Monday, April 28, 2014

Yunnan Ride4Change 2014

What captivated me were the bright eyes and shy smiles of the young dancers, in their yellow dresses, performing a song for us. The dancers were part of 150 odd school children in a new school near Pianjiao, Yunnan province@, China. All of us - 17 in total - felt their joy and exuberance as we sat at the tables and chairs our fund raising event provided for them.  These children were part of the beneficiaries of our 260km cycling event organized by Shangrila Adventures and World Vision.


Unlike previous charity events I had participated in, we got to meet the beneficiaries this time, and it made all the difference.**

Day 1 started from Dali old town, and our ride took us around the ErHai lake through many small sleepy villages (we helped with the crops by rolling over the stalks painstakingly laid out on the roads). Easy flat terrain with the expense of water as backdrop. But any time we pushed, we were quickly reminded that we were at high altitude (2000m). Last time I was at such an elevation was Hehuanshan, Taiwan last year.

The second day we headed north to BinChuan. Alvin warned us about a tough 10 km section, but it turned out to be only 5km, but a cat 3 climb no less. A short 10km detour to a majestic temple gate got the legs complaining but the view was certainly worth it. A long but gradual uphill to end the day, where we promptly downed three bottles of wine after dinner at a halal restaurant. Incidentally, there is a sizable Muslim community in Yunnan.



Day 3 was hot and arid as we rode into the southern Yunnan province. Apparently the region was experiencing a drought (since 1996?). Traffic along the thoroughfare was heavier than expected. Just before the bridge leading to the Yangtze River, we met up with the WV staff who led us up a small off-road path up the hill to the village. From what I could gather, the village was built to resettle villagers whose homes were destroyed by a natural disaster some years ago.

Children would walk from 3 to 4 km away to the school located in this village. Those staying further away could be housed in the hostel next to the school building. We arrived to a warm welcome.

Leaving the school, we had a good long downhill stretch. Recorded 65 kph max speed.

The final day was the real challenge. But not before we were treated to a great scenic 30km along the west coast of Zhenhai lake. Cooler temperatures, away from the trucks, it was a rider's ride cradled by rugged hills on the left and the beautiful lake on the right. This segment would end with a 3km cat 4 climb into a idyllic village, before a long descent. After we filled up with our favorite fried rice lunch, we headed for the Yongsheng mountain.

Truth be told, the mountain was intimidating from far. The road up was a series of sharp switchbacks. We could feel the palpable excitement as first Nicky, then Alvin and Greg took off. The climb over 12 km brought us from 1500 m to over 2000 m. Average gradient was 4%, and my Garmin recorded a max of 16%. According to Strava, it was a cat 2 climb.

After much huffing and puffing for close to an hour, we reached the summit. From there, we could see the winding road below, and proceeded to cheer on the rest.

Each and everyone of the group was a winner that day. For some, it was the toughest climb ever. Indeed it was a day of true grit for many.




While this was the first ever Yunnan cycling event organized for World Vision, I certainly hope it would not be the last. For the real winners are the beneficiaries of this event - the children in Yunnan province.

Day 1 on strava
Day 2 on strava
Day 3 on strava
Day 4 on strava

A big thank you to those who supported and financially contributed to this event!
And of course not forgetting MBH and boys, for putting up with my many forays into distant lands.

notes:
@ Yunnan is one of China’s undeveloped provinces with more poverty-stricken counties than other provinces. In 1994, about 7 million people lived below the poverty line of less than an annual average income of 300 yuan per capita, accounting for 9.7 percent of the country’s total poor people. 

** I have long observed that cyclists can be too self serving in pursuing their own interests at the expense of the greater need out there. Sure, we'll participate in the occasional fund raising event, as long as it is well organized, has sufficiently challenging routes, well supported and does not cost too much. If we are honest, we'll admit that these considerations outweigh the issue of what the funds are to be channelled toward. Amazing cycling machines devoid of an inner soul.

Monday, December 17, 2012

IMWA training tips

Thought it would be useful to share some of my experience (good and bad) for IMWA. For what they are worth, I hope these tips would be of some help!

IMWA swim tips: 

The next few months would be an ideal time to develop your swimming technique and efficiency. While the swim leg is considered the least important leg, the 1.9 km Busselton jetty out-and-back swim can be daunting when viewed from the shore. 

Be prepared for the cold and possibly choppy waters. A participant was pulled out half way through the swim last year due to sea sickness. Yes, the waters can get choppy, and ingesting too much salt water can cause all sorts of problems.

Bilateral breathing strongly recommended. The swim route last two years was anti-clockwise, which is good for those who breathe on the left. But sometimes, they change the direction to clockwise. Also the currents can come from the left or right, so if you do bilateral breathing, you can avoid breathing into the current.

Draft a swimmer of comparable speed. I look for big strong caucasian swimmers who kick a lot. If possible, swim on the right of someone in a left to right current (vice versa). Practice drafting during swim sessions.

Swimming in a left-to-right current: Because you are pushed left to right, your hands should reach out to 10 or 11 o-clock instead of 12 o-clock. In right-to-left current, reach out to 1 or 2 o-clock. And sight often. The jetty is the best sighting post.

Stay relaxed and calm, especially when the waters get choppy. Go with the flow, and breathe at the crest of the wave.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Year in summary

Swim: 115 km; 49 hours
Bike: trainer 2,032 km - 76 hours
Bike: road 4,584km - 174 hours
Run: treadmill 407km - 47 hours
Run: road 610km - 63 hours
Strength training: 27 hours
Others: 60 sessions - 76 hours

Total time to-date: 533 hours
Total calories burnt: 220,000

S: 115, B: 6,616; R: 1,017km 

Monday, October 29, 2012

Run mileage

To clock up sufficient mileage for the run, I incorporated two short races:

Nike werunsg (10km) 0:53:33
Adidas King of the Road (16.8km) 1:37:59

Keeping races to a minimum for the year. Looking forward to my sabbatical next year :)

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Cold Storage Singapore Triathlon 2012

Been a while since I did an OD. In fact, my last OD was three years ago, and this was my first triathlon since IMWA last year. Yes, I'd been goofing off.

Highlights:
1. FOTR tri tops and suits - striking colors courtesy of JC. Easy to spot in transition area and on the bike and run. 3 stars
2. Managed a decent run in spite of onset of cramps on the last bike loop. Couldn't complain about the 1:03 run time.
3. Whatdoyaknow: 3:04:43 a PB!

Breakdown:
Swim + T1 -- 0:35:21
Bike + T2 -- 1:26:00
Run -- 1:03:23

T1 est. 5:17
T2 est. 5:22

Honor roll: SCP1, Saucony Hattori

Friday, August 31, 2012

Charity Bike n Blade 2012


Before the flag-off on day 2, a daunting 172km of rolling terrain, the chaplain received a prayer request. "Please pray for the hills to be flat!" Jimmi calmly retorted, "It depends on your faith."

That was a good response. For this was the 2012 charity Bike and Blade, a two-day cycling event to raise funds for the underprivileged.

304 km over two days from Kuantan to Kota Tinggi; new and familiar faces; road, tri, folding bikes and even a recumbent; potholes and tumbles; hot sun (40 deg max) and rain; beautiful sunrise and 100+ climbs.

We started by taking the coach up to Kuantan on Friday, and stayed at the luxurious Zenith hotel. We fondly remembered the great seafood in March and mobilized 6 taxis for a wonderful dinner. The rain after did not dampen our spirits, but set the stage for a cool weather the next day.

Day 1 was flat as a pancake, all 132 km of it. Organized into four groups, most of us were in the second. Each group had accompanying vehicles for safety reasons. Everyone settled down and before long, we were out of Kuantan. The highway was familiar for we came up that way (with strong headwinds) in March. We were expecting headwind going south, but it wasn't that bad.

We passed group one, surprisingly, and realized that one cyclist had a fall. Later we found out that it was CG, but fortunately he wasn't hurt.

It was not long later that group one - led by chairman AY - overtook us. And that caused a chain reaction or ripple effect. The train started to speed up to 40 kph. At a traffic light, the train broke and several of us decided to go back to the steady 30 - 34 kph.

The only incident of the day was when we came across a bridge and didn't see a big pothole. AY bunny hopped, I went straight through, and then heard a crash behind. One cyclist braked and swerved to avoid the pothole, and in so doing, clipped JC's front wheel. Thank God, JC only had abrasions to his knee and a sore back. We gingerly proceeded at a more conservative speed. Before too long, a faster group came along, and we tagged along for the home stretch. JC then charged up and overtook, assuring us that he was back in business.

Lunjut Resort was the end point for day 1, and the beach and pool were most welcoming. Dinner as usual was a time for relaxation, stories and bonding.

Met PMY at Lunjut, who cycled 230km from Singapore with some friends, and would be cycling 230km back! Kudos!

Day 2 started early at 6 am. The first 40 km were flat and we cruised together until we reached the forest. That was where the fun began. The strong riders surged on ahead, but the steady group was able to stay together most of the time, regrouping at water points.

Surprisingly, the weather was kind most of the morning, until 10 am or so. Then the temperature started climbing reaching a max of 40 degree (by my Garmin).  BnB would not be complete without hot sun!

At 102km, we reached the much anticipated wantan noodle stall for brunch. A nice break it was.

More rolling terrain followed, and before too long, we reached the "mini dragon back", a series of three undulating climbs with pill boxes as guards of honor. I could still remember how much I suffered through this stretch two years ago. Suffer I did still, but less so this time, doggedly staying on the large chain ring.

Did I mention that we had personal support this year? Only if we stuck to JL who had L following her in the car. Glad to have L guiding us into Kota Tinggi as we had to make a couple of right turns amidst darkening skies. Our small group reached the end point just minutes before the heavy downpour.

Though that was my third consecutive year participating, Jimmi's prayer reminded me of "Faith, Hope and Charity".

While our faith may not be sufficient to remove the slopes, what we did was to bring hope to the underprivileged. This year, the beneficiaries would be the patients at St Luke's Hospital.

What of charity? I saw charity when we took turn pulling, offering others to draft us, waiting up for each other. It was charity when L shared drinks with other riders even though he was not an official supporter. It was also charity when Crazy2Tri offered us drinks when we most needed it. Charity was when LL accompanied another cyclist for 9 hours on day 1.

Indeed, charity was when volunteers helped secure our bikes, book our rooms, handed out drinks, drove and cheered us along. Charity was looking out for one another, a much needed word or two of encouragement, a suffering shared and understood, a handshake or pat on the shoulder at the end of 304 km.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

A big thank you to all the sponsors who generously contributed to make this event possible, especially those who chipped in for my participation. Most of all, a sincere thank you for my family who are my firmest supporters.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

FOTR at CRM Ipoh 2012

Great video by Kelvin Ong!