Interstate 2007 Day 1

My PCC Interstate ride 2007 started off at around 6.00AM where we have to load our baggage to the lorry and wait for further instructions. At about 6.45AM we were off to Taiping from Ipoh town. It was a bit dark and chilly. By the sun came up we were in the outskirts of the town. I was trying to catch up with Big Mac and The Star writer but they where pedaling at a constant speed. After few traffic lights I lost them and end up riding by myself, entering beautiful farm land and rubber estates. It was all covered mist.

Then I decided to ride with a guy who is doing about the same speed as me. We started talking and I thought we can ride together till the end. Then the first problem of my ride happened. It was minor problem but it was irritating. I usually ride in the middle ring but some how the front derailure cage started to rub against the chain. I don't want to hear the rubbing sound for the next 130KM so I decided to fix it. This is where I lost my "riding partner".

As I was trying to fix the problem (actually I don't know what I was doing because it's been ages since I adjusted the front derailure), one of the support car stopped few meters in front of me. So kind of them to stop for me. As I figured I cannot solve the problem I decided not to waste time (mine and the support car driver) and continue the ride in the big chain ring.

As I decided to go I was passed by Mr. Lee who was friendly to ask if everything was OK. I rode up to him and end up riding with him till the end of day 1. We stopped at a small shop around kilometer 40 for breakfast. The earlier group all the delicious food and left us with instant noodles and 100+. I had 100+, mineral water and a Gronola bar.

We continued to the next stopping point and I ate rojak and 100+ and some plain water. When we continue we have to climb and there were some rolling hills. We passed the German guy in a recumbent and some strong girls on mountain bikes. I learned a lot from riding behind Mr. Lee. To rest your legs a while after a moderate effort, relaxing your arm and hands at regular interval.

Next stop is some old town at kilometer 118. I had mixed rice and 100+. I saw a cyclist with prosthetic lower legs having a break there. He's riding with a different group. When we continued, we faced a huge climb at Changkat Jering. Legs were a bit tired but other that that it was no problem climbing it. After that huge climb, it's time for a great downhill. I was going 40+KM\H when a motorcyclist came beside me and start chatting with me!

The rest of the ride was flat till 10KM from the finish. We have to ride through the famous Taiping Lake Garden and some housing estates to reach the hotel.

I accidentally reset my bike computer but I remembered it's about 6 hr+ spent on the bike, with average speed above 22+KM/h. Arrived at 2.30PM.