Event date: 8 May 2016 (Sunday)
Shwuni as usual, she hated ascending so much, whereas I always have the phobia on descending, especially steep rolling down! The most challenging route that we climbed so far was during the Genting K.O.M challenge. Actually that also the only one! Lol~
The crazy elevation!
When I proposed to participate in this cycling events, I think the only reason she joined me is because the event was at Penang, the food paradise! Anyway, we are the cycling buddy, so both of us take the challenge and this was our first out-station event!
Pre-race
We depart to Penang on Saturday early morning, plan to stay at Balik Pulau for 3D2N, to have a good rest before and after the race.
Due to the limited space of my Myviä»”, Shwuni will be the driver driving her Almera. Reached Penang at lunch hour, perfect timing!!! Lol~ we need to carb load right?!
Too busy eating until forget about taking photos~
After our lunch, is time to head to the venue location, Kompleks Sukan Balik Pulau to collect race kit then check in our home-stay at Balik Pulau. We were just too lazy to travel, so the nearer the better!
Too busy eating until forget about taking photos~
After our lunch, is time to head to the venue location, Kompleks Sukan Balik Pulau to collect race kit then check in our home-stay at Balik Pulau. We were just too lazy to travel, so the nearer the better!
While on our way to Balik Pulau, we have to de-tour to take the longer route thru Jalan Teluk Kumbar because there's lorry overturn at the junction to enter Jalan Tun Sardon. During the journey, we already foresee how dead we gonna be on the next day. The road is hilly!! And that time it was raining so it become foggy. The whole journey to Balik Pulau both of us were keep mumbling, "die lo!" "Walao, why so steep?!" "Tomorrow how to climb up o?!" All the way!
The foggy and hilly road
Balik Pulau, it is like another world even though it is on Penang Island, same with Georgetown. In Georgetown, you can see commercial buildings and some historical buildings. Here, it is totally different feel, the "balik kampung" feel! You can be completely relax here! We will save this place for next trip, to explore more when we are not in a rush or exhausted.
The race kit collection was smooth, and not too crowded. Probably due to heavy rain, people just stay at home or hotel to relax not as kiasu as us. Lol~ After collection, we head to our lovely home-stay - Balik Pulau Booklodge B&B!
I love the basin!
The home-stay has a very nice name - 书屋!! The lady owner is very kind and helpful. After check-in we decided to have a quick nap before meet with Jenny, our Penang new friend.
Cozy and comfy room!
Jenny and her husband brought us around Balik Pulau, and to Georgetown food hunting! And we accidentally did route recce as we on the way to Georgetown.
That's always good and bad about recce the route. You can have prepared mind for your game, or you get terrified!
After "carb-loading", they sent us back early for good rest and preparation.
Next challenge, gotta bring along my hydration-pack and more gels!!
Race Day
The lady owner super kind, she woke up early to prepare breakfast for us and another 2 guys next door who came all the way from Singapore to participate this event! The flag off was 7am, imagine my Kiasu-ness as usual, even the venue was so near to our home stay, I make sure we wake up at 5am for breakfast. We actually did bought some bread for breakfast cause we don't wanna trouble her so early. Mana tau, she still woke up this early with us and make us some hard boiled eggs and cereals! So touching~ it is just home-stay, she could have just leave us alone. But she did her best to make sure all her guests are well taken care of!!! *5-stars given*
Breakfast before cycling! *the 2 Singaporean guys specified they want "Kampung Eggs"
Nice lady owner at the back busy preparing breakfast
Once we reach the venue, did some quick check-up and "final relief" and cycling warm up around the carpark. When we were gather at the starting line, we saw not much of foldie, at that point we really salute ourselves being so daring to challenge the climb with only foldie, a original foldie with no add-ons or modification! *proud face*
Before - fresh face
The flag off was on time, and the route before entering the hill was cycling around the Kampung. We felt so good that time, start fresh, the breeze air is fresh too!
We were still very enjoying the ride as the route was well planned and all riders were still riding in group. Everything has changed when we enter the first hill!!! Actually the first and second hill was the same, is just after the first hill attack, we u-turn go back the same route, pass the same hill then only turn into another road for the third hill.
Just like cycling in kampung when I was in hometown
The challenging part not just the hilly road to conquer, but seeing those pro-riders were on their way back when we still struggling to make it to the u-turn point aka check-point. Those elite riders or serious riders were really fast on the up and down. Other riders like us, we take our own sweet time taking some pit-stop resting, photo session and chit-chat a bit. These does make it a little easier to go with.
Ok ok fresh face
Still can selfie - ok la~
The start of suffering - no photo afterwards
The differences can be seen after the checkpoint (u-turn point), most of the leisure riders like us, were getting slower, even though with downhill. The pack is getting smaller and smaller, eventually only me and shwuni only. And when we finally come back from the hill, the route almost empty, no marshals/crews spotted. We only can ride with our sense of direction based on instinct or 6-sense or whatever.
The organizer did give the route map in the race guide, but hey, 66km in total!!! Running event 10km also cannot memorize the route la~ Don't expect everyone have cycling computer which can pre-load the course/map or use gps on phone.
Luckily we bumped into 2 helpful policeman and policewoman at the junction which we nearly make the wrong turn (and we might be lost in Balik Pulau) before heading up the third hill. They were kind enough to lead us until the correct way up to the final hill.
The final hill was killer!! You see cyclists pushing their bike, some even riding on motor coming down (not sure is it puncit or other reason). This was the first time I have to get out from my bike and push it up at some point it was too steep for my leg to push. Even 10m looks like forever here!! Literally go for a short distance, then have to sit beside the road and rest. And what make it worse was cars are moving really fast at the road. My water almost finish even I did refill at the check-point. Heard from other riders, there was suppose to be a water-station before the third hill, and it was closed when we pass-by. W.T.F!!
The last uphill route I was cycling all alone and really challenge my mental!! *Mental-game mode - ON* I have to keep telling myself to keep going every time after I sat down and rest. Whenever I stop for rest, the impulse of stopping a car to send me down getting stronger! I have to pushing myself from 1 lamppost to the next 1 then the next 1, just to keep moving.
The cut-off time is 4 hours. I could remember the feeling of fighting with time!! Like what I always said, "Die die also have to go!" I already make it this far, how could I give up and lost to the cut off time!! And when i start seeing the banner they hang on the lamp-post, "1km" "800m" "500m", never seen such a wonderful and motivating banner ever!!! I think I was pedal like chasing by zombie at the last 500m to the finish line!! With the sweats on my face, almost tongue out, pedal hard like no tomorrow! Why? Because I saw crews were clearing tables and taking down the banner!!! I thought it is already pass the cut-off time!!!! Luckily no photographer at the finish line.
When I saw the crew taking down my bib, felt relief that I still make it at the very last minute!! She was keeping the record sheets and pen after another few riders behind me have pass the finish line. The feeling was indescribable when crew put the medal on me, This was the time that I get to know normally cut-off time means start counting from the gun-time!! Not according to personal start time. Lol~
There's nothing much left at the finish line area. All riders were sit at the roadside, resting and complaining. Me and Shwuni joined them. We feel like dying at the moment when we realize we still have to cycle back to the venue!! Luckily we are not the only one who thought about that. When I overheard a lady asking the crew member whether they can take a lift on their lorry/4WD, I quickly join the team!
The lorry has only limited space as it has to transport all the banners/buntings/tables/chairs back to the starting point. So, only those look like really going to pengsan get on the lorry. Me and Shwuni keep stick around that lady as we also thought of getting a hitchhike to go back. Maybe the rest of the riders and us looks really tiring and pity, medical team let us to take a hitchhike on ambulance and our bike to put on the back of 4WD.
First time ever in ambulance
Almost fall asleep
All of us joking in the ambulance, very unique experience!!
Finally! We got back! We survive and conquer the hills!
When we reached the starting venue, there suppose to have lunch but all were gone! So after get change, we went for refuel!!!
Photo advertised in FB - What left when we're back was just empty plates... with kua-curry
How nice to have a Pedal Cafe around! Lol~
Pasta is good for recovery as well! Lol~
They have vege-option!!! *another 5 stars*
These are what exactly we need!
Met Ironman - Owen, coincidence we having lunch at the same row of shoplot! The world is small!
Post-race
Refuel! Rest! Refuel! Rest! Repeat!!!!
We went back to Pedal Cafe the next day! Just love it so so much!
After the event, we literally become like monster! Non-stop food ingest! Hahaha~ too much energy output! But isn't that the best part of being in Penang the food paradise!
Ok la, Penang not only about food! Sight-seeing~
I really have no idea whether I will come back to this challenge if they having 2017 version. Let's see, but this was a very fun ride apart from all the suffering... *nothing much left if ignore the suffer part*
The proud moment! p/s: can see my hands have the same shades again!!
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