ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ม.ค. 2025
- "Killing 2 birds in 1 Ride" more like the weather had killed us all.
Excitedly signed up for both RAM/BRM simultaneously simply got ditched later by the CSTB gang (Forgive them Lord, for they do not know what they have done to me) but had to "kamcheng" with Team MyKaze to take me in.
Here, I will briefly tell my stories which are not featured in the video.
Hardly had intended long hours of sleep on the previous night. 2am - picked up Joe, 330am arrival at Gamuda Cove, Sepang. Early flag off at 345am. First 200km was fun and still full of energies and excitements including 5 major climbs as mentioned in the video. All those 5 climbs were my first. I was advised to go slow at the climbs after the first. I heed the advise but i was at my comfortable pace. On the flat, we were at above average pace. The descends was really fun. So fast i could clock 75kmh max. I wouldn't dare to bring the gopro out then. Just after Port Dickson, at about 215km mark, while on the gradual ascending route, my energy just drained empty. The heat was too intense. I predicted it was at about 45ºc. Seeing every cyclist passed me by, it's like a pin penetrating through my pancreas. Took a 15mins break and motivated myself to carry on. The picking up was tough.
Into Sungai Pelek Town, Hui Yong bumped into me after 10km of riding on a wrong route and together we rode again. We manage to latch on to 2 riders shortly after as they were cruising between 25-28kmh. That was the fastest we ever went after my bonked stage. The Tanjung Sepat to Morib route was utterly boring. No shades, no shops, no stalls... just the road, the bike and myself. We took a 10 mins rest from the sun at the first dragon fruit stall we saw. A kind lady offered us chairs, fan and sliced red dragon fruits. She asked us if the fruit were sweet, we pretended (Lord, pls forgive us). Nevertheless, I managed to place a RM10 note visibly under a stack of fruits for her generosity and kindness and off we went.
Lastly with 20km to go, my rear tire punctured while Hui Yong was in front. Guess he couldn't hear me call and left. I was contemplating of using the tubular wheelset for this race which unlikely will puncture. But if it does, I'd have be considered DNF. Thank God anyway.
Pedal by pedal, i managed to reach the 300th km but that's not the end yet. I still need to ride 11km through the dark oil palm estate having no street lights except my bike and the moon light. Upon reaching the finishing line, thank God and Daniel to welcome me home.
Shortly after, we went to a not-so-near-by tomyam seafood restaurant for a nice and complete meal.
In summary, love the challenging routes but the heat was excruciating. The ride strategy? I thought, if i'd have gone solo, I would not have waited for anyone after every climb and descend as soon as possible. I would probably have rode much further under the sun and nearer to the finishing. 16hr 30mins was my best yet. As compared to 2022's 400km with Team CSTB... it was a different strategy.
In conclusion, will I do it again? I'd do 300 again.
What's next? 600 lo.
