rom Sg. Balak )
Riders: Zack, Farizal, Zaha, Zam, Ah Meng, Razi & Faizol

The recent Sunday ride was an interesting one. It was both enjoyable and torturous at the same time. The fun part was that we had Zam, Razi and Ah Meng with us on the ride even though it was a short notice.

I was planning to give Zam a call earlier on Saturday but considering the weather at that point of time, the idea was put on hold, at least until there was a glimpse of hope that the rain was going to subside in time for the road to dry.

The not so fun part was that we had to ride under blistering hot condition all the way through the old road from Mantin town filled with uneven roads and pot holes. Lucky for us it was not a doggy day out though we did hear few barks from a far along the LEKAS. To compound the situation and my mental state, I forgot to put on the sun block leaving my face with sun burn coupled with pattern marks left by the eyewear and helmet straps.

I love this picture, it's taken during this ride.

It's already November 09, leaving behind the colourful October with few great weekend rides. One thing for sure though, last month's weekend rides were mostly recovery rides. I for one had a long break, no night ride, not even took a spin around the neighbourhood during the "no-ride" sabbatical or soul cleansing period.

I'm looking forward for more challenging routes this month. The only concern now is whether the weather is friendly or not. There are ride plans already in the pipeline such as The Bukit Antu-Genting Peres repeat and LEKAS-MANTIN (Bkt. Puyuh) - LENGGING (Bkt. Mendum) - Broga-Semenyih to name a few. The big question is, are we up for the PD challenge this year? Let's discuss this at the Base this Saturday.

Having said about the pipeline, I'll start posting possible routes and invitations for the week ahead. Check out for The Week Ahead (TWA) entries on the blog.

This week is one of those week where normal business hours does not apply. Duty calls gentlemen. I'd reckon that I might have to start early, 7.00am on the dot.

Roadie to "Trackie": The Shift

Hmmm...in all honesty, I don't know what to say? Getting back into XC on MTB is very tempting. It has been a while since I did the last XC. The last during the PCC Proton Presidential Ride in 2007, 4 crazy stages of 60KM madness.

Based on the last ride, the PCC would be one of the places where traffic congestion happened in the jungle on single track routes, ditches became ponds after close to 700 people that came in many shapes and sizes cycled or pushed their bikes across them, where I slept for about 45 minutes on a god forsaken hill waiting for the path to clear out of the congestion. Not to mention chicken out route that needed you to cycle for extra 25KM to the assembly area...came back home with bike covered with mud, tired and aching muscles...for a freaking T-Shirt that would probably worth not more than 5 Bucks, a balsam and powerbar.....madness...some memoir...

I think I'm going ....for now I'm sticking to road bike...

Anyway here's the weather forecast from accuweather for this weekend, doesn't look promising....

The Week Ahead Weather Forecast

Saturday, Nov 7

More Details

Mostly cloudy with periods of rain in the afternoon. Winds from the ESE at 4 km/h.

Realfeel®: 45 °C

High: 32 °C

Saturday Night, Nov 7

More Details

Overcast with a couple of thunderstorms around. Winds from the SE at 6 km/h.

Realfeel®: 29 °C

Low: 24 °C

Sunday, Nov 8

More Details

Rain. Winds from the ESE at 6 km/h.

Realfeel®: 44 °C

High: 31 °C

Sunday Night, Nov 8

More Details

Cloudy with a couple of showers. Winds from the ESE at 8 km/h.

Realfeel®: 30 °

This is one of the posts that in a way most unfavourable in nature. Why? It's because there were no picture taken, no act filmed...and ultimately there were no rides. Sigh...

Well it rained and rained on Saturday, even in the afternoon...I guessed it's was okay... lets hope for the better on Sunday... Later that Saturday evening I received text message from Zam asking about Sunday's plan and shortly after that from Syamsul. I thought this was great...I made the arrangement with Zaha and Saipol to do Sg, Long loop instead. It was nicely laid out plan, 7.30am from Sg. Balak's toll plaza.

Checked my bike to make sure that the tire pressures were good and the drivetrain were adequately lubbed., took a couple of Panadol soluble and off to sleep.....can wait to get greet tomorrow's sun rise with a shine...and.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZ.....ZZZ.....ZZZZZZ..... I was awaken by the buzzing sound of the alarm....holy crap..the fever hadn't gone away... and....it was a sunny Sunday morningggggg.....arrrghhhhhh...what a waste... TidaaaakkkkkKKKKKKKK.....