"Horse, Bull or Tortoise?"
That was the question the Lizards asked on the coach ride up for Pedalholics Cycling Club Interstate 2012; 420km over three days through Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor (hence interstate)
Day 1: 120 km hills. A category one climb over 3 km, 1 cat two climb over 6 km and 2 cat five climbs.
Day 2: 130km undulating terrain with 4 short climbs.
Day 3: 166km, the longest ride on flat terrain with strong headwinds.
KPI for PCC: to survive!
Through EN's goodwill, I joined the Lizards/Entro group with apprehension, knowing how underprepared I was. As one participant said - to prepare for PCC one needs 400km a week, 200 km minimum training. Gulp :( The longest mileage I had was 230km two weeks ago.
The Lizards' tag line is "Keep Crawling." That made me felt right at home, coz I am definitely a tortoise.
The one thing I really appreciated was that the group took good care of all members, even tag-alongs such as I. They designated regroup points, either to eat (breaks and lunches!) or refuel. They designated sweepers for each day. On the last day, some strong riders stayed with the main group to babysit some of us (ok, to babysit me!).
Truth of the matter: the rest stops for breakfast and lunch helped tremendously. In fact, they made the most significant difference from other events and allowed me to thoroughly enjoy the experience! Good company, good food, good cycling. What more could one ask for?
Day 1
Inspite of CH, I wasn't sure what to make of the cat one climb. Average gradient was supposedly 10.6%. Over 3 km, that meant slopes of 15% or more? With that in mind, I was conservative throughout the ride. The first climb - a cat five - was a warm up. The cat 2 6km climb was a bit of work, and I had to go all the way to 29 at one point. But mostly working on 27.
For all that hard work, we were rewarded with a good 5km stretch of straight downhill. Descended at max speed of 66 kph :) [Note: this is part of the Broga Loop, which comes up the other way. Imagine that climb!]
Surprisingly I was feeling quite ok. Then at the 83km mark, we were on gravelly roads - more like footpaths. Surrounded by trees, but snaking upwards. The fun had begun.
It was 5 to 6% for the first half and then 10s and 11s. Then it levelled out to 4 - 5. The big climb would be coming up just around the corner, I told myself.
That was not to be. The descent started, to a mixture of relief and disappointment. No dreaded 18%! :) The surprise was at 86km where a mud slide had gone onto the road. It was a right turn, and though we were forewarned, I didn't expect the three mounds created by the water. No way but to go straight through with much clattering of teeth and mashing of brain.
We learnt later that JK had a fall at this spot and lost consciousness and cracked his helmut. This remarkable man of steel went on to finish the other two days!
Lizards group pix at lunch break:
As was typical, the organizers had some surprises for us. Another climb towards the end, and some winding roads and sharp humps (GT fell when going through one such hump. Had several road rashes to show for it, and yet he finished with the front pack the next day!).
Last stretch - felt bad about sitting at the back of the peloton, so went up to pull for a short while :)
Total elevation gain of almost 1,200m.
Day 2
We waited for the train 1.8km from the start point near Desa hotel, and it was good to be in the front pack even just for a short time. Shortly after, we hit a big climb. With so many riders, it was like a pro tour. Shoulder to shoulder, tyre to tyre. I was uncomfortable and constantly watched the riders around me, shifting to the small chain ring to keep pace. Was glad to move on ahead towards the end.
The rest kinda reminded me of Desaru. Similar rolling terrain, but shorter. The Lizards waited up to regroup. I was the last, and at the tail of the peloton I honestly didn't expect it when the group started speeding up. Averaged 40 kph over 6 to 7 km. That was sprint pace for me, and I knew that I couldn't keep up for long. Stayed back when a JR rider dropped off and we were along for a bit until the next regroup point. The rider (#351) gracioulsy thanked me for pulling, and that boosted my self worth (just a bit).
Lunch was beef noodles at a town 20 km away from Muar. The chendol next door was a killer.
Pix of fellow Lynskey fans (MK and SC):
Day 3
Familiar grounds, having been through this way from the TTSH charity ride last year. Was separated from the group at traffic lights and tagged along with EN, AK and NP. Joined up with the main train at Pontian Kechil. Shortly after, I dropped back with the steady Bandung team. Unfortunately they turned off too soon, and worked together with two other riders before they slowed. Tagged on to another group and RV with the Lizards at the turnoff. Alternatively pulling with two other riders until a bigger train came up.
Lunch at Pontian - one and a half servings of char siew and chicken rice. :)
Accompanied JT's alt for the home stretch. Traffic was heavy and there were a few small climbs. Really glad to see Pulai Springs resort.
Yes, folks. I survived PCC IS 2012 without a glimpse of the C-monster. Lots of good food, great company and learnt much from fellow cyclists. Needless to say, a big thank you for my ever supportive family who put up with my unsatiatable appetite for long rides.
It is good being a tortoise. The tortoise finishes.
