Pink Pedals, Ride for Pink October - Grand Finale ( 22 October 2016 )

A tribute to a friend....

When I got to know my friend was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years back, my first reaction was one of shock, then followed by despair as she was the only one allowed to touch my hair for more than a decade. That sentence sums up my distrustful nature and my loyalty to a friend!!! Ours was a peculiar friendship spent hours on end on her chair while she made me beautiful.

While Joel was a successful business woman, she was every bit a good wife and mother. She was a wholesome woman who loves to cook and clean....to an extend of being O.C.D.!!! She worked too hard for her own good. Hence, when we cried together, she often shared her regrets of chasing the golden dream. Towards the end, she advised me time and again to treasure my loved ones and to lead a simple wholesome life.

Sadly, Joel was not meant to follow today's Pink Pedals, Ride for Pink October - Grand Finale. She passed away a few days ago. While her's was a sad ending, my Aunt Gold Teeth was a breast cancer survivor who lived up to a ripe old age of 81.

Nothing is futile if sacrifices can be made for the greater good....EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES!!!

This ride is dedicated to her....


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Pink Pedals, Ride for Pink October - Grand Finale

At IPD Johor Bahru Selatan

Waiting for flag-off

Rolling

At BCSGJB

We are here for you BCSG

Hani, receiving cheers

With members of Laughter Yoga

Police car, ambulance and police lorry in the background

Our friendly law and order officer

AMS ambulance reporting for duty as early as 6.45am

Pink doughnuts courtesy of Regency Specialist Hospital

Just before day break, 2 riders were spotted climbing the "dragon's back" on the Iskandar Coastal Highway. Heading for IPD Johor Selatan, the venue for today's Grand Finale were Peter and Malcolm. However, they were not the the firsts to arrive at the meet up point but Susanna and Niki. Both ladies donned the previous year's BCSGJB t-shirt, in support of Susanna's aunt who was a past president.

As dawn breaks, more and more riders arrive at the police station. We saw KM, Ah Khoon, Kee Hua and a few other HRC marshals arriving in their bright orange tees. Following behind them were the huge entourage of Impian Riders. We saw Gaya, Joho Foldies, FCC, Ad Hocs and many other individuals as well.

While the morning started slowly with enough time for chatter and balloon blowing, the postcard perfect weather was soon eclipsed by dark grey clouds. The day's agenda was improvised and we were hurried through the speeches by Doris and OCPD Tuan Sulaiman, with no time for breakfast! Then, the official flag off and blaring of horns commenced....all done to avoid the impending rain!

Leaving the police station, we turned on to Jalan Wong Ah Fook. The rejuvenation of Sungai Segget and the underground sewerage works had reduced the 4 lane road to a single lane, filled with pot holes and loose gravels. Threatening our safety further, the sky decided to spit at us. It started with a few drops, then a drizzle, before a full onslaught. Thankfully, the rain lasted only long enough to dampen our clothes but not our spirits.

Riding on the busy road of Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, we were grateful the policemen stopped traffic to allow us safe passage. Our law and order officers even used their motorcycles as barricades!!!

Getting a helping hand

Getting a helping hand

Travelling uphill on Jalan Kebun Teh Lama, Jolin helped to direct cyclists. A policeman on motorcycle gave Hani, a push all the way up the slope while Ah Khoon, on pedal work did the same for a male cyclist! Throughout all this, our entourage was followed closely by a police lorry as support vehicle and an ambulance for first aid and emergency evacuation.

Congratulations, Lily!

The BCSGJB members were at their community's guard post to meet and greet us. We received warm applause and cheers but today's trophies clearly went to Lily and Hani, both breast cancer survivors who finished the 5 km ride through rain, hills and traffic!!!

We enjoyed a morning tea session at the center while those interested were given a tour around. Tuan Norazlan must have been very tickled when given a tutorial on breast lumps using silicone samples!

While Selva and Jessie gave welcoming speeches to us upon arrival, Tuan Norazlan's departing speech asked for public cooperation while reassuring continuous police commitment on crime reduction. Stephen though only had the ladies' welfare in mind. He encouraged them to fight on and pledged to stand by them!!!

We had a short tour of Taman Kebun Teh before heading back to the police station. Residents came out to wave their support; clapping and cheering us on. It was a proud moment for all of us, Malaysians united for a common cause, bound together in the spirit of "Semangat Kekitaan!"

Leaving the center, we enjoyed a downhill glide to Holiday Plaza. However, a continuous climb pursued from KSL all the way to Grand Paragon Hotel. Turning right to Lebuhraya Tebrau, all motorized vehicles stopped for us. Our climb continued from there on but beyond the clover interchange, we were rewarded with a downhill cruise all the way back to the police station.

Ms Chew

Izzat

Lydia.....again!!!!

It was a joyous homecoming as another meal awaits us. The breakfast we missed earlier was served as brunch instead! 20 consolation prizes were given away in a lucky draw while the coveted top 3 prizes comprising of 6 combo tickets to Legoland went to the most unassuming winners!

Winners there will be........MAY WE BE WINNERS IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST CANCER!!!

Special thanks to :

Polis Diraja Malaysia
Breast Cancer Support Group of Johor Bahru
Asia Medevac Services
Legoland Malaysia
Regency Specialist Hospital
Horizon Hills  
Daniel Wng
Happy Riders Connect
Asia Cycling Network 

FCC

IRC

Gaya

Joho Foldies

Even the uniformed officers!!!