JCI JBE Charity Ride (23 July 2016)

Riders heading out, all with proper laminated bibs and cable ties

RELA escorts to ensure a safe ride

Note the father and son team on detachable tandem bikes

Taking a break at Rider's Corner

Ad Hocs, no worries, just ride!

Early birds at McDonald's

Strida

Local support

New styled riding

Durian hopping

.......Durian hopping!

Washing with the shell will remove the offensive smell

Junior Chamber International, JB Entrepreneur recently held a charity ride to raise funds for several causes. Among the beneficiaries are Care Heaven, PDK Johor Jaya, Persatuan Kebajikan Amal Lexin and United Nations' Nothing but Nets program. Kicking off from Austin Heights Private & International School, the 21 km fun ride received some strong support from several local riding clubs.

Leading the convoy of riders out of the school was a Mercedes Benz C-class. Meanwhile, Rela guards were commissioned to see to the safety of the riders. A fully equipped ambulance with a team of paramedics from Regency Hospital were present to offer emergency evacuation and first aid.

Rolling out after a short briefing, we turned the corner to SJKC Foon Yew 5 before turning left to the busy road of Jalan Mutiara Emas Puteh. Immediately hitting this road, Ivan and his son on detachable tandem bikes suffered a dropped chain. A fellow Tasek team rider was quick to offer his help while a Rela officer on motorcycle directed traffic.

All sorts of bikes were spotted on this funride. There were an abundance of Roadbikes, Mountain bikes and Foldies of various makes. Then there were the 2 detachable tandem bikes pulled by the Ang family. Most notable are the couple on Strida, an "A" shaped collapsible bike. Folded to the size of a baby stroller for easy storage, it is primarily aimed at city dwellers and commuters. Strida's are driven by Gates Carbon Drive, reputable to be maintenance free and able to run up a 20,000 km mileage.

Not long into the ride, Rina had a mishap rolling over a speed bump. She lost control of her small 16 inched wheeler which sent her reeling down on her hands and knees. Her riding pants still intact, she suffered friction burn on her knees and some cuts on her palm.

Frankie was quick to administer first aid while Yew Loong directed traffic and some offered moral support! Nothing serious though, Rina was still accorded the proper treatment of a distressed damsel! When the ambulance finally arrived, Frankie rode with Rina to our waiting group at Rider's Corner, Seri Austin while their Bromptons were hauled up the accompanying pick up truck.

Rider's Corner at Seri Austin is one of the four recreational pitstops mooted by Happy Riders Connect. It offers basic amenities such as restrooms and a prayer room for Muslims. Pre-arrangements can be made with the persons in charge to offer light snacks and drinks. The other Rider's Corner in Johor Bahru are located at Regency Hospital, M Suites Hotel and Rumah Iskandar.

After enjoying a good get together over icy cold, rose syrup drinks and banana cakes, we continued our ride. Today, The Cycling Owls were spotted in their team jerseys and mean machines. Obviously, this group is known for their good heart, supporting the charity ride and speed, riding on aero bikes with high profile wheels!

Alvin, FR Rider's Team Captain was notably missing though his team too had strongly supported this charity drive. Instead they had gone on for a mud and dirt time, riding off-road on another event organized by IGCC.

Much to everyone's surprise, we made a stop at Bandar Baru Dato Onn's Police Station. The chief in charge came out to give us a short talk on safety. Thereafter, we made the ride back to Austin Heights to receive our finisher medals.

Running concurrently with this charity ride is a small scaled fun fair. Thrown into our goodie bags are RM20 coupons, credits to spend at the fair. While most bought food with long shelf life such as biscuits and cake rolls, Maggie the coffee connieuseur could not resist a cuppa! Andy threw some lollies into his bag and another bunch into Claudine's!! Ollie was seen with a year long supply of pens while Thomas bought some nyonya kueh for sharing.

The ride finished, the Ad Hocs proceeded to The Toast for their second round of breakfast before dispersing for the day. Some greedy ones though, lagged behind for durian hopping!!! It is, after all the art of of checking and trying out durians from stalls to stalls!!!!