I like what I do besides my work

Update on golfer's elbow

2010-05-03T02:11:00.003+08:00

Finally after resting my for two weeks, I have full mobility of the right hand again. It is as if the golfer's elbow was never there. Of course, the first day playing squash after the started, it was still a little bit sore. I still had to play lob game. But at least it doesn't hurt that much when I took a volley. Now, after 1 week of squash (3 days), no more pain.

So here is the lowdown on what did I do for my golfer's elbow:

1. Rest : first week was total rest, even for doing normal activities, I tried to replaced the right hand with the left hand whenever possible.

2. Ice: about 15 minutes a day after coming back from work.

3. Heat cream: to relief muscle sore

4. Bandage/elbow support: most of the time, to give more support to the injured muscle/tendon/ligament

5. Golfer's/tennis elbow band: most of the time during the second week while not bandaged or using an elbow support

6. Massage: deep tissue massage - helps to relief the soreness of the elbow's surrounding muscle due to being idle while nursing the injury

7. Gyro ball: This I believe helps a lot. I got it during the middle of the second week. Before using it, the pain still can be felt much of the time, the muscles were sore and I still could not straighten my arm. But after doing the gyro ball exercise 2-3 times, I can feel the elbow's surrounding muscle improving and the pain subsides. The popular gyro ball brand is power ball but I just got a no frill one at the fitness store at Carrefour wangsa maju. Power ball cost >RM130, mine is only RM39.

Well there you go. but the most important lesson learnt here is to give it a rest for a while before going back to any sports or strenuous activity.

Ciao

Golfer's elbow

2010-04-14T00:27:00.003+08:00

One week. That how long I have been suffering from this pain. It started with something that feels like sore muscle two weeks ago. I continued playing squash, thinking it is just something that would go away. But on that friday games, I could not even hit the ball hard or hit any volley off the front wall ball without winching. It did force me to change the way I play though. I played a slower game with more lob. Nice way to play when you are tired. But after 2 games, my hand just could not take it anymore.

The next morning, I couldn't fully straighten or fully bend my right hand. Movement at the elbow is restricted. And I could not put any weight on it. Even placing the hand down was causing me problem.

I started to bandage my elbow since then. It seems to work in reducing the pain. But after a while, it seems that the elbow is lock in place. Perhaps, restricting the movement had caused the muscle to stiffen. Then I got myself the elbow band. It does help to relief pain especially when I have to lift something. The theory is it distribute the stress to all the muscle and tendon surrounding the injury evenly.

Well, tonight I got myself a massage. Ouch.. It hurts so much for a while, but after a while the stiff muscle around the elbow become softer and the pain subsides. So, tomorrow morning we'll see whether it reduce the elbow pain.

Later.

New frontier

2010-02-07T00:15:00.004+08:00

Finally, I have the courage to make a move from my current job. Just tendered my resignation on last Wednesday (3rd Feb 2010). I'll join Eon Capital on 8th March 2010. Better pay, new portfolios, different field, inferior benefit but better post. Most importantly, I'll start a new book. Fresh record and with better chance of moving up the corporate ladder.

It is not that I don't like my current job. It is challenging and entertaining and I do get personal satisfaction on completion of various tasks and projects. But after so many years carrying the extra responsibilities and tasks out of my job scopes, I felt cheated that I do not get any promotion. I was doing jobs that personnel of 2 grades higher are doing. Part wishful thinking, part foolishness. Enough is enough then.

I will miss all my colleagues and I do feel for them that they are now faced with a difficult situation to fill in the vacancy. But hey, got to think of my future too. I will miss the ease of getting up to play squash on 45th floor right after office hours. I'll definitely loose some play time after joining eoncap. But squash ain't gonna put food on my table. I'll just have to adjust the play time later. I hope my fitness won't suffer.

Finally, I pray and hope that this new job gonna be suitable for me. I thank Allah for giving me this opportunity.

End of an era..

2010-01-29T02:28:00.004+08:00

Finally, I give up.. can't be bothered to fix it anymore and am tired of its unreliability. After so many breakdowns, emergency leaves, head ache and agony, I had to let it go. No point of spending hundreds more to keep it running just for commuting. On 16th January 2010 at around 11 p.m., on the way home from Bob's kenduri (Congrats Bob!!!) the engine just died on me. It suddenly stop without warning with only about 2 km to reach my house. The worst thing is the final 1 km is uphill. And then as if it was magic, it started and I was able to ride until about 500 metres from the house before it died again. Luckily there were good samaritans around. One guy on his scooter offered to tow the bike. It was difficult to get it moving at first due to the weight of the bike. Came to an uphill turn, we stalled. Then another bike stop to help.

The following Monday (18th Jan 2010), I got the bike check by Din of FIS Motor (in front of Dato Keramat LRT station). He is good a fixing bike. By the look of his workshop, one would think he just do "kapcais". But if you see the bike waiting to be serviced, you realise he is something. From kapcais to BMWs, he can do it all. I was told that he used to be mechanic for LTDL marshalls' bike. Anyway, after the diagnose, we found out that the electronics died. The rectifier is broken and the spare part is not available. To fix, he must modified other bikes rectifier. Coils to recharge the battery also burnt. Also, no spares available. It has to be rewound. That's it I said. Better off to get one reliable kapcai for commuting.

So I got myself a Honda 125 Wave S now. A bit small compared to the MZ. I just got to adjust the way I ride. Just like between a mountain bike and a BMX. The bigger is more stable while the smaller is twitchier. So there goes the savings plan, now that I got a new monthly commitment. Luckily, the payment for MZ just completed. Well, at least now I'll be saving on the maintenance and petrol bill. Plus, there will be less possibility of breakdown requiring emergency leave. This should be a help when I got the new job.

Ciao.. rempit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahhaa

Kids...

2010-01-01T23:43:00.003+08:00

Well.. tomorrow my sons are having orientation for their kindergarten. These days, even kiddie school have orientation.. huh!!!..
It was not planned earlier.. Luqman was only supposed to go to kiddie school next year when he is 6. However, since we have to get Raziq some schooling days, got to put Luqman into one too. Lucky both are accepted into the same kindy.
They are well excited for the school to start. Bought their shoes already and tomorrow gonna pickup their uniforms. Gotta wake up early then.
Ciao

N-Code

2009-12-27T17:58:00.002+08:00

Hahahaha.... not even a month past, I've already got a better racket. Even after restringing the previous one, the feel is not there. So, what did I do? Got and get myself a new N-code 145. Good thing the shop in Ampang Park give good deals. Got it for RM200. Would love to get the Prince or the Head.. but they were over my budget. I also got the Nike court shoes there. Cheapest of all Nike for RM120. Not bad at all.

Wahh.... after 2-3 games I could well feel the difference. My drive and and bosting are more accurate and I can drive off to the back wall more often now. Even a couple of times the ball was going out of court over the back wall. Since the power part of the hit is taken care off, now I have to train more on the control part.

That is it for now. Been searching around the web for Squash sites and training videos now. Ciao

Squash..

2009-12-01T23:14:00.002+08:00

Argh... After about 8 years, yesterday I played squash again. Damn it was tiring. I forgot how hard on the body squash is. Especially this body.. Today I played again but lightly only.
Actually it was just a plan that was a spur of the moment between my office mate and I. He never played squash before. We were thinking of getting active again, since he now can spend extra time after office hours for exercise.

So, I went for racket shopping. Wow, the prices of the rackets and the materials has significantly rise and improved. Of all the rackets I saw, only 1 model are still made of alloy, all others are graphite or some carbon composite. And the prices.. only the alloy model falls below RM100, well actually I got it 2 for RM110 ( a promotion by a Pertama's shop), so RM55 each. Nevertheless, I think the racket suffice for now. I am not even sure how long will I be playing squash now. Hopefully it is continuous. Then maybe I will think of getting a better racket.

One thing for sure, I do hope that my gout won't come around often, so that I can enjoy squash more. Ciao.

Bion Cerastone

2009-11-12T01:25:00.003+08:00

Huh.. I'm not one who easily promote something especially health products from MLM company. This is just a diary of some sort concerning the necklace Bion Cerastone from Luxor Network.

After much persuasion from my mother, she gave me a set for me to use. I started to wear the necklace since last Saturday 06 November 2009. After 3 days, I start to feel itch all over the body. At first it was only at the leg, similar to the effect after I use "sireh" for my gout. But now it's all over the body.

Is it the healing crisis, or is it allergic reaction? There is no other adverse effect beside my scratching all over all the time. But one good thing I notice is that I can walk longer, before my heel started to hurt. Today was off day from work and I went out with wife and kids. It was a couple hours of walking around Ikea, JJ and McD's. There wasn't a bit of hurt. I only realises this tonight. On the effect on gout, still to be proven, as I'm feeling a bit of pain right now, on the topside of my right foot.

Well, maybe another week or two can show the result. Ciao.

Hmmmm...

2009-11-02T19:48:00.002+08:00

It has been about 10 months since my last post. Nothing much to write about as my life was routine. Nothing exciting happens for a while. But now, I've got into songwriting with the guitar, things started to pick up.
At first after getting the guitar, I was so into learning the theory and blues. But after a while it gets boring. I realises my guitar passion is more into playing heavy riffs, not fast but heavy, with a lot of distortion.
After playing other people's song, it gets tiring too playing the same thing over and over again. That's why I started to write my own songs. Too bad I haven't got the time to find other musicians to lay down the bass and drum tracks. However, the Riffworks T4 Instantdrummer is good enough for now.
Well till next time.

New Year, same me..

2009-01-09T18:32:00.002+08:00

It's been about 2 months now since my last post. Nothing much to write about hence the gap. I just started to cycle again. Got myself a pair of Specialized 2.3 park tyres. The minion is overkill for my play ride around the house. It feels much better to ride those on the road compared to the Minion. I miss going to the downhill track. More over now there are a couple more new trails with much challenging obstacles. But to enjoy those, I will have to increase my fitness to level I would be comfortable pushing up the hill. Don't want to just push up and then get wasted and can't ride down with fun anymore. Every trail ride is precious now.

No new resolution this year, just gonna carry forward my last year's reso.

Ciao.

The gout treatment WORKS!!!

2008-11-11T22:47:00.002+08:00

At least for me that is.. Ever since I did the "sireh" treatment, I have had no acute attack anymore. But of course, I have to bear the burning sensation on the my skin below the knees. I t was rather bad that it even look like I had too much time under the sun, but only on that area. Furthermore, the clear fluid (in Malay it's called "air bisa") keep coming out through every skin breaks on my calf. I had to stop the treatment after about 10 consecutive days due to not being able to bear the burn anymore.

Nevertheless, just after 2-3 days discontinuing it, the calf return to normal size, with no more fluid coming out. The skin begins cure and the dead top layer can be peeled off revealing new layer of skin. the miracle is, the gout pain has since gone.

I'm glad that this works for me. Now every time I can feel the gout attack is around the corner, I just do the treatment once, and the next day my legs are pain free.

However, this doesn't seems to work on everyone. A colleague wit gout tried on his legs, but nothing happened. As they say, your venom, my medicine.

Bye..

Alternatif gout treatment

2008-05-08T20:54:00.002+08:00

Since 1 minth ago, I ve been taking my second son to Felda Gedangsa for his alternative treatment. Instead of going to physiotheraphy, we have decided to try this treatment. It involves bandaging the whole body, almost 'mummified' to strenghten his muscles. Alhamdulillah, it is showing positive result. he crawls more now, and he seems much stronger.

Although Kak Raw, the practitioner, only treats children below 8 years old starting this year, I tried to ask her to treat my gout before. But she politely declined. Nevertheless, I tried to apply her technique and bandage my leg myself. It does seems to help preventing swelling around my ankle. So I continue the bandaging. On our third trip there, she saw my bandaged leg. It is so happened that day was not too busy for her, and there were not that many patients left after us. After finishing treatment for my son, she offered to bandaged my legs. I was a bit reluctant at first, what with other patients are still waiting. So I declined her offer for that time being. I wanted to wait until no patients left.

With about 3 patients left she called me for the treatment, as my son was crying already. I sat, look and learn her treatment for the gout. She gave me some tips to continue at home. After that, we came back home, with me driving with two bandaged legs.

I continued the treatment at home now. It seems to be working. My legs are not aching so much from gout/swelling anymore. However the side effect is itchy legs. I'm not so sure whether its the toxic surfacing to the skin or it is allergic reaction to the sireh and cream. I have to remember to asked her this next time.

5th place this time

2008-05-02T02:00:00.002+08:00

The second race of FRM Kiara race series 2008 passed last Sunday (27/04/2008). I had not practiced for the raced due to personal matters. Furthermore my fitness was off. Since last race in February'08, I had only ride maybe not more than 5 times, with only twice at kiara.

I did not aim big this time. I tasted podium in the 1st race and wanted the same this time around. What more with prizes made available. However, I realised that I was in no condition to placed top 3. so I aim top 5.

The morning of the race supposed to be some practice run. Just so happened that my second son (Raziq) was coughing madly that night, I had to get some medicine first thing in the morning. So I missed my practice run. I heard that the new track(Bunien's) required heaps pedaling. Maybe I could get by. By the way, I forgot to put my race number in the registration form so I was given a new number without being seeded. So I was the second person to come down for the race.

As the race start, I took it easy, didn't want to push too much early on. All cleared even the rock gap that been haunting my run. I did get offline at the drop ending of shaolin. Come to Buniens, I push a bit more since it was pedally. However, I underestimated the length of the trail. About halfway, I bonked. So damn tired that my I can really push anymore. So I just flow. Managed to ride the rooty off camber without dabbing this time. Then I bonked again. My hands felt like jelly. I could hardly hold on the the bar, let alone pushing the limit. Come to the garden gap, I just float the jump. But as I landed, I simply do not have any strength to control the bar anymore and I took a tumble. Luckily the bike fell just to my side. Quickly picked it up and continue to the finish line with whatever energy left in me. Approaching the Dirt drop ending, I evaluate my strength again... Nah, can't risk taking the drop or if not people have to pick up from the ground later. So I took the chicken run and finished the race. I felt a bit frustrated that I was so tired. Anyhow, had a chance to take the hot seat since I was the first to arrive at the finish line that day.

In the end, I got 5th place. Not bad but a bit embarrasing at the podium when the other 4 racers are almost half of my age. Got an Oakley cap for my effort. Fair dinkum. Till next race.

2008-03-30T21:49:00.003+08:00

Last Monday (24/03/2008) I went back to Taiping alone riding my MZ 125SX motorbike. The week prior to that I suddenly realise it was long ago that I had last seen my grandmother. To go back by car, it would cost me at least RM100- RM200. So that's why I chose to ride my bike.

That was the second time I took the bike for a long distance trip. The first was during my wife confinement period in Palong after the birth of my second son, 1 and a half year ago. Now the bike is worst off. The rear shock is gone so the butt is taking more punishment this time.

The trip started 9.30 a.m from Puncak Alam. By 12.00 noon, I was in Ipoh and had lunch with old mates there. It was 1.45 p.m that I continued my trip to Taiping. Reached Taiping araound 2.45 p.m and went straight to "cendol" near Georgy secondary school. Fuhh... first bowl with the "pulut bakar" and the second bowl just a normal cendol... Wahhh... I love the taste of the real "cendol".. couldn't get it here in KL.

After satisfying my cendol crave, made a move to Makteh's house. My "Tuk" is there. She looks so fragile now... with not much muscle left... It sure reminded me of all this youth and strength will one day leave us all. After about 1 hour I said bye to Makteh and Tuk and started my trip home.

Around 4.50 p.m. I reached near Sg Perak rest stop area. It started to rains heavily. I stop there and catch a nap. At 5.30 p.m. I left the rest stop. The journey from then onwards was on and off rain. However I brave onwards to reach home as soon as possible. One reason being its getting cold and another was my butt was really really sore.. must make note, before another long distance trip, I must get the cushion done.

Around 9.00 p.m. I reached Puncak Alam and was really tired and could use a rest. After a bath and dinner, I went to sleep. Hopefully next long distance trip I can get a bigger cc motorbike. An average of 85 km/h really doesn't cut it, I would really love to get a bike where I can speed faster than the car.. so next time if I want to eat real cendol again.. hehehe... I can just vroom to taiping...

Ciao..

2008-02-24T20:59:00.003+08:00

Yehaaa!!!..... finally I have won something in mtb dh... although a 3rd place in Hardtail category, it means heaps to me as I have never won't anything in mtb before. Some might say due to lack of competition that I podium, but what do I care. Although the track is kinda local for me, it is only today that I have rode the whole track. Plus, the seeding run was the first time that I jump the garden gap and the dirt drop. Nice.

Whatever it is I have to thank Allah today for giving me such confidence to race and to bless me with good legs today, no gout. Hahahahaa.

Looking at it, I really have to boost my fitness if I ever want to win the race as I reckon I have the skill, but the execution was hampered by my lack of fitness and stamina. Alright then, till the next round of race in April.

Ciao.

* Pictures courtesy of Cougar (dh) from freeridemalaysia.com/forum

Race is coming

2008-02-20T21:24:00.002+08:00

Well, it's been a long time but finally Malaysia downhill mtb race scene is heating up again. A series of race has been lined up for this year at Bukit Kiara. This weekend (24th of February 2008) will be the first race for this year. From the look of it, this is gonna be a good one with number of riders expected to be more than 50 as at to date.

Compared to previous years races, this race looks to set a benchmark for races to come. New trail is prepared for this race, with the standard being raised up a notch. This is not going to be just another fast flowing track only. More technical, off-camber + rooty sections and bigger jumps makes this a more challenging trail. Heck, the small gap jump had even claim a shoulder already last weekend. Of course, this is not up to any world cup standard but for Malaysia, this can be one of the more harder track ever made for racing. I bet at least the chicken run will be ridden by many during the race.

I tried the new track last weekend. The jumps looks doable. However, I don't think I'll be taking the last drop before the finish line. With a full suspension, I might consider taking it, but with a hardtail, I dont think I will. I fear my body can't absorb the impact properly, what more with an injured achilles tendon and gouthritis. To think of it, I'll be lucky if I can race this weekend since gout has attack again today. But not too bad this time. I can still walk.

Ok then. Cao.

New Year! New Year! 2008

2007-12-29T22:50:00.000+08:00

As usual... new years is coming in. I hereby pledge my resolution for year 2008:

1. To cycle more to work. An average of 3 times per week by the end of 2008
2. To achieve my ideal weight range of 70-75 kg by end of 2008
3. To trade forex better. I hate loosing trades and loosing money
4. Pray more
5. Full fasting during Ramadhan
6. To achieve no 5 I have to find ways to control my gout
7. Try to reduce my existing debt by half at end of 2008.

That's all for now I reckon. I should put up a "before" picture of me at my current weight now 96 kg, so when I reached the 70 kg goal I can make comparison.

Practice drum set

2007-10-04T22:36:00.000+08:00

Yes!!!! Although this may not sound like much, I have just purchased a practice drum set (as pictured). A five pieces rubber pad with plastic cymbals and hi-hats. Now I can get some groove at home without having to wait to go to a jamming studio to learn the beat. Although they are rubber and plastic, I still stick pieces of foam on top of the pads and cymbals to soften the sound, as they do still make quite a noise at night time. Furthermore, it helps to slow the rebound of the sticks and makes it feel more "real".

For now I have not been able to really spent quality time on it yet. Each time I starts to play, my son would be coming and wants to take turns hitting the drums. Being a good father I am..(hehehe), I do take turns with him. I was waiting for him to sleep before I starts to practise, but he always sleeps at past 12.00 a.m. which by that time I myself are already sleepy. Have to work out a schedule to practise then.

Drumming

2007-08-25T11:44:00.000+08:00

I don't know what has got into me. It seems that I have been bitten by drum bug. It all started out of a sudden. Out of no where I just have to drum night and day. I spent a lot of free time on the web searching for drum info and searching for affordable drum sets. Any free time available is spent on drum related activities. I even took of early from work to go to music shops to look at drum sets. What has got into me!!!! Help.... Even last week when I call in sick for a day, I went for a jam session alone. Just to play the drums. Lucky it was only RM20 for the 1 hour session.

Now, if I can easily get a set I wouldn't mind it. The problem is I could not. The cheapest set I can get complete with mute pads costing RM1,500. But it is an acoustic jazz set. With me living in an apartment and the kids around all the time, I don't think it is a viable option. Which leave me with 2 options, electronic drum set or practice pad set.

In KL, I found out there are only 2 brands available; Yamaha and Roland. the cheapest set would set me back >RM3,500. On e-bay, there are a couple of options the most viable being OSP DD502 set. Costing USD469 + pp USD175, roughly RM2,500 to me.

Or the least favourable option is to get a practice pad set. It will only cost RM550. But of course, it will not feel the same at all, without any "real" drum sound. But hey, at least I can get the feel of drumming a complete set without the noise.

I have to weight the options well. The sure thing is , I can't afford either the acoustic set or the electronic set for the time being. What I have to consider is whether to purchase the practice set or save up more and longer until I can get the e-set.

Argh!!!!!!!

Flated while going 55 kmh

2007-08-09T23:47:00.000+08:00

What a scary experience. All this while riding mountain bike downhill, I was never that scared as when I flated week. Maybe because the the falls during downhill happened so fast that I did not have the time to think of the consequences. But on the way to work during rush hour traffic, the flat sure gave me the "Oh no... please unclip..please unclip..!!!"I found out that it is almost impossible to unclip while trying to control a bike with flat rear tyre at 55kmh. Luckily I managed to unclip and stop before the fall.

By the way, the flat was due to pinch flat. This was on a newly paved road where everything supposed to be smooth. But there seems to be small potholes at the end of the new paved road. Damn!!! My thin 23c tyre could not absorb the impact with me being 95kgs, added with loaded bag on the rear rack.

To make matter worse, after replacing the tube with my spare, the presta nut broke off just after I had finished pumping the sucker up. So I was left with 2 tubes, 1 slashed & 1 with a broken nut... both can't be fixed... So all the way home I had to push my bike.

Yesterday I went out to buy some spare tubes. At night after my family went to sleep, I started to repair the damage. a while after pumping the tyre I could here hissing sound. Oh no, don't tell me its a puncture again. I thought I have thoroughly check for debris onside the tyre before putting it back onto the wheel. However, there appears to be lots and lots of metal flakes coming from the rim (which was grinding the road during the flat) embedded into the tyre sidewalls. I tried to pry them out. but there were to many. Worse, you can really feel them when running the finger along the sidewall. So I toss the rear tyre, and replaced it with the stock tyre. Hopefully it will be at least a couple of months before a repair/replacement of the wheels is required.

That's it for now...

Anyhow, now I have put a platform on one side of the clipless pedal... so that when I go on a fast downhill on the road, I'll be able to ride unclip..

Yeah......

2007-07-05T20:35:00.000+08:00

After a couple of months of on and off commuting, this week I had finally managed to cycle all the way up the Ukay Perdana without stopping until I reached the house. So now my trip home from work is cut down by 15 minutes. Plus my cycling shoes now can last much longer since I don't have to walk the rough road up the hill.

It was tiring though, but I seems to recover much faster now. Perhaps the fitness level is up now. One thing for sure, I bet when I go for downhill ride on weekends I will be able to enjoy more of the time by actually riding than just sit around.

There is one drawback though. Although I like the feel of the B17, my nuts seems to go to sleep after the climb. The LBS owner suggest to me about setting up the saddle a bit pointing down should I do a lot of climbing. However, the B17 has yet to be broken. Thus its nose is still pointing a bit up a little bit because if its pointing down, I'll be sliding forward all the time while cycling. I reckon I need to "cheat" in breaking in the saddle. I have started to rub sweat directly onto the saddle and rub in some extra Proofide. Hopefully this will help to soften the saddle. I might also start to use the damp towel trick. I guess age of the saddle do play a bit in making it hard to be broken in. It's older than me!!! Maybe the leather has dry out so much that now it need much more TLC . Don't get me wrong, I like the feel and my butt is not complaining, its just the sleepy nut part.

I have also just added a rear rack to the bike. it s just the cheapo type which requires some retro fitting using metal bracket from the hardware store. It is strong enough to hold the weight of my bags for the daily commute, but I don't think it can hold the load for touring. Anyway, not a concern since I don't think I'll be doing any touring anytime soon. At first it feels weird with the load is concentrated at the back. I hope it will fell natural after a while.

Enough rant for today. Tomorrow another day for commuting. Cao.

Rather epic

2007-06-20T00:43:00.000+08:00

Last Sunday I went out for a ride with the regular crew at Kiara. It was supposed to be my relax, take it easy ride since it has been a couple of weeks since I last went riding. The morning was rather gloomy, looked like it was going to rain. Nevertheless, I keep on pushing the bike uphill so that I could catch up with those who are already up at Kiara.

Met Wan & Amir at halfway up the trail near the step up. Took a long rest there while watching they paly around. About half an hour later, the rest of the crew came up, some after going down to sri hartamas, a couple of them just came from the bottom. We all continued pushing up.

We took the main trail downand stop at the tarmac for a while before continuing down another flowing singletrack down the hill, coming out near the horse stable. DAMN!!! the push back up was shit... almost the same as pushing the initial tarmac up from the parking lot.

After a breather, took the midtrail with the switchbacks and came out near at the taman.
Few..... what a relief. I was damn tired, with leg s and arm-pump. It was one the best 3-hours of trailride that I have been to for a while. Although it was tiring, I felt satisfied.

Then yesterday, since I was up early, I cycled to work. Arghh... how my butt sores... I guess when trying to keep up with those with full susser and a bumpy trail and aching leg, I sat quit a lot and the bump hurt my sit bone. Even the Brooks on the roadie could not hide the pain.

Well, I hope tomorrow morning I'll wake up in time to cycle to work. Need to get my fitness back.

Cao..

2007-05-19T12:19:00.000+08:00

Went out for a spin on the roadie this morning. Just wanted to dust off the bike before starting commuting again maybe next week.

The most obvious fell is I had lost a lot of fitness. I was panting just climbing the first incline from my apartment. 2 months ago I could stand and really push it with filled bag on my back. I guess you just can't leave it too long or you'll definitely loose something, in my case fitness and I regain my weight.

Just imagine, I commuted more than 2 months to loose about 3 kgs and 2 inches of my waist. I stopped for 1 months and I had regain all that plus some more kilos. Wouldn't it be nice to just have higher metabolism so I wouldn't have to work too hard to loose the weight.

Got to do something else now... Cao.

Flow ride

2007-05-13T21:58:00.000+08:00

Damn, the ride today was damn good. It was the first time I reckon since ages where I rode non-stop including pushing the bike at Kiara. Well maybe some breather stops here and there. Other than that there was no "lepak-lepak" stops, doing nothing except chatting. The ride was more productive I would say, more enduro than just downhill. For me it was enduro, while for XC guys it was just a short XC loops.

The ride finished within 2 hours. I started at the bottom at around 11:30a.m, reach the top somewhere around 12:20p.m then descending the new route. Reached the car park at 1:30p.m. The only thing was I was not able to play at the top. Heck, I was just about to catch a breather at top when the guys wanted to start their descend. Probably being too tired, I forgot the Pike fork and my saddle height was on climbing mode. So the first half of the descend was on XC mode. Luckily there was a brief stop cause somebody fell down. Manage to adjust the setting and weeeee... the downhill from then onwards was so much more fun.

Perhaps I wasn't really pushing it, but I did not fall down today. It is always a good feeling at the end of the ride that your body is not aching due to falling down but only due to exertion.
Too bad that my fitness level dropped since last 2 months after I stopped riding to work for a while. I really should get back on the roadie to regain my fitness. Moreover the mid section is expanding again. I reckon I could finish the ride today in less than an hour and a half if was as fit as the last 2 months.

Anyway, a good ride today.

Ermmmmm.... Dirt

2007-05-05T23:31:00.001+08:00

It appears that the construction behind the apartment where I lives has stopped. Maybe due to too many media attention surrounding this arrear nowadays, what with the landslide and all.

That means for now there is a large cleared land where I could built stuff to ride. Well, maybe if I'm still single. Now with small family, I hardly have time to ride, let alone to built stunts.

I miss those days where I was able to ride every day if I want to. I spent so much time building jumps that I myself did not jump. I was happy to see others jumping after the jumps were set.

There are many upcoming builders nowadays, but not near where I lives. Kudos to them. With their effort, freeride and downhill ride in Malaysia are slowly taking off, though there are very much to catch up with those from overseas, even those from Singapore and Indonesia. I'm not degrading our dirtlovers especially the gravity assisted riders. I'm talking based on results on the international level (for the racer) and skill level ("freeride"). No doubt there are some crazy bugger out there ripping the local trails, but there aren't many. Perhaps the junior will come up and see whats going on and up the ante. This was what happened and still happening in the States, Canada, UK, Ozzie, & Euro.

I reckon soon there will be more ripper of higher skill level locally. Some locals had started riding more overseas and get the exposure, perhaps more new riders will follow suit and develop the level of riding in Malaysia.

Go, go dirt riding in Malaysia.

Bought a new pair of shoes

2007-04-22T21:47:00.000+08:00

Yesterday I had just a pair of running shoes. My intention is to start doing some walking/running besides cycling. Sometimes I can be a bit lazy to bring the bike sown from the apartment. Thus by having a running shoes, I can now just put them on and go for a brief walk when I need to burn off the fats accumulated.

This morning I went out for a 45 minutes walk. Not that tiring. But tonight I'm feeling a bit of pain on both ankles joints. I just hope that it won't turn into gout now cause I have to go outstation for 2 days starting tomorrow.

Cheap tyres

2007-03-24T07:34:00.000+08:00

Since it has been almost a week since the last time I cycled, I was pretty excited that this Saturday morning I can go out for a spin. Woke up early all giddy up. Checked the bike, all good. Just as I want to pump the tyre, I saw the rear tyre had swollen, near the valve. I thought it just due to overpumping. Let out some air and it seemed ok. Repumped it and there it goes, swell. After carefull inspection, the cause was identified. It appears that the tyre lip which hook to the rim had disintegrated, so there is nothing to hold down the tyre against the rim.

So it only lasted for 500km. I guess you get what you pay for. It is a Kenda stock tyre which comes with a RM550 bike. Maybe cost no more than RM15 each. It is just to show that quality do come with a price. Perhaps I should just fork out for the Michelin tyre which cost RM100 +. I might as well get it, since I need reliable tyres for commuting too.

Well, since nowhere to go this morning, I will just stay home and watch Black Hawk Down on Astro.

Ciao.

Slime Sealant

2007-02-28T23:52:00.000+08:00

I was thinking a way to puncture proof my tyre for commuting purpose. As I shop around in Ace Hardware, Tmn Melawati, I found guess what??? Slime Sealant, the goo that you pour into the tube. Just a few days ago I was reading www.commutebybike.com on how to pour that goo into presta valve tube. Maybe it is just a chain of event that lead to my finding of the Slime.

However, I managed to ruin two used tubes before I managed to succesfully pour the slime into the tubes and reinflated them. The furst one, with 3 puncture patches already, was ruin when I try to to reinstall the nut on the pin. I did not nip off the screw at first as I read there are others who did it without needing to nip off the top. But when I try to screww it backon, I ruin the pin until it could not fall back into the the valve. Cut the tube and collect the slime already poured inside it into its bottle. Tried to screw the nut, it's okay. Proceed to fill the slime.... halfway done...then... I lost the pin. I tried to feel for it inside the tube but could not find it. Another tube thrown away.

After that i was more carefull. Manage to install the tyres filled with Slime. I cycled to work already with the new setup. Somehow I feel rather at ease believing that my tyres now are puncture proof, well at least from small sharp objects or road debris.

Hoping to long period of not needing to change tube due to puncture now.

Why aren't there many locals who commutes by bike?

2007-02-24T20:39:00.000+08:00

From my observation, in Kuala Lumpur, there are not that many locals who cycle to work. Those who cycle are mostly from the lower income bracket or foreign labours. The pattern seems to show that cycling to work is only for those whose can't afford other forms of transportation.

I do ask around the office and some of my friends why they do not want to cycle to work? Majority of them use heat and humidity as their main excuses. There's no denying that one will sweat heaps cycling in Malaysia, being direct under the equator. It does get uncomfortable since the sweat doesn't dry out as quickly as in countires with four seasons where it is less humid.

But, from what I see, a lot of workplace have restroom where one can shower before changing to workcloth. When I say shower, I mean proper bath where you can rinse your whole body with running water, not just wiping yourself with wet sponge.

Perhaps another reason is that one can get cheap motorbike in Malaysia (the small cc bike) or locally known as "kapchai". Even the courier use these bikes. I can tell you that the possibility of a bicycle courier company to survive in KL is slim since the "kapchai" is much faster for weaving through city traffic.

Maybe I am just the lucky few Malaysian who took up bicycle commuting during my university days in Melbourne and loves the freedom it gives.

Well til then.

Joy of cycling

2007-02-17T23:12:00.000+08:00

If any of you have read my previous post would've know that I was off my bikes for quite some time, almost a month by now due to gout attack.

Well, today I managed to go out for a spin on the roadie and tested the brooks above.. It is still hard, well of course, it has not been broken in yet. But it is not that uncomfortable as some has made it out for a new brooks. It just feel as good as other plastic base saddle but without the extra foam pinching where there are not suppose to.

One more thing, it seems the wheather is changing to rainy season again. It did make me afraid for the brooks leather. But I have put some plastic at the bottom and it save the underside from water spray. I don't cover the top while riding since my butt is big enough to cover the whole lot! Hahahahaha...

BANG!!!!! There goes my car....

2007-02-03T19:35:00.000+08:00

Well... this about about my for wheels... slightly off topic, but it affect my two wheeling though.

Last Thursday I was driving with my wife to get some groceries. On the way the is a junction for people to cross from opposite direction into our left side. Nearing the junction, I saw there was already a 4WD waiting to cross the road. So I took precaution and slow down but continue on my way. As I was nearing the junction, a Perodua Kembara jump the que and overtake the 4WD and dashed across the road. I could not do anything else but slammed the brakes and tried to steer the car but it was too close...BANG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our car came to a halt and the Kembara made a 180 degree stoppie.. Lucky there is steel railing to stop her from falling over into a monsoon drain beside the road.

None were injured. She came out of her Kembara and apologise, admit her wrong and agreed to claim from her insurance company. Her Kembara suffers minor knock but my car..... just see the picture. After lodging my police report and sent my car to the workshop, I went home.

The thing that tick me off is now my wife do not have a car to drive to work. So I have to sent and fetch her every working day, not that I mind, but this means I could not cycle commute till the car is back. Arghh!!!!!! I was just getting the hang of cycle commuting now this.

But in hindsight, I guess it is just a blessing in disguise so that I can allow my ankle to heal properly first after the bout with gout for the past 2 weeks. In fact it still swelling today.

Well, thats life I suppose....

Cao

Boring.........

2007-02-01T02:38:00.000+08:00

I'm bored.... not being able to ride my bike for more than a week now since the gout attack. I know I'll be off the bike at least another 2-3 days now. Its not that I am needing a break from cycling or anything like it, I'm actually beginning to enjoy more of cycling to work. It has been almost three months now since I got the roadbike. A couple of colleagues noticed that I've lost some weight. Actually not that much but the I look toner now.

Well... since I'm in front of the computer almost 80% of the time at home, I surf some video hosting website and saw this street bike bloopers. Funny in a way but painful.. here's the link.

I also did some research on the internet regarding gout. It seems many people in the world has this problem, be it they are active or not. The worst thing is it won't go away but can be avoided subject to change in diet and taking medications. Perhaps I should just try a couple of the home remedies suggested.

Cao.

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

2007-01-30T21:27:00.000+08:00

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.

2007-01-28T21:44:00.000+08:00

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

2007-01-25T08:51:00.000+08:00

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...

2007-01-23T21:19:00.000+08:00

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......

2007-01-19T21:47:00.000+08:00

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

2007-01-05T00:09:00.000+08:00

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).

Started my commuting.

2006-12-21T00:56:00.000+08:00

Today I've started commuting by bike to work. Maybe I'll start by riding to work 2 days a week first. It was great, haven't done that in a long while. I was feeling great at the office, not lethargy but fresh all day.

I was soaking wet when I arrived at the office. Most of my office mate were suprised, as to their knowledge, no one had done commuting by bike to work before. Especially once you have a car & a motorbike. You see, commuting by bicycle is not a culture or a norm here in Kuala Lumpur. Reason often given is the weather is hot and humid, thus one will sweat like crazy and will feel uncomfortable working later.

So, before work, I make sure I arrive early and have ample time to clean my self. Since there is no shower, I had to bath in the toilet stall. Well, it gets the job done.

Tomorrow I'll ride my motorbiketo works, but comes friday... another bicycle commute.

It was gout!!!

2006-12-16T14:17:00.000+08:00

The pain I felt a few days ago was from gout. How do I know? the next day waking up, I could step on my left foot. If it was muscle sore, I would've been gone after several days, but this got was. I called in sick for work yesterday and went for a traditional treatment since modern medicine need me to pop more pills and pain killer to stop the pain. I don't want to pop more painkillers since it will ruin my kidney.

I went for the "bekam" treatment. This is where a couple of tiny cuts are made onto the skin where the pain is, in order to draw blood. Then a suction cup is used to draw the blood out together with the acid which causes the pain.

After the treatment which took about an hour, I was able to walk without feeling any pain and today I cycled for 25 km, including a couple of km walking up a climb (too steep for me). Yet I am not feeling any pain. But of course, after this I will need to drinks lots of water to nuetralise the residual gout causing acid in my body. Normally when I got dehydrated and forgot to drink up, that is when gout came for me.

Since starting road cycling, it seems easier to get dehydrated. Maybe since while mountain biking I use a hydration bagpack. On the road only a water bottle to replenish my fluid. Need to get another bottle then.

Cao.

My foot is aching

2006-12-13T16:40:00.001+08:00

I don't know for sure whether this pain i feel on my left foot, just below the ball of the foot (below the little toe) is due to gout or sprain from over exertion due to cycling.

Since my road bike has a double chainring up front with 44 the smallest, I have to stand up a lot for the ride within my residency since it is a hilly area. Maybe also due to me not getting use to clipless pedals yet. After some time of pedalling, i feel numb at certain parts of the foot.

I could not rule out gout since normally this is how it feels when I'm getting gout (early stage) attack.

Thus, for now I have to be content with limping to walk. Luckily, when pedalling the pain kind of disapear. Anybody have the same experience may want to share them here.

Cao.

100 km

2006-12-10T00:32:00.000+08:00

After 2 weeks i managed to clock 100km on my road bike. Not such a feat to boast. But for a >200 lbs guy, who just taken up cycling which include actual pedalling... it is tough.

For more than 7 years I have not been doing any real pedalling. My mountain bike is set up as a playbike, hence it is not an efficient geometry for medium or short distance cycling. It discouraged me to to use the bike for "real" cycling". Since I also suffers from gouthritis, it means I'm always off the bike as any jumping or drops hurts my ankle.

Which is why I bite the bullet and bought the roadbike. At least I won't be jumping using it. Plus, the pedalling does not hurt my ankle too much compared to jumping. So, slowly I'm getting back my fitness, and I wish it can return to the same level, if not better then 7 years ago.

Tomorrow morning might be going for another long ride. hehehe... for now my long ride is > 20 km & < 30 km...hehehe.. or I may go for a MTB downhill session at Kiara...

Cao

Welcome to my world of bicycling

2006-12-07T17:54:00.000+08:00

Just been having some free time on hand. So I decided to create a blog on my cycling life... or anything related to two wheels.

"Gerek"... this is my first word for bicycle. Where and when I was growing up, bicycle is known as "gerek" (a local dialect) but nowadays many do not even know the meaning of this word anymore.

I have just started to ride a road bike. Will be blogging about the experience here later on....
Cao....