Sedili ......We finally made it!!

After one failed attempt due to extremely strong wind and much discussions and plans to try again, we finally made it to Sedili Besar jetty on 6 April 2012.

We were worried about the weather as it was raining heavily on alternate days since Monday.  However our worries were unfounded as it turned out to be a beautiful day.

Beautiful sunrise... a good sign for things to come

 

In the bum boat on the way to Tanjong Pengelih

From the jetty, we rode to Sungai Rengit, dropped our bags at the hotel and proceeded to have our breakfast.  After breakfast, we started our journey at 10.40 am towards Desaru as usual.  There were some clouds and as we proceeded further, a slight drizzle started and helped to cool down the weather.  A slight head wind made the ride a little harder but still manageable.  

Stanly cutting watermelon for us..Thank you Stanly

Stanly, our support vehicle, met us at the Desaru circus with drinks, watermelon and banana.

The watermelon sure taste sweet and juicy

After a short break, five of us decided to ride further up to Sedili while four other members decided to go into Desaru and then head back to Sungai Rengit.

The road to Sedili was quite good as there were very few vehicles.  There were a few more climbs and then the road seemed to go on and on and on.  Our thighs were starting to ache and we were hungry.  We did a bit of calculation error in terms of the distance.   We thought Sedili Besar Jetty was about 40km away from Balau but after 40 plus km, the traffic light we were looking out for to turn to the jetty was no where to be seen.  The way things looked, we didn't seem to be anywhere near the town.  Finally, when we reached Jason Bay Resort, we stopped to make a crucial decision whether we should push on or turn back.  It was already 1.30pm and we were seriously tired and hungry.  BC said that since we have come so far, we should push on or we will regret it later.  All of us agreed and we decided to push on.  It turned out to be the right decision as a few km later we reached the outskirts of the town and subsequently the traffic light that we were looking for.  We finally reached Sedili Besar Jetty at 1.54 pm.

At Sedili Besar Jetty

After taking a precious photo at the jetty with the help of a local guy, we proceeded for lunch.  We managed to find a zhi char  place which serves pretty good food.  It was during lunch that it dawned on us that we had just covered almost 100km.  Our thigh muscles were tight and aching badly and we still had to ride back to Sungai Rengit which is another 80km away.  We joked that we have to go back anyway, even if we had to crawl back.  However the idea of hitching a ride from a bus or lorry did crossed our minds.

After lunch, we began our ride back at 2.45pm.  The first 5 km was extremely tough as our thighs were aching badly.  The long flat stretch was putting a huge strain on our muscles as we had to keep pedaling.  We tried to look for counterpain or something like that for our aching muscles.  We found one shop but they did not have any and the shopkeeper's directions to another shop was a bit confusing and in the end we did not manage to get any.

Without any choice, we pressed on and tried to go as easy as possible.  After a while the aching somehow subsided and it got better.  Although a slight tail wind helped but it was getting hot as the sky cleared and the sun came out.  Ironically we were looking forward to the slopes as after the climb we could rest our legs on the down slope and gather momentum.  We tried to take more breaks but it was also a dilemma as after stopping, the muscles tend to tighten up and cause some of us to get cramps.

Another rest break with the long slope in the background

Rest break

       

Trying to look happy even though we were dead tired

Enduring muscle cramps and sore behinds, we managed to ride back to Sungai Rengit at 6.30 pm and went directly to the seafood restaurant to meet the rest for dinner.  We were all happy and relieved that we finally made it back in one piece.  We had a good dinner and shared our adventure with the rest of our team.  The total distance covered was 180km.  It was the longest ride we have ever done in a single day.

Pushing our bikes back to the hotel after dinner 'under supervision' of Raymond

The next morning, although we planned to have an easy ride to the jetty, somehow it turned out to be a race again.  Oh well, couldn't help the adrenalin rush.

Our happy team at the jetty waiting for the bum boat to take us back

This was a great and successful trip with wonderful memories.  The weather was fantastic, there is great camaraderie among the teammates and the food was fantastic.  What more can you ask for?  

Maybe just one .....When is the next ride?

Endurance – Mental or Physical?

The IMPORTANT thing in life is to have great aim and the perseverance to attain it

 

OCBC cycle Singapore 2012 …… 59km super challenge. It sounded very impressive and indeed for many people it definitely is a tall order to deliver.

Psychologically and physically, many of us were wondering the possibility of completing this feat and the thought of going up the Sheares Bridge twice was demoralizing. Despite of this fearful thought, all of us were nevertheless looking forward to this event.

In this event it has been demonstrated that all of us did possess endurance.  Each differs from another, completing the race in jolly good time within one’s capability. On the whole it was satisfactory and one should be contented with the timing.

Introspecting oneself during the race, one can recall what their main concerns were, viz. the distance or the Sheares Bridge or both?  Can that be overcome?

It is a disturbing mental state where one is concentrated in these two obstacles prior to the race. At the same time, one will find it very difficult and strenuous to ride the distance and to climb the bridge resulting in mental fatigue and stress.

The fundamental message is not whether we are fast or slow but rather, the importance of focusing our mental energy to completing the race without worries or fear. One will be surprised that taking part and completing in any event is bliss. How so?

Mind moves the world.  

Delve deeper into this phrase and analysing its meaning, it is not surprising that everything in this world, great or small, good or bad, is being driven by the mind. A gruelling “Tour de France”, climbing at more than 4000m at some point, cannot be accomplished just by sheer physical strength. The riders are psyched to endure whatever pain and hardship required for the challenge thus strengthening their prowess to complete and achieve their goal.

Similarly, in any event, race or challenge one must have the mental strength to endure and overcome any obstacles in order to complete it without unnecessary fear.

Mind initiates all actions, including challenges, and then supports the physical strength to complete those actions.  If one says, “I can do it”, the possibility of achieving it is almost there. Physical strength is secondary and can be improved by either practising or training. Once the physical strength is developed, it can synchronize with the mental element. The fundamental issue is that the Mind gives the command and the Physical follows through, and that compliments Endurance with vital stimulus to break down all fear barriers to the finishing line.

When we do something together with others – a communal activity – we discover common denominators

barriers are lowered or broken down

we feel relaxed with them, as if we’ve known them for a long time, even though we might never have met them before or been introduced to them.   

Shared experiences form a link between us, and our lives intermesh

Written by Raymond Yow

19^th March 2012

OCBC Cycle 2012

Some of us boycotted OCBC Cycle 2011 due to the many bottlenecks and safety issues.  Those who participated came back cursing that they even have to carry their bikes at some point.

So when the 2012 edition comes along some of us were reluctant to participate.  However a brand new route coupled with the addition of the Super Challenge 59km category seems too good to refuse.  Eight of us decided to take part in the Super Challenge.

Our OCBC Cycle 2012 Super Challenge team

In front of F1 pit

Inside F1 pit

more pictures at the pit

 

How fast do you think we should go?

Waiting to be flagged off

The new route includes mostly a long stretch of ECP which is fantastic for speed and endurance.  It also has a few climbs especially the Sheares bridge, which we have to climb both ways.

The ride from begining to end was smooth.  There is no bottlenecks and there is not much of any safety issues, although we still see some accidents.

All of us thoroughly enjoyed our ride and agreed that this is the best OCBC Cycle so far.

Leading the train....no sweat

At the Finish Line

After the race ................................

All happy after the race.....some more so with the medals

Enjoying our drinks and free yogurt

Mount Kinabalu

At entrance to the start of the trail

Some older updates to catch up for the past two years. 

Back in August 2009, Victor, Raymond and myself set off on a challenge to climb Mount Kinabalu.

Victor, as usual, is the one who initiated the idea.  We did some training at Bukit Timah hill and off we went without realising what we got ourselves into, especailly for me.

Photo taken with Mount Kinabalu in the background

We begin our climb

and climb

and climb

and sometimes sit

our packed lunch

Our destination - view from halfway 

so..... we continue climbing

and more climbing

Finally we reach our guest house

Have a good dinner before we continue our climb at 2.30 am

Finally reached the summit in time for the sunrise

Beautiful sunrise

At Low's Peak- 4095.2 M

Rest before we descend

Low's Peak - can you see the tiny people on top?

Low's peak from further down

one last shot before we make our final descend

We managed to summit on 9 Aug 2009, our National Day.  It was a great experience with a great sense of achievement, although coming down was quite taxing on our legs.  Our legs were so sore that we walked like ducks for the next few days.  I must thank Victor and Raymond for inviting me to this trip.  I would never have thought of doing this exciting and challenging climb myself.

Written by Chee Hua