9th G Club Bahang Ride 10/1/10

Captain - Posted on 10 January 2010

My god,

Submitted by seng chiang on Wed, 13/01/2010 - 10:16am.

Anyone had tried to ride from Sg. Dua directly heading towards Bkt. Jambul Hil then go to Bt. Maung via relau with a Very Very Very normal bike(15 speed) and then back to Sg. Dua. I think I would gave a rating 3 for this ride.Remember,Try this trip by using a normal bike not MTB or Racing bike.Actually I just came back from there,cause today i work at Noon shift.NO HELMET NO RIDE....

cheers,

seng chiang

nice route...

Submitted by stingray on Wed, 13/01/2010 - 12:07pm.

Dear Seng Chiang,

Nice to hear that you manage to find your own cycle route and share with us. May I know which route do you take from Bukit Jambul to Batu Maung? Are you taking the express highway? May be one day will join you...

Best Regards, Ray

Actually it is via jalan dato

Submitted by seng chiang on Sun, 17/01/2010 - 10:22pm.

Actually it is via jalan dato Ismail Hashim,or that road to chong chern primary school.then follow the signboard there to Batu maung.

cheers,

seng chiang

Good Idea But No Fun

Submitted by Husky on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 5:17pm.

Hi Turbosnail,

Your suggestion to break the riders into groups is good but unfortunately it will be not so fun as riding in a big group.

Strange that all the while we are trying to get more cyclists to join in the ride and this sort of problem crops up.

But your suggestion to regroup at the Forest Reserve is good, as long as they don't consider us as trespassing. Haha!

Parking 100 bikes at the T Bahang kopitiam will be a big hazard.

yeah Tony, that is the irony

Submitted by look368 on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 5:23pm.

yeah Tony, that is the irony in life. When u hv it you wanna to break and vice versa but it is better also for the fast grp who sometime wans to stress their limit and hv a good workout.

Tony: It can't be avoided.

Submitted by turbosnail on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 10:03pm.

Tony:

It can't be avoided. As the group grows, there will be riders with different fitness levels. Riders with same level of fitness will prefer to ride together. We also have to consider the wellfare of other road users. Riding in big groups on road may create inconveniences to other road users.

Alternatively, what I can think of is we will brief the participants that speed will be paced before we reach Tlk Bahang Kopitiam and everybody will ride in one group. Some sort of like pacing of F1 race. Instead of Merz Mclaren SLK/Bimmer M3/Mitsu Evo XX, We can get RELA to act as our pace vehicle. Get them to limit the speed to 20~25kmh. Everybody abide by it until the Kopitiam. Then, riders have choices to stop for a bowl of loh mee or speed up and continue.

Doc:

There is a convenient store in front of the entrance to Taman Negara Pulau Pinang that can buy drinks and some snacks. If I were not mistaken, there are Malay stores there selling fried noodles and stuffs too. I used to stop there for a breather if I don't feel like going for a weekend metric century. Of course, can't expect to have hot and delicous food there though. It's more catered for convenience sake.

Pacing

Submitted by Husky on Wed, 13/01/2010 - 4:58pm.

Hi Turbosnail,

Not a bad idea at all. Don't need a RELA rider to lead. An experienced rider doing average of 25 kmh can lead and we will follow. We should advise the riders not to race each other and not to overtake unnecessarily. Tired or slow riders should give way to those who want to ride ahead. Then it should be a fun and happy ride for all.

Then as you said, once we reach our meeting point, be it T Bahang kopitiam or Taman Negara Penang, or even the T Bahang dam, then the group can disperse. The stronger riders heading on for Balik Pulau and the casual ones riding back to G Hotel, again in a properly manner.

I think all who can do the Gurney-T Bahang route should be reasonably fit and can cycle at a steady pace. Even if not, being among so many cyclists will encourage and give them the push to do so. I know because I was nervous when I entered my first public ride, last year's Merdeka Ride. How to complete 54 kms? But once you start pedalling with so many fellow cyclists around, you'll make it home safe and sound. Not to worry.

Cheers and Happy Cycling.

16 inch folding bike allow to join?

Submitted by thomas on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 3:05pm.

Good day all,

i m new and thank you admin for activated my account. its been ages since i last cycle.

got myself a 16 inch dahon foldie 3 months ago and have started pedaling city, gurney drive and so on. just wondering what the average speed all the cyclist are riding? looks like quite fast. 30km/h? my foldie is like kura kura, just thought of joining but scare will left far behind.

and is it possible to go off after reach rasa sayang?

cheers

burn fat and not gas...wooyeah!

thomas

Thomas come join us!

Submitted by KNTXX on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 3:37pm.

No worries Thomas... for T Bahang ride, I saw one or two also riding on folding bike. So you will be fine. As for the speed, we usually cycle to enjoy the ride and not to race. We have the sweeper at the back to make sure all will arrive safely. I am also a kura kura, so we can ride together..

Come join us!!

Kenny

kura kura

Submitted by Captain on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 3:50pm.

Kenny, you are certainly not kura kura when cycling.

you are just on "going to pulau tikus market" mode only.....

but having said that, you guys better watch out for Kenny when he is going downhill... the last ride he wanted to take 'short cut' !!! lucky there is a tree, if not ..... must call for helicopter to bail him out liao.

Kura kura? Too fast lah!

Submitted by turbosnail on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 4:30pm.

Thomas:

Don't worry, we are going at snail pace...

Just join us for fun, and yes, NO HELMET NO RIDE!

any bike..

Submitted by Captain on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 3:24pm.

dear thomas,

as long as it has got 2 wheels, require pedalling and not petrol / electric, all are welcome.

you can go off even after reaching tg bungah. do not worry about being left behind, we engaged RELA to make sure that he will be looking at yr butt when u are the last rider !!

beside the above rule, it's yr helmet. NO HELMET, NO RIDE.

see ya.

Agreed! No Helmet No Ride!

Submitted by thomas on Wed, 13/01/2010 - 1:55am.

Thanks kenny, turbosnail and captain!

Will definitely join the next ride, problem is I can't stay long as need to rush back to take care of 9 months old baby daughter :)

Parenting life is very different, no more lepak.

Just wondering cycle up to teluk bahang dam and back to g hotel will roughly take how many hours?

Should end by 10.30am

Submitted by KNTXX on Wed, 13/01/2010 - 9:28am.

Hi Thomas,

Usually you should be back to G hotel by 10.30am including the stops that we have for bfast and etc. For me, I seldom end at G hotel as when we reach the Teluk Bahang Dam, there will be groups who will continuer for round island, tropical fruit farm and some other places. Usually I will join one of the groups unless there is a plan for another ride on Sunday afternoon. Many will return after the reaching the dam. The choice is yours.

Kenny

Teluk Bahang

Submitted by twy on Mon, 11/01/2010 - 8:54pm.

I was doing my weekly round island ride last Sunday. I met with the last cyclist and the RELA escort motorbike as I was approaching Teluk Bahang. As I arrived at Teluk Bahang, I noticed the whole group of you guys. But since there were a quite a number of cyclist, some stopped at the side of the road and some was also crossing to get to the other side. I find it a little bit dangerous, as I don't think that space in front of the shops can accommodate some 70 cyclists at the same time, what more when the number increases in the next ride. I had to slow down to pass you guys, just to make sure I won't knock into anybody. Saying all that, I am not sure if that place is suitable place to stop in the future, once the number of cyclists grow. I just don't want any untoward incident to occur.

Alternative solutions...

Submitted by stingray on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 1:36pm.

It would be great that there is a sign board of "Pedestrian/Cyclist Crossing" 200m before the teluk bahang roundabout so that the motorist will aware about it and slowing down their vehicle. Just like "Deer crossing" sign board. The other solution is getting a traffic light for pedestrian/cyclist crossing or yellow strip on the road near the teluk bahang roundabout. If only the government can implement a dedicated cycle lane, this will be the best solution.

Just my 2 cents, Ray

Twy got a point. I believe

Submitted by dshee on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 1:06pm.

Twy got a point. I believe stopping at the kopitiam when there is a large group is not only hazardous but frustrating for riders when the shop owners miss your order out of the confusion. Dr, maybe we can talk to them first prior to the ride? We can help them organize the parking bay, seating and preorder the food? We can even consider putting up a Gclub sign in their shop for publicity?

Thanks twy for the

Submitted by look368 on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 12:34pm.

Thanks twy for the feedbacks. Read one interesting article recently on group community riding. It was recommended that the grp shud not be bigger than 40 riders if they were to ride TOGETHER. Together means back to back as in a peloton. This is because if the grp is too big an overtaking motorised vehicle will need a longer time to clear the grp and this is dangerous.

In our setting, even though the grp is big, it comprises various level of fitness. The seasoned riders will form their peloton and ride off far ahead. The main convoy which need the "borrowed" confidence of the RELA escorts comprises mainly newbies and those who wants to try road riding but are too scare. In essence, I noticed there are various grp that stretches out over a few kilimetres and so far we do not hv a peloton of 40 riders together.

A lone rider has its advantages. He/She can stop anytime he want, he need to only watch out for himself but for lots of new riders these confidence is not there. So like the fishes in the ocean, if you r a lone fish you may be eaten by the bigger fish. A shoal of small fishes will look like a gigantic fish and hopefull the bigger fish will slow down in their track and let the convoy of riders a safe passage. The fact that you slow down in seeing a large grp of riders bear testimony.

Thanks for yr feedback, we will advised the next grp to be more vigilant and dont stand or cross the road wantonly. We are also trying to organise workshops on bicycles and safe riding. If u r interested to contribute, pls feel free to contact us.

Happy riding.

Traffic control at regroup/stops

Submitted by turbosnail on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 12:53pm.

Doc:

twy has brought up a valid point. Maybe it's time to suggest the accompany RELA to help controlling the traffics at stops. Also, a workshop for group ride helps also.

P.S: Look like I will take longer time for injured wrist to heal. Will have to get off saddle for some time...:( *sigh*

limited physical space

Submitted by look368 on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 1:27pm.

A pre briefing before a ride to inform riders is also very helpful. Maybe the next ride we shud lists down all the points to inform riders esp the newbies and we will bear in mind to remind them to keep away from the road esp at the kopitiam area. Unfortunately the kopitiam area is not exactly a nice complex with lots of seating place. It will always be a logistic problem unless we want to limit the number of riders per ride. Daniel's suggestions might sound good but I doubt it cud be implemented. The problem as twy pointed out is the physical size of the place not able to cater to so many riders not so much of the organising aspect.

AS for the RELA, as pointed out earlier by eskay, that is ilegal for them to stop and direct traffics as what they did during the first ride with them ( I am still in the midst of trying to get Robert to confirm with the traffic abt its legality). Last ride, we compromised by telling to coordinate the traffic lights and intersection areas

I have another suggestions

Submitted by turbosnail on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 4:41pm.

I have another suggestions:

1. Split the riders into different groups and limit the number of riders to 40 or less. Appoint ride leader for each group. The leader will act as a herding dogs or some sort and he/she will make sure that his/her group will ride together and nobody got left out. We can also limit speed for each group according to the levels of riders, i.e, Peloton A=20kmh, peloton B= 25kmh, Peloton C=30kmh and so on. Of course, this will not eliminate the spread out but should be able to minimize it.

2. Change the regroup venue from Tlk Bahang Kopitiam to ,say, Penang National Park Entrance?

3. RELA to help direct the cyclist traffic to the kopitiams when arrive. Of course, that will be a question of legality there. But since it is not at traffic light, I think it should be ok.

Most feasible idea

Submitted by look368 on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 5:15pm.

I think this is this most feasible idea. Takes a veteran rider to solve the problem. On the pre ride briefing we could identify the leaders of the 3 gps. Those who wan leisure cum exercise ride join gp A etc like at our Tlk Bahang divisions into Pantai Aceh, round island and those going back.

Problem with regrouping at national park is that there is no food and drink. Robert has identified a new place call the Garden at bt Ferringhi but it is also ve small. Maybe we shud speak to G hotel GM Mr Marco and see if he can use his cable (He is the Chairman for the Malaysian Hotel Association) to rope in Bt Ferringhi hotel as a regrouping; Rasa SAyang Resort will be nice if we hv the dough!!! Alternatively, each gp regroup at their own location halfway but meet up the main grp again at Tlk Bahang Dam at 930 am

Jus spoken to Robert who is now quite "kam cheng " with the Penang traffic chief. Apparently, the polic do not mind the RELA s to stop and control the traffic even at the traffic light jus like the first time they did for us. Last Sunday their leader Chong was very confident they allow to control traffic and he felt his gp can do a better job if we let them. However I still feel quite uneasy with it.

Certainly for them to direct the cyclists traffic to the kopitiam is not a problem at all.

Safety on rides

Submitted by Husky on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 9:41am.

Yes, I agree with twy. With or without RELA escorts, it is DANGEROUS while cycling on public roads. I cringe whenever I see cyclists two or God forbid, three abreast, happily chatting away while cycling. Safety is of paramount importance once we don our helmets and start out. All cyclists must be taught to watch out for traffic. You know our typical Malaysian drivers mentality, and Penang drivers are no better, that they are kings on the road. We should not ride as if we own the roads. We should be mindful of traffic.

round island kaki

Submitted by stingray on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 1:22am.

Dear twy,

wow.. found another round island kaki...may i know what time do you start the ride? may be one day, I will bump into you...hihi

Best Regards, Ray

Hi stingray

Submitted by twy on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 8:12pm.

Hi stingray,

I normally ride on Saturdays, but if I can't make it (can't wake up or too tired), I'll do it on Sunday. I normally leave my place near BJ at around 7-7.30am. I normally do anti-clockwise because of traffic reasons. If I do clockwise, I will u-turn at Teluk Bahang and return. I'm pretty sure we would have bumped into each other before. I ride a black Specialized tri/TT frame bike, and I am normally alone.

Let's Do The Bump

Submitted by Husky on Wed, 13/01/2010 - 5:06pm.

Hello TWY, Stingray.

I ride EVERY Saturday and Sunday morning around Balik Pulau coz I live there! I usually head towards Bukit Genting on the Teluk Kumbar road or towards Titi Kerawang depending on my fancy. I can detour around Pondok Upeh, or up to Pulau Betong's Pasir Panjang beach. I can also ride to the end of Pantai Acheh village. When feeling fit I would head to Teluk Bahang/Batu Ferringhi or the other direction to Sungai Batu/Gertak Sanggul.

How come I NEVER see you two? Hahaha!

Tony

nice to hear from you...

Submitted by stingray on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 8:22pm.

Dear twy,

I think I bumped with you a couple of times before. Normally, I start my round island ride on saturday morning 6:00am and will be finished about 9:30am or 10:00am. If you are doing anti-clockwise and I'm doing clock-wise. I'm sure we will meet at some point.

Best Regards, Ray

G Club Bahang Ride - 10/1/10 pictures on Facebook

Submitted by Captain on Mon, 11/01/2010 - 12:13pm.

for those using facebook, you can now look for G Club's page in facebook which i had managed to upload them this morning.

would appreciate if you could log in, take a look and tag your own picture(s) so that we will be able see and get to know you better.

have fun.

cheers,

Captain

2 nd Tlk Bahang in May,2009

Submitted by look368 on Mon, 11/01/2010 - 12:03am.

Walking down memory lane. It seems like a long time ago. Unfortunately we do not hv our first Bahang ride, because Daniel is the one at that time who always had his camera with him and a few of us; Captain, Robert, sifu and a few more started from G hotel. Daniel and farmer Gerard join us at Tg Bungah in front of Maxim. Daniel was riding a MTB and the next day after our ride he bought a road bike!!!

How it all began ?

Submitted by dshee on Mon, 11/01/2010 - 10:20am.

Haha! yes, I was riding my polycon tour bike (the same type of bike that YB rode to Xiamen, you can say I was influenced by him!) and when I tried to chase Dr in his racer on the way to B Ferringi in our first ride together, I realised that I needed a racer !

How did it all begin?

One day my farmer friend Gerald asked me if I wanted to cycle to Teluk Bahang with a few other cyclists.

So one Sunday morning Gerald, Gee and myself cycled from P Tikus to Tanjung Bunga to meet Robert Lee and Ronnie. Vividly I can still remember as we approached the bus stand in Tanjung Bunga, we saw two gentlmen waiting eagerly for us. As we shook hands to get to know each other, Dr turned up. Dr looked at me and I looked at him and I said "hey I know you, you're my ENT dr !"

Weeks later we met again in front of G Hotel together with a few other riders. And our generous host G Hotel even served us mineral water ! Before our ride, someone suggested we should start a club and perhaps name it after G Hotel. So that was how G club was born !

Since then Dr, Ronnie and Robert had been instrumental in organizing rides and campaining for a lane, culminating in the epic 'Ride with CM' and pushing G club to where it is today. I was more of an arm chair member, toying with the website and Gerald was too busy with his farm. Later GClub was fortunate to have Sifu, Turbosnail, Micheal and wife Diana joining the bandwagon.

I believe there's not a cycling club here that could match what Gclub had achieved todate. In such a short time G club had created so much impact; the successful "Ride with CM" and the road signs are great testimony of Gclub's achievements ! Hats off to Dr, Ronnie, Robert and the rest of the team !!

Daniel.. sounds like RTK

Submitted by chicken on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 8:17am.

Just barely a year, G club has made a huge impact in the local cycling scene. Can see many cycling blogs have a link to G club website. Search online for bicycle related articles and G club will most of the time appear in the first page. Probably next coming tlk bahang rides will see the no. of riders grow to 3 figures.

RTK - romance of the 3 kingdoms

Just like how liubei, guanyu & zhangfei got together. Later came zhugeliang, zhaoyun, machao & huangzhong to strengthen the force. Then more people join their course and the kingdom of Shu was formed.

Of course, they ride horses and we ride bicycles.

9th G Club Bahang ride photos

Submitted by Captain on Sun, 10/01/2010 - 6:48pm.

took me almost the whole afternoon to upload all the 90+ pictures on the website.

i do hope i did not leave anyone out with the number of pics. however, if your picture is not there, come ride again next month and let me know, i will take a full picture of you alone and upload it for you !! *grin*

i hope everyone had a great ride this morning.

notable absentee : Turbosnail, Mickael Tham / Poon (GSA), Mike Leong (in Australia), Robert Lee (in K. Bahru, appointment with Nik Aziz i heard), Nightrider (in KL meeting) plus some of the regulars that i cannot recall at this moment due to lack of afternoon nap !!!

watch out for G Club's next ride via the event board.

Happy riding...

WOW!

Submitted by nightrider on Sun, 10/01/2010 - 10:25pm.

Looks like the cycling trend is coming back to PG after all. Impressive turnout this time. I feel so sad being in KL now and my legs were so itchy for not being able to go today that after my training at 6 today I went to the gym ans cycled for 2 hours. Now my legs ffel like I just cycled to pantai acheh and back :)

Glad you guys enjoyed yourselves!

Cheers and see you guys next week!

regards,

nightrider

Kesian you lah Jason. Cannot

Submitted by look368 on Sun, 10/01/2010 - 10:57pm.

Kesian you lah Jason. Cannot get the real thing, celup one also can lah. when you come back we ride Pearl Hill ok

wait till you see next month ride....hihi

Submitted by stingray on Mon, 11/01/2010 - 9:20am.

Dear Jason,

Never mind, I hope that next month the teluk bahang ride will grow even bigger...hihi...

Best Regards, Ray

Sorry

Submitted by Husky on Mon, 11/01/2010 - 12:10pm.

Hi all,

Sorry didn't meet you all at Teluk Bahang kopitiam as promised bcos my mom was admitted to hospital on Sat evening.

I did go for a short ride with my wife around Balik Pulau (did only 20 kms) in the morning before rushing down to hospital. My mom's okay tho. Just complaining sbout dizziness.

Anyway that was a great turnout. Yes, next month's ride is gonna be bigger! I will bet my beloved bicycle on it. But seeing CNY is on the 14 Feb, I think we'll have to ride on 6 or 7 Feb. Let's make it a grand one for G Club. I'm going to encourage my friends to join in this ride. Hope to get more than a dozen riders for you.

Happy cycling!

see you next month...

Submitted by stingray on Mon, 11/01/2010 - 12:33pm.

Dear Tony,

Glad to hear that your mum is o.k. Once, I saw a couple and 2 children riding at balik pulau hill. I think it must be you and your family...hihi

Also, I noticed that there is a group of local teluk bahang MTB rider (from teluk bahang fisherman village) always go to balik pulau hill. Next time, when I meet them, I will ask them to join the g-club teluk bahang ride...

Best Regards, Ray

Sure will

Submitted by Husky on Mon, 11/01/2010 - 12:45pm.

Hi Ray,

Thanks.

No, not me and my missus and family. Firstly my wife is too fast for me. She rides a Trek roadie. My daughter's too lazy and for sure my dog can't cycle. Hahaha!

But I'm sure we have crossed paths as I ride EVERY weekend between 7 am - 10/11 am around Balik Pulau.

The local group will usually start at 5~6 am in the morning and prefer to ride to AID. One of them runs the bicycle shop in B Pulau town.

Meet you on our next ride.

Tony

9th Tlk Bahang ride extended to Pantai Aceh

Submitted by look368 on Sun, 10/01/2010 - 6:41pm.

Today's ride was wonderful. A total of about 70 plus riders started off from G hotel. Noticed different categories of riders, some seasoned athletic riders and some social riders and some newbies. 4 RELA s came to help out. On the outward ride to Tlk Bahang, they were not very visible as the riders due to the different levels of fitness were spread out over a large distance but I believe the Tlk Bahang to G hotel was better with the RELA able to keep the convoy intact after a briefing by us (and Gary).

Due to the good response and large number of riders, we would encourage feedbacks on how to organise it better. Pls feel free to voice out suggestions.

From the Tlk Bahang dam, we split int0 3 grps; one group head back to G hotel with RELA escort; 2nd group headed to Pantai Aceh; 3rd group went round island;

Above route taken to Pantai Aceh, if you notice there is a loop around EO housing project which I took when riding down to G hotel to meet up with the grp.

Total calories burn 3,639 calories (equivalent to abt 40 km of run- almost a marathon) and total distance covered 70.64 km. Note the elevation graph, 2 peaks at maximum of 233 metres corresponding to the first climb to tropical fruit farm and 2nd climb coming back. Notice coming back from Pantai Aceh the climb is a lot steeper because distance is shorter compare to from tlk bahang to Pantai Aceh.

Glad to see the number growing

Submitted by turbosnail on Sun, 10/01/2010 - 9:21pm.

I think we can still stick to the current arrangement and in addition to that, we could have extended ride cater for those who would like to go beyond Tlk Bahang Dam. In PCC weekly road ride, they have Options A, B, C for riders with different physical categories and assign ride leaders for respective options. We can adopt what they pratice. But instead of having Options, lets call it extended ride:

1. G-Hotel - Tlk Bahang ride

2. Pantai Aceh/Sungai Pinang ride

3. Round Island/Metric Century ride

The G-Hotel - Tlk Bahang ride will be the main ride of G-Group. We can also add in Pantai Aceh/Sungai Pinang ride as the regular ride for seasoned riders too. The Round Island/Metric Century ride will be on ad hoc basis and can be decided after a ride regroup at either the 800m signboard or the junction to Pantai Aceh/ Sungai Pinang.

P.S: Thanks for those who asked about me. Looking at my condition, I think I would have to rest for another week until my injured wrist is fully healed...:(

HIGHLIGHTS...

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9th G Club Bahang Ride 10/1/10

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