RA's Journal: Warm Up Stage Over, The Penang Report

Last Leg of Warm Up Stage Report - Penang

Total mileage: 920km

After two solid weeks of rest, it’s now time to give the last part of warm up leg a go to see if I can do the big one – Indonesia. While in Singapore, I had the chance to tie up some loose ends, like improving the gears and, catching up with family and friends. Interestingly, I met a very warm dear friend, we haven’t spoken for a long time and meeting her was really heartwarming. She hasn’t changed one little bit and we spoke mostly about bicycle, as she being a cyclist herself knew what I would be going through. I’m glad to have met her a day before I left for this last leg of my warm up stage. I also rode with the “slackers”. Don’t be deceived by their nickname. These riders are one of the most hardcore bunch of cyclist I’ve ever known. A good mixture of mountain bikers, road racers, fixies and Slacker wannabe but they get together once or twice a week to have fun, eat and ride. They can be found on Facebook page: Wednesday Nite Riders. Go ahead, look out for them and talk to any of them. Other than that, I also rode some distance and continued with my light training as I did not want to make my injury worse. It’s all good on the preparation side and I had loads of home cooked food, especially my favorite sambal goreng prepared by my elder Sister. Thank you sis.

Before we start the ride report, as per tradition, we will answer 5 questions before the start and 5 more at the end. Please keep sending your question to fluidrider@gmail.com

The First Five Questions:

Question 01: (Face2Face Question):

Any funny moments during your training?

Answer:

One day I was on Lorong Halus in the morning for my training on the western loop segment, I saw worms, hundreds of them coming out onto the small track (old road). I always try my best to avoid rolling over these pure little creatures. There were too many and controlling my bicycle, weaving from left to right, I rode straight into a rainwater stream! *smile*

I wasn’t angry or anything, I was actually happy that I made an effort to avoid them. These are the little things that made me smile and laugh when I think of it again.

Question 02: (Face2Face Question):

You mentioned earlier about training for a year? How do you keep it fun and relevant to last a year?

Answer:

This is a very good question. For the first three months, I tried to make my training fun by riding to places I had never been before. I rode with friends and encouraged them to ride for fun with me at night (that was also how the Wednesday night rides started). Slowly I move onto riding seriously on my own and riding everywhere I go. Next, I prepared a training program lasting 3 months each. The most important thing is too take it easy. Throughout the entire 14 months or so, I kept only using two bicycles for my training. In the early stages of my training, I was on a Kona Shred, a heavy jump bike to work on my basic fitness and strength. While riding on the Kona, I kept a lookout for some other bike for my next stage of training – Phase II, something that can fit me, my style of riding and my specific cycling adventure. Your training program is very important too and you need to be very discipline tokeep up to your training program. There are a lot of distractions around us, our friends, family, work and what not. If we can balance all that, we should be ok. I try to be home by 9pm and sleep by 10pm to get up early the next morning for the early morning session.

Start with a decent bike, like your training program, ride easy the first one or two months and from there upgrade slowly basing on your needs with trial and error from your ride training experience – NOT FROM WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK WHAT SUITS YOU. As you get fitter, your bike gets better and it feels lighter. To keep your training fun and relevant, go ride at different places. Ride with different people and riders with different fitness level. Do crazy things like ride in the rain, ride early in the morning, ride overnight to test your mental, and ride with people you don’t know. Simulate your actual adventure ride. These will help you to have fun and keeping it relevant. Just a couple of weeks ago, I rode with a sixteen year old young boy following his pace. That to me is to make my training fun and relevant (and crazy)

NOTE: To me everything comes at a price. Whenever I choose to do something, I choose not to do something else. The trick is to choose wisely and spend your time doing the things that will benefit you and many others. I choose to do this for the village kids in Indonesia, so that is not so bad.

Question 03: (FaceBook Question):

Other than fitness, what other skills does one need to do such an adventure cycling?

Answer:

Just to name a few - observation skills, navigational skills, negotiation skills, on top of your riding skills. Long distance adventure cycling is not just about riding your bike long distances on and off the road, it is about riding your bike in different places, terrains, situations and sometimes weather. You’ll need to be able to handle and control your loaded bicycle in tight corner. You’ll need to be able to at least to do minor repairs. You’ll need to last at least a week cycling long distances consecutively. As for riding skills, I train my bike control and handling whenever possible riding it at the slowest speed and maneuvering it at tight corners. I set up a slalom course, ‘S’ course, riding on a plank to simulate tight roads, riding during wet weather (to also test my waterproofing system), riding it off-road and once I even rode inside a monsoon drain next to Bedok Reservoir . I ride in heavy traffic downtown regularly. I practically rode everywhere to test the limit of the bike and myself. Like riding a motorbike, checking your blind spot is very important. There are smaller skill sets one need to have to be able to ride far and over certain periods, but at the end of the day, it’s all common sense really. If you don’t have that, it’s hard to do anything else. I think I will write more separately. Let me get my 2nd leg of this adventure started, done and over.

Question 04: (Face2Face Question):

How do you prepare yourself mentally?

Answer:

There is no mental training I know that works 100%. I’ve heard how an all women Japanese Ultimate team prepared for a big tournament mentally. What they did was to visualize the game an hour before they actual played. As for me, I like to play around with my mind. For example, I would tell myself today for training I will ride 60km and when that is done, I will ride another 60km. It’s not easy but I just need to learn how to push myself as there is no one else to push me. Sometimes I change my route at the last minute, say from a flat route session to a hilly route session. It’s hard to prepare yourself mentally. Like the Japanese Women Ultimate team, I will visualize my next day’s ride based on the route map and info I got in hand.

Question 05: (FaceBook Question):

Now that you have completed cycling around Penang and in Georgetown, can you share with us how safe it was to cycle around Penang and in Georgetown? Is it advisable to cycle around Penang on a folding bicycle?

Answer:

Cycling in Penang and around Penang to me is like cycling in other parts of Malaysia or Singapore. You need to practice defensive riding. Have adequate safety features on your bicycle like side view mirrors, lights and wear something that is visible by other motorist. (a reflective vest is highly recommended) Courtesy goes a long way too. Wave your hand to say thank you whenever you’re given way or get a friendly honk. As for cycling in Georgetownitself, if you’re cycling in a big group of 6 or more, it’s nicer to cycle over the weekend when traffic is less. Try to follow the marked bicycle routes and follow the traffic law. And for extra peace of mind, plot the makan places you want to go and places you want to see and share it with the rest of your cycling friends. This will make your cycling experience more pleasant. Penang is not only Georgetown, Gurney Drive and it food, it’s more than that, it’s filled with history. You will need at least 4 days to explore Penang and about a month to really see its beauty fully. As for cycling using folding bike. Yes, I think it’s possible. Penang is much friendlier than Batam Island and less polluted. But I must tell you, be prepared for a lot of climbing.

The famous Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, but its not open

The Report - Last Warm Up Stage, Penang (12 November 2011):

I‘m done with the last stage of my warm up leg in Penang. Three days on a bicycle here brought me everywhere and there was still more for me to come back for. I will write more on that later but now, let me finished this last stage report.

Penang Day 01:

I arrived very early into Penang Island and practically rode right in the storm throughout the morning. Good thing that I am in my new rain gear (the name is so difficult to pronounce and spell I am just going to name it – Fluidrider rain jacket for now). It was crazy thinking back now. In the end, I stopped and found shelter somewhere when the lighting strikes began. After the rain subsided, I continued my journey slowly into heart of Georgetown. It was really a good feeling to be back here again. Just in June, we were here for a leisure group ride. I reached the place I was staying early by a day and I was glad I booked myself at a friendly and service oriented place, Hutton Lodge. I was soaking wet, cold and haven’t had my breakfast this morning. The duty manager for the day, Nathan sorted me out immediately. While waiting for my room, I was served double breakfast with hot coffee and orange juice–on the house. What topped that off was that I was surrounded by curious looking fellow travelers. I met a fellow Ultimate Frisbee Player from Canada, Mike. I met a Romanian couple cycling around Asia. I met a Canadian couple on their 30th Honeymoon. Apparently their daughter did once play Ultimate! (Do you know marrying a Canadian is like marrying a well behaved American? Errrr that is what I was told) I met a Swedish couple who just love Penang food that they come back once a year. Actually, it was for the weather too. Each time for a month long!

In front of Hutton Lodge, Penang

Right after breakfast, my room was ready and I quickly got the bags in and got myself cleaned. I’m not sure how long I was sleeping when I heard a knock on the door. Jeremy, the lodge F&B guy bought me a special nasi campur. I tell you, it was so delicious! Earlier on riding into Georgetown, I felt like I’m back to a place I think I might want to come back for a longer holiday. Wait, I think I’m coming back to all the places I rode through for a holiday!

I spent the afternoon riding around Georgetown. I rode into every little street in Georgetown. I’m impressed to hear stories from the locals on the places I am on. Every corner has its story. I think I spoke to every person that has a story on their face. I went back to the lodge happy and knew that my trip here wasn’t wasted. I slept early that night as I knew I had a big ride the next day.

Old look of Georgetown, Penang

Penang Day 02:

I’m still a little off from the 2 weeks break. Woke up slightly late at 7am got myself sorted and ready for the day’s training ride. Today’s riding goal was to test my fitness and my knee to see if it could take consecutive hard climbing and add some long distance pace. Why I didn’t do it in Singapore? Yes, I did in Singapore and after doing it almost daily for the last 6 months or so, I found it wasn’t that hard riding in Singapore anymore and the knee wasn’t up to 100% until I left.

This was the morning that changed the rest of my adventure planned route. I had a long telephone work meeting over breakfast. It was really very demoralizing to be talking work at this stage of the adventure. I psyched myself to take on Penang and put work temporarily aside. I left the lodge late at 9am and knew Penang was not going anywhere…I am not going to bore you with my training ride in Penang but I must tell you this – Get a friend or two (even better, more) of your cycling friends and come to Penang, at least 4 days (leave at night if you are taking the bus). First day, ride around town to acclimatize and familiarize yourself with the roads and other motorist’s behaviors. Second day, ride around Penang Island slowly and enjoy the journey, take pictures and eat whatever you think is edible. Third day, ride in Georgetown and in smaller streets. You’ll find out why I’m telling you this. Fourth day, walk around town, shop and eat. At night take the bus home. Take a bus there, fly or drive as long as you enjoy the journey.

Today is also the day I visit one of our dear friend, Ah Siong. He is our Penang vehicle mechanic. We met in June this year when we visited his workshop. Anyway, his workshop is along the way around Penang Island, so that was not a problem at all. I did some hill climbing along the way to see how well my knee could cope. Drivers here were great with cyclist. Most of the time they would slow down and follow from behind until they see an opportunity to overtake and then give a friendly honk. So, it’s really a friendly island to cycle, just like many parts of Malaysia. But that doesn’t mean you can cycle whichever way you want. Practice defensive riding all the time and be courteous to the other road users.

Ah Siong & I at his workshop

I reached Ah Siong’s workshop just before lunch, we shook hands, hugged and it felt really good to be meeting him again. I got my visit extended when he asked me to join him for a special Nasi Campur lunch. The same delicious lunch Jeremy bought me yesterday and I didn’t mind it at all. We chatted more after lunch and I promised Ah Siong to come back to Penang for a holiday when I am done with the Adventure.

Special Nasi Campur lunch at Ah Siong's workshop

Here at Ah Siong’s workshop is where I met one of Penang’s prominent gentleman. It was over a simple conversation of where I am from, where I am going with the bicycle that I got to know him. I didn’t have any idea who he was until he left.

*Due to the sensitivity of his status, I was asked not to write anything more on this encounter with him.

I said my goodbyes to Ah Siong and his fellow mechanics and continued on my way. By now it got so hot I was regretting not to be fully suited for today training ride. In the end, this wasn’t the first time I’m riding in this kind of weather so I pedaled on. No excuses.

The ride today brought me too many places that I‘ve never been when I was here the first time in a car in 1993. I can’t remember the places I’ve been too then when I was young except for Batu Feringghi. The only downside for today ride was that I wasn’t with my traveling bags and I didn’t have any option but to rush back to Georgetown before it got dark. I got back to the lodge safely and quickly got cleaned then headed out for dinner.

After the ‘work call’ this morning, I knew I needed to change my Indonesia planned route further. Not an easy thing to do. Lots of mapping and looking at the whole route and duration I have left. My entire Adventure just got tougher as each week past me by. I lost 2 weeks resting in Singapore and now just when everything was about to be on the road again, I was asked to come home. No email or internet can help me this time as I needed to be in one school physically. I love what I am doing teaching kids to play Frisbee, so no second thoughts on that. I know this will make my adventure harder as I am now about to lose another week of cycling times.

Penang Day 03:

I stayed up late last night planning my route and re-looking at the options I have left. I was bummed out but what is there for me to do. It’s my work and I need to execute that. I didn’t feel like doing anything else but ride my bike out to get some ‘fresh air’. So I took my bike out and rode along Georgetown’s smaller streets. I wasn’t sure if there was other options, and basically I was at a lost. I rode to Air Asia office to just check with them if they would fly me and my bike (if I wanted too). The branch manager gave a call to the airport operations people and I was told no good. I had to put the bike in a box. Next I rode to FireFly office. Same thing, I need to box the bicycle and hear this. FREE 20kg and the excess, would be RM40.00! My total weight is in excess of 28kg. It’s really something new, as my dealings with Singapore Airlines, I wasn’t told about the cost of excess weight.

Today was also the day I met Mr. David, a security officer at the Sir Francis Light and Anglican Church monument. He was the one that allowed me in the monument after closing hour and became my guide. We spoke for some time and as usual I asked him about the history of Georgetown. I found out Mr. David has never been out of Penang or Malaysia and for that, I extended an invitation for him to visit Singapore with his wife. The plan was I would bus it to Penang to fetch them both back to Singapore. I hope this small gesture will lead to many more good things for them.

Well, my own journey was getting tougher and sadly, unforeseen circumstances with work needed me to return to Singapore before I took off again for Medan. This time I would be flying in to Medan from Singapore (that is the best I can think of and I will need to look into that excess baggage issue). It was really hard to be making this decision, but I know this is just another bump in my adventure. I’m ok with returning home and finishing up the work and at the same time do more climbing training. I think that is all for now and I will see you people in Singapore next week before I take off again at the end of the week.

I am signing out with the next 5 questions.

The last five questions:

Question 06: (Face2Face Question):

Safety while on the road when you train and ride in Singapore. How do you take that extra precaution?

Answer:

Always plan your route the night before. Choose a route with less traffic if you plan to ride on the road. Choose an old road preferably. Before you ride, take a look at your route again and try to remember the dangerous areas, such as right turns, major road with speed limit of 70kmh. Next, make sure your family members know the route you’ll be taking or at least one cycling friend has got the planned route. Road safety wise, if you plan to ride on the road, stay on the road and if you plan to ride on the pavement (not advisable at night from personal experience) stay on the pavement. This way, other motorists know that you’re there and will stay there. I once saw a cyclist just literally jump from a pavement to the road. That is dangerous. I always choose to ride in the middle of the extreme left lane (sometimes in the bus lane). I have had no problems at all with that, as the other motorists will just use the lane next to me. Buses did the same too. I usually will raise my hand to say ‘thank you’ and I got the thumbs up sign from them. Road courtesy goes a long way and we all know it too as many of us drive.

The other is if you’re riding on the pavement and at the junction waiting for lights, please dismount. A rider was balancing on his bike and grabbing the light post when he lost balance and rode onto the road! So please, dismount and be patient.

Question 07: (Face2Face Question):

I am a leisure rider and last week I joined a group for a long distance ride locally. Being the weakest, I got left far behind. Have you experience something like that in your cycling group?

Answer:

If you know you’re weak, you shouldn’t have joined the long distance ride. But since you already did, I am sure you know now that when someone says “we are slow cyclist”, you need to ask, “how slow?”. Slow to some can be 25-30kmh. I think in a big cycling convoy, such things do happen but most importantly, the sub-group need to know the route and destination. That way it’s easier for the slower group to take their time to ride knowing where the end point will be. But if it’s your own sub-group that left you behind, then you need to ask them why it happened.

From my little experience, it’s better and easier to follow then to lead, there are so many things the leader needs to be doing. One of it is navigating and usually if I am leading, I will have a strong younger guy riding next or behind me and act as my “runner”. This way, if I am going too fast and if there is any sub-group far behind me, I can ask my younger fitter wingman to be the marker at any junction. It will be much easier if the leader briefed on the route before any ride no matter how easy and short. This way everyone can be prepared for what to expect. Information is power. Next the sweeper must be damn good at navigating too. If I am the sweeper, the main group can leave me and those who are slow far behind, and I will make sure those who fall out will catch up at the next checkpoint. Why? Because I will always ask for the route, even if there wasn’t any briefing before the start. You got to start asking, “where are we going, what are the routes we will be taking, how far, what are we eating?”

Question 08: (Face2Face Question):

Can I bicycle tour without map or GPS?

Answer:

This is a very interesting question from a lady cyclist. Yes, you can. I like the idea of stopping and asking for directions. Sometimes I do keep my GPS in the bag and just follow the many road signs or stop to ask question. It all depends on where you will be travelling on and for how long. It’s advisable to carry at least a local map. Entering into Penang Island, it was raining heavily and I kept my maps and GPS in the bag. I literally traveled following the road signs and instinct. It was truly an experience as I ended up taking shelter at an old public housing. It reminded me of a place in the movies - dark, gloomy and scary and this was in Penang. If I would to travel using the GPS, I don’t think I would have end up at the place I mentioned.

Question 09: (FaceBook Question):

I think I am in love with bicycle touring. I cycle but I don’t know how to read maps and use the GPS. Can I still bicycle tour?

Answer:

Yes, you can. Get a mate who can do that for you. In return, you do the cooking, laundry or packing. You don’t have to know all the bicycle touring skills. Sometimes it’s good to share tasking. If you’re good at navigating, by all means, step forward and lead, otherwise just follow and be thankful.

Question 10: (FaceBook Question):

You mention in your earlier blog posting that your heading in Malaysia was northeast or northwest. If I am going in to Malaysia from Singapore, should I follow Northeast or Northwest? Isn’t Malaysia to the North of Singapore?

Answer:

If you are going into Malaysia from anywhere in Singapore on your bicycle, look for the sign, ‘Woodland Road’ or ‘Woodland Checkpoint’. From my little experience, you cannot cycle using the Second Link. Once you’ve crossed the water, look for whichever sign that will lead you to your next destination (The signboards are usually green in colour). In our imperfect cycling world, the roads are not straight, hence the Northeast and Northwest heading (sometimes back down south to go up North again) Hope that helps 