Those were the words from OP Fadzil "Panther" Chief Kutu" Samsudin in his report over last weekend's ride.
Yes, i was left alone while the main peloton blazed the road starting from Putrajaya itself. I was doing a comfortable 33km/h to 35km/h but i supposed they would had went like 40km/h at those flat stretch.
With only my Dream (as in the bike) to accompany me, i know this will be a long lonely ride.
Halfway to Banting, i lost sight of the main group as they managed to cut through the traffic light, leaving me stranded at the red light.
By then, Rashid decided to fall back and follow me.
As we passed Banting town, i realised that i do not know where to go. I only remember that we will pass through Tanjung Sepat(TS) and then to Bagan Lalang(BL). I saw the signboard for TS and that was indeed the last signboard i saw for that in Banting.
I went on straight, taking my chances, with Rashid on tow behind. I stopped at one traffic light and asked the locals.
"Boss, ini jalan pergi Tanjung Sepat ka?", i asked the ah neh driver.
'Wooo...manyak jauh mau pegi Tanjung Sepat, tapi boley, pergi terus", he answered as the light turned green.
5km into the ride from that junction, i received a call from Bacin. Yeap, i'm a good 5km away..which meant i will clock in extra 10km that day already.
Me and Rashid got back to the correct route and Rashid declared that he will not continue on and will go back from the same way he came. His hamstrings giving him problem, most probably because he is trying to get used to the SPD and clips.
So, i was alone...from Banting onwards...The road along TS to Bagan Lalang (17km) was a long, lonely straight one...
Me, Myself and My Dream
To cut a long long ride short, i got lost, twice after that.
The second time was taking the wrong turning at the second roundabout at Bangi (first roundabout 3 O'Clock, second roundabout 9 O'Clock)to get back to Putrajaya. I rode into Kajang and back to UKM's other entrance... That is a another good 15km extra clocked.
I reckon by then, the guys would had reached Putrajaya and packing up the bikes.
As we all know, bad luck comes in three and the third time (un)lucky was when i went straight (and not turn right into the road leading to Putrajaya) and headed to the Bangi Industrial Park, i climbed the hill where UPHA is, went down and climbed up again to get back to the main road. That's a good 5km plus.
I finally got back towards Putrajaya, found my way around the place (instead of taking the shorter route, i took the route which points for Precint 16...and that's a hell loads of riding to be done in the undulating road of Putrajaya).
My final mileage tally was 175.4km...
Ride stat:
Not too bad as my riding time for that distance was 6:21:08. Total time spend was 6:58, which includes time lost looking for direction, time on the phone with Bacin and Adzim, time spent refuelling at Shell Sepang (they left some water for me) and of course, one pee stop.
I tried to simulate the whole ride to as close as IM as possible; wearing my tri suit (and look fat in them), bringing 2 bottles of liquid (and refilling a third at Shell) with 1 bottle containing a potent mix of Ribena with Honey and 2 with plain water. Food was limited to 1 Powerbar (expired) for breakfast and during ride - 4 chewy sweets, 2 Cloud9 chocolate and some raisins.
Only thing that wasn't completed was not doing 180km that day.
My ride finished at 175km...and seriously, going anohter 5km would be crazy.
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