Return To IM Langkawi - Riding With The Big Boys II

Saturday, 4 February 2006 - Rode with Don and Simon again. We started at 7.15 a.m. There were more hills today compared to the PD ride last Saturday. Cecil rode from his home and joined us at Phoenix Plaza. He was with us until the Peres Summit and turned back on his own. Some P2K riders were there too and they too turned back at Peres Summit.

We had a little race of our own up the Peres Climb (10km climb). Don and Simon shot off from base of the hill and I barely could keep them in sight. Half way up, we caught up with 2 P2K riders. Don attacked as he passed the P2K riders. Simon and the P2K riders responded and the race begun. I was some 50 meters behind and somehow managed to muster enough strenght to keep them in sight. Shortly after the little waterfall, I caught one of the P2K riders and dropped him with ease. The pace of the 3 front runners seemed to have slackened a little by then. I managed to catch them in the second last corner b4 the summit and pushed myself to the front. I attacked off the saddle too early at the last corner and fizzled out in the last 50 meters dash to the summit. But the effort was good enough to finish second behind the mighty Simon Cross. He responded to my attack and dropped the rest of us big time!!

We had a 45 minutes break at Klawang for a light meal. Then, we went on to cross 3 big climbs towards Lenggeng. The first was a 4km climb headed towards Jeram Toi. It was almost mid day by then, we had clear blue skies, a scorching sun, an open road BUT not a single tree over our heads for the slightest shade thru'out this climb. It was something like the section between Ulu Yam and Batu Dam. Don and Simon dropped me big time.

We re-grouped at the bottom of that hill and rode together until Lenggeng. The remainder of the 2 climbs were peanuts compared to the 4km climb - they were shorter and we had some trees to shelter us from the baking hot sun.

It was good to be back at familiar territory when we got to Lenggeng. There were plenty of rolling hills from Lenggeng onwards and I had a strong and fast ride until Semenyih (an approximately 20km stretch). Simon left us at Semenyih. Don and I took the longer way home via the Dam thru 18th mile Langat - we simply needed the mileage. There were 2 more big climbs in the last 10km of the ride between Suntex and my car near Phoenix Plaza.

Got back to my car at 3.30 p.m. and run around the neighbourhood for some 16 mins and covered about 3km. Survived the day on some noddles at Klawang, 1/4 Powerbar, a packet of PowerGel and plenty of sport drinks, 100-Plus and fresh coconut water.

Total Distance - 177 km/ total bike time - 6:45:30

Route : Phoenix - Suntex - 14th - 18th - Peres J - Peres Summit - Titi - Klawang - Jeram Toi - Lenggeng - Ulu Beranang - Broga - Semenyih - Nirwana - Tekala - Dam - Peres J - 18th - 14th - Suntex - Tmn Segar Perdana - Cheras Hartamas - Phoenix

HRZ Pts - 858/ Ave Speed - 26.2km/h

Don Khor, Simon Cross & Cecil at Powerman Malaysia 2005 -