Marshall: Razi
Going Dutch
Dutch Treat, Dutch Date and Going Dutch are variations of a common term for a slang, indicating that each person participating in a shared activity pays for himself or herself, rather than any one person paying for anyone else. Of course weekend ride has nothing to do with anyone paying anything but it describe the situation of late. Everyone went out at different times hoping to get lucky and met up with other riders. It seemed that no body was coordinating Sunday rides and everyone went "Dutch Treat".
Ride Fun Facts:
Date: April 11th 2010
Route: Kajang-Pajam (LEKAS)
Distance: 80Km (+- )
But the recent situation presented unique opportunities, unplanned rides to nowhere. Last Sunday was no different, no ride master to coordinate, no route was absolute... there was no real plan.
I started cranking my TREK 5900 at 7.40am and it was sunny Sunday with a little bit of nice morning breeze. Gave Zam (Besar) a call hoping to get lucky and guess what I was lucky. Zam just started rolling his wheels and was waiting for his brothers (Li and Razi) and Ah Meng at the Sungai Chua's fly over.
Instead of waiting for them we decided to carry on riding casually through the SILK highway en route to Sungai Long. We planned to wait for them at the Kajang Perdana clover leaf incase if they didn't manage to catch up with us.
As we were approaching the Bukit Kajang toll plaza, we saw a few people with cycling jerseys at the near by rest area and tt turned out to be Farizal, Bro Man, Zam (Kecik) and Wan. A few minutes later Razi, Li and Ah Meng joined us followed by Syamsul who apparently on a solo ride. Boy oh boy, I seemed to be on a roll or something. Who would have thought that we'd hit a jackpot?
Since no one had a plan except for Sungai Long route, Farizal suggested that we ride to Pajam. Except for Bro Man and Syamsul, the rest of us was ON ON and the "ride of the week" was a go.
It has been a while since my last ride to Mantin. Farizal, Zam, Ah Meng and I pretty much knew what to expect on the ride as we used to ride as far as Mantin before via LEKAS. This would the first time for Zam (kechik) and Wan. On the paper, based on previous experience, the ride to Pajam should be a breeze. Well that was not the case...
The Ride To Pajam
After the brief stop at Toll Bukit Kajang, we continued our ride to the LEKAS Kajang Toll where the 1st break away group led by Li waited for us.
Zam (kechik), Wan, Farizal and I were at the back cycling casually trough the rather busy Kajang-Semenyih intersections.
We continued our ride to Pajam clocking at the speed of 30 Km/H. The weather was getting hotter by the minutes. From the outset Farizal and I decided that we're not going to bust our lungs and cycle casually as we don't want anyone to be left behind.
Considering the fact that both Wan and Zam (Kechik) just started cycling and this route could be the longest that they had ridden on bicycle thus far. This could also be one of the greatest test of their determination and passion for cycling... literally. No kidding because a friend who used to join us on a few cycling trips swore not to ever touch a bike again after we brought him cycling through Bukit Antu.
Ran out of Water
The thing about any unplanned ride was, you came unprepared most of the time especially when it really mattered. Most of us brought only 1 water bottle on our bikes last Sunday and mine almost ran out before we even reached Pajam. The searing sun was to much to take and some of us had to replenish their water bottles with tap water at Pajam's RnR.
After a brief stop we continued riding back to Kajang via the reverse route. Looking at the weather condition where the Sun was beaming ray and heat at its fullest, we were lucky enough the headwinds wasn't that bad to compound our misery and already 50-50 state of minds.
The route back is always the toughest, no doubt about it.
Zam's Special Moment
It's always a good practice to check your bike's condition regularly to make sure that everything is tip top. This is to ensure smooth ride at times when you need it the most.
Like in our case when it was so freaking hot, riding at 10.30am at a seemingly "boiling point" and you began to wonder "What the heck am I doing here?". The last thing you want was breakdowns that would lead to an extended stoppage.
If there was any lesson learned here it would be to never underestimate cracked tires. You never know when it's going to blow and with it blowing away hopes to reach our bases early before we melted on LEKAS.
Zam had cracked tires and the rear one burst while we were climbing the hill near Kajang bound Beranang RnR (Relax & Rest Area). We spent almost 40 minutes fixing Zam's bike at the deserted RnR, yes literally deserted. All the stalls were closed. There was ZERO business activity and we were the only people there.
I had hoped to replenish my water bottle here with isotonic drinks but it seemed like the tap water was the best option at that point of time.
I hate to admit it but Zam (besau)'s moment did present itself as fate changing chance. It bought enough time for something else to happen, something that you thought was once a lost hope.
While waiting to fix Zam's bike, suddenly we saw a guy opening one of the stall's front grill. I hopped off the chair and ask the guy if he was open for business. To my relief he answered yes and he had refrigerated 100plus! Wan treated us with 100 plus while ordered another 2 bottles for the way back. I knew I was going to need it because it's almost quarter past 11am, near madness time to cycle, by the time Zam had his bike sorted out.
Chicken out if you had the option
We continued riding through the open highway under the searing heat. For the rest of us, the options available for the route back home was a bit ironic unlike Farizal who chose to chicken out and took the Sunway exit instead of his earlier affirmation to ride with us through Sg. Long.
What I meant by ironic because the best option was to ride through the Sungai Long highway at 12.00 noon and you must be crazy enough just to do it. The Sunway exit was shorter but riskier due to the many intersections and exits especially the dangerous Sungai Ramal intersection. The second route was Kajang Perdana, hilly with terrible road conditions. Lots of pot holes and uneven road surfaces.
Climbing the Sungai Long hills at 12.00 noon was just plain madness. It was blistering hot up there and at times I felt like stopping and calling the missus to pick me up. But then that would make me a "chicken out" too...
I continued climbing the hills up until the Sungai Long rest area where I waited for the rest to arrive and we took a short break before continuing our way back homes.
For Wan and Zam (Kechik), congratulations. You guys made it through especially for Wan who rode for the first time that day. You guys showed strong character and mental as we all cycled through the challenges. The heat, distance, moment Zam (Besar) "bestowed" upon us just added to the credit. You guys rock! I hope you guys continue riding....heheheh....I know some might just hanged their bikes for good.
A special thanks to Li, Zam (besar), Ah Meng for being such a sport and of course Razi our Marshall, last man ensuring no one was left behind.
Good Ride under the Sun!
P/S: Trough out the ordeal, I burnt 2680 calories with 47% fat, hooray!!!
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