Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Full Collection of Interstate2007 Photos
For full set of Interstate2007 Photographs, please feel free to browse the following links, courtesy of Endorphin Addict
Thursday, September 6, 2007
View from the Ground - Interstate2007
Successful event is like baking a cake, it takes many ingredient to make it a success. This posting discusses among others my observation of what has transpired to make Interstate this year to be one of the greatest PCC event ever.
The crowd
Lets face it, without the crowd, no event can be a success. You will not have a good time if there are only a handful of participant. This year, PCC had 265 wonderful participant who brought with themselves good humour and excellent team spirit. For someone who is new to biking, i find that the crowd are so friendly and came from all walks of life (we even had a pastor from Singapore). Everyone was very accommodative and patient. To sum it up, wonderful crowd. There may be friendly rivalry but there are also sincere camaraderie.
The passion
The passion of the organizing committee in undertaking its task to complete their work is complemented with the participant seriousness to complete the journey. You can see the effort of all in order to meet dateline only perhaps to be let down by machinery such as lift etc. But I do need to make a mention to the route Marshall who, after riding the day ride for the day, had to continue working in putting up signages and marking for the next day ride (another 5 hours of job for the day) , and they did this tirelessly. Some of them volunteered tirelessly to ensure all critical junctions are covered.
Endless Energy
The pace and seriousness in cycling was tremendous. Though Interstate is not a race, people were just pushing to see how far they can go. The perseverance is tremendous. You can see the never say die attitude of the KOTRT people in ensuring that we can cross the bridge and making sure that we had police escort. If that is not a demonstration of endless energy, I don't know what else to say.
The cooperation
Sometimes we forget that this is actually a cooperative ride and requires everyone to chip in their bit. This time round, everyone did their bit and the prep before the event itself is tiring if not exhausting. Even in safety, the riders were kind enough and not taking that great a risk and had made the ride across the bridge manageable. I am proud that I can assist the committee in one way or another. Looking forward to offer any assistance in the future.
The processes and preparations
The arrangement this year is excellent and many people said it was very "meriah". There were set backs like blown hotel fuses and late delivery of rooms in Penang, but nothing that is a show stopper. The patient crowd were reasonably forgiving as they were out to have a good time. The tulip was helpful, the marshall were there at junctions and the prep was better then years before.
Ultimately, I would like to thank everyone from the organizers, the volunteers and also the participant who had made this IS2007 a success.
The crowd
Lets face it, without the crowd, no event can be a success. You will not have a good time if there are only a handful of participant. This year, PCC had 265 wonderful participant who brought with themselves good humour and excellent team spirit. For someone who is new to biking, i find that the crowd are so friendly and came from all walks of life (we even had a pastor from Singapore). Everyone was very accommodative and patient. To sum it up, wonderful crowd. There may be friendly rivalry but there are also sincere camaraderie.
The passion
The passion of the organizing committee in undertaking its task to complete their work is complemented with the participant seriousness to complete the journey. You can see the effort of all in order to meet dateline only perhaps to be let down by machinery such as lift etc. But I do need to make a mention to the route Marshall who, after riding the day ride for the day, had to continue working in putting up signages and marking for the next day ride (another 5 hours of job for the day) , and they did this tirelessly. Some of them volunteered tirelessly to ensure all critical junctions are covered.
Endless Energy
The pace and seriousness in cycling was tremendous. Though Interstate is not a race, people were just pushing to see how far they can go. The perseverance is tremendous. You can see the never say die attitude of the KOTRT people in ensuring that we can cross the bridge and making sure that we had police escort. If that is not a demonstration of endless energy, I don't know what else to say.
The cooperation
Sometimes we forget that this is actually a cooperative ride and requires everyone to chip in their bit. This time round, everyone did their bit and the prep before the event itself is tiring if not exhausting. Even in safety, the riders were kind enough and not taking that great a risk and had made the ride across the bridge manageable. I am proud that I can assist the committee in one way or another. Looking forward to offer any assistance in the future.
The processes and preparations
The arrangement this year is excellent and many people said it was very "meriah". There were set backs like blown hotel fuses and late delivery of rooms in Penang, but nothing that is a show stopper. The patient crowd were reasonably forgiving as they were out to have a good time. The tulip was helpful, the marshall were there at junctions and the prep was better then years before.
Ultimately, I would like to thank everyone from the organizers, the volunteers and also the participant who had made this IS2007 a success.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Listening to new stories
Interstate is where u make new friends. Some people just go there for the ride, but not me. I go there for the company. Meeting new friends from the South (Singapore) and some newbies who ironically with very little training decides to join the Interstate 365km ride.
Among the stories that I have managed to listen to, here I would like to share some.
Perseverance
This plucky girl with a mountain bike took 12 hours to complete the 150km journey on the first day and had to pass many challenges. Some of the challenges, though I find it funny, may not be at that moment of time. If it was me, I would have given up after 10 hours of ride, but no, she made it thru and arrived just as we were having dinner.
Cramp and resting
This same girl had cramped up along the way and fell into the drain at a Kelapa sawit estate. Falling into the drain, she was in a awkward position with her back and butt in the drain and legs lifted up. With good humour, she managed to answer passers by who had asked what she was doing in the drain. She quipped wryly that she was resting and taking time out from riding.
A few minutes later, another passer by remarked, "girls, there are snakes in that drain". She suddenly felt all her cramps gone and started clamouring to get out of the drain. Fear can be a miracle cure of cramps.
Of stupid remarks and comments
As she was riding up the Bukit Berapit hill climb, a lady bus conductor that passed by asked her, where was she going?. She retorted, "I am going to Taiping". The lady conductor then replied, "Why don't u just take the bus". Now, that really tested her patience as she wanted just to reply for the conductor to just shut up and leave her alone.
Cooling Down and recovering
Another guy also used the whole journey to stop by kampung house to take shower. Ironically, most of the makciks had asked him whether he needed changes in clothing?. To which he replied coolly, "Nope, mak cik, just shower me with water and I will be on my way", much to the chagrin of the makciks.
Among the stories that I have managed to listen to, here I would like to share some.
Perseverance
This plucky girl with a mountain bike took 12 hours to complete the 150km journey on the first day and had to pass many challenges. Some of the challenges, though I find it funny, may not be at that moment of time. If it was me, I would have given up after 10 hours of ride, but no, she made it thru and arrived just as we were having dinner.
Cramp and resting
This same girl had cramped up along the way and fell into the drain at a Kelapa sawit estate. Falling into the drain, she was in a awkward position with her back and butt in the drain and legs lifted up. With good humour, she managed to answer passers by who had asked what she was doing in the drain. She quipped wryly that she was resting and taking time out from riding.
A few minutes later, another passer by remarked, "girls, there are snakes in that drain". She suddenly felt all her cramps gone and started clamouring to get out of the drain. Fear can be a miracle cure of cramps.
Of stupid remarks and comments
As she was riding up the Bukit Berapit hill climb, a lady bus conductor that passed by asked her, where was she going?. She retorted, "I am going to Taiping". The lady conductor then replied, "Why don't u just take the bus". Now, that really tested her patience as she wanted just to reply for the conductor to just shut up and leave her alone.
Cooling Down and recovering
Another guy also used the whole journey to stop by kampung house to take shower. Ironically, most of the makciks had asked him whether he needed changes in clothing?. To which he replied coolly, "Nope, mak cik, just shower me with water and I will be on my way", much to the chagrin of the makciks.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Interstate Documentation - The Video
Day 1 Video - Ipoh to Ayer Kuning Taiping
Day 2 Video - From Taiping to Bukit Mertajam
Day 3 Video - crossing the Penang Bridge
Enjoy
Day 2 Video - From Taiping to Bukit Mertajam
Day 3 Video - crossing the Penang Bridge
Enjoy
Monday, August 13, 2007
Interstate Namelist and Event Guide
The Final Namelist is out. Please take note of your number as this is your ID number that you should use for any reference and Identification in your SMS or other conversations
The Event Guide is also available for you to go through and please read this carefully. As these event is done as a Community Ride, please take note the Do's and Dont's. This is extremely important as we have to do our part to keep the positive views and perception of all cyclist.
The Event Guide is also available for you to go through and please read this carefully. As these event is done as a Community Ride, please take note the Do's and Dont's. This is extremely important as we have to do our part to keep the positive views and perception of all cyclist.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Interstate T- Shirt and Briefing
Hey, the organizers will be passing around T-Shirt as part of the package.
There will also be a briefing tentatively on the 28th at McDonald near Curve (if I am not mistaken). So watch this space.
There will also be a briefing tentatively on the 28th at McDonald near Curve (if I am not mistaken). So watch this space.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Interstate2007 - Day 3 Route
Day 3 - The trip to Independence. Its a Sunday Ride, starting from Bukit Mertajam, we will hit Penang Bridge and go to Balik Pulau and then hiting Telok Bahang and then to Batu Ferenggi.
Interstate2007 - Day 2 Route
Total Distance 130km, we will be doing this on a Saturday 1st September. Starting point Taiping, end point Bukit Mertajam
Friday, July 13, 2007
Day 1 Route Path
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Riding to Independence (Part 3)
This part of the journey is the shortest but definitely not the most unexciting. Early on a Sunday morning, we will be facing one of the most historical rides ever, the crossing of the Penang Bridge. As we ride slowly towards the starting point of the bridge, the toll house, we will be greeted by the outriders.
We will then be issued tags to let us pass the bridge, no tag, no passing the toll house, no bridge crossing.
We will then be issued tags to let us pass the bridge, no tag, no passing the toll house, no bridge crossing.
As we make through onto the bridge, we will be allowed approximately an hour of travelling window for all 300+ riders to cycle pass the bridge. What can we expect after crossing the Penang Bridge, well, one of the most challenging but scenic route ever. We will be going to Gurney Drive but through Balik Pulau ie the reverse side and back road of Penang. To get ready for the route, herewith attached is the route profile
Cyclist will have to climb almost 190m climb in Balik Pulau as we head towards Batu Ferenggi and head towards the hotel near Gurney Drive. What this route lacks in distance, it makes up in challenge. We will then be putting up in a hotel near Gurney Drive.
We will end our journey here with a scrumptious dinner before our nap. Tommorrow, we will be pushing off back to Ipoh.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Interstate2007 - Enjoying Company - (Part 2 - From Taiping to Bukit Mertajam)
Now, what has the organizer had planned for us on the second day. Just another interesting 130 km of ride into Bukit Mertajam. Its a good time to have a chit chat to meet new people to take your mind off the the ride. Will there be a surprise hill or mountain for us to climb, well judging from the profile, just one minor hill from kilometer 10 to kilometer 38. Having a hill in the early part of the journey is good as it will be a recovery ride to Bukit Mertajam later.
We can also take pits stop along the way for fruits and drinks as there will be a lot of dusun as we take the back roads of Perak. We will be crossing borders of Perak, Kedah and Seberang Perai as we venture into Bukit Mertajam. What are the sort of roads will we be facing? What kind of picturesque views will we be seeing. Well, there will be rolling hills and straight roads for this leg of the journey.
There will also be old roads, which can be very tranquil and long.
There will be many windy stretch for us to test the turns and twist.
And we will be passing small towns to make it interesting and for some of us to refuel and restock.
This will be a sight for sore eyes for some of us. The end of our 130km of journey. The hotel that we will be putting up.
I am sure some of us will want to lepak in our hotel room and enjoy the plush carpeting and the soft bed. 
Wooowee, and end of the day and looking forward to cross the Penang Bridge the day after. That will be one historical event to look forward to on the third day. Lets dream about it in this hotel room as we wait for the morning after. Check out the next posting for our ride into Penang.
We can also take pits stop along the way for fruits and drinks as there will be a lot of dusun as we take the back roads of Perak. We will be crossing borders of Perak, Kedah and Seberang Perai as we venture into Bukit Mertajam. What are the sort of roads will we be facing? What kind of picturesque views will we be seeing. Well, there will be rolling hills and straight roads for this leg of the journey. There will also be old roads, which can be very tranquil and long. There will be many windy stretch for us to test the turns and twist. And we will be passing small towns to make it interesting and for some of us to refuel and restock. This will be a sight for sore eyes for some of us. The end of our 130km of journey. The hotel that we will be putting up.I am sure some of us will want to lepak in our hotel room and enjoy the plush carpeting and the soft bed. Wooowee, and end of the day and looking forward to cross the Penang Bridge the day after. That will be one historical event to look forward to on the third day. Lets dream about it in this hotel room as we wait for the morning after. Check out the next posting for our ride into Penang.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Interstate2007 - A preview to Fun (Part 1 - Ipoh to Taiping)
What can we expect to Interstate2007 this year round.? Well, for the first Leg of the journey, an intro to heavenly torture of endurance. The organizers will start the journey (tentatively I heard) from Casuarina Hotel Ipoh at 7 am on the 31st August. So, cyclist may want to arrange own logistics and accomadation the night before. Some of us may just drive down early the same morning though. Lets have a look at the prelude of the route profile. This first day journey will cover a distance of approximately 150km and is expected for most cyclist to finish this leg in about 7.5 hours.
The profile for the first day is doable even for social cyclist. Its only the endurance that has to be trained for. The only major climb is near Bukit Berapit and is no more then a 100m accend. However, correspondingly, since its more of a Holiday on Bike, the picturesque view of the first day journey should be able to cool many a cyclist heart when you get to view some of the following:-
Some rolling hills to be expected. What is biking without rolling hills ;-)
Some bridges to cross near Kuala Kangsar
The ride up near Padang Rengas to Bukit Berapit, the only major climb prior into Taiping.
After all this view and ride, we would be able to get our get together and chit chat at the hotel accomadations arranged by our organizers. What a relief after the first day to see the sights of out condotel and place where we will refuel for carbo.
The rooms to rest our legs.......
The swimming pool to cool down our bodies, yes guys and gals, bring your swim suit along.
Wow, really looking forward to this years ride. There are already 300+ registration. Hope I don't have anymore incidences.
The profile for the first day is doable even for social cyclist. Its only the endurance that has to be trained for. The only major climb is near Bukit Berapit and is no more then a 100m accend. However, correspondingly, since its more of a Holiday on Bike, the picturesque view of the first day journey should be able to cool many a cyclist heart when you get to view some of the following:-
Some rolling hills to be expected. What is biking without rolling hills ;-)
Some bridges to cross near Kuala Kangsar
The ride up near Padang Rengas to Bukit Berapit, the only major climb prior into Taiping.
After all this view and ride, we would be able to get our get together and chit chat at the hotel accomadations arranged by our organizers. What a relief after the first day to see the sights of out condotel and place where we will refuel for carbo.
The rooms to rest our legs.......
The swimming pool to cool down our bodies, yes guys and gals, bring your swim suit along.
Wow, really looking forward to this years ride. There are already 300+ registration. Hope I don't have anymore incidences.
Interstate2007 - A Cycling Holiday
Yahhhooooo.....
PCC will be organizing the Interstate2007 from the 31st August 2007 to the 3rd September 2007. Fortunately, this happen to fall on a holiday weekend so, there is only a need for us to take only 1 day of leave.
Where will the journey take us this year? From the city of Ipoh in Perak to the City of Penang. We will be going through the back roads of Perak and will cross borders of Kedah and Seberang Perai. We will also be crossing the Penang Bridge (longest bridge in South East Asia). There will be series of articles to give cyclist preview of the journey and plan for it.
Watch this space
PCC will be organizing the Interstate2007 from the 31st August 2007 to the 3rd September 2007. Fortunately, this happen to fall on a holiday weekend so, there is only a need for us to take only 1 day of leave.
Where will the journey take us this year? From the city of Ipoh in Perak to the City of Penang. We will be going through the back roads of Perak and will cross borders of Kedah and Seberang Perai. We will also be crossing the Penang Bridge (longest bridge in South East Asia). There will be series of articles to give cyclist preview of the journey and plan for it.
Watch this space
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