200km. I’ve never rode that distance before in a day. My furthest was 160km in a single day. Anything above that is an unknown for me. Riding 200km after a 146km never ending climb just a day before is a even bigger unknown.
Will my butt sore? Can the legs keep up? The only to know is to ride it.
{ 1 comment }
I’ve been following procycling closely for a few years now and I’ve always wondered how a person can withstand the physical stress of cycling above 100km continously for 3 weeks. At the turn of the year, a friend in my spinning class told me that this year’s PCC Interstate will be open for registration in the next few days. He said I should go and experience it myself. According to him, it definitely will be fun.
This was something new to me. 3 days of cycling sounded like a whole new adventure and experience. Am I up to it? Back then I’ve got no idea. There were some uncertainties. I’m not sure whether I would be around to train for it or if I would be in Malaysia come 28 April 2011.
Anyway, I signed up immediately.
Background
PCC Interstate is a 3 days cycling event, organized annually by the Pedalholics Cycling Club, a local cycling club. This year would be it’s 14th edition. The route would look like this.
Day 1 : Raub – Brinchang (146km)
Day 2 : Brinchang – Bukit Merah (196km)
Day 3 : Bukit Merah – Damai Laut (109km)
Most of us put up a night in Raub as Day 1 will start quite early. We were flagged off at 6.30am with some 350 cyclists and 50 support car drivers. It was flat for the first 51km and from there onwards it was some of the best scenery you can find throughout the 3 days. Think of misty, long winding roads off the cliff and green rain forests beneath. You get the idea.
The Ride
From 51km onwards, there were no shops for refueling for the next 80km until I reach Ringlet town. Everyone was warned about this and that was the main reason why I brought my own support car, driven by none other than my wife.
I soon found out that 2 packs of nasi lemak and 2 slices of bread for breakfast won’t bring me far on this day. Stopped thrice to refuel myself with water, 100Plus, Coke and some energy bars before continuing the long climb up to Brinchang.
I was told that the route would be freakishly hilly. Another friend to me it’s a never ending climb.That sounded really scary especially with my lack of training and long ride for the last 3 weeks leading up to this day. I repeatedly reminded myself to just keep pedaling.
But in actual fact, the real climb for me started at around 93km. It would then just get steeper and steeper right up to Brinchang which is about 1500m above sea level.
How did the climb went? I guess I did OK with my lack of training leading up to Interstate 2011. Luckily I had a compact crank on my bike and I guess that helped a lot!
Day 1's Profile - Climb!!
That's What A Support Car Is All About! - Photo by Henry Wong
It's a LONG Climb! - Photo by Henry Wong
The Climb Just Gets Harder....and Steeper - Photo by Henry Wong
Having My Final Refuel Before the Last Climb Up to Brinchang - Photo by Bernard Loke
{ 1 comment }
