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| Me at the finish line of the Millipede MTB Jamboree - pic courtesy of Kennt Ho |
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| Top 3 are from Singapore... but I don't know their names. My friends came in at #9 - Ng Kim Kwee and #10 - Nick McHugh - pic courtesy of Kennt Ho |
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| #9 Ng KK from Singapore - pic courtesy of Kennt Ho |
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| #10 - Kiwi Nick McHugh - pic courtesy of Kennt Ho |
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| The food was great! - pic courtesy of Sam the Mailman |
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| #275 - Tabs - pic courtesy of Kennt Ho |
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| I rode with these guys for much of the race ... but couldn't keep up in the end :-( - pic courtesy of Kennt Ho |
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| Brother Louie enjoying the trail - pic courtesy of David Kew |
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| Don't tell me you don't know this guy? CrestPursuit Owen had a flat which messed up his race. - pic courtesy of Derek Kew |
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| Now why didn't I think of doing this? Actually, when I got here there were organizers at the bridge shouting for us to sloowww down. There must have been many endos/spills here? - pic courtesy of Derek Kew |
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| Me! At the last checkpoint... and that is not a smile. That's a grimace. I was feeling the onset of cramps. - pic courtesy of ReyToots |
That was a very nice race ! ... and that is the summary of the
Millipede MTB Jamboree that I attended last Sunday (16th Sept 2012).
Millipede MTB Jamboree that I attended last Sunday (16th Sept 2012).
Ooppss! Of course, I'll tell the details.
I'll spare the account of how we got there as the Millipede Jamboree
starting / finishing point was quite near to JB Shell. To be exact,
it was supposed to be only 16km from JB Shell ... which made me
starting / finishing point was quite near to JB Shell. To be exact,
it was supposed to be only 16km from JB Shell ... which made me
wonder how the bus driver got lost ... first time that happened.
Since the jamboree was quite near Singapore, it was no surprise
that there were lots of cyclists from Singapore who went for this
Jamboree. The Filipino contingent alone numbered around 70 cyclists.
In all I think there were around 600+ cyclists who participated in the race.
We don't see this kind of numbers in Singapore but Malaysian organizers
see this as the norm and so the registration and collection of
goodie bags and race numbers went smoothly.
see this as the norm and so the registration and collection of
goodie bags and race numbers went smoothly.
One other nice thing is that the organizers decided to give out
a towel among the give aways in the goodie bag. A very useful thing
to have.
a towel among the give aways in the goodie bag. A very useful thing
to have.
And so, after the Malaysian National Anthem, we were all released
and everybody pedalled furiously to get to the trail head. The announcer
did mention that we need to cover 2km of road first before we enter
the trail.
and everybody pedalled furiously to get to the trail head. The announcer
did mention that we need to cover 2km of road first before we enter
the trail.
As usual, while on the road, I kept looking at my speedometer. The road
was flat (unlike Muar which was going down hill a bit) but I can feel
that we were going faster than normal. I saw I was going at 40kph and
of course, as always, I got nervous because this is a mass start. I
feathered the brakes a little until I got to 36kph. As I said the road
section was just 2km but even before we reached the trail head, I saw
some one already took a spill ?! Arrggghhh that's why I always keep
saying inside my head 'ride safe, ride safe, ride safe'.
was flat (unlike Muar which was going down hill a bit) but I can feel
that we were going faster than normal. I saw I was going at 40kph and
of course, as always, I got nervous because this is a mass start. I
feathered the brakes a little until I got to 36kph. As I said the road
section was just 2km but even before we reached the trail head, I saw
some one already took a spill ?! Arrggghhh that's why I always keep
saying inside my head 'ride safe, ride safe, ride safe'.
We entered the trail and the first thing that greeted me was that
on my right, IronMan Randy was off his bike and was looking at
on my right, IronMan Randy was off his bike and was looking at
something on his rear wheel. That sucks, he normally is in the top 100
but it now looks like very early on and he has a mechanical failure.
Apparently, Sugar Rush Rey also pinched flat very near the entrance.
I just didn't see him. Also, first time racer Tabs was bumped
by another bike from behind sending her flying like Supergirl. Again,
I didn't see this. It was actually Sugar Rush Rey who told me this when
he caught up with me before the 3rd Checkpoint.
I just didn't see him. Also, first time racer Tabs was bumped
by another bike from behind sending her flying like Supergirl. Again,
I didn't see this. It was actually Sugar Rush Rey who told me this when
he caught up with me before the 3rd Checkpoint.
But I did see another girl lying on the left side of the trail. Some guys
were off their bikes and attending to her. She had long hair, was wearing
black jersey and SIDI shoes. You might ask why I remember so much detail?
The thing is she reminded me of Tabs and so I made sure that was not Tabs.
Tabs also has long hair, was also in black jersey and was also wearing SIDIs.
Anyway, since the girl was already being attended to by around 5 other cyclists
I continued riding.
were off their bikes and attending to her. She had long hair, was wearing
black jersey and SIDI shoes. You might ask why I remember so much detail?
The thing is she reminded me of Tabs and so I made sure that was not Tabs.
Tabs also has long hair, was also in black jersey and was also wearing SIDIs.
Anyway, since the girl was already being attended to by around 5 other cyclists
I continued riding.
I cycled until I reached this singletrack and then, as expected, people
started to bunch up. I think there were some people who decided to walk
the short downhill section leading to this steep climb. I decided to spin
on low gear and just waited for my turn while half pedalling half balancing.
It was finally my turn and I went down the section and didn't bother to
touch my brakes hoping to get some momentum for the impending steep uphill.
started to bunch up. I think there were some people who decided to walk
the short downhill section leading to this steep climb. I decided to spin
on low gear and just waited for my turn while half pedalling half balancing.
It was finally my turn and I went down the section and didn't bother to
touch my brakes hoping to get some momentum for the impending steep uphill.
I reached the First CheckPoint and did not stop to dowse myself with water
or to get some rest. I was even moving a bit when one of the organizers punched
a hole on my race number to signify that I passed by the First CheckPoint.
This turned out to be a good strategy since I left behind some of those
who were 'chasing' me. I also didn't need water to pour on my head as I
brought my own waterbottle filled with water just for that reason.
or to get some rest. I was even moving a bit when one of the organizers punched
a hole on my race number to signify that I passed by the First CheckPoint.
This turned out to be a good strategy since I left behind some of those
who were 'chasing' me. I also didn't need water to pour on my head as I
brought my own waterbottle filled with water just for that reason.
There were lots of singletrack at this stage. There was a time when I
noticed there some guys who were coming from a different trail and yet
were 'merging' with me on the trail I'm on. Hmmmm ... I wonder which trail
was longer? The one I'm on or the one they came from?
noticed there some guys who were coming from a different trail and yet
were 'merging' with me on the trail I'm on. Hmmmm ... I wonder which trail
was longer? The one I'm on or the one they came from?
Also, by this time, I have already realised that I should let go of my
brakes even if the downhill parts of the trail were rocky or rutty because
definitely it will be followed by an uphill section.
brakes even if the downhill parts of the trail were rocky or rutty because
definitely it will be followed by an uphill section.
I saw my friend Gerald who was looking good for a first timer. I cycled
along side him for a while and he told me that just in front of us,
maybe 4 riders ahead, is my other friend Tabs. I told Gerald to follow
me and we'll try to catch up with Tabs. I caught up with Tabs on a downhill
section that turns to the right. I decided not to announce my presence
as she might lose concentration. I passed her and saw that I was pulling
away from her. ... and then Sugar Rush Rey came from behind. He told me
that he got a flat tire and when he finished fixing it, he was the absolutely
last rider. There was nobody else but him and the sweeper motorcycle.
He said he got lost a few times and the motorcycle rider would tell him to
go left or right. It was here that he told me that Tabs got rear ended
and took a spill. After that he said bye bye and took off ... ahhhh
apparently everything is effortless when you're on a carbon 29er hardtail.
along side him for a while and he told me that just in front of us,
maybe 4 riders ahead, is my other friend Tabs. I told Gerald to follow
me and we'll try to catch up with Tabs. I caught up with Tabs on a downhill
section that turns to the right. I decided not to announce my presence
as she might lose concentration. I passed her and saw that I was pulling
away from her. ... and then Sugar Rush Rey came from behind. He told me
that he got a flat tire and when he finished fixing it, he was the absolutely
last rider. There was nobody else but him and the sweeper motorcycle.
He said he got lost a few times and the motorcycle rider would tell him to
go left or right. It was here that he told me that Tabs got rear ended
and took a spill. After that he said bye bye and took off ... ahhhh
apparently everything is effortless when you're on a carbon 29er hardtail.
After a few minutes, I heard Tabs say "Hey, Monjie!".
Huh? She's behind me? We exchanged war stories while pedalling and
Huh? She's behind me? We exchanged war stories while pedalling and
this was when we finally saw the Second CheckPoint.
I reached the Second CheckPoint and here I took a cup of hundred plus.
I started pedalling with Tabs and Gerald behind me. A little girl told
me that I was #274. So Tabs was #275 and Gerald #276.
I started pedalling with Tabs and Gerald behind me. A little girl told
me that I was #274. So Tabs was #275 and Gerald #276.
Here also I realised I was more or less cycling with the same bunch of
people. Apart from my friends, there was this small woman dressed in a
downhill jersey, riding on an AM bike and using flat pedals. She is
definitely from Singapore. I always see her in Butterfly Trail back in
the day. There was another girl wearing a white and yellow jersey.
She was using a Hardtail equipped with a Lefty fork. There was a guy,
who I think is also a Singaporean, who was on a Full Sus 29er (Specialized
I think?). Lastly, there was a Malay guy wearing a Yellow and Orange
jersey who was on a Hardtail.
people. Apart from my friends, there was this small woman dressed in a
downhill jersey, riding on an AM bike and using flat pedals. She is
definitely from Singapore. I always see her in Butterfly Trail back in
the day. There was another girl wearing a white and yellow jersey.
She was using a Hardtail equipped with a Lefty fork. There was a guy,
who I think is also a Singaporean, who was on a Full Sus 29er (Specialized
I think?). Lastly, there was a Malay guy wearing a Yellow and Orange
jersey who was on a Hardtail.
I realised I lost Tabs and Gerald by this time and from out of the blue
it was ReyToots from PadyakPinoy who was chasing me. ReyToots and I reached
the third checkpoint and he dismounted from his bike and took a picture of
me. Me on the other hand was already noticing the early stages of having
cramps. So I took out my YokoYoko and proceeded to apply it on both my
legs. I also took a banana and 2 cups of 100+ ... this was my longest stop
and I noticed the guys and girls I was riding with took off much earlier
than me. I told myself, nevermind, next should be all flat. I would catch
them.... and so when I started cycling again, one of the organizers said
"Go all out! You only have 8km to the finish line !" .
it was ReyToots from PadyakPinoy who was chasing me. ReyToots and I reached
the third checkpoint and he dismounted from his bike and took a picture of
me. Me on the other hand was already noticing the early stages of having
cramps. So I took out my YokoYoko and proceeded to apply it on both my
legs. I also took a banana and 2 cups of 100+ ... this was my longest stop
and I noticed the guys and girls I was riding with took off much earlier
than me. I told myself, nevermind, next should be all flat. I would catch
them.... and so when I started cycling again, one of the organizers said
"Go all out! You only have 8km to the finish line !" .
I took off like a scalded rabbit ! ... and stopped after 3 pedal strokes
because I'm going to cramp! Hehehehe I pedalled like an on-off switch.
This means, maybe 10 strokes hard pedal and when I feel the cramp
coming, I just coast...
Meanwhile my riding 'buddies' were nowhere to be found.
I thought to myself that now is the time to splash water on myself
and go all out. I reached for my waterbottle on the downtube of
my frame and ... felt nothing but air ??!! I looked down and
saw that my waterbottle was gone. Sigh...
A guy in blue jersey overtook me just before we got to the road section.
He was on a hardtail so I was thinking "Aha! Drafting opportunity!".
I saw the girl on the AM bike, the girl with the Lefty fork,
the guy on the Specialized and the guy wearing the yellow/orange
getting smaller and smaller on the horizon.
I hope the guy I was drafting would be fast... But no... he was also
wasted already :( He was just going at 16-18kph. I overtook him and
I went at 25kph, I signalled for him to draft me but either he didn't
understand my signal or he was already really too tired to follow.
In short, I didn't catch-up with those guys I was riding with for
majority of the race. I reached the finish line and the organizers
said I got #249 ! Hehehehe nice! I thought I was going to stay at #274.
They gave me a bronze medal with #249 engraved at the back and I was
surprised when they took my picture with the Millipede 'poster' as a
backdrop.
majority of the race. I reached the finish line and the organizers
said I got #249 ! Hehehehe nice! I thought I was going to stay at #274.
They gave me a bronze medal with #249 engraved at the back and I was
surprised when they took my picture with the Millipede 'poster' as a
backdrop.
A very very good race indeed from the Organizers of the Millipede jamboree.
The trail was nice. The weather cooperated and stayed overcast. The
FOOD was nice! The lucky draw prizes were nice. The atmosphere was festive.
Everything about this race was nice. If I had to nitpick, my only
complaint was that there were only 2 toilets which is really insufficient
considering that there were around 600+ racers. But as I said, that was
not such a big issue and we will definitely be coming back for the next
edition of the Millipede MTB Jamboree next year!
The trail was nice. The weather cooperated and stayed overcast. The
FOOD was nice! The lucky draw prizes were nice. The atmosphere was festive.
Everything about this race was nice. If I had to nitpick, my only
complaint was that there were only 2 toilets which is really insufficient
considering that there were around 600+ racers. But as I said, that was
not such a big issue and we will definitely be coming back for the next
edition of the Millipede MTB Jamboree next year!
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