INTERSTATE 2008

THE EVENT
Budin, Boot & Bandit went for the PCC Interstate Ride..

It was a 3 day event.. started on Friday (29 Aug 2008) Kajang to Rembau (133km). Day two saw us riding from Rembau to Rompin (177km) and on the final day Rompin to Kuantan (155km)..

Before we carry on with our report, a note of thanks to the guys at PCC- WELL DONE GUYS!! THANK YOU FOR ORGANIZING SUCH EVENT!!!

THE CYCLING
There's nothing much to say about the cycling bit except that it was hot.. the route was hilly on the 1st day, but on the 2nd and 3rd day, it was as flat as Ron's crew cut! Traffic was not much of a problem on all 3 days.

There were several types of riders, ranging from hardcore to the casual tourist. It gave Budin the chance to sprint with the second pelaton on the final day.. going at an average of 28km/h over the distance 90 km! He could've gone further, but for the promise that he was to take over the driving duties from me! He said the experience was just like what he say on TV at the Giro or Le Tour or LTDL (except that on TV, the professional riders were averaging at 45km/h, and the bike the used were 10 times more expensive- hint to Sue to let Budin buy a better bike!)













Boot in AERO POSITION..



















Budin riding uphill..


Another highlight of the ride was Boot doing the full long stretch on the second day- 178km!! What I admire here is the fact that he rode at around 20km/h... you can look at the glass half full and say that he was at a relaxed pace, or you look at it half empty.. the slower you ride, the more time you endured under the sun.. Boot started his journey at 0630hrs and arrived at the Rompin Hotel at 1730!! 11 hours on the road.. minus the 1 hour break for lunch etc... that's 10 hours on the bicycle saddle!! pain in the arse is an understatement..































our everyday routine- getting ready to ride at 0600hrs

and since we carpooled, it meant that at any one time, one of us drove while the other 2 cycled. In total, we each cycled 300++km over the 3 days.

ACCOMODATION
The accommodation in Bahau and Rompin was good. They didn't put us in any dodgy rumah tumpangan.. The rooms were air conditioned, there was TV and fridge.. all was well except for the final day. THUMBS DOWN to De Rhu Resort in Kuantan! There, we checked-in was at 1730hrs!! Very bad service! Imagine those who arrived at 1330! They waited 4 hours for their room! Sorry, but I had to make a mention when the service was wayyyyy below standard! Have you ever heard of a hotel/resort, where the check in time is at 1730??

The delay at the hotel didn't effect us much.. on the last day of the ride we pulled the brakes and took it REALLLLYYYYY EASSSYYYYY... (except for Budin going hardcore with the pelaton!)...
In my case, I had the pleasure of taking a well deserved nap by the sea side after drowning 2 biji air kelapa muda.. and no, we are not talking about 2 gelas, we are talking about 2 biji!! Boot on the other hand was accompanying our new acquaintances who also decided to take it easy on the last day..














How cool is that, unloading your bike at 1500hrs for a seaside ride, last leg to Kuantan

















And Bandit assisting Boot with his cramp.. next to Boot is Eddy.. at 1500hrs, after over 7 hours of riding, who wouldn't be tempted to just lay down for a few minutes..

MAKAN
Part makan, memang BEST.. Bandit found the PERFECT Chendol, which he described " the highlight of the ride was the best chendol i've ever had.. not because it was cooling, but the chendol was PERFECT.. the santan is creamy yet light.. and the gula melaka was so thick.. it stuck like ceramel on the firm chendol! Chendol has never been so sexy..

".

We had: steak, mee mamak, roti telur, nasi lemak, keropok lekor, sweet & sour fish, fried chicken wings, nasi goreng and to end the trip.. a beach side seafood dinner with steamed TIGER GEROUPA, lemon chicken, garlic baby kailan, teochew chillied lala, battered fried squid.. we also had ais kacang, lencheekang, air kelapa muda...

FRIENDS
Speaking of acquaintances, we totally enjoyed the time spend with le Tuang gang.. Mac, Ish, MaySen, Ariff.. Thank you for the support and tips. And to our new friends, Eddy of Klang, En Raja, Joanne, Tuan Haji and of course the bubbly Anne.. it was a pleasure to make your acquaintances..














Noticed ex-RMC have a similar pose

















Star rider- Mac! We salute Mac because this guy can REALLY RIDE.. (and he always have the ladies hanging out with him!)

We were also glad to have 3 days to hang out together. You can say it's quality time spent.. we were busting our lungs when we recalled the mishaps of 'Hantu Tinggi'.. we spoke of topics ranging from politics (or more precise Politically related Frustration), kahwin 4, private schools for kids, career options etc..

Our only wish was that we could have more Royal 8ths joining the ride.. Imagine a weekend ride with the likes of Mat Kong as your support crew.. imagine ke-dajal-an that he could inflict.. maybe do a "George" (i.e. letak air laut dalam water bottle orang!).. This year, we missed the Royal 8th cyclists like Ala, Kam, Upiq, Achot and Lebet.. maybe next year guys..

We also missed the LeTuang riders.. it'll be cool to have crazies along.. imagine the places we'd eat with you guys around!

Good ride, good food and good friends...