Tour de Ben II (October 2008)

Last October 2008, cycling buddies of mine- Steve, Ben & Azmar (in support car as photographer) embarked on a bicycle tour known as Tour de Ben (named after our friend 'Biriani' Ben). I did the 1st one back in Dec 2006 as a farewell tour for Ben who was returning to UK for good but this time it was specially arranged for him during his short visit to Malaysia by Steve. Unfortunately, I have to miss this one because it was done during the month of Ramadan (Fasting Month). And the tour was covering KL~Ipoh~Penang (approx. 400km++) riding through some beautiful and less busy roads of Perak.

Here are some photos from the tour:

steve & ben

ben trying to catch up with steve

lata kinjang waterfall near gua tempurung, perak

bridge at kuala kangsar, perak

ben, steve & azmar

Photos courtesy of steve

LeTour de Langkawi 2009

LE Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), Malaysia's biggest race sees its shortest ever edition running from February 9 to 15 next year, driven into cost-cutting measures by the global economic meltdown.

Nevertheless, the seven-stage hors categorie race offers and enticing affair as an improved, compact version of the race that covers 1,029 kilometres in total promises to pile the pressure on a bigger mix of riders in a 120-strong peloton made up of 20 teams.

Undulations in Stage One from Putrajaya to Senawang will see the mountains classification up for grabs right from the start, throwing a sense of wide-openness into the picture, with sprinters' teams not guaranteed a bunched sprint finish. Stage Two sees another categorised climb early in the 161.7 km stage, which can see the sprinters' teams really staking their claim, but that bunch sprint they will look for is not guaranteed.

Tricky categorised climbs are sprinkled throughout the six stages prior to the traditional final stage, the Kuala Lumpur Criterium on Feb 15. This time around, the all-rounders have more options throughout the race with undulating routes mixed in all but two stages. The sprinters' teams can have six stages to look for, but they will have to work harder than before.

The queen stage, the climb to the top of Genting Highlands makes a return this time around, after being replaced by Fraser's Hill in the 13th edition this year, but via a short 95.6km route on the fifth day from Petaling Jaya. This will undoubtedly be the decider, but damage control measures can be taken, given the form of the earlier stages, thus throwing into the picture an expectation of a non-pure climber like 2007 winner Anthony Charteau having the possibility to seize a lead in earlier stages and defend it up Genting, which will now have the possibility of producing an extremely exciting decider.

Source: ltdl.com

Jan Ullrich confirms no comeback to pro cycling

German Jan Ullrich re-stated that he won't make a comeback to racing despite the recent comeback of Lance Armstrong. The 1997 Tour de France champion, 35 years old today, is focused on family life.

"When I say I stop, then that's the way it is." However, Lance Armstrong "probably didn't think in the last few years that he would start again," Ullrich said to Eurosport.

Ullrich won the Tour de France for Team Telekom a year after finishing second behind his captain Bjarne Riis in 1996. He finished second in the race, behind Armstrong, three times, and also finished third and fourth. Team T-Mobile suspended him before the start of the 2006 Tour for his connection to Operación Puerto. He announced his retirement in February 2007.

"So far I have not missed pro cycling. I left the sport after a disappointment, but since then my broken heart has been repaired."

Ullrich followed the recent developments of his former Tour rival, Armstrong. He believes that the returning rider didn't find "fulfilment" in his life.

"He runs marathons, changes women and still can't find what he is looking for. I can imagine that he needs cycling again, to find his fulfilment. He certainly won't return to finish second."

Ullrich focuses on family life. "I want to continue my family life as perfect as it is at the moment. I hope that we will have more children." He and wife Sara have a son, Max, 1 year old, and he has a five-year-old daughter Sarah from a previous relationship.

Source: Topix-Cycling News / picture from welt.de

Thank You David Hon!

Just completed my first tour on a folding bike...on a DaHon Speed P8, to be precised.

Used to be a skeptic but finally I braved myself to try one after seeing Chris Hoy riding one during the closing of Beijing Olympics.

This bike is a proven touring bike...slower but better handling & a reliable workhorse! I'd call it a KICK-ASS bike!

It took me slightly more than a minute to prepare the bike by simply unfold & lock it with quick-release clip, hook on all the panniers, bar bags etc.. without using any tools. Voila!

Whereas others (road/mtb/recumbent/touring) took approx. 15~20mins to re-fix their tires, pedals, handlebars, saddles, adjusting brakes & derailleur etc.

Almost hit 70km/h on descent, easy negotiating sharp corner ala Valentino Rossi's, able to follow 30km/h++ on flat (have to work harder because of the smaller wheel) but limited of gearing (option- to use internal hub to have 16 speed), I use 39T chainrings x 14T~16T cassette most of the time. But not to worry because a 'normal' touring would not require me to ride that fast all the time.

Able to ride on bad roads and off roads with 20" x 2.0 schwalbe big apple tires.

Full touring accessories are available- front & rear rack/fenders. Contact your local authorised distributor for those stuff.

Up right position & adjustable handle post for better riding position.

Chromoly frame- heavier but allow for more comfortable ride. Able to take up 105 kg of load (including the rider)

And it only requires a small space for storage- in car, train or at home. In fact, it is quite easy to carry around using the bike bag.

Conclusion- nice, comfortable ride but look awkward and/or funny (to some non-cyclist) when a big man like me riding a small bike. but still love it!

I guess, it has reignited my passion for cycling and bike touring after 2 years on 'sabatical leave'.
Thank you David Hon!

The New Kid on The Block

Finaly, I bought a Folding bike! Bought on the Dec 7, 2008. Can't wait to test it out during this coming Bike Tour. It's best for touring because it is a chromoly with 20" wheel & rear rack. Weigh approximately 11.8kg. So, it is on the heavy side. What the heck! It's for touring! The only modification that I've made (at the moment) is changing the chainring from 53T to 39T. So it's ready for the hill. And it took me 30~50sec to fold it.

Webber breaks leg in bike crash

Formula One driver Mark Webber has broken his leg after colliding head-on with a car while riding a bike at his own charity event in Tasmania.

The Australian, 32, who drives for the Red Bull racing team, was airlifted to hospital where he underwent surgery on a broken right leg.

"The surgery is complete, a pin inserted and the recovery begins," said the event's director, Geoff Donohue.

The accident happened south-east of state capital Hobart on Saturday.


Webber was taking part in the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge, a 250km endurance event consisting of mountain bike riding, kayaking and trekking on the Australian island.

He was riding a bicycle along a road near historic Port Arthur when he collided with a four-wheel drive vehicle at 1240 local time.

"Mark's in good spirits," said Donohue. "The broken leg is the injury, and beyond that, he's in really good shape.

"He has a little bit of a graze on his left forearm, but he has had full scans and everything else is clear.

"He'll be in hospital for at least three days, for sure under a week. I was speaking to him before the operation, and he was already thinking about his rehabilitation."

Sergeant Jon Ford, of Tasmania Police, said: "We received reports of a collision between a bicycle and a motor vehicle on the Fortescue Bay Road on the Tasman Peninsula.

"He was airlifted from the scene by helicopter and taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital where he is now being treated for serious but not life-threatening injuries.

"He suffered a broken leg and other injuries and is reported to be in a stable condition."

Webber, who is also a BBC Sport columnist, finished 11th in the Formula One drivers' world championship standings this year.

Red Bull have already begun testing ahead of the 2009 F1 season. The team's next testing session is scheduled to take place in Jerez, in southern Spain, from 9 December.

"That date obviously will be an issue," said Donohue.

"But I suspect that as soon as Mark is able to fly, they will be keen to get him back to Europe.

"They will have people working out his rehab program now with a view to getting him up and going as soon as possible."

Source: BBC Sport/ Motorsport

Folding Bike Touring Anyone?

I think touring on folding bike must be more convenient & comfortable. And we can carry more stuff if use it together with the Lightweight Bike Trailer! Anyone?

Source: YouTube