The Journey of a new Triathlete
Training partners are always great in terms of being motivated and seeking advise.. no matter doing triathlon, Ironman or Ultra running, that is why I frequently used this hashtag #foreveralone cause I am more often than not alone when doing training.
Training for an event demands much from an athlete such as mental focus and more importantly discipline in all aspect of schedule, diet and workout.
I met Zurairi by chance, one day when I was training but I will not expound on that part, as he already had explain of our moment in his featured article. Do read up on his write-up as guest post on his determination to be a Triathlete (if you say you can’t, this post might change you) Do follow him on Twitter @arieternity where he shares his passion for triathlon.
Guest Writer: Zurairi (Singapore) 27 August 2012
My Journey to be Triathlete
After my Kidney Transplant in 2008, (Previous post) , I decided to exercise because my doctor told me to control my cholesterol level. I also wanted to exercise because keeping fit and healthy will ensure lesser complications due to my condition. After 3 months rest from the post operation, I realise my fitness level is very low after I was struggling and panting after climbing the flight of steps at the overhead bridge. I realise that I need to start soon.
I started with very light jogging around my neighbourhood. It was about 1.2km route around my block of flats. My friend also introduced me to swimming. Mr Razib is a triathlete and he taught and coached me the techniques of swimming freestyle. In 2008, I started (more…)
Cycling Infographics that might interest you #cycling #facts
This is some good cycling infographics I am about to share..this infographic is brought to you by Atlanta Bicycle Coalition,
I always tell my friends, no matter how short your distance is just put on your helmet, its goes the same for cars right when you buckle up for safety? why do it for car but not for a bike.
Ride safe and always be aware of your surrounding.
From where I am (Singapore), cycling on the road is not that safe, cars gives you dirty stares, honking at you and worst still swerve into you lane. It’s not all their fault I would say sometimes cause cyclist some times do hog the lanes by cycling abreast, dude you aint no Tour De France dont have to bike like you own the road, be kind share the road, every time a car stops for me, I will definitely give em a smile and a thank you wave. Every time a car slows down to give way, I will always do the same. Practice safe cycling and PRAY hard every time you hit the road.
I have yet to be angered to the extent of having the car as a target practice for my water bottle.. hope that wont come to light.
Zipp 404 or Mavic Ksyrium
I have started sourcing for my parts on my “PartsbyParts” project, this is in fact a project that was long overdue, So whats this “PartsbyParts” project I am talking about? Its for poor people who can’t afford to buy the whole bike at one go, no I am just kidding, its a project where I buy a Part a Month till I finish building the whole bike to my specification.
So to see a good clear view of the bike parts that I need to buy, this would illustrate it better for the masses
I have already sourced for the frame and it will be ordered by end of this month, don’t ask me yet what it is .. but I will show you guys the after the end when the bike is fully / finally built-up,
but as for the moment I have a big dilemma in which the wheel sets selection is killing me, I have narrowed it all down to two brands. I really need your opinion on this.
Wait I have to tell u why I have selected this two models, not just esthetic wise but also in performance wise. I need a strong rim that can go fast as well as climb hard. . . . . So what models are they ? 1st up
MAVIC KSYRIUM SLR 2012
SSC Wheel-Tyre System: the pros choice
Optimized Wheel-Tyre System: GripLink / PowerLink
Superior endurance: Exalith
Distinctive full black – SSC graphics
Highly responsive
High energy transfer: Tracomp technology
Less inertia for the same stiffness: ISM machining
Low rolling resistance: Yksion PowerLink
The lightest Ksyrium ever: 1400g
Light and stiff rims: ISM + Exalith
Light yet resistant components: Carbon and Zicral bladed spokes, carbon front hub, Maxtal rims
Weight (pair of wheels with tyre – WTS): 1990 grams
front wheel: 635 grams
pair of wheels: 1400 grams
front wheel with tyre – WTS: 930 grams
And the 2nd model needs no introduction and I am only gonna post one picture of it, just in case you guys have not seen it which I doubt.
ZIPP 404 Clinchers
If you guys have any feedback on the wheelsets that I have mentioned above, I am glad to take it in, or even if you have known another brand that is even better task at what I am looking for, do let me know as your comments will be greatly appreciated.
I am kinda leaning towards the Ksyrium cause of the Mavic’s Exalith treatment. The bike I am building is mostly B0B which means black on black. I heard there is surface braking problems exp: NOISE.
Choosing Clipless or Flat Bike Pedals
How to Choose Clipless or Flat Bike Pedals
Pedal shoppers usually fall into one of several groups: 1) Those making the switch from flat to clipless pedals, 2) Those who are outfitting a new bike (many new road bikes do not come with pedals), or 3) Those upgrading from one shoe-pedal system to another. Here’s what to consider when shopping.
Who Needs Clipless Pedals?
If you ride using flat (platform) pedals, you’ve no doubt (more…)
You wanna “Be seen wearing it”
Something is brewing up in the coming next few days, do watch for this Icon .. Do follow my blog to get the updates ! this will be interesting. Do let me know if you know what that this icon means ? Can’t reveal too much for the moment.
As I always say “No Helmet, No Ride”
Safe Cycling
Heard from a friend that another cyclist perished along the deathly roads of MRR2, I manage to find the article and this was the excerpt of it
A cyclist was killed in a hit-and-run accident near Shell petrol station on the MRR2 in Hulu Kelang this morning.
The victim, 37-year-old Rafizi Hamdan died on the spot.This was the second fatal accident involving a cyclist
If you notice that I highlighted the word second, its cause the other person killed was a friend of mine P.K. Yeoh, we use to do rides together with his whole family, I’ve seen his son and wife with him usually at the LBS that we use to frequent. its really a sad thing This was taken from Mac’s website if you would like to read, it a tribute to him Memories of PK Yeoh ,
I just notice that its been nearly a year already since his death ! Time really do flies..
This was taken from the Highway code book for drivers.
The New Highway Code Book 2, Advanced Theory of Driving, (Published in consultation with Traffic management, Land Transport Authority)
Cyclist ride on all types of roads excepts expressways. Bicycles are used for both transportation and recreation by people of all ages and sizes; you should expect to find them almost anywhere. Because they rode close to traffic, cyclists are vulnerable to injury in a collision. As a driver, it is your special responsibility to pay attention to them and to provide for their safety.
1. When sharing the road with cyclists, expect sudden moves on their part at all times. A patch of oil, a pothole, an opening door of a parked car and other hazards can force a cyclist to swerve suddenly into your path.
2. When approaching or passing a cyclist, give him/her ample space and be extra alert. Be prepared to slow down or stop. When a cyclist glances back, it is an indication that he/she may change direction anytime.
3. Look out for cyclists riding against the flow of traffic especially at residential areas.
4. Give even more room to cyclists when they are carrying a heavy weight or a pillion. This makes them unsteady and wobbly and they may ride into your path or even hit the side of your vehicle.
5. Just before turning:
i: Check your mirrors and blind spots.
ii. Watch out for cyclists between your vehicle and the kerb.
iii. Don’t make a sudden sharp turn, you may knock down a cyclist.
6. When overtaking, keep a safe gap between your vehicle and the cyclist. Don’t cut in sharply after overtaking the cyclist. This could result in your vehicle “side brushing” or hitting the cyclist.
7. After parking, look out for cyclists coming up from behind before opening your vehicle door.
I do hope there would be more safe cycling clinic conducted to raise the awareness of safe cycling in parts of the World.
Here are some good tips from the past safe cycling clinic rolled out in East Coast
1. Bicycle is considered a vehicle, you drive a bicycle.
2. Observe all traffic rules like any other road users on the roads.
3. Be competent and confident before hitting the road.
4. Know all traffic rules and road signs. Get a Basic Theory Book.
5. Know your skills, your ability, your health. Do not over estimate yourself.
6. Know your bike, it’s performance, it’s ability, it’s wear and tear.
7. Know your equipments, clothing, helmet, gloves, etc. their functions, performances, their life span, when to replace.
8. Know your route. Plan your route before you ride, know it’s traffic conditions.
9. Know your right of way but NEVER INSIST on it.
10. Be courteous and patience with other road users, share the roads.
The most important take home message is:
TREAT OTHERS LIKE HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED RESPECT OTHERS TO GAIN RESPECTS
Would you pay $14000 for this bike ?
Believe it or not this bike cost $14 000 buckaroos, how crazy is that ? Did you know that a Chef in China earns only $402 a month ! how long does he have to work to earn that freaking bike? a total of 3 freaking years just to get that bike and that is if he spent all of it on installment just for that bike, and what bike am I talking about ? check it out here.. (more…)
Helmeting my Nogging
Not long ago I was looking for Aero helmets on the web, I was doing my research and everything on helmet, searching furiously on reviews, helmet pros and cons and what people think of aero helmets.
Hoping that it will make me go faster on the bike leg, my first choice was Giro Advantage,
And that was it, I had my mind on it and I was pretty much settled on the decision as many people had reviewed it, I told Benny (more…)
Old picture found .. 120km of good old times
Just posting some picture I found in my multiply site, lost all the friendster pictures which had all my race pics.. so salvaging whatever I can ..
This are from the Batu Arang 120km with the gang.. those have done weekend ride would know those familiar faces.
Pimp Daddy MAC with Geoff behind
Ryna and Dennis
Ashraff on the right enjoying some coffee at the rest stop
Benny in Orange and the rest of the group..
This was taken back about 8 years ago with my O2 PDA phone.. so forgive me for the lousy resolution,Looking back at this pictures really reminded me of good time.
Cervelo P5 launched
The long awaited Cervelo P5 … but wait .. lets dwell into about about the company first. Did you know that Cervélo Cycles is a manufacturer of racing bicycle frames which came from the same country as Blackberry. That’s right “CANADA”
Cervélo uses CAD,High tech whatchamacallit computational fluid dynamics, and wind tunnel testing at a variety of facilities including the San Diego Air and Space Technology Center, in California, USA, to aid its designs. Cervélo currently makes 3 series of road bikes: the R series, featuring multi-shaped, “Squoval” frame tubes; and the S series of road bikes and P series of triathlon/time trial bikes, both of which feature airfoil shaped downtubes. The company also manufactures T series track bikes
You came here cause you wanted to know how the P5 looked like and here it is ..
JusST Kidding ! that looks more like a Batcycle !!
Here is the real deal !! enjoy and don’t break your next paycheck or two ..
And More pics ..
Front View, the bike practically disappears.
Top View is a beauty with the 3T bars
Back View
Front Handle
Bottom View
Thats about it … till further notice …
80km that wasn’t
Its Sunday morning again and its the most anticipated day for me in the whole week, why i say this is because i get to ride my bicycle. Today’s route is Puncak Alam in er.. er.. i really dont know where.. Puncak Alam lor. We started in Centerpoint at 7.30am and already a whole bunch of people were there. Many new faces many strong riders.
here is Alludin giving the morning briefs on the route : Thanks Man and Selamat Hari Raya to all the muslim riders.
We started with 30+ strong riders heading out to Kota Damansara with easing leasure riding pace. Superb weather i tell you.
Teck Wai looking abit worried, i wonder why ? hehehe.. I know Mac is always up for the challenge, guess what he the hardcore spent 4 hours in the gym yesterday, doing 2 RPM classes and other weights exercise. Man how he does it i really dont know,
Valerie quiet quiet snuck up from behind and said this.. OH YOU GUYS AGAIN ! sigh .. i know la we all not leng chai do wan to see us.. hehe
so we all slowly started with riding in a peloton from Kota Damansara until Sungai Buloh, wait .. i have the pics
this is the first half of the group, the other half behind me, shiok ler.. we like pro riders oni. After we reached Sungei Buloh we intersect out to Old Airport road and go off to Guthrie Highway, TA DA !! guess what.. another group of 10 riders came, its none other than.. MR TAN BOON FOO ! haha.. they came from another route and conjoin with us before reaching Guthrie highway. Kimbeley also joined in.
Pure bliss i tell you this Highway is just pure open road. Saw another lone cyclist from Klang, Uncle Yap he also joined in. At the highway all of us started to get crazy, i joined the first peloton and broke away when we were out from the motor lane, at this time the odo was already at 30+km and i guess haha .. can speed la since the first stop going to come liao. WACK la.. meter already showing max speed of 50kmph plus while Teck Wai drafted behind, suddenly the chase group came and all were in a peloton again. We are pushing 45kmph in a group and the others were left out, Pandai pandai la we all go so fast, We are now a group of only 15 riders and we reached the sungei buloh hospital, EMPTY i tell you this place. like haunted. yucks .. meter already showing distant of 49.8km! hhmm.. guess we over shot, LIM said he knows the way to Puncak Alam. So on the way we go. Boon Foo also with us.. ahha .. Strong rider never to underestimate this fellow man. he will leave you riding in the dust. BLAH BLAH BLAH all hills and riding.. we only made a 5 min stop to buy water.. and off we go.. At last we reach puncak alam and meter already showing 70+km! i was thinking shit.. i dont want to blow my tyres here (bad habit i dont bring spare) a few riders went off on their own after the break and now we were left with around 10riders. Pushed on and ahah at last we caught up with the ORIGINAL PCC group. meter already showing 89km and we are no where near Kota Damansara, we strayed off a extra 30km ahaha, Got back to Center point and i already saw Mac and Val having their drinks. Mac said that they were told to get off the highway by police, lucky we were too far in front hehe.. ok la.. this is the report for this Sunday Ride. not much picture as i had by cam in a sandwich bag. Next Week the hills of Genting !! Catch ya later !
