It's back to training again

Ever since pre GE13 and post GE13, I am still tied down with loads of videos of ceramahs and events. I barely have time to update the blog, but with a little less hectic, I am sure i will be back, starting from last Sunday.

It's back to training again.

2013 seems to be a hectic schedule for CBCBC members as far as cycling participation is concerned. Many have registered for the CFAL 5^th edition and other competition routes as well. So, it’s back to building stamina, trying out new methods and sharing experiences with members. Last week, we did a “semi round island” route starting from AID, taking the easy down hill to Balik Pulau and cruising the coastal road to Tanjung Bungah from Teluk Bahang.

We started early at about 6:45am, anticipating the blazing sun at the near end of the ride at Straits Quay. I guess the event has boost the confidence for some new members and strengthened the experienced riders to another level.  

Here are some of the photos taken by the members:-

JoinT Ride Chan Eng Kooi’s group and Chu Bi Chu Bi Club to Relau waterfall

This ride was the first ride for all the cbcbc members. It was a bit arduous ride but overall it was an enjoyable ride for all the members. Members meet at Yoyo’s café and starts the ride from Sungai Ara’s route. 

Remember at initial stage when cycling along the route to carpet, on the right hand side we can see stream running downwards, members took the right turn to a small path and there we go towards the trilled and arduous path. 

Most of it are single tracks. It started with a steep ride and then comes the pushing and carrying of bicycles. As usual members will grumbling and cursing of the path but also with jokes and laughs. 

Our super hero Mr. Goh as usual will make opposite comments eg, “ai say, like that only-ah, and siam siam, I’m coming, don’t block my way”. All this “karp siau” , jokes and laughs make the ride more fun and laughter.

It was a good day with cloudy and just a bit drizzling in the middle of the ride. There are many ups and downs along the hills and some are really steep. 

So members have to decide whether to push up or push down depends on their skills and experience when facing a steep route. There are some path members have to enter a prohibited area but it is safe even some places met dogs and also the owner of the house. 

At one stage members have to crawl out from an owner’s area which was surrounded by spikes fence.

The last part was really a bonus given after a tough ride with waterfalls awaiting for members to soak in. Some of the members do not want to miss this opportunity to play with the cool fresh water that really make them refresh and said it’s worth to come to this nice place.

After that members adjourned to makan at Relau market place. Cbcbc members would like to thank Chris Soon and Chan Eng Kooi for guiding them to experience a wonderful ride that never try before.

Story by Simon Ong

Happy Birthday Wonderfuuuuuu Khye Kok

Happy birthday Ah Kok for keeping our spirits high and laughing all the time. You are just 

WONDERFUUUUUU!!

Happy Birthday, Simon Ong Hong Choon!!

Simon was the one who took me on my first ride to AID -Hilton-Ngoh Hean, all at the same day!!

Street lights request from Kek Lok Si to AID

6 cycling club captains handing a request to CM Lim Guan Eng

Our letter to CM Lim Guan Eng

Penang, being the leader in Malaysia for promoting green, cleaner and healthier community, has encouraged many Penangites to take up cycling as a way of life. This healthy sport not only promotes family togetherness and unity, it also creates awareness among cyclists to contribute positively to our environment

In the areas of Ayer Itam, Paya Terubong, Relau, Bayan Baru and the surrounding areas, cyclists from all walks of life, ranging from competitive and “just for fun” category, use the Ayer Itam Dam as their favorite route to ride. Many say, one needs to conquer Ayer Itam Dam before venturing into more technical and difficult routes surrounding the beautiful hills of our Penang Island.

During the weekends, approximately 600 cyclists will make their way up to Ayer Itam Dam which is located 700 meters above sea level on Penang Island from the Kek Lok Si car park before branching out to various destinations like Balik Pulau, Sungai Rusa, Teluk Bahang and Penang Hill. 

There are always huge groups of cyclists ranging to 50 to 200 who cycled in the evenings as well. It is usual to see cyclists with bicycle headlamps making their way up to Ayer Itam Dam which is 1.60km in length from 7:00pm on Thursdays to Saturdays. For some adventurous type, they may even start their journey up at 9:00pm to catch the beautiful lights of Georgetown from the dam.

Unlike motorized vehicles, bicycle headlamps will not illuminate the road. Their design purpose is primarily to alert other road users to the presence of the cyclist. Cyclists are dependent on ambient or public lighting to see where they are going.

As there is no street lighting along the road to the reservoir (after Kek Lok Si temple entrance), we are in the opinion that by installing adequate lighting, it will definitely improves safety, comfort and security of cyclists and all road users as well. With lighting installed, cyclists will use this route more often and promote Ayer Itam area as their choice of cycling destination in the evenings.

We, the cyclists of various cycling clubs would like take this opportunity to thank your good office for considering our request to install adequate street lighting along the road leading to Ayer Itam Dam and hope that PBAPP can extend their corporate social responsibility by doing so to improve safety, comfort and security for all. Thank you very much. 

Participating cycling clubs:

Penang Chu Bi Chu Bi Club

FR Team

Narpies

Kacang Rider Team

Bicycle Town

Ekoraidaz

Yin Fan, our tough newbie

I took Yin Fan for a test ride 2 weeks ago since she had a new MTB a Trek 4900. She cycled quite frequently with her foldie and we were all afraid that she may not be able to cope with the gear shifting, the brakes and the suspensions all at once.

The most drastic change was from a 8 speed to a 30 speed mechanism. Well, the only way to gauge her was to take her cycling with her new toy, playing around with gears, feeling the MTB as well. 

After two rounds around the inner path of AID, we decided to do the ultimate test. Cycling up a steep slope from the PBA bungalow to the AID parking lot. Despite being new to all these, Yin Fan managed to cycle up on her own, without stopping, and the best part was she was asking for another round. 

It was then, I knew she would conquer AID hill (from Kek Lok Si to AID parking lot) without a problem. So, last Sunday, the weather was great, blue skies in the morning, CBCBC team accompanied Yin Fan to the top. 

And we were all so proud of her for taking the challenge and succeed. From the parking lot, we cycled up to Hilton and proceed to Balik Pulau. It was the first experience for Yin Fan, but she showed guts going downhill to Balik Pulau food court and back again to AID after a short break. 

 She is really tough, well much tougher than all of us thought. Well done, Yin Fan!! Here are some photos taken by the members during the ride:-