A Break Fast ride in Penang, 18 December 2000

It has been three weeks of non biking activities for our Muslim friends. I am pretty sure, they are pressing their balls when they see us enjoying our morning ride every Sunday and vividly talk about it afterwards. Finally, one of the Knights, Azmi decides to do something about it - a nite ride after breaking fast!

We had eight riders showed up in the Caltex Gas Station, Greenlane. I was the first who arrived at the venue, and I saw no one, I mean none of my riding buddies were there. My heart sank to the bottom. I thought I got conned by them again. Luckily, minutes later the whole convey of them showed up! We quickly fixed up our machines, mount the lighting equipments and set to go.

The traffic was heavy at Jalan Yeap Chor Ee, considered it was Monday. Traffic on Monday night was supposed to be light. But it was different. The road was full of traffic that we had to be careful when crossing the junction or decided to overtake a slow vehicle. The situation became better when we reached Jalan Bukit Jambul, a quiet but exclusive housing area next Equatorial Hotel!

The difference between the night ride and our usual weekend was the nice cold air, which we never had chance to enjoy. There was climb at Jalan Bukit Jambul. The initial climb was okay. We had done it couple of times already. But when the leader of the ride decided to be more adventurous and felt that the climb at Jalan Bukit Jambul, it was totally different story! I did not know the gradient but it was sure heavy with 34-18 combo. The double barrel Cat Eye halogen headlights could not even provided me enough light to see what would I expect in front. Luckily, the climb was not long. Afterwards, we were greeted by a welcoming descent, which at least a relieve to our Muslim riders that had not been riding since a month ago!

We continued our journey to Sungai Ara and cut into Teluk Gumbak, a swift tarmac ride with no climb to tackle. Azmi was with me in the front, while the rest were trying their best to keep up with us! I might be slow in climbing. But when on road, just remember I was a roadie before, and I was very much into it okay? The distance was getting lmore and more as we cruising along Jalan Gombak. I did not how fast I was going. One thing for sure, I was crusing at 35+ kph!

We finally regroup at the junction before we headed to Bayan Baru coastal road. Azmi and I were the first arrived at the junction. Being a roadie also, Azmi showed no sign of fatique. Apparently, he knew how to pace himself. While the rest were struggling to keep up with us and forgot about pacing! We rested for about 10 minutes for the late comers to catch up their breath and we continued again.

The whole ride lasted about two and the half hours. The air was cooling, speed was fast and it was totally different sensation than usual day ride! We could do it at much faster pace if we all were at the same level. I truly enjoyed the ride. It surely brought back my sweet memory of my time of roading riding/racing.

We have decided to do it again. We probably do it on Chrismast eve. There was even a talk of making it a weekly event, something like Peloton ride in KL. It really seems like the nite ride bug bitten the KOTRTs!

Stay tuned!