How often have your plans changed when you least expected it? Not just crude oil or stock prices but weekend ride plans are highly volatile too. To many variables to the equation. In the case of our ride plan, all that is needed is someone to throw in ideas and few buy-ins that constitute a majority. When such things happened, luck favours those who are prepared.

It's best to bring along extra tubes (+ repair kits), 2 water bottles and a couple of energy bars or bananas. Well you could also bring along sun block, Tiger Balm, Deep Heat or Ammeltz YokoYoko if you don't mind the extra weight or bulky pockets. After all, there might be circumstances where fellow cyclist could benefit from the goods too, Mr. Utility man! This reminded me of Saipol, his Ribena pack and the Bagan Lalang trip.


Sunday, January 29th 2012
The original ride plan was Kajang-Putrajay via SKVE, Cyberjaya via Dengkil Highway-Putrajaya's Persiaran Selatan, RnR at Precinct 15 and ride back to Kajang via Jalan Ayer Hitam. Instead we did Limau Manis, Putrajaya's Persiaran Selatan, returned back to Wadi Ehsan Highway, Precinct 15 and ride back to Kajang via Jalan Ayer Hitam. The thing about the Limau Manis route is that it has awesome rolling hills with 11% elevation.

The changed of plan took place at the RV point (Petronas Station at SKVE near the LLM). Since the weather was  cloudy and most likely to be a shady day, the guys itched for an adventure ride, hence the Limau Manis route. Yes we're going to do a "ClimbMadness" ride! Gambatte!

One Punctured Tire, 2 Busted Spare Tubes, 4 Mechanics, 2 Hand Pumps
and 1 Headmaster

The Limau Manis Route,  sourced from Google Maps

While cycling on the Ayer Hitam road just beside UNITEN's library, I ran over a pile of glass bottle on the road shoulder and punctured my front tire. The funny part was that not only that the incident caused us approximately 30 minutes of stoppage time, we had had 2 busted spare tubes, 4 mechanics to fix the tubes, a combination of 2 hand pumps and 1 headmaster to fix my front tire. Eventually I had to use Zaha's spare tube because both my tubes were wasted.

In the end almost everybody tried to fix my bike as we're racing to pick up with the lost time.


Myth Buster: I'm NO Tube Destroyer!
Some of the guys suggested  that the reason why both my spare tubes were busted was due to rough treatment while trying to inflate them with the pump. Well I beg to differ and I tell you why:

First, I'm using Topeak RaceRocket HPX that has extendable host, designed to specifically minimize damage to the valve and tube during inflating process. I've used few pumps before but this pump by far is the best, it's just awesome. Its efficient and smooth action inflates tires up to 160psi...no problem at all.

Secondly, those tubes might have reached their shelf-life. I've never used them for about 2 years (kept in my repair kits bag) because I always change my tire tubes with new ones from the shop.  Other than UV and ozone in the air, heat also has adverse effect to rubber based products. That'll speed up the deterioration process and other rubber bits just as much as UV light and ozone.  So sealed the tubes in a ziplock bag and then keep in a dark place where the temperature stays consistently cool and they'll last for many years.

Rubber is degradable and has shelf-life, it's not like gold. So if you want to stock up, then use the right method. I hope this will quash the myth.


We're Sticking to the Plan
After toiling for more than half and hour, my bike was finally fixed, thanks to the headmaster. Suhaimi insisted that we cut the ride short by taking the exit to Precinct 15 and continued cycling on Persiaran Utara enroute to PICC but the rest of the boys knew he had cold feet when it came to the Limau Nipis's rolling hills. He eventually had to to give in if everybody was adamant to follow through the plan.

We continued cycling on the Ayer Hitam road toward the Sungai Merab junction passing with Zaha and me without spare tubes. IMHO the hardest hill was first hill after the Sungai Merab junction. Based on what Farizal told me, this one was 11% (elevation), very steep but rather short climb, not that short really. The last few metres before the peak felt like forever...

After battling through series of high and low rolling hills, we continued our ride to Putrajaya via the Persiaran Selatan up. The road was smooth and almost flat, perfect to pick up some pace. We cycled at around 30-33 Km/H all the way until the ramp that split the route into two options. On the right to PICC enroute to Precinct 2 and on the left, Taman Wawasan. After due consideration and a plea from Suhaimi we agreed to make a u-turn, back to Persiaran Selatan. We then took the exit to Wadi Ehsan Highway, cycling passed Precinct 19, 17 and back to Persiaran Timur, near Alamanda. From here we then took the exit to Precinct 15 and headed to a Mamak Restaurant for RnR. Finally we took the Ayer Hitam route back to SILK Highway towards Sungai Ramal and Semenyih respectively.

It was an interesting ride. We had good number of crews and the weather was awesome through out the ride. Too bad we had to skip Taman Cabaran, PICC and Bukit Wawasan. Otherwise we'd be doing a "ClimbMadness" ride but we had fun nonetheless.

Good ride guys!

Below are some of the videos and pictures taken during the ride.

Video Part 1: On Persiaran Selatan


Video Part 2: On Wadi Ehsan Highway


Video Part 3: Chow time @ Precinct 15



Pictures in chronological order:

Zam and me on SILK highway enroute to the RV point.

Zaha arrived at the RV Point. Farizal posing with his Merida jersey.

Dr Azlan aka Richard made a surprise visit...

Safzan and Richard had different plan...

I like this shot...

Zam and Najib tried to fix the tube while Farizal (The Headmaster) was observing his hopeless students.

This technique can only be performed by a certified professional, listening to the tube for symptoms of tube failures...

Pump it man!

Passing through Kg Abu Bakar Baginda

Suhami bracing himself for climbs

The first hill

The peak of the 1st hill

What lies ahead..more hills

Yes, I made it...

Cycling on Persiaran Selatan

Look ma, no hands...Azmie showing "Handless Cycling" skills..

The Putrajaya Equestrian club

The Wadi Ehsan Highway

Zaha too... Look..No Hands!

Almost no traffic at all...

Pergghh.... Malaysia is very hot! I'm not used to this weather...

Chow time...

Some actions while waiting for Suhaimi: Azmie tried to stretch his back, Zam...I don't know what was he trying to do...

Najib trying to figure out few excuses for being late for the date...

Ride back home...