Around Penang Island. CM ride trail.
The sky was overcast. Perfect condition for road riding. I took my new "ahem" roadie out for an adventure. Started from my house in Tg Bunga at 10am and headed for Esplanade and then the Coastal Highway. The ride was very smooth and I also noticed that the bicycle emblems were painted on the roads along Esplanade also.
The traffic got a bit heavy as I reached the Coastal Highway. Bikes and cars zooming everywhere without a care. I had to really slow down and ride with extreme care along there. Had breakfast with my friend in Queensbay Mall area and continued m journey towards Bayan Lepas. Weather still fantastic.
Headed up Teluk Kumbar and then towards Balik Pulau. I'm really impressed with the development of Balik Pulau. I used to remember the extremely winding and narrow roads uphill but now, construction is going on building this massive bridge linking from the start of the uphill out towards the slope and I should think it will connect somewhere near Betong.
(Has anyone tried this place recently?)
Balik Pulau was a very comfortable ride with good road conditions as well as mnimal traffic. Headed to the market and to my dismay, the market has been closed down. I was looking forward to the pasembur for my lunch! :( So I stopped at the nearest coffee shop to have some rice instead.
Riding back up from Balik Pulau towards Teluk Bahang was a bit tough. Not used to the gears on my roadie, I feel it took more effort and strength to ride up the hill. (Maybe it was the lunch) The consolation however, was the spectacular view offerred.
(Breathtaking view. Although it might be the uphill climb la)
Stopped at the 800m to the TFF sign for a breather and back home. Yay! The sun came out a bit on the way down and lit up the sea so bright that the water almost looks blue along Teluk Bahang road. What a sight! With fishing boats cruising along and the sea so calm, it looks picture perfect. Unfortunately my camera can't see the effect. :(
Reached home tired but happy that I did the ride around 3pm. Average speed around 28km/h, slow and very leisurely on the straights, taxing but fun ride uphills. Downhills are always my favourite.
Anyone out there interested to do one again, don't forget to count me in if the timing is right!
Signing off,
nightrider (riding during the day too already!)
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Oct 25, 2009. I remember this date very well as I fell during the round island trip. I was about 1,200m away from the fruitfarm when I had to negotiate a right turn, going downhill towards Tk Bahang dam. Had bad abrasions and lacerations. I managed to complete the whole course in 3hrs 36min, with injuries and first-aid time taken into consideration. Had I not had the fall, a sub-3hrs on a Proton T-Bolt MTB is manageable. Roadies are a lot faster.
BUT, I am raring to go again on the round island trip.I am making a comeback after resting more than two months for injuries to heal. I am currently training to get my fitness back. Anyone can join me. I train in the evenings on road, using usual route Greenlane-Gottlieb Road-Tj Tokong-Tj Bungah-Bt Ferringhi (Parkroyal Hotel) and back to Greenlane. Time taken about 2hours plus, covering about 40km. I plan to ride my round island after CNY. I will start from Greenlane Caltex station and will ride to TESCO and towards Bayan Lepas to Batu Maung. Then all the way round island and back to Greenlane Caltex station.
Any one joining me to train or the round island trip?
Hey Posh66, you sure can ride! I'm in too. I stay in Balik Pulau so if I can't join you at the start in Green Lane I may ride down to Batu Maung or Bayan Lepas to meet up with you or somewhere else and accompany you up to Gurney Drive or further.......... We'll discuss and confirm later. But whatever I will be sure to come along part of the way. Okay?
Keep us posted on the date you wanna ride.
Cheers.
Dear Posh66,
After CNY, I will be free. Please let me know when are you planning for the round-island. I would love to join you. Don't get suprise ...I think there will be more people going to join you....hihi..
Note: I'm using MTB with Slick tyre
Hope to see you soon, Ray
Wow! U guys sound like you're having lots of fun.
I've never tried round island in one go before, tho I've done them in stages. Have done Gurney to Balik Pulau via Teluk Kumbar. Have done Balik Pulau to Bagan Jermal. Now to do it all on one trip one day.
Sure would be fun going with you guys but I don't think I'll ever get a roadie at my age. And I don't know whether you all will wait up for me on my mtb or not. And I'm real slow especially on the climbs. Sigh! Wish I was 20 years younger. How I envy you guys.
Happy cycling.
This phrase taken from BH bikes.
Don't stop cycling when you grow old. You will grow old when you stop cycling.
What a coincidence Chicken, I ride a BH bike. You must have spotted me before. Haha! Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement.
Dear Tony,
If I were 20 years younger, I don't think I have time for cycling...may be chasing CHAR BO...hihi
This saturday morning, me and susumu will do a slow round island ride, care to join us...
Best Regards, Ray
Hey Ray,
Thanks for the offer. U start from Union School, right? I won't be able to start with you but I should be able to meet up with you at the foot of the Genting Restaurant on the Teluk Kumbar road. What time do you think you can reach there? Depending on how "slow" you wanna ride, I can accompany you guys all the way to Batu Ferringhi, if I can keep up, or maybe even up to Gurney.
Please confirm the direction you are riding - clockwise or anti-clockwise.
Sms me at 012-4437035 and tell me how to spot you. I'm on a BH mtb and will wear a blue and yellow cycling jersey.
Thanks,
Tony
p.s. Will Nightrider come along?
Dear Tony,
I think we will roughly arrive at balik pulau at 8:00am. I will sms you when we reach teluk kumbar before climbing up the little hill to genting. I think it would better if you can wait for us at the first bus-stop after the foot of genting.
I'm using a raleigh black MTB (with g-club finisher jersey & black helmet) and susumu (with yellow & black helmet) is riding white/red MTB. See you there....
Note: please don't worry too much about the speed.. we are riding only for "leisure". May be you will complain that we are too slow for you....hihi
Hope to see you soon, Ray
Dear Tony and Susumu,
I have to cancel this saturday round island ride because something just came out...
Best Regards, Ray
Hi Ray,
No problem. We'll ride another day.
So Susumu-san,
Another day before we get to meet up.
I love SLOW riders. Hahaha! And btw, I have trouble riding up that little hill on Teluk Kumbar you mentioned. So you can guess how unfit I am.
I also love slow riders....just imagine that I got a nickname "Sweeper" or sampah truck during the teluk bahang ride because I'm always the last one reach teluk bahang...me love makan angin...hihi
Best Regards, ray
Dear Stringray
No problem, we can make it again, whenever you are available.
Susumu
Long distance cyclist, Mr Choo (left), of Alor Setar, cycles around Malaysia. A friend of Mr Choo, retired teacher Mr Lim (right), is also an avid cyclist and a backpacker too. Both are in their mid 60s... Tony, never too old to cycle.
Haha! U wanna see my photo? Picture a bald old man with a pot belly.
Dear Jason,
wow... practice on your round island ride.... I think next year I will ride more for round island...
Best Regards, Ray
Look like you really enjoy with your new toy. Hope that i can get my roadie.......soon.
chia
Feel the FORCE buddy, feel the FORCE!
The DARKSIDE awaits you!...;)
Hahaha Chia... I know you want it already. I can see the look in your eyes that day you saw the bike. All red and sleek. Can't wait to ride with you and the gang. Get turbosnail for some tips and advice for your choice in roadbikes.
Dear Jason & Turbo,
i'm still seaching my future roadie. i'm looking for economical bike and as long as it can give me....SPEED! How about Scott Speedster s50? RM24++? (RED color :P)
chia
It comes with basic Shimano SORA and Tiagra components, which is typical for entry level bikes in the market. The frame is shared with S10 as well, that means it is upgradeable.
I don't know if it would come with compact crank or triple crank for Malaysian market. If they do, I would change them. I ride with you before. You don't need triple crank or compact to climb the hills in Penang. You have the strength to go with standard crank. See if they can change it to 52/39 or 53/39 standard cranks.
Search the website for review and also test ride the bike yourself. Don't buy it if you don't feel the bike suits even if it receives rave reviews. Make sure the bike is properly setup for you, i.e., right seat height and cockpit length etc. If you feel too cramp, it's either the bike is smaller or you need a longer stem. The bike mech in the LBS you visit should be able to assist you on that.
Also, a good investment to fix it up with SPD-L pedals. You will find it more effiecient when it comes to power transmission. In MTB, you can make do without SPD. But for roadie, you will find it very much helpful.
The road bikes nowadays are quite light. Even this entry level bike is lighter than the most of the top notch racing bikes of the yesteryears.
http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/bike-reviews/scott-speedster-s50-first-ride/4122.html
http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/gear-news/scott-speedster-s50-first-look/3756.html
http://www.scott-sports.com/gb_en/product/8249/45131/speedster_s50
Turbo,
TQ very very much. i will take note abt d geometry of d bike.
Hv a nice day.
Chia
No problem man. The force is still strong...;)
Hi Nightrider,
You must have enjoyed a lot of this ride with your new friend, looks shining !
I wish I can try a Around Island riding again and again , so whenever you have a
plan, then please let me know.
Susumu
Dear Susumu-san,
Will update you whenever I go for a ride. And yes, road bike is very nice on the straight road.
Nice write up!
You are in my disti list for roadie ride updates!