Ride Hard, Chow Lard - Asia Cycling Network Inaugural Ride (10 July 2016)

The Big 55!!!

Ollie, Matt, Hea, YL

HK Yew and Janette

4 Foldies and a Roadbike

Another Tern D16

Bromptons, 6 speed and 2 speed

Kevin Lin and his MTB friends

Ollie with KTM's crossing guard. He never saw the train coz he rode too fast on his Foldie!

Serenity

Noise!!!

Cobwebs

On the inaugural launch of Asia Cycling Network, we all met again at Huo Guo Shan, fondly known as the residing cave of the Monkey God. This event was hosted by Saikit's group of friends. Even though the Ad Hocs co-hosted the ride, the torch was clearly passed to them for their great organizational skills!

We started the ride with a group photo which was quite a feat considering there were 55 of us! Never mind that, Chng TH even came with a tripod!

When the shutterbugs were satisfied, we were given a briefing and introduced to our marshals for the day. Then we were loosely separated into groups and the roll out began!

While the roadbikes were first to head out, the MTBs and Foldies dutifully waited for their turns. The Choongs had gathered themselves with Frankie, Rina, Casper, Eva and Pang, meaning to ride out together. But when they started to roll, it was obvious that Pang, had had some secret training before his first debut. He raced ahead keeping a few hundred meters behind Eva and Casper. Frankie and Rina on Bromptons though were soon left behind to ride with the sweepers.

After quite a few hills that left Pang breathless, Eva and Casper soon broke away. Caught with adrenalin rush and other speeding RBs, they left their head of the family behind. Demotivated, though still averaging at a decent 22 kph, Pang started to wonder about pit stops.

Claudine was sent ahead to signal Eva and Casper on an unofficial water stop. Chasing a RB and a MTB rider half her age, using Cupcake, a Tern D16 was no easy feat. Everytime, when she was almost within "shout" distance, they would hit a hill and "small wheels" will be left behind.

She finally caught up when Casper stopped to check his bike. There wasn't anything wrong with the bike but he was convinced there was some mechanical error. The fastest it would go is 28kph no matter how hard he spinned. Message disseminated, the chase was for nought, for we never see the mother and son team until Layang-Layang later on!

After a 10 km distance, Claudine called for a waterstop. While Pang, VT and TH stopped too, we saw Miki, Saikit, Mei Hiong, Wee Cin and BL Chea rolled past. 

After the stop, VT rolled down the hill and disappeared into the horizon. The remaining trio rode on to the chicken farm from which point, TH sped ahead to escape the stench. He disappeared too!

When Claudine and Pang finally reached Layang-Layang, Pang's wantan mee was already waiting for him. Claudine though had to order for VT and TH, then pay for Yew Loong's meal over a challenge of who was the first to spot the Ad Hoc logo on the JCI JBE charity t-shirt! Wong Kyuan, CK, Janet,YL, Ollie and Matt were already half way through their meal! The health conscious, Zoe and Chiam stayed away from the lard but instead called for drinks only.

At the breakfast table, Saikit proudly introduced his ex teacher, Mr Choo to us. Mr Choo had recently finished a 38 day round trip around Peninsula Malaysia to raise funds for Pei Chun school. A journey of 2000 km, he rides an average of 60-70 km a day, only resting for 8 out of the 38 days.

While most riders headed for Renggam, some of us cheated and decided to return to base. Yeoh, her younger son, Christina and Janette stayed behind to wait for the returning group from Renggam.

Gearing up to return to base, a member from Defi Cycling Team from Kluang approached us. Another local cyclist residing in Sydney shared the same curiosity over our big group.

Heading out, YL led us to the Layang-Layang train station for a sightseeing trip. After, we headed home. 

We chanced upon Delta, Yik Chun, Wong Andrew and their MTB kakis on the opposite direction. We all waved and cheered each other on. It is nice to know that for cyclists, we all speaks the same languange...A world without borders!

On the return journey, Claudine diverted her attention on Rina instead. She was convinced that Pang doesn't need her help. Moreover, he was in the good hands of Eva and Casper.

Rina, instead was being punished by natural elements.....the rolling hills of Sedenak! Mechanically, a 2 speeded Brompton has its disadvantages. Physically, she was not strong yet, considering that she had only started riding 3 months ago. After awhile, Rina had to push up some hills.

Frankie and Claudine though were enjoying the ride. With so many stops, they even went off road to watch some migrant workers at work. Using a long pole with a sharp end, they transferred palm oil fruits from the small motorized vehicle to the dump body of a tipper truck. The Bangladeshis were so kind hearted they even offered their bottled water to them!

Hitting the tarmac again, the trio saw CK whizzed past. They rode on, half pushing, half riding their bikes. They saw their shadows grew shorter, a sign that midday was approaching!

With another 5km more to base, a rescue vehicle pulled over. It was TH!!! Rina and bike were bundled up into his car while Frankie, VT and Claudine continued their journey home.

One kilometer after, a monitor lizard was crossing the road. Claudine and VT zipped past the creature but 10 seconds later, they heard a thud as an oncoming vehicle rumbled past.

Two kilometers after, they came upon a line up of stalled cars. It was the railway crossing and they had closed the boom gates for the train to cross. Everyone were excited! Even TH wound down his window to give instructions...."take more photos!"

It was a long wait! The crossing guard was tickled by our excitement. We exchanged greetings. Finally, the Diesel engine trundled along, slowly. Flags were passed between driver and guard, then it slowly picked up speed and left with its long line of carriages.

When the gates reopened, it was a mad rush back to base. The Pang's were already all packed and ready to leave. YL and Janet were enjoying cold drinks on the temple grounds. Hea and CK had left the crossings earlier, thus they got back safe. Thomas and Zoe arrived on time to load their bikes into their cars before the first rain came! But for the others who went to Renggam...Chiam, Steven, Wong Kyuan, Saikit and his friends.....they were all drenched from top to toe and perhaps even their underpants! Some waited out the rain, some rode back while some returned with rescue vehicles!

Their rides completed, Claudine and VT spotted Kevin Lin by the roadside on the way to Tesco Kulai. He had a tyre puncture! Poor boy and his MTB mates were seen huddled by the side of a container, seeking respite from the hot sun while they changed the inner tubes.

It was an eventful and memorable ride for all. Everyone had a really good time Riding Hard and Chowing Lard....and Getting Soaked! Everyone have good reasons to return to the hills, especially Pang who left his shades somewhere between Layang-Layang and Sedenak!!!