Cycling again after a long break

Sunday PMR was historic for me.

What was supposed to be a short ride round the block turned out otherwise.
My wife managed to cycle 25 km after laying off cycling for about a year due to her Big C and subsequent treatments.

Alhamdullillah, she is on the road back to normality.
Luckily i had Dr Tengku Mohamed and family accompanying us, and that i think made the difference...
And she did not show any sign of fatigue after the ride and even managed to go out shopping after that.
We even had guest at night and she only managed to get into bed at midnight.

I thank Allah Almighty that my life's routine is coming back to normal.
She even hinted that she might even ride together with my PERs gang together with her oncologist Prof Fuad.

Well she is one determined lady.

Putrajaya-A Resort Of It's Own

Since the Chinese New Year holidays is over an extended weekend, many will drive out for a short holiday.
Thought of doing just that, but on second thought, decided to spend my holidays,at home.
Why not, because where i stay, it is a resort of it's own.
I can cycle to my heart's content and enjoy the nice and beautiful landscaped sceneries, without spending an extra sen.
I can picnic by the gardens and lakes.
I can utilise the various water sports facilities.
I can watch wild migratory birds just out of my house window.
I can watch bus loads of tourists at the Boulevard.
I can rest in the quiet and peacefull surrounding.
So why must i forfeit all these, after paying so much to stay in Putrajaya!!

Obama-Inspired and Perspired

Time now is just a few minutes to 0800 in Malaysia and 13 hours earlier in Washington.
CNN is still live on the Inauguration of the 44th President of USA.(44 is not a good number for the Chinese, so i was told).
I stayed up till after his speech till about 0100 this morning with my cycling buddy Won.
Incidentally Won came earlier to leave his Bianchi bike for my safe keeping during the Chinese New Year Holidays.
Together we watched Obama taking the oath (where both he and the CJ fumbled with their words)and later delivered his much anticipated speech.
I cannot remember verbatim what he said, but i can understand fully what he delivered.
I am sure his speech will be an Inspirations to many as the day goes on.
What attracts me is his brave words when he reaffirmed his pledge that "as much as the challenge ahead is daunting, the challenges will be met head on"

"When the going gets tough the tough gets going, but when the going gets tougher, only the tougher ones gets going"(This is my version of the quotation)

My hope is that as much as he has inspired many, i am sure he will perspire in future months to keep the inspirations alive.

As a Muslim, i am a bit sentimental that an American President has a Muslim name....
Barack Hussein Obama, where Barack is Barakah or Berkat which means Blessed.

Blessed are those who belief in HIM.
Alhamdulillah and God Bless,
HE knows best.

Even though Obama's father came to the US not as a slave but as a student, we must remember that the racial prejudice during that time was still strong.
Inter racial marriages too was frowned upon then
More so that he was not even an American, but from a third world country, Kenya.

Indeed if Obama is tough, i am sure that his father and mother was tougher.
They survived a much tougher time then.
And the tougher one is definitely his mother, who survived just so that his son survive.
She braves the odd just so that his son survive.

I simply can't visualise the prejudices and challenges that she had to go through.
I could not imagine how his mother's mother(grandma)felt then, when the daughter married a black foreigner from a foreign third world country).
I cannot imagine how she felt again when her daughter married another third world foreigner from Indonesia!!!


For how much we erred, they have never erred in their prayers for us.
We are blessed because they blessed us.
As much as his book is titled 'Dreams from my father' it was the Mother that kept and ensured that the dream was achieved.

GOD BLESS OUR MOTHERS

Azudin O Fuad

The Malaysian Chinese Muslim Mosque

The New Putrajaya 'Steel' Mosque is yet to be completed.
It is located strategically by the lake and behind Putrajaya Corporation.
The complex will have a Qiblat Walk, where a bazaar will house varieties of stuff.
Whilst cycling beside the mosque this morning, i realised that the design of the Mosque looks like a Chinese Mandarin headgear, and the motif of the wall looks Chinese too.
I reckon that it will be nicknamed the Chinese Mosque or Mesjid Cina!!!

Putrajaya-The Cycling Capital Of The World By Choice

When i restarted cycling or re-cycled in 2006, i was toying with the idea of making Putrajaya as the cycling capaital of the world by choice.
Why by choice?
Well,we know that there are other cities and countries that has more cyclists like Beijing and Holland.
But they do not have a choice.
Whereas in Putrajaya, we a choice.
In fact we have a variety of choices.

If that is so, why must cycling be made the main choice?

If we look at the layout of Putrajaya, the accomodations/houses are placed around their office in a circular motion.
It is as if their houses are behind their work place.
They are living within a radius that is less than 5 km.
I would envisage that it will not be a problem to cycle to their work place.

The town planners of Putrajaya must have this in mind when they drew up the master plan then.
This can be attested to the many bike racks that is scattered all over the cycling routes around the lakes in Putrajaya.
As a matter of fact, the cycling racks are almost new by virtue that they have been under used!

The pedestrian/cyclists tracks are well paved and well maintained 7 days a week.
They are also well lined by blooming flowering plants.

If they improve it further, the cycling routes will be fully shaded by bushy trees and thus providing cover from the direct sunlight.

Maybe for starters, the Chief Secretary, the No. 1 Government Servant can issue a directive to encourage a Public Transport Day in Putrajaya, where the civil servants are encouraged either to use Public transport or another alternative-Non Motorised Transport i.e. bicycle.

Once the idea that cycling is convenient and a joy, then it will be a matter of time that the civil servants will cycle everyday to office.

Obviously, not many will change their lifestyle overnight.
But i am apprehensive that if a concerted and well planned efforts are undertaken to encourage a healthy lifestyle, it will only be a matter of time when, the residents of Putrajaya will be proud to announce to the world that, indeed, they have made their Choice of making Putrajaya The Cycling Capital of the World By Choice!!!

Azudin O Fuad

First Try at Bt 18 Hulu Langat-Sg Tekala

Not to dissapoint Pak Wan Sabri and GEDEBE, i reluctantly turned up at Bt 18 at about 0820.
They had already left the starting point by then, at the designated time 0730.

By reluctantly, i meant that i am still having this flu and cough.
Had a late night out last night at the Putrajaya Bowling alley, with other PERs gang. I did not bowl, but stayed on to chit chat with them.
Was tossing and turning till about 0300, my breathing tube was giving some problem, sort of wheezing away, and the coughing was picking up.
My wife woke me up at about 0630 for subuh...
Still i was contemplating, whether to just sit it out at home or go to Tekala or GCE.
Prof Fuad last minute email and Wan Sabri's sms were both tempting, in addition to Shahrin's suggestion of PMR.
By the time i was dressed, it was already 0715, and i know that the GCE train would have left...anyway i did give a call to Dr Azmi and Taufik...no answer and that confirmed that they have started.
Called up Pak Wan and he says that he should roll out at 0730, and he was already at BT 18, wheras at 0720, i was only out of Putrajaya.
Told him to carry on and i will follow from behind and will either meet him on their way back or whatever since he will take the same route back to Bt 18.

Just as i thought, when i arrived, i asked another group the way to Tekala.
Mind you this is my first time there.
Tried to call Pak Wan, no response...(i was told later that when i called he was speeding downhill at 50 kph...}
Braving myself i cycled alone to follow them
Saw quite a few other riders wheezing past...i must have looked unprofessional with my jacket on...well it was rather chilly and i am still nursing my flu and slight fever....
Arrived after about 10 km at the junction going to Peres and Tekala.
Managed to ask for direction from some locals by the road and i was told to turn right.
At the same time , managed to call Pak Wan and he said that they are about to reach Tekala and will wait for me there since they will be taking their carbo loading there.
Wow, another 14 km to reach Tekala!!
I was contemplating of hitching a ride on any pickup truck passing by so that i can catch up with the GEDEBE gang.
It was at that time that another group arrived at the junction and was having a short rest.
A rather plumb guy called up to me and says that he is TSB.
Told them that i was trying to catch up with Pak Wan.
Well, this guy TSB, being a nice guy as what i have read in the Le Tuang e-list, switched his groups destination to go to Peres and offered to escort me to Tekala.
Being a nicer guy too, i hesitantly agreed.
There goes my intention of tuanging some distance and getting a free ride on a truck!!!!!!!!
Anyway, TSB,thank you for the kind gesture...and added another 14km to my distance.

Huff and puff, arrived at Tekala.
True to his word TSB stayed by me and delivered me safely to GEDEBE group, who was already into their second nasi lemak.
After a short rest, it was another 24 km plus back to Bt 18.
All in all i covered about 50 km today, and that despite the wheezing sound of the breathing and my yet to recover flu..
This time around Pak Wan stayed by me and ensured that i arrive back in one piece.
Mak Wan and the other Mak Cik, terus lesap ta nampak nampak...
That's when i started asking this poisonous question
"'Is their bike better? My humble Proton T Sprint R despite the Ultegra group set, is still slow.".
"Definitely, they can't be faster than me?"
"Wah sebab tu lah basikal mahal lagi laju"
Well, i guess this is the 'racun' that we have been talking about.
Bila laju na laju lagi?

I think i will stick on to my Proton for the time being.
Let's see in future ride.
Is it the bike or the man?
OP SK if you are reading this,let me have a few dry runs first before i join the Ironman group. I can cope up with the Rubberman, but Ironman, give me some time to prepare first....
By preparing means either man or machine?
The scenic and kampung view of Hulu Langat is more suited to mtb, in my opinion, because, on mtb we can take leisurely ride and enjoy nature.
I highly recommend this route to my PERs Plasticman on our mtb.
Maybe we can mandi manda after a leisurely ride.
On roadies, you have the urged to simply kayuh laju and take advantage of the draft of the peloton..

BTW i was doing 60kph on the way down to Tekala.....
It did cross my mind if the tayar meletup?
What do i do?
Anyway,there were not less than a hundred cyclists using this route this morning.....
Gang yang naik motor pun ada juga....maybe doing the Broga loop...
And what crosses my mind too about talks of volunteering to go to Gaza....i suggest come and cycle first and try Peres or even Tekala, before even mentioning of volunteering!!!!!

My doctor Tengku Mohamed advised that i take some Panadol and rest.
I think i will do just that now.
Azudin
1500 hrs.

Saturday Putrajaya Morning Ride (PMR)

Managed to join PERs members on Saturday PMR after laying off cycling since Tuesday.
The flu and cough is still around. The wheezing breathing sound is still there.
However, i managed to cover about 25km.
Still could't sleep.
Contemplating on cycling in Hulu Langat or Guthrie Corridor tomorrow.

About Putrajaya again

Since i am in the mood to write about my kampung, here goes some more second thoughts of mine:

There are many other observations that i can highlight.
But on second thought, i have faith that Putrajaya is run like a
corporation and defintely, they should be better than the local
council and even KL City Hall.
The plans for Putrajaya is First Class, but we must remember that not
all the temporary residents of Putrajaya has First class mentality.
Putrajaya is populated by people from various segments of society, who
were staying in a lesser standard of accomodation in and around KL,
including rumah haram and other housing estates where they hang their
rubbish on trees and their drains are clogged.
Putrajaya is perfectly tailor made as a showcase to the world.
Tourists passed by every day and night and the Dataran Putra is a focal
point for their visit.
Some how, there are a few occasions when events are held on the
Dataran and the organisers closed the whole area and hence,
inconveniencing the bus loads of tourist who has a limited time to
visit this area and hence, missing the opportunity to drop by. There
are so many other places where these events can be held but yet they
have to do it at the Dataran and worst still close the whole area.
I cannot comprehend the rationale for this!!
When Putrajaya was initially opened, i remember the then KSN, Tan Sri
Halim Ali, who is a friend of mine, going around Putrajaya on his son
in law's motorbike to observe things. He will despatch one of his
loyal Indian staff, i forgot his name, to advise residents who hang
their clothes on the shrubs and bushes and fences behind their house,
with the reasoning that it does not look well on the landscape of
Putrajaya and that there are tourists who pass by everyday.
Even, the placement of air-cond outdoor units are to be placed in a
specific part of the house, so that it does not jeopardise the house.
I remember i had to remove 3 units to the proper place initially
because i simply placed them at the convenience of the air cond
contractors, the cost of which could have make me purchase another air
cond unit!!
Even, now at my present house, i have not made any renovations that
will disturb the originality of the house. I only erected a Pegola
type structure at my kitchen, because without it my wet kitchen will
be subjected to the elements, and hence render it useless. That too, i
have been served a summon which i have to pay because, my applications
for that renovation was lost and it was not done properly.
Being, like i said a typical govt servant, albeit ex, i have no qualm
of paying and in the process of submitting a fresh and proper
application.

Now i see a blatant disregard of this and air cond are simply hung at
their convenience, hence making it an an ugly sight.
I am a firm believer of the rule of law and i break them when i can
have a good reason, for example beating the red light on a lonely road
at midnight, in this case in Putrajaya lonely roads.
Perbadanan have to be firm in enforcing the rules.


After all, what is the problem of enforcing rules for civil servants?

Mosque- Dataran Putra-Out of Bound Area after midnight

A member of PERs sent an email to the KSN to complain about the shoddy treatment of the guards, in getting rid of visitors to the Dataran at the mosque after midnight.
He also asked about the rationale of disallowing visitors to the mosque after midnight.
Perbadanan Putrajaya responded after being asked by the KSN within a week.

However, I am not satisfied with the reply by Perbadanan.
What security are they talking about?
Putrajaya is beautiful at night.It's a waste if we curtail the time to admire it's beauty.

What social problem can the public do in front of the mosque?
What is the job of the guard?

They are supposed to be mobile and ronda the area and not sit on their buttock.After all the contract for the number of guards and their payments were made on the degree of work. I wonder how much is the cost to maintain the guard services?

By getting rid of everybody after midnight, their burden on the job is lessen, that too if there is any burden.

How can they perceive that by midnight it is is a time for rest and there is no reasons for people to be around that area.

And talking about gejala sosial and kegiatan jenayah?
How many reports have been made thus far?
What jenayah?
What gejala sosial?
Pak Samad is right by suggesting that the officials from Perbadanan visit the area at midnight to see what is happening.

I would have thought that the authorities would welcome visitors to Putrajaya day and night and even at dawn. I would have thought that at Dawn or after Subuh prayers, the Dataran would be full of healthy people exercising and doing Tai Chi or any other form of healthy activities'

I would have thought that since the facilities are there, all Govt servants will be exercising after office hours and also on weekend morning. After all they are staying in the excellent quarte ors within easy reach of the superb facilities.

I would have thought that the KSU's will be organising weekend healthy activities like jogging or any other form of healthy living, in Putrajaya by virtue that they are given 2 days off every week.

As it stand, the well paved and well kept pavements are empty. We can count by fingers the number of people using the facilities for healthy activities.

We did pass by the KSN house some time back whilst cycling and he was at his balcony reading the Sunday papers. I belief he must have been back from his morning walk that morning. The next time we pass by, i will drop by and say hello to him and probably invite him to join our cycling group.

Since the Govt is concerned about excessive health care expenditure to the civil servants, why not take preventive measures and really make the civil servants healthy. Looking at the crowd at the now, twice weekly Pasar Malam, i am inclined to belief that they are not healthy at all.

Added to that looking at the mushrooming of Mamak eating shop, where in an area 2 Mamak shop can open at the same time side by side and still do a blooming business, where as the night gets darker, more patrons comes in.

As highlighted by the response by Perbadanan. what reasons do people have to be awake after midnight? At least in the case of those at the mosque area, they are not
unhealthily drowning teh tarik and nasi lemak at midnight?

It makes me wonder whether there is a kilang somewhere, where the workers need to eat after their midnight shift. Sarcastically, i am inclined to believe that they are working overtime!!

In Presint 15, they will have not less than 4 Mamak shop within a small enclave.
And the best part is that there is nobody living in Presint 15-The Diplomatic Enclave.

And lastly, there is no sign board or whatever about the limitations at the Mosque Dataran. We only know when the whistles are blown!! And yet within view there is an expensive electronic display board? And one more last thing, there is no Town Clock anywhere in sight. It would be nice if the unused Minaret displays an electronic clock visible all round.

That's the very least that we can do to make the Minaret usefull. We know the Bilal do not run up the Minaret anymore for the Azan!!! The loud speakers too are not placed there.

I would love to volunteer as a local Councillor of Putrajaya, having lived here since it was established, but then again as i was told by one Perbadanan official, it is better that we do not have outsiders or rather in our case politically elected councillors, because 'susah nak control".

I know Tan Sri Sam personally. Maybe it's about time that i pay him a visit.

Azudin
p/s,
"Putrajaya, the Cycling Capital of the World, By Choice"

Down but not Out

This is the 3rd day/night that i have not cycled.
Managed to complete my fast on 10th Muharam.
Thought that i could join the Wednesday night PNR.
After breaking of fast, i was on the bed by 9.00 pm.
Didn't feel well to cycle despite a call from my cycling friend.
Sure enough, i woke up with a sore throat and dryness this morning.
Decide to skip work and visited my Doctor friend.
Diagnosed as having some elements of viral fever, he gave me 2 days MC, to have a complete rest.
Hence i have been on my bed eversince(literally).

At my age it is better to be wise and listen to the Doctor.
Better be Healthy so that you can be Wealthy and hopefully Wise.
Prevention too is better than cure.

The chain is broken

I am now on my bed, two hours before midnight.
No cycling today/nite.
After cycling everyday/nite, the chain is broken today.
There was not enough quorum to ride tonite. Only one PERs member responded to join me.
I decided to call it off.
Maybe it is also good because the small bulge/lump at the back of my head is giving me some discomfort.It feels like bisul but there is no sign as such yet.
Can feel a slight pain when touched.Maybe i should get expert medical help tomorrow.

And i need some rest too, because tomorrow, i will join my wife who is fasting on the 10th day of Muharram. Got to get up for sahur.

First Monday of the Year

I did not feel right when i woke up. Felt that there was a small lump at the back of my head.Could not sleep well too the night before, felt a slight pain.
Instead of going to the office, i went to see a doctor friend of mine at his clinic.
Today being the first day of school, he too was late opening the clinic.
According to him, there is a slight lump, but there was no visual discolouration and it did not look serious enough. He recommended that i take some rest and see how it goes.
However, not wanting to break my daily ride routine, i joined my PERs gang in their Monday PNR. Did a fast ride with only one stop.
That's why i am still awake on this 6th Day of the year.

First Sunday of the Year

I liken exercising, in this case cycling as a form of servicing our body.
We send our cars for regular maintainance service and likewise even our bike needs servicing.
So how do we service our body?
Well getting the heart to reach the required level and start pumping furiously is one of the way.
In cycling, my body sweats like a monsoon rain, basah kuyup and i can practically see the sweat running down my face and hands,menitis nitis. My shirt is thoroughly wet, hence after each ride, i will put on a fresh dry shirt.
The feeling is great, segar macam baru service kereta.

Alhamdullillah, for the last one week, i have felt really great, despite the regimentation of cycling either night or day or both!!
Only last night i was on the bed before midnight.
This morning, i tried for the first time, the GCE Ride , on my trusted Proton T-Sprint R.
Joining the Rubberman( a devisionist of Ironman but in the same Le Tuang group)led by OP Pedro and assisted by OP Doc Olmo, i had to cycle 18km non stop till the Nasi Dagang stall off the junction to Kuang from Sg Buloh road.Total ride distance was about 40km plus minus!!
These Rubberman on their roadies are fast, despite what they say about themselves.
I wonder how the Ironman do?
That's one of the reason, i have yet to garner enough courage to join them.
Anyway, OP Pedro was responsible enough to ensure that he keeps count of everybody under his charge.
Nobody was left behind.
My Plasticman Gang did me proud, on their mtb, matching the speed of the Rubberman.
Just you wait Rubbeman, till all my Plasticman gets their roadies.
We might be Tin-man or Carbon-man

The end of Day Three

It is about two hours till the end of Day 3.
I think i'll bunk off early tonight.
The PMR this morning was in the rain.
Tomorrow going for my first Rubberman Ride at the Guthrie Corridor Expressway

Third day of the year

It's nearly an hour into the 3rd day of the year.
Back on the bed, after straight night out cycling doing the Friday PNR with the PERs gang.14 riders in all.
Managed another 20 over km again tonight.
Had TTS at Presint 8 Mamak with Nan garlic and capati.
Rode from mosque to the new Sports complex and Pullman Hotel, on the other side of PICC.
Tomorrow morning another Saturday PMR.
I feel great, and hope that i will be able to carry on this healthy lifestyle for a long time, InsyaAllah.

Second Day of the Year

It's nearly 2 hrs into the Second Day of the New Year.
I am still awake after getting back from another PNR-Putrajaya Night Ride with the GEDEBE gang of Wan Sabri of Kemensah Height.
It is a special request PNR, because normally, there is no PNR on Thursday.
But two members of GEDEBE wanted to test their new bikes again after breaking the virginity last night at the DUKE night ride.
Being Penghuku of PERs, i am obliged to accompany them.
Anyway they were old school mates of mine from SAHC.
Earlier on in the morning, had the PMR with PERs.

Wow!! This is really serious, pagi petang naik basikal.
This is truly a positive start to my new year.
If i maintain this regime, it will be a matter of time, my body will get back in a better shape, InsyaAllah.

It is now a New Year

I am still awake two hours into the new year.
Couldn't sleep.
Came back from cycling in the city at the yet to be open Duta Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE) with a few PERs gang and the GEDEBE gang of Kemensah Heights led by Wan Sabri.
Tomorrow morning at 0800, i hope to be able to join my PERs gang for the PMR-Putrajaya Morning Ride.
Managed to watch the fireworks at the KLCC from somewhere along the DUKE.

So hopefully, i will do better things this year.
No point in wishing for a better year if you yourself don't better the year?