Ride of Silence

I read on Ride of Silence from Fakawi Tribe a day earlier.

The Ride Of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. There is no brochure, no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during Bike Safety month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for those who have been killed or injured.

excerpt from Ride of Silence

Pre-ride briefing by the organizer

Back here in Malaysia, this ride is organised by Massa Kritikal on 20th May 2009. 30 cyclists turned up last night at Central Market Annexe as early as 6:00pm. Ijam, cyclist buddy who I bumped into him recently at S.N. Samy was co-organizer of the event. Some familiar faces were Sufino, Toyol Pemalu and Azizan Fixie. Noted 3 female cyclists, 1 of them was on fixie (single speed, fixed gear).

Fixie cycle chick from PJ

The ride finally rolled at 8:00pm. It was slow and quiet ride heading Jalan Pudu, Jalan Imbi, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Ampang (KLCC), Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan TAR, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Pudu, Jalan Imbi, Jalan Tun Razak and a stopover for liquid break at 10:30pm. I splitted from there at 11:15pm heading home.

Checkout photos of the ride from my camera here

Addendum
27/5 - Write up on Ride of Silence at Massa Kritikal

The man who didn't leave on time

I was late. Time was flying by.. 10 minutes late than usual. Taking a Shogun shall slow me down due to rolling resistance of knobbie tire. Yesterday I clock 50 minutes. Quickly dismantle lights and lock from Shogun and fit it on Spesh. The bell rang from nearby school indicating 7:30am.

From usual relax to heart-pumping mode, I took the motorcycle route between cars. Left most side of the road always jammed up with: -

• buses - who stop whenever/wherever they like
• pedestrian - standing on the edge of the curb waiting to cross the road despite the existence of overhead crossing
• queue jumper - cars coming out from no where and find other people time is less important than theirs
  

1 motorcyclist swerved in front of me gets a "nice and friendly" verbal remark. As a friendly Malaysian, we exchanged remark over high speed chase (his high speed motorcycle against my high speed heart rate).

I reached office 8:10am. Another rush for breakfast and shower before taking a sit and start working.

Lesson learnt
Next time, leave by 7:15am or take the motorcycle.

The man who can't get enough

Apparently, my Shogun is back, hitting the road. I put it to rest for a month after I sold it's 27" wheelset due to issue with "chain line" on single speed.

Long story short, an offer made by Mr Beskal on his XT shifter and RD left me with surplus Deore RD and shifter from Spesh. Fitted Shogun with read shifter & Deore RD, with a little tweak on Hi & Lo settings on the RD, I run it on 5 speeds only. This is due to maintaining the "chain line" within tolerable limit since I run on single chain ring (without FD); a potential disaster shall the chain derail from the chain ring.

Deore RD, 9 speed cassette and a pannier rack

I decided to set the record straight; Shogun for commuting, Scott for the trail, and Spesh for my version of road bike. Clearly, each bike has it very own setting that suit most for its intended purpose.

Riding Spesh to work is fast, however with a back pack on my back, thing gets a little warmer and steamy under the wind breaker. Thus Shogun is an ideal bike since it fitted with pannier rack that will easily take 20kg on it. My first encounter riding Shogun with back pack on the pannier rack was a pleasant one. Less steamy and better body movement to observe the traffic. Downside, a little awkward light feels on my front wheel as most weight is being shifted to the rear wheel.

My official commuting bike :)

My previous post on Denda
Someone peeled off the warning sign this morning and I swear it wasn't me.. Seriously :D

The usual parking spot. Now without the warning sign ;)

KLMBH Epic '09

Nothing much to brag about apart from able to finish it 2 hours after ride buddy Shaque. Met Mr and Mrs Irwan of Subang Bestari at CP4. Mrs Irwan helped my daughter during BTP hash. Leg was good, no cramped whatsoever until I squatted to change my puncture tube.

Mr and Mrs Irwan after CP6 (last checkpoint) From KLMBH Epic '09

Akmal Hizam from Plentong, JB From KLMBH Epic '09

Wishful thinking, I could have been finished it earlier if...
1. Didn't chat & smoke at CP2 (20 minutes)
2. Didn't chat & smoke at CP3 (20 minutes)
3. Didn't chat at CP4 (15 minutes)
4. Didn't puncture my tube while bombing down gravel (20 minutes)

Wahh.. that was 1:15 hours I could had save :)

Me and Shaque had a mutual understanding. Though we came together, we ride according to our capabilities. Keep it at our own pace so that the fast one (Shaque) won't be holding back, the slow one (me, all the time) didn't exert beyond my fitness capacity. This concept is applicable for hash/race outing, where paper is our guide for the route. Riding in less obvious trail requires a buddy system for safety reason.

RTW - Denda?

The sign reads "NO PARKING, DENDA RM15". Aiseyman.. How come can't park here?

The story goes back to early April when the company decided to relocate motorcycle parking lot to some other shaded area. Good move however not so bicycle friendly. Moist tarmac, cramped with fossil-fueled vehicle and some splash on rain water during heavy downpour. I take chances of 1st offence. They would issue warning letter, then fine subsequently.

Addendum
It was end of the day, picked my bike, no summon! :)