.... the jackal rides and run....

Tapered down weekend in terms of rides. On Saturday did a solo 68km (Jalan Buroh and West Hills) and on Sunday, with Ben for just Blangah Hill and Faber via Morse Road (about 40km). Looking forward to some mental rest and physical challenge doing Camerons (up to Equatorial, 1700m gained, some 60km up) followed by a day of massages and food and then the 2011 Ipoh Century on Sunday. Unfortunately I can't stay another day......it will be back to SGP on Sunday night and back to perilous work on Monday. So far this month, I have done a respectable 350km. I flipped the stem to raise the handlebar a tad. I think about 2cm max but what a world of difference it made in terms of comfort! The position is good. The bike seems somewhat smoother for some reason AND climbing position is much more comfortable with the 'more upright' position. After all, I was in perpetual Aero position previously! Well, the stem looks a bit off pointing upwards but its not that bad actually, for sloping to...

So it begins, the hardware war! BP acquired a Specialized Venge with top of the line gruppo (Di2) and wheels (lightweights). Francis acquire not one but TWO Pegorettis (Responsorium and Marcelo)....lord knows what he's gonna get to build them up. KL 'upgraded' to Reynolds DV46 wheels and Super Record Gruppo. Now I consider my equipment to be wonderful (and it took me along time to think and build it up, with much research and personal rethinking prior to buying) but wow, these guys blow me out of the water in a heartbeat in terms of procuring exotic parts! Did 2 usual rides around coastal over the weekdays. Nothing special. I've made a u-turn on my initial plan of equipment choice for the coming Ipoh trip. This trip a bit special unlike last year's TOP; there is a massive 100% climbing day and an pure Flats Century ride. I initially planned to take my DA + Mavic wheels, compact crank and 12-27 cassette. This configuration is my pure climbing setup. Great if that was...

Started out at 5.50am from my place with Ben and met with KL at usual AML meetup ard 6am. It was leisurely pace up till amk ave 1 where I kicked up the pace a little bit. Both followed suit very well and we kept a good pace till right before the hills (from AML, >30km/h average speed). It is great to the distance with a few buddies and of course, really nice to have someone to draft once in a while. At Jalan Buroh, I had a short duel with a TREK bike. He overtook us after the 2nd flyover at 40km/h and I gave chase. I pushed at 40km/h and he drafted me all the way till the last flyover....by then we were only about 35km/h as there were some headwinds at that point. At the base, he attacked and overtook me, I just kicked the pace up to stick to his tail. As expected, halfway through the short slope, he ran out of juice and I sprinted pass him. He did not give chase. I stopped at the traffic lights turn-off into west coast highway to wait for the guys and as TREK guys passed we both ex...