I've won the 30-year-old Brooks on Ebay!!

Yes!!!! Yesterday my offer won the Brooks B17 which was offered for USD45.00 on ebay. My offer was $40. Maybe nobody else is offering the as high. Perhaps it is easier for those overseas to get a hold of new or used Brooks at almost similar price. But since in Malaysia the nearest that I can get is a new one costing RM600 (not B17 though) I consider my offer (RM180) was worth it. Plus it comes with Proofide. Can't get it here.

Now the thing making me anxious is when will I receive the package. It appears that the seller use Belgium post service (he is in Belgium). There is no tracking number given yet but he says shipping is within 10 days of receiving payment. I haven't leave any feedback yet, waiting for the package to arrive first.

Well, at least I have about a week off the bike for now since my ankle still swell from gout. Plenty of time to wait.

Cao

Got Gout again.

Just as I just started to ride MTB again, the gout hit me again. This time it attacks below my right ankle on the inside. It has been more almost 6 days now. I went for the "Bekam" treatment last Wednesday (picture 1,2,3) The 3rd picture is part of the "dirty blood" suck out of the affected area. Previous treatment, I feel the improvement immediately, but this time around it is bad. Just a slight relief but swelling worsen the day after.

Too bad that I had to miss the test ride of a new freeride park in Shah Alam today. A couple of friends went there this morning to test the facilities before they are open to public later (don't know when).

Besides that, this time around I could not even ride my road bike since the ankle hurts so bad, that I was walking with crane assistance for a couple of days.

Hopefully the swelling will go down tommorrow. I just can't wait to get back into the saddle... I wish I can get a Brooks Soon.. I've been outbid in Ebay unless the high bidder retract tomorrow.

Cao.

Brooks saddle

How I would love to get a B17 brooks saddle for my ride.

I've experience the feel of leather saddle before and love it. Although it was on a friends bike and I guess his butt is almost same as mine that the saddle worn in nicely for him and me.

But I could not find it a any local shop except Bikepro but the price is a whopping RM600. Almost double from the price online including postage. There were a couple of them on ebay but most only service to the US. I'm waiting for a reply from one seller whether he'll courier the item to KL and the cost. If ok I may buy or buy it from him. Another online shop Chain Reaction Cycles, also carry the saddles and at discounted price total caost from here is RM300. Is it worth it?

From a lot of review and comment, it appears a worthwhile investment.

I'm slow...

Last Sunday went to Kiara for downhill sessions... This time around I managed to pedal all the way up to the trailhead on the tar road. Before this, I would took at least around 10-15 minutes walking and pushing my hardtail up the road... kind of embarassing actually when people looking I'm all pad up for downhill but pushing up a "hardtail".. So there the benefits of road cycling... I'm never gonna laugh at roadies anymore... now I know how fit they are.

Enough about being fitter. So, there were like 30 riders with dh/trailbike each with about 5-8 inches travel at the back and me with the hardtail. Maybe less than 10 were riding hardtails. We played around near the temple and then it was time ride down. This is when I realise how slow I am... or how the other riders have gotten faster... even if they weren't on the full sussers, I don't think I could catch them. They were screaming down the hill... in no time I lost them.. good thing that they stop at the "Rock garden" trail junction, cause if not I would have been lost (I am not that familiar with that trail.

It was bone jarring. I've bump the saddle too much that the screw came loose... and the saddle tilted upward poking my bum. Ouch! Good thing the trail ended soon afterwards I can sit again. My thigh was getting pumped. How I wish I had not sold my Stinky '05. Hmmmmm....
Cao.

3 puncture in one ride......

Today I was suppose to ride with another office mate who just started to commute by bicycle to work. He will only cycle on friday for now. I was suppose to lead him on the ride home today.
But, it turns out he was there today to accompany me while I change and repair my front wheel for 3 times on the way home.

Can you believe it? First it was a snake bite I think. My mistake cause I forgot that the skinny road tyre can actually fit into the opening of the gutter cover. I can hear the "clunk" sound. How I wish I was on the MTB that moment.

The puncture wasn't immediate. After about 1.5 km into our commute home, I feel the front wobble. Damn! The tyre was flat. At least I thought it was a good chance to show my friend how to change a tube. After a while we're off again.

But after another 3 km... again! Damn!... the front tyre flatted again. This time I don't know what's the cause. Lucky, I thought, I carried the puncture repair kit. So there again we sit on the sidewalk repairing my puncture. After about 20 minutes, we're off again.

All seems good until about another 6km. The front wobble again. Shit! I give up. How bad can it be. Not even 15 km yet and I had 3 punctures. I just apologise to my friend and asked him to continue his ride since it was getting dark. I then called my wife to pick me up.

Now I'm thinking of getting a fatter tyre for the roadbike. Perhaps a 25c, maybe that can handle the rough road better for my weight.

cao..

Found used 7 speed brifter for my roadbike

Lucky me. A good fellow sold me his brifter including dropbar and stem for RM50 only. Although I need to do some servicing of the brifter, at least now I have don't to reach for the downtube shifter anymore to shift.

Some one says to me I should got it for free, but I don't think its right. At least the handlebar worth the price already. Plus, for a new Sora brifter, the price is almost RM400 including postage.
this weekend I will put them on.

Here's the picture of the brifter after some modification on the hood.. (I had to put cut downhill tube over the hood since the old hood is sticky).