The Sunday SKVE Expedition

Initially the plan was to ride to Lenggeng on Sunday. Unfortunately, because of too many couldn’t joined due various domestic problems, it was a unanimous decision to postpone the ride to a later date.

There were few routes discussed last Saturday during the break at our official roti canai joint. The first option was Lenggeng, I was a bit skeptical on this one due to not so overwhelming responses. The second option was Sungai Merab and third was a wild idea mooted by Farizal to explore the new SKVE highway.

I’m always extra worried when it comes to Farizal’s proposals or suggestions. He reminded me the Bukit Antu’s adventure. Even though it happened quite a long time ago in 2008, the event is still fresh on my mind. But that’s another story, so back to Sunday Feb 20th ride.

Since the circumstances had changed, we decided the do the Putrajaya-Cyberjaya-Sg Merab or better known as the outbound route.

The ride plan was to rendezvous at the Petronas station at LLM and then rode via SKVE, through Cyberjaya-Dengkil and entered the Persiaran Selatan. From here we'd continue riding until the Desa Pinggiran Putra before entering the Kajang exit and on to Bangi bound Sungai Merab-Limau Manis route. Finally we took on Jalan Ayer Itam to Putrajaya’s Diplomatic Precinct for RnR before we headed home.

Sound like a plan for the weekend ride but what happened on Sunday was nothing like what had been planned before.

The Sungai Merab Aftermath

Ever heard of this phrase, for every action there’s a reaction? There’s always a flip side of things. Some have heard about it but couldn’t really fathom what it really meant. It’s just a phrase, what does this make any sense? Well it made sense to me after the Sungai Merab Ride not so distance ago.

I’ve underestimated me and the Terror hill. My TREK 5900 has a 53/39 chain set with 11-28 cassette. Out of better judgement I tried to climb the 11-12% steep hill using 39/19 gearing combination. Not only that it didn’t work, it nearly got my knees popped. I had trouble walking for a couple of days due to strained muscle calf and thigh.

I’ve climbed this hill before with much ease and pleasure before. So what did I do wrong?

I realized that I used to be able climb this hill and the rest of the rolling hills because back then I was in a much more better physical condition. I forgot that I had a long break and I need to build back my fitness. I tried to outdo my self and didn’t listen to my body.Halfway climbing the hill I struggled to maintain a sustainable rhythm.

Sungai Merab Rolling Hills Mission

Sunday ride crew and friends at Diplomatic Precinct 

Earlier this year, its not that long ago anyway, we agreed to diversify cycling routes for 2011 cycling calendar. Ideally Saturday ride’s route will be Sungai Long, short distance and lots of climbing, perfect route for cadence training. Sunday ride would involve long distance ride mission with minimum 50 Km to-and-fro.

The original plan was for Sunday Ride was the Setul mission. Due to changed circumstances, we decided to ride to Putrajaya. In order to make it a "sweeter" ride, the ride plan had been improvised from the normal Kajang-Cycberjaya-Putrjaya via the SKV expressway to the Kajang-Jalan Ayer Hitam-Sungai Merab-Putrajaya.

The fun part about this route was the rolling hills of Sungai Merab.

I couldn’t recall what triggered the idea to propose this route. The last time we rode through this route was when I tested my USPS- TREK 5900. Back then I had much better fitness level compared to now. But I'm pretty sure we had a lot of "fun".

There are two ways to “enjoy” the rolling hills of Sugai Merab. The first one is the Bangi bound form Desa Pinggiran Putra’e exit and the second one is Putrajaya bound via Jalan Ayer Hitam. To make it simpler, lets just call the first option as Sungai Merab Outbound or SMO and the later as Sungai Merab Inbound, SMI in short.

Bright and Sunny Sungai Long Ride

Rising sun...manyak panas woo..

I hope its still not too late to wish a Happy and Prosperous Rabbit Year to all our Chinese friends.

Like in the previous years, long holiday breaks especially relating to big festivities, hordes of city folks (it doesn't sound right...) travelling to the north, south and east-coast of the peninsula.

I hope all CA have arrived home safe and sound from the long break. Due to concern that some won't be able to join the Setul Ride, we're pushing it to the next Sunday. The exact date however remains a mystery. Hopefully we can confirm this some time next week.