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AhPek Biker - Riding Adventures
Kuala Lumpur - OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2013
Inner Kuala Lumpur City : 20th January 2013
AhPek Biker - Riding Adventures
Kuala Lumpur - OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2013
Inner Kuala Lumpur City : 20th January 2013
Public Event Ride : KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre)>Jalan Raja Chulan>Jalan Tun Perak>Jalan Parlimen>Jalan Tun Ismail>Jalan Kuching>Jalan Sultan Ismail>Jalan Tengku Abdul Rahman>Jalan Dang Wangi>Jalan Ampang>KLCC (per lap of 12.1 km.)
Distance covered : 12.1 km. X 4 laps = 48.4 km.
Time : 6:45 am - 8:45 am
Time Taken : 2:16 hrs. (including 2 short stops for photos)
Note : for a better mood click here to run the Chariots of Fire theme Song. It will open in another window, click this tab to return here.
PRELUDE
When the Overseas Chinese Banking Corportation (OCBC) touted their event OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2013, many were keen to join in, including yours truly
I have joined several public events before, but they were mainly fun & social rides - riding at a casual pace with friends and also making new friends.
But this one is different, this one is an international event with foreigners taking part too. It will be a competitive ride with the more serious bikers taking this as a race, especially in the Challenge category which I will be joining.
So the cycling community were all hyped up and many registered for the event.
But why join the Challenge when there is no hope of winning against the faster road bikers.
Well, it's because of the jersey The foldie category only offered a T-shirt, and for another RM40 additional registration fees I would be getting the jersey.
Yes... the AhPek Biker is also a bit of a kedekut, stingy in ways Heh. Heh!
The Friday prior to the event, Sin, Nash, Wee, Kookkeong & me went to collect our jerseys & goodies at The Intermark. The goodies came in a mini-duffle bag but not much was in it - jersey, rider's number tags, timing chip and some discount vouchers.
We rode from Taman Tasik Titiwangsa and then continue on to Taman Tasik Ampang Hilir after doing our collection. Being fun fellows we had some comic relief at the lake at Ampang Hilir.
Or acting as marine commandos!
So the night before, like many of the other participants, I prepared myself & my bike for the following day's event. Stuck rider's number tags to my riding helmet, jersey & bike.
Tied on the timing chip to the front fork (this will auto-track my riding time, but more on this later).
The Challenge Ride starts pretty early at 6:15 am, so I will have to wake up by 4:00 am.
I dunk down two cans of Tiger Beer to help me sleep earlier.
Sorry, this is an odd habit of mine. I am a night owl and tend to sleep late.
On the morning of the ride, I parked my car at Jalan U Thant. Together with JK Khoo, I rode over to Pelita Nasi Kandar where we met more friends and had an earlier breakfast before riding over to KLCC for the start.
The ride route will take us from KLCC(Kuala Lumpur City Centre)>Jalan Raja Chulan>Jalan Tun Perak>Jalan Parlimen>Jalan Tun Ismail>Jalan Kuching>Jalan Sultan Ismail>Jalan Tengku Abdul Rahman>Jalan Dang Wangi>Jalan Ampang>KLCC (per lap of 12.1 km.)
Most of the route will be relatively flat except for a short stretch along Jalan Tun Ismail.
For the Challenge Category, it will be four laps around the route.
Time : 6:45 am - 8:45 am
Time Taken : 2:16 hrs. (including 2 short stops for photos)
Note : for a better mood click here to run the Chariots of Fire theme Song. It will open in another window, click this tab to return here.
PRELUDE
I have joined several public events before, but they were mainly fun & social rides - riding at a casual pace with friends and also making new friends.
But this one is different, this one is an international event with foreigners taking part too. It will be a competitive ride with the more serious bikers taking this as a race, especially in the Challenge category which I will be joining.
 |
| The OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2013 Ride Jersey |
But why join the Challenge when there is no hope of winning against the faster road bikers.
Well, it's because of the jersey The foldie category only offered a T-shirt, and for another RM40 additional registration fees I would be getting the jersey.
Yes... the AhPek Biker is also a bit of a kedekut, stingy in ways Heh. Heh!
 |
| "Man-Crocodile" or Buaya coming up from the lake. |
I dunk down two cans of Tiger Beer to help me sleep earlier.
Sorry, this is an odd habit of mine. I am a night owl and tend to sleep late.
 |
| Wee & me having breakfast at Pelita |
 |
| OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2013 Ride Map (click for Map Link) |
Most of the route will be relatively flat except for a short stretch along Jalan Tun Ismail.
For the Challenge Category, it will be four laps around the route.
THE RIDE
THIS IS IT!
We were all ready, tense and eager to start-off.
At close to 6:45 am the horn blared out; we rolled off and started pedaling furiously.
The moment we started we rode over these black sensor pads, they sense the signal from our timing chips and will keep track of our riding time.
I will be riding four laps in the Challenge Category. My plans was to ride as fast (but of course safely too) as I could for the first three laps. For the fourth lap, I will ride slower so as to be able to take photos; and it will be brighter then so the photos hopefully will turn out clearer.
Completing the first lap in 25 minutes (that's impressive for an old dog like me!), I made a quick stop to quench my thirst and take some photos.
During the 2nd lap, at Jalan Parlimen, I made a quick stop to grab some photos - with the cyclists against a nice background, it was too tempting not to stop & take some shots *smiles*.
The cyclists on racers were really going fast, shouting "Left! Left!" at the slower ones to make way for them.
But did they mean they are coming from the left or that we are to keep left to give way, a bit of confusion there.
Even with that short photo stop, I was able to complete the 2nd lap in 30 minutes.
Not as fast as those racers, but still on track.
In the brighter sunlight, the Petronas Twin Towers can be seen towering over us - it was once the tallest building in the world.
The safety of the cyclists were well taken care off with temporary bright orange cones demarcating the riding route. Other vehicles were barred from entering the route.
At the turn off from Jalan P Ramlee to Jalan Raja Chulan.
Further down at Jalan Raja Chulan, there was a wet stretch caused by a leaking water pipe. This was a hazard area and a few cyclist fell and injured themselves here.
Along Jalan Tun Perak at the Masjid Jamek Monorail Station, with the monorail track & station above.
At Jalan Parlimen with the Bank Negara Malaysia (National Bank of Malaysia) buildings at the background.
There was a bit of clash of events. Another event, a walking one, was also using this area.
Unfortunately some of the walkers were walking along the road instead of the five-foot way.
At the junction of Jalan Sultan Salahhudin & Jalan Dato Onn, distinct with the bright red bungalow there.
Cycling slow up the slopes has its advantage.
Along here I met another new friend, Melody, from Hong Kong.
At the end of Jalan Tun Ismail, we were back to the flats, cycling adjacent to The Mall shopping mall and the Putra World Trade Centre.
Along Jalan Dang Wangi, the sun has now come out shining brightly.
At Jalan P Ramlee, almost at the finish, a nice arch has already been put up in anticipation of the coming Chinese New Year.
Encouraged, I was racing for the finish - so was my friend here but we still cordially waved at each other.
Yahoo! The Finishing Line.
(Note : those dark strips at the bottom are sensor pads to time the riders finishing time.)
The medallion that I received - something to be treasured.
My overall placing was #95 for Category H (that's for AhPeks) with a nett time of 2:16:21.
POST-RIDE
Going back to have a look at the finishing line, I noticed that there are three columns for finished riders to go through. Riders are given an isotonic drink, then their medal and then their timing chips removed.
We left the KLCC area and went to the nearby Restoran Selera Ampang, Wisma Central for lunch...
The Singapore team from Habitat For Humanity cause.
Many cyclists are active in promoting preserving the environment, it's something close to their hearts as cycling is a very "natural" act.
With the good food & good friends, we chatted, joked, traded cycling stories.....
What an good end to the event OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2013.
Till the next ride,
Ride Well Ride Safe.
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We were all ready, tense and eager to start-off.
At close to 6:45 am the horn blared out; we rolled off and started pedaling furiously.
 |
| Riders starting of at Jalan P. Ramlee |
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| Me with Yong Sin & Mohd. Radzi after my first lap |
But did they mean they are coming from the left or that we are to keep left to give way, a bit of confusion there.
Not as fast as those racers, but still on track.
 |
| Cycling along Jalan P Ramlee with the Shangri La Hotel in the background |
Further down at Jalan Raja Chulan, there was a wet stretch caused by a leaking water pipe. This was a hazard area and a few cyclist fell and injured themselves here.
A cyclist friend, it's my last lap now and I rode slower to take more photos.
Another cyclist friend.
Unfortunately some of the walkers were walking along the road instead of the five-foot way.
Jordan Chan, a new friend.
Just after this, we hit the slopes at Jalan Tun Ismail.
But my friends, including Jordan, took on these slopes quite well.
Along here I met another new friend, Melody, from Hong Kong.
I looked at my rear view mirror, Jordan is still with me - he is doing rather well.
And we are back along shady Jalan Ampang.
Made another new friend her..... Oops! I mean "here".
(Note : those dark strips at the bottom are sensor pads to time the riders finishing time.)
VICTORY!!!
The AhPek Biker has done it.
My overall placing was #95 for Category H (that's for AhPeks) with a nett time of 2:16:21.
POST-RIDE
Saw my friend Ch'ng Kai Nie there.
and this cute lady cyclist from London.
It was a time to celebrate with old friends - here with our Kaki Foldies group.
And new friends - Enc. Suza of Kemaman with his family.
Nash making new friends too.
They are from a fairly large team.
... where we found good curries ...
... and made some more new friends there.
The Green team from Geng Jaha9.
Many cyclists are active in promoting preserving the environment, it's something close to their hearts as cycling is a very "natural" act.
What an good end to the event OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2013.
Till the next ride,
Ride Well Ride Safe.
You may also like:
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An ride to promote cleanliness & green-ness in Penang. From Straits Quay, Tanjong Tokong to the Pulau Jerejak Jetty
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A ride for charity with a bonus thrown in - The Miss World Malaysia 2012 winners were going riding with us!
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First Day of a 3-day bike-packing adventure from KL to Malacca
Day 1 : Train Ride KL>Sg Gadut & Bike Ride Sg Gadut>Malacca |
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A public event, night riding at Putrajaya, ending with fireworks to usher in the New Year 2013.
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East meets West Fusion in a Balinese ambience of dining with nature, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Combo of food from various Western Countries, a hot-potch that surprisingly turned out very well, Citta Mall, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
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You are at - Jotaro's Blog / AhPek Biker / Cycling Malaysia / Kuala Lumpur / OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2013
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(comments most welcomed below. if you like this pls share via facebook or twitter)
(comments most welcomed below. if you like this pls share via facebook or twitter)
hello i am asri lanka fomer cyclist, i like to 2014 this fun evant partesepart please help to me my e mail add/ saliyaweerakkody@gmail com
ReplyDeleteDear Saliya,
DeleteThx for your interest in the OCBC Kuala Lumpur ride.
So far there has been no news on when the 2014 event will be.
Once dates are clear, I will send you another reply so that you can register.
Dear Saliya,
DeleteSeems like OCBC Cycle Kuala Lumpur will be held on Jan 17-19 2014.
Check this site :
http://www.ocbc.cyclemalaysia.com.my/about-the-experience/about-ocbc-cycle-malaysia/
is this even allways in january? I just found a good offer for flight + hotel on http://www.tiket.com and will be in malaysia at this time in 2015
ReplyDeleteHi francois,
DeleteSo far for 2013 and 2014 the OCBC Cycle Malaysia event has been held on January.
However for 2915 it's best to check with them.
This is their website:
http://www.ocbc.cyclemalaysia.com.my/ocmy/contact-us/
Regards
the AhPek Biker
Hi francois,
DeleteOCBC has just made the latest announcement on the dates for Cycle Malaysia & Cycle Singapore.
The dates are 19th January for Cycle Malaysia & 12th April 2015 for Cycle Singapore.
Check this link:
http://cycleasia.com/?utm_source=CA+-+CS15&utm_campaign=CA&utm_medium=email
Regards.