LABOUR DAY ROUND ISLAND FELLOWSHIP RIDE, 01 May 2001
This is gonna be a long journal, why, it was a very long ride!
Today is a public holiday, Labor Day, May 1st 2001 where all servants of any establishments are appreciated once a year for their contributions to the establishments and their respective country's growth.
We met at Sunrise Towers. We were supposed to meet before 7.30am so that we can commence the ride at 7.30 sharp, but it "poured cats and dogs" since 2am last night and the rain just subsided at about 7.15am. Gradually the group built up to quite a size. There were riders from the Vipers group, AID group, Nuikar Sixty Niners and our honored guests, the Kulim group. Of course there was always the Knights Of The Round Table (KOTRT, who else) that chaperoned the ride. Somehow at about 7.45am, the rain started again but it was just a slight drizzle. We can see all sorts of bikes and attires, not to mention the variety of shape and sizes of riders.
The ride commenced at about 8.15am, and we started of towards Tg. Tokong. It was cool weather and the air was crisp, it was the morning air with all the dust and matters in it washed away by the rain. It seemed like it was going to be a cool ride. However, you don't always get what you want. The moment we passed Tg. Tokong, all the cats and dogs poured on us! It rained again. It did not seem to dampen the spirit of the riders even though we were soaked to skin. We tackled the Tg. Bungah slope & Batu Feringgi's climb with determination, which made it look real easy. We grouped at Park Royal, a five star beach resort, but only at the corridors, to regroup and a short shelter from the rain.
Whoa, did we attract some attention. A European tourist couple asked me how far do we plan to go. When he heard that we were riding round the island, his jaws dropped, he was simply fascinated! After a brief rest, we moved on towards Telok Bahang, we will regroup again opposite the gas station to have our breakfast. It was again riding in the rain.
Oh ya, before I forget, the group had came up with their own call signal to other fellow riders to inform them of a rest or to stop, it was "Whoa! Ho! Woi! Yo!". They all seemed to shout at once together. Funny huh!
After Telok Bahang, we pushed off towards Balik Pulau. It was still raining. Again we were on the same route as we had during the beach party. It was Su Aun's slope again!
The rain did stop once we reached Titi Kerawang. After Titi Kerawang, it was downhill all the way until Balik Pulau. I can see a lot of waving from the verandahs and the coffee shops, encouragement from the locals, especially kids and SYTs. We regrouped in front of the Balik Pulau Police Station. No casualties yet!
After some photo session, it was time to hit the fearsome Jalan Tun Sardon. Derek and Su Aun gave me encouragement and some tips, pace myself, keep my rhythm. After the first km up Tun Sardon, Gary and Annuar, stopped to hand out 100 plus. I stopped to have a drink and saw the first casualty already on the truck. It was stop, ride, push, ride for me and some other riders. I had Tom Ostyn keeping me company. This climb is what we call " mother of climbs" and she sure did take toll on some of the riders. There were cramps, pure exhaustion, and did I hear someone fainted? Gary's truck was getting more passengers. It was a killer! When I reached the plateau, the group cheered 'cos I made it! Of course, I did my appreciation antics of my flying kisses and kicks!
After a brief rest, some food and drinks sharing, photo sessions, we started the much welcome downhill ride. It was a high-speed downhill ride. Riders were zooming pass me left and right. We turned out at Jalan Paya Terubong and then turn into Jalan Bukit Jambul. We did some slope climbing and minor downhill and turn of into Jalan Yeap Chor Ee where we did some minor climbs and downhill again. I saw one casualty here.
Once we reached Green Lane, it was everyone for himself. The ride finished a bit after 1pm. I saw Gary coming in his truck with a load of casualties. Andy said a minor accident happened before the ride ended, where a car crossed Andy's (Nuikar 69) path, he break hard and a rider hit his pedal and fell.
I would say the climaxes of this ride were the rides at Batu Feringgi, Telok Bahang, and Jalan Tun Sardon. Phew! Jalan Tun Sardon, 5km of climbs plus one killer climb.
However, as usual, the KOTRT's riders all made it in without any casualty, so did the Nuikar Sixty Niners. I don't know about the other groups, I actually don't know the casualties came from which group, but CONGRATULATIONS! WE MADE IT!
We did not only rode round the island; we CONQUERED THE MOTHER OF CLIMBS at Jalan Tun Sardon.
Recognition should be given to ST and Azmi for coordinating the ride, Gary and Annuar for acting as an exceptionally good Support Group and Support Vehicle.
Annndddd, I'm extremely please with myself........no more whining.....and completed the ride! I actually thought of getting into Gary's truck! But Naaaaaah! The guys will kill me!
Faz