The slipstream

Tour de France riders use the slipstream: Frank Fife AFP

I didn't know about the slipstream until talking to Pak Halim today.

A few really experienced, fast cyclists ride ahead to clear a path against win resistance that is. Riders behind them benefit as they get to ride faster with less effort.

There are quite a few young riders in the peloton (see I've learned new and exciting words - it means pack). Like in their early teens. The Malakoff Charity Ride, gives them the opportunity to practice and learn from experienced riders.

I'm learning - more from listening to the other riders than from actually riding. Building up to it slowly.

Quote from lunch 'Riding is about using your brain'.

Here's a link to an interesting article on research on using slipstream to save fuel http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/07/17/can_platooning_cars_save_fuel.html

Digging deep

The riders took up a further collection for Rumah Darul Izzah - totalling about RM1,024 or RM1,074 after seeing the need of the home.
The Malakoff Charity Ride is the among the first every corporate visitors to the home this was said by Ustaz Zul. He's the secretary of the board and is hoping more corporation will support them.

Among the riders singled out were Jack and Pak Halim, representing their respective companies Al(?) Tech and Sterling, that had made generous donations.

“Mana Challenge?” Day 2 of Malakoff Charity Ride 2008

“Why so flat? Did not see that many hills,”

“Where’s the challenge like Day 1?”

“Are we on the right route?”

Above were just some of the remarks made by riders of Malakoff Charity Ride 2008.

“We began with quite challenging climb, what happened?” asked a veteran rider.

However, another season rider explained, “this ride is to relax your body before another longer ride on Day 3.”

Day 2 started at Hotel Seri Malaysia Temerloh, had the first stop at Maran before proceeded to the next stop at Pekan Gambang for lunch. Later riders had their third stop and also the last stop at Caltex Station, near Simpang Jerangau before heading to the last stop of Day 2, Kompleks Rakan Muda Kemaman.

The donations

First the facts on the donations, and a littlet bit on the homes that received them. There more info on those homes where I sat close to someone from the home or school.

Darul Izzah orphanage : RM10,000
(you can read about DArul Izzah in the earlier post); that Ustaz Badawi representing them in the pix

Rumah Sri Suria (Sunshine Home) : RM5,000; represented by Pn Zaiton
This is a home for special kids

SK Bandar Temerloh (Integrasi) : RM5,000; represented by Cikgu Abdul Majid. I sat next to Pn Nor Jalilah Mat Ali, who teaches at the school. This is an integration school that has classes for special kids and regular kids too. There are currently 700 students, 43 are learning impaired and another 22 are hearing impaired. The idea is for the special kids and the regular kids to mingle during recess, and some classes for more acceptance of each other. Pn Nor Jalilah told me that its challenging, but the response from teh regular kids has been positive, while the special kids are improving. See is quite a character; I think any child would enjoy having her as a teacher.

Pusat Dalam Komuniti Bukit Damar: RM3,000
This is an in-community rehabilitation center.

Pusat Dalam Komuniti Bandar Temerloh: RM3,000
As above.

2 orphanages in Gombak received a total of RM5,000 as well.

How much is that in total? That's RM31,000 in total.

Here's a pix of all the charity representatives and AJ from Malakoff who presented the checks. 

First round of donations to the needy

En. Nor Shakiman Muhammad
Senior Vice President of Malakoff Corporation Berhad
Rider, Malakoff Charity Ride 2008

The first round of donations to the needy was held Pertubuhan Anak-anak Yatim & Kebajikan Cawangan Pahang-Temerloh last night.

Funny how the riders managed to keep to the route the entire day; but when we headed out to Rumah Darul Izzah, there was some confusion. But Rumah Darul Izzah is a little off the beaten track.

Cikgu Zul, BOD of Rumah Darul Izzah

It's a home for orphaned girls - infants to 18 years old. There are 29 girls under care at the moment at the home.

The speech-ifying was of a high-standard and very amusing with Nor Shakiman, the organising chairman of the race and Ustaz Zul proving to be talented raconteurs.

Laughing helped the riders ignore hunger pangs.

More than 150 people were attended with the younger children at Darul Izzah receiving lots of attention.

Tired

At the third stop.

When only bananas and a long gulp of isotonic drink (*no product endorsement* - should anyone want to sponsor drinks and energy bars - hint, hint).

Shout out to the support team, including me

This is my first time being part of a ride and being part of the support team for most parts.

It can be mind numbing.

Driving at 20 to 30km per hour. Staying alert and focused so as not to run over a rider or turn bike into a hood ornament.

Meet the St John Ambulance guys - seen in action here; and also a happy support team member.

If a an army travels on its stomach, a bike ride owes a huge debt to its support team.

Would you go without annual leave for charity

Meet Azhar and Jeffri (1st & 2nd from the left) who are riding in the Malakoff Charity Ride. There are with the armed forces, based in Lumut.

To support the charities and for the love of riding these guys have taken annual leave.

By year-end, they usually don't have any annual leave left, which means no holidays with the family.

Thanks for making the sacrifice!

Aini - Iron Woman

This is Aini. She's the only woman who's riding the whole way. Respect what she's capable of.

She was out in the news yesterday on how she trains for the Malakoff Charity Ride.

He made it

Not one less, and none left behind.

Yes that’s Sam.

Total practice sessions on bike – 2

Total distance covered about 60km

Total times with cramp – lost count

Total episodes of rolling round on the ground moaning in pain – just one but it was a doozy (the public toilet 200m from Hotel Seri Malaysia, Temerloh). Darnit was too caught up helping him to take pix!

He did ride to the finish on day one.

So proud of him.

Got your back

The next generation – pump it up

This is Mohamad Rahimi. He’s 14. He started riding last year and he’s taking this ride in stride.

Rahimi's geared up on the charity ride. All out to help kids who don't have as much as he does.

Great spirit.