MALAKOFF CR

MUDS 08

2008-06-27T12:56:00.002+08:00

Go to www.muds2008.blogspot.com for news and views on the Malakoff University Duathlon Series.

There are a whole lot of contributors including The End, Sam, and me plus the main blogger Muddy Waters who hails from Ayer Keroh.

Muddy Waters = Ayer Keroh. Anyway I think that 's pretty pun-ny.

I'm planning to take part in the team relay. If you'd like to know more head to muds2008.blogspot.com for a participation form or visit duathlonseries.com.my for race information/participation/race routes etc.

Why no updates? Well...

2008-06-13T17:12:00.002+08:00

I'm back from the mini-break, and needed a week to catch-up on all the email, mail, and odd things that find their way into my in-tray whenever I'm away for more than 2 days.

After every vacation, I wonder why i went in the first place. Yes I had fun but, and this is a big BUT
- unpacking
- washing
- cleaning
- putting things away
- and the bone-tiredness of returning to work
kills me every time.

Mine is the only household on my street without a 'kakak' or 'makcik' Indonesian, Filipino or Cambodian. All around are one 'kakak' and two 'kakak' households.

We do have a cleaning service come in twice a week, but the rest of the time we do it on our own. So you can understand why my updating has been erratic.

1. Coming up soon - the top three reasons for my dismal performance as a cyclist.

2. Also my newly begun training for the Malakoff University Duathlon Series. Ties back to (1.).

My Glass is Always Half Full - MUDS!

2008-06-05T01:49:00.004+08:00

The set back of spending just 20 minutes in the saddle for the entire duration of the Malakoff Cahrity Ride has inspired me to sign up for the Malakoff University Duathlon Series, appropriately acronym-ed MUDS.

I'm eyeing the relay as my running is even worse than my riding, if that's possible.

My glass is never half empty, or even half full...it's just brimming over.

Team Malakoff @ Finish of Charity Ride - Tanjung Bin

2008-06-05T01:43:00.003+08:00

Here's the contingent from Tanjung Bin. I asked the lads for a different pose for this one. This is more rugby than cycling, but its a nice change.

Seriously though, we need to get away from the 'thumbs up' and the 'V'/peace sign.

Team Malakoff @ Finish of Charity Ride - Prai

2008-06-05T01:38:00.003+08:00

Here's the contingent from Prai. Check the discreet product placement for isotonic drink. I did not plant it there...

Team Malakoff @ Finish of Charity Ride - Lumut

2008-06-05T01:36:00.003+08:00

Here's the Malakoff contingent from Lumut.

Team Malakoff at Finish of Charity Ride - KL

2008-06-05T01:28:00.004+08:00

Apologies if not everyone is in the pix. Here is the Malakoff team from KL at the end of the race, when they arrived at the Batu Burok Beach Resort.

Speaking of which, why is the End, co-blogger and organiser, not in this picture?

Another Wacky Week of Wonderful Work

2008-06-05T00:54:00.005+08:00

My favorite hair style of the night, which I will attempt once I find my cheekbones again

This has been another one of those weeks that I love.

Last week we spent preparing for a hair show that happened Monday night. It was fierce! The lead stylist was Japanese and hearing her speak was wonderful because she was amazingly polite and profusely thankful. All of this was in Japanese, so I'm just going by the tone and the repeated 'domo', 'arigato' etc and the bowing.

Here's a pix from the night. Not taken by me, although I wish I had as much skill and such super canggih equipment. The photographer is Michael Sin.

Have you seen 'camera envy'? I was sitting with some of the photographers and they were checking out each others equipment surreptitiously. Quite funny until I got caught up in it too and begin lusting after the super long lens and the extra powerful flash and the battery pack. Even with my kit lens at it highest zoom it didn't help much...sad, sad, sad.

Still it was a great night for hair design watching as there were 500+ stylist there and they pulled out all the stops and had unbelievable hair styles, and some super funky styles.

The next day was packed with interviews... in Japanese. Sho kawai!!!!

Wednesday, I'm still at it preparing for my mini break that starts in 6 hours or so, and I'm not packed yet. There is a place beyond panic where things take on a scary clarity - I'm right there at this moment. Also 6 cups of coffee.

What does this have to do with the Malakoff Charity Ride?

Well, I did ask every other person I met there if they ride - some of the answers were hilarious and not suitable for a family type blog, so I will leave it to your imagination.

Terengganu Young Riders

2008-05-30T13:25:00.004+08:00

The young riders with their support team and some of the Malakoff riders (white & green jerseys)

...and after I asked for riders under 18 only

I've gone on, and on, and on about the young riders from Terengganu. Finally managed to find the pix of these young people, although not all of them.

When we set off from Gombak there were a few young riders with us as well including Rahimi who I've posted on earlier.

Once in Temerloh, Ishak joined the ride with a few young riders who had cycled from Kemaman the day before. I don't have pix of this team - if anyone does please email to malakoff.cr@gmail.com or post a link in the comments.

In Kemaman another group of young people joined us, with their own support team of parents in tow. They had found out about the ride through Ishak and the Kemaman Teachers' Cycling Club.

So on the final day, the Malakoff Charity Ride, numbered more than 120 riders, and had a much expanded support team too.

All these riders are under 18 years, most are between 12 to 16 years.

Not all of them are from loaded families but they have the interest and the passion to ride.

You know that they have been training hard from their tans which have gone past golden brown to the burnt to a crisp level.

And surprise, surprise a number of them are girls, and they were as fast as the boys, and a lot faster than most of the men aside from the pros (no offense to any of the male riders). Anyway this was a ride and not a race, so placign doesn't matter.

But back to the young people. Terengganu seems to be the place for raising professional riders.

Is there a cycling academy in Terengganu? Would anyone be interested to set one up there? If the parents of the young riders are an indication, it should be easy to get support for such an academy.

Malakoff Charity Ride in the Star

2008-05-29T12:49:00.003+08:00

Cyclists distribute donations in charity ride
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/5/29/southneast/21351825&sec=southneast

Yes, its about all of you, the Malakoff Charity Ride riders and support team, and the charities that you've contributed to.

TEMERLOH: Participants of the charity ride organised by Malakoff Corporation Berhad arrived safely and on schedule to hand over donations to several charitable organisations and welfare homes.

A total of RM26,000 was distributed to five recipients here during the journey which saw some 80 cyclists travelling a distance of 480km from Gombak to Kuala Trengganu.

Their aim was to raise RM60,000 for the underprivileged and the amount would be channelled directly to selected homes along the route.

Present during the ceremony were the firm’s managing director and chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya and its senior vice president Nor Shakiman Muhammad.

The recipients in Temerloh were Darul Izzah Orphanage (RM10,000), Rumah Sri Suria (RM5,000), SK Bandar Temerloh (RM5,000), Bukit Damar and Bandar Temerloh Community Learning Resources Centres (RM3,000 each).

For a good cause: Cyclists passing through one of the routes in Temerloh during the charity ride.

Earlier, two orphanages in Gombak were given RM2,500 each shortly before the flagging-off ceremony.

The entourage later arrived in SM Chukai, Kemaman where they handed over another RM28,000 to three organisations and hosted a dinner for 40 hardcore poor children.

The recipients were orphanages and poor children (RM20,000), Kemaman orphanage (RM5,000) and Kompleks Penyayang Community Learning Resources Centres (RM3,000).

The cyclists had a truly rewarding and satisfying experience.

For blogs of their journey, the public can log on to malakoff-cr.blogspot.com.

East Coast Mee Goreng

2008-05-29T10:27:00.004+08:00

Mee Goreng, the fried noodle, famous Malaysian breakfast and tea break dish for decades.

The recent Malakoff Charity Ride 2008 stop at Temerloh & Kemaman, had chance to taste the authentic East Coast Mee Goreng of which so memorable until today.

Had the same dish for past few days at hotel meetings, eating out at night, realised that the taste of Mee Goreng here still hard to beat the East Coast style. Talking about the simplicity of ingredient preparation, frying the noodle, mixing it with chilli paste or sambal, stir it with sawi and then to serving, worth drolling while typing this.

Anyone who beg to differ?

Kemaman Teachers' Cycling Club

2008-05-28T15:15:00.006+08:00

The Kemamam Teachers' Cycling Club is a cycling club whose members comprise of ...surprise teachers from Kemaman. I had the pleasure of sitting next to one of the members of the club during the charity dinner at SMK Chukai.

The cycling club has been around for some years now. It was started by a this group of teachers when they realised that they were getting larger round the middle, and were not as fit as they had been in the past. After researching lots of different options, they decided on cycling as it was suitable for all ages being a low impact exercise.

Soon they were hooked and were pedalling on weekends.

From Ishak, I also found out that the Kemaman Teachers' Cycling Club is also active in encouraging young people in schools to take up cycling as a sport. They must be a positive force for cycling if the number of young riders in Kemaman is a gauge.

Here's a picture of 11 of them who joined the Malakoff Charity Ride for the last leg Kemaman to Kuala Terengganu.

The chairman of the Kemaman Teachers' Cycling Club is En Said Ahmad Shauffi - he's the one in the styling red polka-dot jersey. Speaking for the club, Said Ahmad hopes that more will be done to help young Terengganu cyclist.

He told me that it's part of the Terengganu culture to ride. The kids there love to ride, they have the stamina and the speed and are not afraid of the sun or of long hours of practice and training. The parents are supportive too, because they have seen the success of riders like Haidar.

Over the two days that I was in Kemaman and Kuala Terengganu, I saw many more riders than what I would expect. By riders, I mean that they had their bike helmet, jerseys etc, not just on a bike running errands.

However, Said Ahmad said that the cost of road bikes is a major barrier to more young people taking up the sport.

The young cyclists who joined for the Kemaman to Kuala Terengganu leg proved that the cycling is a part of the Terengganu culture bit was very true. They were zooming ahead at like 50km. It could be the training, their youth or the huge amounts of fish and ulam in their diet but they rocked!

The oldest member and rider who was participating on the day was Mr.Heh, who at 63 years proved to be dynamite.

Guest bloggers welcome

2008-05-27T10:48:00.002+08:00

Thanks Aini for the post. Anyone else interested in guest blogging - English, BM or Chinese - all are welcome.

Haidar the Kemaman Export

2008-05-27T10:16:00.002+08:00

Name: Ahmad Haidar bin Anuawar
DOB: April 25, 1986
Height: 169cm, Weight: 59-61kg
Siblings: 1st of 6 siblings, 4 boys and 2 girls

Ahmad Haidar is a typical village boy from the suburban area of Kemaman. His passion for cycling started as a young boy who was impressed with his uncle's shiny racing bike. He would normally take out the bike for joyride only to be scolded later by his uncle for his misdeed. But this didn't dampened his spirit to one day ride a bike of his own and to earn a living doing what he liked best - cycling.

When he was in Primary school, armed with his trusted bike, which was remotely a racing bike like the ones he owns now, he joined several local kampung races aptly called Race Nyamuk("Mosquito race") and won almost every time, much to his mother's annoyance. Of course every mother would like the best for their children and all she had ever wanted was Haidar to excel in his studies. But seeing that his interest was more to cycling than studying, she relented and just prayed for the best for her first child. Eventually his uncle saw his talent, too and supported this passion of his.

During his Fourth Form, he started to meddle into road bikes and road racing. Then when he was in his Fifth Form, he entered Sukan Remaja which was organized by Sport Excel and he was officially discovered. There was no turning back for him. Subsequently he entered Sukma under Pahang's ticket. It was during 2004 Sukma in Negeri Sembilan when he was noticed by Rahim, who is currently coaching LeTua.

Rahim told Haidar that he has the potential that he was looking for in a cyclist and coincidentally they were looking for talents to form a cycling club called LeTua. Haidar didn't give second thoughts about it and was taken under Rahim's wing. Their trainings were mainly done around Subang area where they lived in the nearby Kg Melayu Subang.

Donning LeTua's jersey, he competed in several Asian cycling tours and proved himself in the international circuit by standing on the podium in some stages, namely third placing in Stage 7 of Tour Indonesia in 2005, Stage 9(Tour Indonesia, 2006), and first place wins in Stage 3 of 2007 Tour of Siam and Stage 3 of Tour of Hong Kong in 2007.

For this Kemaman born cyclist, his favourite routes includes Fraser's Hill(with a compulsory detour in Bentong for the famous Kow Po ice cream and ais kacang(shaved ice)) and Genting Highlands. The longer the climb, the better for him to build his strength. He also would like to see more youngsters participate in cycling and hopes that the cycling scene in Malaysia will stay alive and more new talents will be discovered and nurtured.

**Haidar uses a Time road bike, frame size 50 with Campagnolo Record groupset

**written by Aini Zakaria

Jack

2008-05-26T23:05:00.005+08:00

Jack posed

Jack in action

Jack's always smiling, and always had time for a chat during the charity ride.

He told me that he had only a few days preparation for the ride, biking around his housing estate.

Funny, so did I, but I didn't cover anything approaching the distance he did - maybe it comes down to level of fitness, and my level of fitness is pretty low.

Jack particularly enjoyed this year's ride because he spent many years working in the East Coast and is familiar with the route, the people, the food, the history, the just about everything.

Did you know that there is a village in Teregganu called Ayer Jerneh that's settled mostly by Hainanese people, who speech the Terengganu dialect like native Terenggan-ites.

Jack's company is also among the donors for the charity ride - this was mentioned during Shakiman's speech in Temerloh.

Jack told me this - also that I should try the coffee there, and also a few other coffee places in Kemamam like Hap Seng (Ishak also recommended this place, as did Shakiman).

The charity ride, its not just about riding...thanks Jack.

The Marshalls

2008-05-26T22:22:00.004+08:00

Balancing act - and he didn't need any help getting up there

Striking a pose

I've mentioned the support team and the first--aid people, but you need to meet the marshalls.

On the route they are consummate professionals focused on keeping the riders safe by managing traffic, and clearing a path for a smooth ride with minimal disruption to all road users.

During breaks, they are hilarious and are all out to convert everyone and anyone to become superbike owners.

Getting them to pose was easy. Check out the balancing act on the bike!

Mat Licin - Cool name, cool rider

2008-05-26T22:06:00.004+08:00

Mat Licin the tourer

Mat Licin. When I was introduced, I asked him, how do you spell that. He said, just like it sounds.

It's a pretty cool nick. The other thing that the person who introduced us pointedly pointed out was the size of Mat Licin's calves. They are pretty huge, and I should know because I'm usually the person with the hugest calves.

He was introduced as a tourer who was supposed to have ridden from Kedah to Chang Loon(?) in Thailand, but decided to join the Charity Ride in Kemamam instead.

The other riders hold him in awe for his stamina and determination.

I like this pix because his t-shirt and the bright yellow car bring things together, and the pose puts his calf in focus.

He's a also got this well-matched fashion vibe going on - the yellow, green, blue palette.

And I checked, he cycled using those same blue croc-like sandals.

Don't you wish you had gone on the ride as well? So many interesting characters.

Start training now for next year's ride.

Contributors

2008-05-26T13:03:00.003+08:00

Thanks for inviting me to post. A big thank you to all our contributors, the companies and individuals and service sponsors.

This is the full list of contributors, so far .

Alstom Power Asia Pacific

ABB Malaysia

Malaysian Coal Intergrated Engineering Service

Tyden Engineering

Shakab Enterprise

Sterling Insurance Brokers

Algotech (M)

ISHI Power

Freudenberg Vliesstoffe KG

Sumi-Power M'sia

Tos Energy Malaysia

Alcim Technology

PH Solution & Services

GP Mechanical Engieering

Perkhidmatan Ikhwan

ITC Consolidated

Aras Marine Services

Triple Valiant Engineering Services

Mozzaz Venture

E.ON UK Projects

TUV Nord (M)

TNB Repair and Maintenance

Dyna Dinamik

OSI Technology

Rosli Hamid

Adli Othman

Rangkai Positif

Acomech Engineering

SD100

And a special mention to Starfish Underwater Services for sponsoring services.

You have helped make the Malakoff Charity Ride special to all the children who will benefit from your contribution.

Thank you.

Tips on Buying a Bike?

2008-05-26T11:31:00.002+08:00

Thanks Shakiman for the advice on the bike. Hope you are not going to recommend to get it from Steelman. Going to be broke. :-)

Thanks Retna for the invite to be guest blogger @ Malakoff-CR.blogspot.com.

Tips on buying a bike?

Guest Blogger Coming Soon!

2008-05-26T10:59:00.002+08:00

The Malakoff Charity Ride was intense for riders and support team, and also for this harried blogger who had a team, which jumped ship and decided to ride instead with sporadic blogging.

And this morning, I get an unexpected surprise of a volunteer guest blogger who should be posting today with an exclusive interview with Haidar.

Is anyone else keen to talk about your personal experience during the ride - riders, support team, riders from Terengganu? Contact me at malakoff.cr@gmail.com for your guest blogging passport.

More on the Malakoff Charity Ride tomorrow

2008-05-25T17:35:00.003+08:00

Will be back tomorrow with more updates on the Malakoff Charity Ride.

Here's are some pictures taken at the pondok next to Kedai Makan Maznah.

I like coconuts, don't know why they just interest me.

Endie - Your Organiser

2008-05-25T16:49:00.005+08:00

Endie is in the white t-shirt, in foreground

Dining under the directly under the trees at Kedai Makan Maznah

Kedai Makan Jatidiri overrun with Malakoff Charity riders

Kedia Makan Maznah, from the outside - look closely for the signboard

Digging in at Jatidiri, healthy food with lots of ulam

This is Endie Tuffile, your Malakoff Charity Ride main organiser.

For riders who moaned on why the route was so tough, this is the man you want to take your complaints to - actually LeTua, local riders like Ishak and the marshalls also helped draw up the route.

I asked Endie how he chose our rest stops, none of which were very large or well known.

He recce-d the route and sought out eateries that had less patrons, rationale being that the Malakoff Charity Ride would help these kedai makan more than it would the well-established ones.

Aside from giving these fledgling stalls an economic boost, he also checked if there would be enough space for riders and support team to be seated, and space for them to park all their vehicle.

There are probably more technical consideration, but Endie's done a super job.

Here's some pix of Endie and of
Kedai Makan Jatidiri (the signboard was pretty small, overshadowed by the sign for Kopi Jantan)
Kedai Makan Maznah

The rest stops at the ride also offered lots of ulam. Ulam here looked a lot fresher and more organic than what's available in KL.

Long Incline after Mempaga - In pictures

2008-05-25T16:45:00.002+08:00

Faster than a speeding MyVi

2008-05-25T16:35:00.002+08:00

Who's this? Can anyone identify this rider?

Ishak Ibrahim aka Orang Putih aka Castello

2008-05-25T16:24:00.005+08:00

This is Ishak Ibrahim also known as Orang Putih (check out his stunning platinum hair!) also referred to by some as Castello (movie character played by Rosyam Nor).

He is a rider with Tioxide and was the main contact for making the accommodation and catering arrangements for the Malakoff Charity Ride. The food was excellent - thanks Ishak.

Ishak is also actively involved in nurturing biking talent in Terengganu. He rode to Temerloh with a group of young riders - the oldest was 16 I was told to join the charity ride, and they continued to Kuala Terengganu as well.

Speaking with him, it is clear that he has a passion for the sport, for uncoverign new cycling talent and for his adopted state of Terengganu.

He works closely with some of the school teacher who are also training new talent in the state.

Here's Ishak at dinner and Ishak in action.

Word to live by courtesy of SMK Chukai

2008-05-25T16:13:00.004+08:00

The Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Chukai is a sekolah bestari or school for gifted(?). Only high achieving student from primary school are admitted. Students need to get 4As or 5As, out of the possible 5As available.

The walls of the Dewan Mercu (Main Hall) are adorned with buntings of the most recent high achievers, as well as pithy sayings. I only managed to capture 2 of these but there are more on the walls.

'Kebanyakan pelajar gagal bukan kerana BODOH, tetapi mereka gagal kerana melakukan KERJA BODOH'.

I'm now quoting this at my kids - if it works in Kemamam, it can work in KL.

Here's the other:
'Semua "A" bukan senang tetapi bukan mustahil'.

Another thing that I've noticed while driving around Terengganu. This is a state where education is emphasized from the top down. There are huge billboards everywhere celebrating the high standards or Terengganu's young people and students, as well as encouraging them to work harder and smarter academically.

Go Terengganu!

Inspiring the next generation - Haidar, anak Kemamam

2008-05-25T15:46:00.003+08:00

The dinner also saw a speech by Haidar one of Malaysia's top cyclist who is a member of Le Tua, the most successful cycling group in Malaysia.

Haidar has achieved a whole lot - the introduction included a string of awards that went by too fast for me to take down. He is a true blue anak Kemamam, and spoke on how he had succeeded, hopefully inspiring the young people there, many of them orphans, disabled or from very poor families.

He did a good job although he was very bashful.

From a communications perspective our sportsmen need to be trained to speak well. They've done the country proud and need to be equipped to get that message across well and inspire the next generation. Also speaking well will help them when it comes to securing sponsors, and making the sport more marketable. This is what I've noticed from attending sports launches - our sports people except for a notable few are not able to explain their sport, their strategy or support their sponsors well. This is an area that needs lots of work.

If I spell his name wrongly or not in full, please let me know -I've learnt that Keegoisman Membawa Padah, and can accept correction.

Here's Haidar during the speech.

Donation Update - Day 2 and Total

2008-05-25T15:32:00.004+08:00

On the second day, May 18 we had dinner and a charity cheque presentation at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Chukai.

We walked there guided successfully by the handy dandy GPS function on Sam's phone. FYI the GPS function is quite useless in Puchong as it keeps directing to the Old Puchong Road even when there is a much shorter route.

Back to the donation.

Shakiman (the most semangat commenter on this blog) informed that donation have increased by almost 70% since the first year of the Malakoff Charity Ride in 2005.

The Malakoff Charity Ride contributed to the following:-

RM20,000 to 40 hard core poor school children from Kemamam

RM3,000 to Pusat Dalam Komuniti Kompleks Penyayang

RM5,000 to PKMD Kemamam - Anak Yatim (couldn't make out what that stands for) which will support 10 orphans in Kemamam.

And another RM4,000 - the recipient did not show, so it wasn't handed out.

That brings the second day total to RM32,000; and the whole amount to RM63,000.

From Shakiman's speech, the target for next year's Malakoff Charity is a cool RM100,000!

Here's more pix.

Group photograph

Two great behind the scene crew members...

from one of the table...

another table....

yet, another table...
marshall + first aid team

yet, another table....
Kemaman team....

food...
more food...

Why the blog has not been updated ...

2008-05-25T15:05:00.004+08:00

I've been busy but who hasn't?

This past week we were helping an NGO - PEMALIK pro-bono or for free.

PEMALIK is an acronym for Pertubuhan Mencegah Alienasi Keibubapaan Kuala Lumpur & Selangor. Doesn't say much does it?

In a nutshell, this is an organisation that champions equal access to children in the event of divorce or separation; and raises awareness on how divorced parents can do whats best for their children in terms of maintaining a strong parent-child relationship.

No, I'm not divorced, but I know many people who are and they often dislike their former partners with a vengeance and miss their kids like crazy.

Usually one parent is given 'custody' which we learnt (attended their forum on Psychological Issues yesterday) is a term loaded with potential power.

Instead PEMALIK would like 'joint responsibility' to be awarded in cases where its a 'no-fault' divorce. Additionally they are lobbying for a change in the family court system and in the way main care of children is awarded - through a panel instead of a single judge.

Here are people (55 of PEMALIK's have been through divorce) who have experienced parental alienation meaning that the parent who received custody turned the children against the parent that did not receive custody.

Here are parents that are fighting to get access to their children, and on the reverse we have parents that dump their newborns. It's a mixed up world we live in...

You can find out more about PEMALIK at www.pemalik.org

Updates on charity contribution - day 2

2008-05-22T12:36:00.002+08:00

Haven't updated on the charity contribution of the second day as swamped with work. Will work on it.

Will also upload more action shots of riders in action, but that will be late this evening.

More rolling hills in pictures

2008-05-22T01:11:00.003+08:00

Rolling hills in pictures

2008-05-22T01:05:00.002+08:00

Here are pix taken on the 3rd day during on the section labeled innocently as 'rolling hills' on the tulips.

The tale of the sun bear

2008-05-22T00:46:00.005+08:00

Wilson and Madi

Wilson and Madi's regular ride route is Genting Sempah. On one of their rides Madi's tire was flat, and they were mending it when they saw a sun bear break through the undergrowth and dash across the road, very close to them.

Sun bear pix from indonesianfauna.com

Sun bears despite their furry teddy bear looks are dangerous and endangered - read more at www.bagheera.com.

Madi and Wilson continue to ride the Genting Sempah route. Would you? Check the claws on the bear...

Terengganu - Humor Central of Malaysia

2008-05-22T00:31:00.003+08:00

Folks in Terengganu have a highly developed sense of humour. The billboards, signboards and posters are just so out there.

I didn't manage to get photos of two of my favorites

'Mak Cik Gemuk 69' - saw this on a stretch to Kuala Terengganu where there are lots of keropok lekor and batik shops. Did not make this up.

Another killer was 'Keegoisman membawa padah'.

Please send pix of these two signboards if you can get them to malakoff.cr@gmail.com.

What does this mean 'Bau Asap Eeh?' Does it mean smell the smoke?

There are pix of a few inspirational posters from the main hall of Sekolah Menengah Cukai that are truly words to live by.

Riders in the Mist

2008-05-22T00:22:00.003+08:00

Mornings were exceptionally misty on the 3rd day and the riders made the best of the weather.

The real reason for this post is because so many have asked when their photos are going up.

Cow Patties

2008-05-22T00:13:00.004+08:00

From what I could see the riders made contact with cow patties on the morning of the 3rd day. The riders came very close to a herd of cows that were getting comfotable on the road around Air Jerneh. Thanks to one of the marshalls who took a stick to the beasties, the road was clear except for the droppings. Bet some of the riders had some splash on them. Ick...

Here's a pix of a steaming hot, all organic, cow patty minutes after it was forcibly ejected from the backend of a cow.

Talk about taking s**t for charity!

Man Down

2008-05-21T12:46:00.009+08:00

The ride was not all smooth sailing for participants.

Azli (not Hazli), a pretty strong rider took a tumble when coming in to the lunch stop (Kedai Makan Maznah at Kampung Serating).

I hope Azli won't mind ...here are the pix.

What I heard was that he was knocked out for a while.

His legs tired, he couldn't get his cleats to unlock, and tumbled badly.

When he came to, the first thing he asked after was if his bike was ok. Next he asked about the frame, the brakes and the gears.

He had pretty bad cuts on the cheekbone, nose and he cut his lip.

His injuries could have been worse. Saved by his helmet, and helped by the quick response of the first aid team.

Azli decided, wisely, not to continue. He was sent back to KL immediately.

Here's to quick healing and get back in the saddle soon.

Matchy-matchy OR how to choose your riding kit

2008-05-21T11:12:00.006+08:00

Don't you love Hamid's (thanks Aini) bike, jersey, helmet, and contrasting socks? The bike is a pastel teal or robin's egg blue. Very understated and elegant. And being a man of taste he has matched his jersey and helmet with the main colour of the frame.

He's also on trend with the contrasting socks with this season's colour blocking that's seen at all the runway shows for spring/summer 08 and that's expected to continue for autumn/winter 08.

If you're riding now or planning to in future take a tip from Hamid on being at the height of fashion. Handle bar moustache optional.

I asked him to pose in a similar style as Steelman (see the earlier posting). The pose suits him and he looks fierce!

That aside Hamid has completed a full marathon recently and will probably be participating in Powerman Malaysia 2008. He trains with riders and runners from the navy base in Lumut , and was totally on top of his game during the ride.

Malakoff Charity Ride 2008 Pictures

2008-05-19T06:28:00.002+08:00

View some of Malakoff Charity Ride Pictures here & here.

The slipstream

2008-05-18T18:40:00.004+08:00

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

2008-05-18T18:15:00.003+08:00

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

2008-05-18T17:25:00.001+08:00

“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

2008-05-18T16:42:00.003+08:00

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

2008-05-18T16:14:00.004+08:00

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

2008-05-18T16:10:00.003+08:00

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

2008-05-18T15:59:00.003+08:00

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

2008-05-18T15:52:00.002+08:00

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

2008-05-18T13:01:00.004+08:00

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

2008-05-18T12:56:00.002+08:00

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

2008-05-18T12:54:00.002+08:00

The next generation – pump it up

2008-05-18T11:40:00.003+08:00

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.

Temerloh 'Bandar Ikan Patin'

2008-05-17T18:09:00.002+08:00

Did you know that Temerloh is known as Bandar Ikan Patin? I looked up and there was this signboard trumpeting this! Wish I could have taken pix. But I was still in shock and awe :P.

Made it to Temerloh

2008-05-17T18:08:00.000+08:00

We made it to Temerloh by 5.30pm. Will upload pix when oxygen returns.

End of Day 1

2008-05-17T18:05:00.000+08:00

85km Medan Selera Felda Mempaga

110km Spg Kg Bolok

125km Petronas KM10 Jln Karak (3rd stop)

138km Regroup – abandoned petrol station outside Temerloh

150km Hotel Seri Malaysia Temerloh

Ominous

2008-05-17T17:12:00.001+08:00

What’s this? My guess – sup ekor sold here. Or it could be tribute to a favorite kerbau. Anyhoo, it’s ominous. Next to the abandoned petrol station

How hot is it here?

2008-05-17T17:09:00.001+08:00

The riders must be from another planet like Mercury because it is so hot and they are still at it. How hot is it? From a thermometer in one of the support vehicles it read 38 degrees Celcius.

Take a look at the ground – its parched crust all around. No rain, and the heat from the road bakes you from below, while the heat of the sun roasts you from above.

Get a feel of the hard life. Find a hot seat. Join the Malakoff Charity Ride.

My inner salesperson takes over sometimes.

Desolation Row

2008-05-17T17:05:00.002+08:00

Abandoned petrol station outside Temerloh.

Cheesy Pix of the Day

2008-05-17T15:22:00.001+08:00

Here’s one of the seriously out of shape blogging team being given a helping hand.

The Leaders, The Pack and Those That Just Won’t Be Left Behind

2008-05-17T15:17:00.002+08:00

The Malakoff Charity Ride 2008 has riders of many different levels. But none were left behind. Shakiman battled cramp in both legs on the first day, and kept at it. That says a lot about what you gain from participating.

Bentong

2008-05-17T13:18:00.000+08:00

Downhill and a straight stretch – major relief!

After Genting Sempah, which was very green and untouched, aside from the road which will be swallowed by the jungle if left untended for some time, Bentong was a return to semi-urban-ess.

Despite the flatter terrain, there’s more traffic and being very new to biking, its kind of scary.

Lunch Stop Medan Selera Felda Mempaga

2008-05-17T13:14:00.001+08:00

This was our lunch stop. The owner, Pn Siti is a canny entrepreneur. I learned a new saying ‘Hujan emas di tempat orang, hujan batu di tempat sendiri’. But Pn Siti is out to prove that it can be profitable to set up shop in your own backyard.

Did you know that a national futsal competition is held yearly in Felda Mempaga. Pn Siti told me that she catered for that event too.

She's serious about making a lasting impression including having a dj, welcome banner, product display and providing karaoke equipment.

The clip of Inul, the famously infamous Indonesian dangdut singer leading a sing along to shake your moneymaker will not be forgotten anytime soon.

The day so far

2008-05-17T13:10:00.000+08:00

0 SMK Teknik Gombak
6.5km Muzium Orang Asli
22.1km Genting Sempah
29 km Janda Baik
41.8km Kolam Air Bentong
56km Bentong
85km Medan Selera Felda Mempaga

Up the hill we go

2008-05-17T13:05:00.003+08:00

I like this ride because the worst stretch is right at the beginning. Like heading up Genting on narrow winding roads, with deep-ish, dangerous looking falls on your left.

Here’s the bike eye view.

And here’s how it looks when you’re going really fast.

Remember safety first – do not take pix with your mobile phone when riding. I did mine from a moving car.

Aside from the beginning of agony in the thigh muscles this is a beautiful stretch. You need to be hear to appreciate how cool and clean the air is, and the silence aside from the crickets and birds. And the panting of the tiring riders.

Ready, Set and Go

2008-05-17T10:09:00.007+08:00

Well we set off about 8.00am.

Ready, set and go.

There's always time for smiles. And a quick sms or is that GPS?

Some prefer the face of determination!

More smiles.

And now to get on my bike and catch up with the rest of them.

Making It Official

2008-05-17T10:01:00.004+08:00

YB Iskandar Abdul Samad was a real sport to turn up really early - like 7.00am to officially launch the first leg.

Here he is after giving us a (very) brief pep talk.

And off course there's always time for a group shot. Recognise anyone? Send them a shout out in the comments.

Warming Up

2008-05-17T09:35:00.004+08:00

Shahrom lead the riders in a warm up. Graceful, no? Like ballet!

Always check if you're heads on straight.

Warm ups are always a blast because you know what's coming but you do it anyway.

Starting Em Young

2008-05-17T09:07:00.004+08:00

Riders, crew and supporters were out in force including the very, very young.

How's this for inspiring the future generation of riders?

What's it like for young children who are orphans? It must be a tough life growing up without parents to care for them.

Last night I spent a few hours explaining to my kids why I wouldn't be around this weekend. One has a concert on Sunday, and the other has viral fever, and neither was pleased that I wouldn't be with them.

Who cares about, worries about and generally nags orphans? I was thinking about nagging this morning...thank you mama.

I'm going to remind my kids that I nag them because I love them.

Here we are at SMK Teknik Gomabk

2008-05-17T09:01:00.003+08:00

This is the flag off point, Sekolah Menengah Teknik Gombak.

And another view.

N e r v e s

2008-05-17T05:16:00.002+08:00

Right, I'm all set. Packed and counterchecked. Brought a large stock of nerves along. This is my first time in a ride this distance and with a so many riders.

Be the first to comment - the race is on!

2008-05-16T15:34:00.002+08:00

Thanks to everyone for checking out the Malakoff CR blog. Who's going to be the first to comment? The race is on.

Guest Bloggers Wanted!

2008-05-16T11:13:00.002+08:00

If you blog and would like to be a guest blogger for the Malakoff Charity Ride 2008, send me some details at malakoff.cr@gmail.com or leave your contact in the comments.

Even if you are not participating in this ride but have good stuff to add on biking, charity, fundraising, thoughts on the underprivileged, the route we will be on, or other relevant stuff I'd appreciate your help.

Live blogging the Malakoff Charity Ride

2008-05-16T11:07:00.002+08:00

We'll be live blogging the Malakoff Charity Ride 2008. It's a bit ambitious but I've signed up for my data plan and my mobile modem and router and darnit I'm going to be using them.

Expect regular updates on the experience of the riders, support team, people we meet along the way, aid recipients and anyone else who'd like to comment on the ride.

Endie with the latest updates on the Malakoff Charity Ride

2008-05-16T11:03:00.002+08:00

Endie did a telephone interview with a TV station this morning on the Charity Ride with interesting updates on the charities that will be receiving aid.

Watch for clips from it later today.

Race route

2008-05-15T23:55:00.005+08:00

Here's the race route, very much not to scale.

Day 1 : May 17
Gombak to Temerloh : 150km

Day 2: May 18
Temerloh to Kemaman : 160km

Day 3: May 19
Kemaman to Kuala Terengganu : 170km

Map image thanks to wikimapia. The amateurish embellishments are by me.

What do you think of the race route? Is this intense?

The Star > Cycling for Charity

2008-05-15T13:50:00.000+08:00

Dream bike !

2008-05-15T13:49:00.003+08:00

Do you have a dream bike? I've never ridden a Steelman bike and probably never will but ...very interesting article on custom made, bespoke bikes from Fortune.

What's your dream bike?

Silicon Valley's cult ride

The latest status symbol of the technorati is a seriously old-school bicycle. You can get on Brent Steelman's waiting list- but only if you ace your interview.

By Jessi Hempel, writer

(Fortune) -- On any given Saturday morning, throngs of bikers in brightly colored jerseys cluster in front of Roberts Market in Woodside, Calif., preparing to hit the back roads of Portola Valley. Among this unlikely crew are some of technology's titans.

But while they spend their days chasing the next, newest, lightest, fastest thing, the most coveted bike in these circles doesn't have titanium forks or computers to record each pedal stroke.

It's a handmade, hand-measured steel frame bike by a little-known guy named Brent Steelman.

At 6-foot-1, with white just starting to show through his red beard, Steelman is somewhat of a cult hero to clients like Kohlberg Kravitz Roberts co-founder George Roberts, Trinity Ventures partner Noel Fenton, and Accel Partners VC and Facebook board member Jim Breyer, who raves that the bikes are "perfectly proportioned."

A former racer who started building bikes in his teens, Steelman doesn't mess with fancy new materials. He attends no trade shows and does no advertising.

And it takes more than money to secure a Steelman: "When I'm building, a tremendous amount of my energy goes into that bike, that person," he says. "There are certain people I get the wrong vibe from, and I just don't deal with them." Once you make the cut, Steelman's interview process can take up to three hours.

Full article here.

Yellow Post > Malakoff Charity Ride 2008

2008-05-15T13:48:00.000+08:00

Bacaria > Berbasikal Amal Malakoff

2008-05-15T13:46:00.000+08:00

Bacaria > Berbasikal 3 Hari 2 Malam

2008-05-15T13:44:00.002+08:00

New Straits Times > It's Worth the 'Torture'

2008-05-15T13:41:00.001+08:00

New Straits Times Online > It's Worth the 'Torture'

2008-05-15T13:40:00.002+08:00

Newzmaker > Malakoff is Doing Its Corporate Social Responsibility

2008-05-15T13:38:00.002+08:00

Utusan Malayisa > Malakoff Anjur Kayuhan Amal 480km

2008-05-15T13:33:00.001+08:00

Sin Chew Daily > Open to Public for the First Time, Malakoff Charity Ride Expects to Raise RM60k

2008-05-15T13:26:00.002+08:00

The Malakoff Charity Ride Media Briefing or Why We Wore Cycling Shorts To Work

2008-05-15T13:15:00.002+08:00

After 3 years of organising the Malakoff Charity Ride, we were ready to open the ride to participants outside Malakoff, subsidiaries and partners.

It was not an easy decision to make because managing a large group of cyclists of varying capabilities is a logistical nightmare. We have some professional riders, some serious riders, some experienced recreational riders and some beginners. This year some of the beginners bought their bikes 2 weeks ago - that's how new they are to road biking.

But I digress.

We had a media briefing in late April to get the word out that the charity ride would be open to the public.

The briefing was a hoot because we had to wear full biking gear.

Biking gear when you're biking is cool but biking gear in the corporate corridors hmmm plus having to suck in the gut for an hour was tough.

It's for a good cause though.

Check us out as we appeared in the news.

Quite a number of people contacted Endie on how they could join.

Mission accomplished.

Posting and Comments Will Be Moderated

2008-05-15T12:25:00.002+08:00

We'd like to hear from anyone and everyone at Malakoff on any of the CR activities.

Even if you're not from Malakoff you're welcome to share your thoughts on the activities, to suggest things that we can do, content that you'd like to see here and to share ways that we can do things better.

If you'd like to join Malakoff on some of our activities that are open to the public, this is the place to sign up.

We're running a family-friendly blog. Comments will be moderated for language and content and no commercial postings.

Malakoff CR Team - An Introduction

2008-05-15T12:08:00.002+08:00

Would like to start over.

Blogging duties at Malakoff-CR are shared among a regular team of 3 bloggers. Two of us blog elsewhere on non-Malakoff and non-CR stuff. The CR stands for Corporate Responsibility; and serendipitously also stands for Charity Ride.

We'll be blogging on all CR-related activities at Malakoff. That's a bit ambitious...we'll be blogging on some of the larger scale CR activities at Malakoff.

The Charity Ride is one of the CR activities but there are a host of others.

One member of the Malakoff CR Blog Team is new to blogging having never blogged before. Shocking right?! To find someone who has not blogged before, but we found one just for you to give you that fresh wide-eyed view of a newbie to the blogosphere.

So be gentle with us.

Am authorised blogger - not goofing off at work!

2008-05-15T11:56:00.002+08:00

From now until the Malakoff Charity Ride 2008 comes to a close and for a few days after, I am fully authorised and strongly encouraged to blog during work, after work, before work, as well as all other times in between on this event.

Hmm, is it normal to love your job? I'm enjoying mine more than I imagined I would.

More About the Malakoff Charity Ride

2008-05-15T10:19:00.005+08:00

Over four years the Malakoff Charity Ride has grown in a number of ways
* more riders and support team members
* longer distances
* more raised for charities
which is good because we continue to test ourselves in how much we can do and how much we can give.

Here's what we've achieved in a simple chart.

Doesn't seem like much? When you're on a bike and riding that 130km to 160km each day for 2 to 3 days, it really hits you.

Riding a bike for longer distances is almost like meditation for me. You get to a place where you need to concentrate because you're cycling like 30km per hour and your senses are heightened because the bike is so responsive and if you're napping mentally the likelihood of falling or crashing into the person ahead of you is very high.

I get to a point where I can feel my muscles zinging in agony, and then you get past it to a very calm place where you put the pain behind you and just focus, focus, focus on getting to the finish.

This is probably what it is like to be underprivileged, struggling everyday.

If you haven't joined this year's Malakoff Charity Ride, now might be the time to think about next year's ride.

Malakoff Charity Ride 2008 - All Systems Go!

2008-05-15T09:30:00.003+08:00

Preparation began months ago on planning the ride route, identifying deserving charities and individuals, finding rest stops and accommodation for what started as 80 people and has now swelled to 120 at last count, though that could increase.

For readers not from Malakoff Corporation Berhad, subsidiaries and business partners, the Malakoff Charity Ride began in 2005 as a simple event for members of the Malakoff Cycling Club. Along the way the idea came about to raise some funds for the underprivileged along the race route.

We've been doing this annually since.

More details in the next post.