Kuching

Kuching, City of Sarawak, also known as the capital of East Malaysian state of Sarawak. And it is also my hometown... It is where I was raised from a tiny foetus to an adolescence. Quite, peaceful as always but one thing that bugs me is the amount of motor vehicle users that congested the roads in Kuching.

I don't blame everyone who owns a car and drives around the city as Kuching can get pretty hot. Ice cream can easily melt within seconds! nah just kidding anyway you really won't wanna expose yourself out at the open.

My uncle who was really kind, lent me his mountain bike in Kuching. Even though I am not a big fan of mountain bike(due to the weight), it is truly comfortable and easy to ride.

GreenRoad

I returned to Kuching not only to celebrate Chinese New Year, but to search for vintage road bike around Kuching. Bicycle shopkeepers around Kuching told me that it is extremely rare to find old vintage bike due to the fact that they are bought for display and props. However, I found one in Green Road.

It is an old Lerun Road bike. All the parts are rusty and dusty. Selling the whole bike for 400 ringgit. I somehow hesitate for quite awhile as a lot of works need to be done to completely refurbish the bike. I didn't bought it in the end.

Next few more days, I start my ride to Kuching City. I ride to the heart of the city to investigate the traffic and also to experience cycling in Kuching.

Merdeka palace

After a few hours of ride, I notice that the road users compared to West Malaysian are less aggressive but more careless and less daring when it comes to entering new road lane. They however will try to keep a good amount of distance away from me which is a good thing.

I concluded that Kuching ain't bad for a place for cyclists though there are still bumpy and pebbles filled road. Be careful and stay safe riders!

Rain.

It rains a lot in October. 

I didn't cycle that much compare to last month as the rain kept me from cycling outdoor. I feel tired and stressful day by day. Worst of all, I feel less energized. It may be the symptom of laziness. Besides that, I participated in a game design competition which occupies a lot of my time.

I will just need to wait for this month to pass by...

No Electricity, No Coincidence.

I came back from work and after surfing the web for awhile...

BOOM! NO ELECTRICITY!

"Quick use your phone's light!" Brain said.

I managed to get my bike's cateye front light to shine my way to the bathroom to have a shower. Even after a few minutes wait, the electricity is still not on. Everything around me was dark as the whole residential areas had no electricity.

Why not for a night ride?

I suited up myself with my cycling jersey and started cycling down town. Indeed, it was dark that night... very very dark as I felt lucky that I bought the front and back lights for my bike.

I kept on cycling until I reached Jaya One as I saw a group of cyclists riding road bikes at the opposite lane. I turned a U turn around and joined them.

As cycling along the road, I talked to a cyclist named Imran. He told me that they usually ride during night time around Kota Damansara and it is their first time riding at here. Never really expect to find cyclists at night around here and I was quite surprised that night. They (most of them)were suited up with cycling jerseys and their bikes are mostly road bikes and fixies. Awesome.

It seems like this No Electricity incidence is not a coincidence.

Guitarist vs Cyclist

I don't consider myself as a musician. 
Well... I was once an avid guitarist that has so much passion in learning and understanding guitars. 
From blues to metal genre, as along as there is guitar playing involve; I tried and played them.

An Orville Les Paul

This is my third electric guitar. It was made in Japan, Fujigen by well known electric guitar company: Gibson during the early 90s. I bought it second-hand from Otoko Music in Seremban. 

Otoko Music blog:

http://usedguitar.blogspot.com/

My gears except the Fender amp on the left, that's my friends' amp.

The black guitar in the picture above is my first guitar. It is an Ibanez Gio. Good for newbies. I like the killer looks when I started playing guitar. It costs about RM900 combines with the accessories and a 10watt amplifier. 

I love my parents. They bought me my first electric guitar as it was a chance for me to learn more on guitars. I really appreciate it and so grateful of their support and loves. I couldn't ask for more.

Epiphone Les Paul Black

After a few years of learning and dedication, I fall in love with Les Paul guitar. They are truly sexy as hell. The Epiphone Les Paul is my second guitar. She is gorgeous at first glance though. 

When I tried to peel off the transparent sticker on gold pickups(gold rectangle shape on the guitar body)... Some parts of the gold color was decolourised! WHAT THE FUCK?! I just bought it and the colors went off? During those few days, I was frustrated about it and thought off selling it.

Yes in the end, I sold it to my band mate: Wayne,vocalist after a year of using it for performances. It does have some sentimental value to me and do feel sad when selling it. I told Wayne to take care of it... but not sure whether he did or not.

My first bass guitar: Cort Action VA

I bought this bass for my band as they lack of bassist. It is fun to play as a bassist but sometimes can be quite repetitive when there are some boring songs to perform.

Right now I am pretty much done with a band life. Don't get me wrong on me quitting on guitars. It's just that I am more into something else.

A picture of me and my friends inside Utar with our bikes!

Previously during my foundation studies, me and my friends are crazy enough to cycle into Utar Kampar campus during night time. Not quite sure what time is it but what I know is that guards won't allow us to cycle inside the building though. But somehow, we managed. We cycled from blocks to blocks, ramming up the stairs, doing MTB liked shit, but in the end got caught and forced to leave.

The silver one on the right was my bike. Not sure what brand is it but I got it for like RM200. If I am not mistaken, that bike should be for female users due to the frame. But who cares. I changed the cassette as a bike dealer offer me it for RM30. After that, I am so much faster than any cyclist in town. The rest of the parts are crap. Especially the tube in the tires, always lack of air.

During my foundation time, I cycle a lot which is more than one year. Thanks to Utar kampar for it's terrain; hilly roads and tons of obstacles; I pretty much trained myself there.

Guitarist? or Cyclist?

Why I end up loving cycling more than playing guitar?

Here is my problems:

1. Practice and learning session: Practice is different from playing though. It is not like jamming with friends as it requires you to analyze and understand what you lack and keep practice on it. It can be really annoying and frustrating if you are self-taught but this is the least problem. One of the worst is that I need to practice it inside my room with only a fan spinning above my head. It makes me sweat a lot when practice.
2. The noise: You as a guitarist can stand the high volume of distortion. But what about your neighbor? I don't think they love to hear you practice heavy metal tracks on your stack amp or even a small 30 watt amp. Practicing with headphone can solve but the sound is just not as good compare to the amp speaker.
3. Money: As you progress, you will need more and more gears to help you in performing better sound. They can be really expensive. Besides that, I need to spend money on traveling to meetup with my bandmates. 
4. Transportation: Worst part. I don't own a car. If you want to be in a band, it's best to own a car which you can bring your precious guitars and gears with ease to performance or jamming session. If not, you can always tag along your friend's car. In my case, when I wanna meet up with my band mates, I will always have to bring my heavy Les Paul to bus to train all the way by foot.
5. Stays at home: Kinda makes me a home boy when I start playing guitar. You just practice practice and practice all day long at home. 

Somehow, with these few minors reasons really annoys me on being dedicated on guitar hobby.

I don't know why but suddenly I feel like travelling. I ended up choosing a bicycle.

Why not motorcycle?

No license. Lazy to get it. If want to get motorbike, prefer sportbike or cruiser.

Why not car?

Buying car is not cheap. Don't want my parents to suffer.

Why I choose cycling?

1. Environment?: okay but seriously... not much people give a shit of our environment anymore but do I? I am not up to the extreme of SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT but I do my part. I just love to feel the air without the noise of the motor and look around the scenery.
2. Commuting tool: My bike also serve me as a transport. But still not that great as I scare that someone steal my bike as I go for malls.
3. Exercise: After a few months of cycling, I felt so energized. And I am really loving it which I don't feel that way in playing guitar. You will get in good shape.
4. Adrenaline rush: Do you know how bike messengers works in New York City? They passed by heavy traffic and just cycled against the road law. I did somehow in some occasion. It is dangerous but it is really awesome. Bad influence from documentary of bike messengers in NYC: The Alley Cat race and movie: Quicksilver and Premium Rush.
5. Explore: You can explore anywhere you want. Not like motorcycle which you still need to go for the road. You will see the world differently.
6. Petrol? What Petrol?: After getting the bicycle... that's it. No money is needed to burn for it to run. It runs on your fat. Just eat, digest and cycle. You are the motor. 
7. Achievement: Some people said that I am crazy to travel to somewhere that far. I say it is an achievement. You will feel reward when you reached the destination. Trust me.

I bet there is alot more.

And all are purely my opinions... 

Thank you for reading :)

Van's urban bicycle

Night time, 22/09/2012

That night I was working at myburgerlab as a part-timer. It was around 9pm as I walked out from my job station and wanted to chill outside. 

A lady with a fancy looking cycling helmet caught my eyes. And I thought for awhile... She is a cyclist too! Immediately, I just walked outside and saw a group of folding bike cyclists standing outside of the restaurant waiting for the lady to make the order.

The lady told me that they are from Van's Urban Bicycle which is a folding-bike shop located in Petaling Jaya. Her name is Vanessa Cheah. She is the lady that the shop is named after. I would love to visit the shop someday.

One of the rider's bike caught my attention when I glanced through their bikes.

Montague Boston Single Speed Folding Bike

This is kinda like a hybrid between road, fixie and folding bike. It can be single speed or change into a fixed gear bike. It looks really look awesome but somehow if I am not mistaken: The price is about RM3k.

I thought they are just some average rider; well I am indeed wrong after I checked them on the internet.

Here is a feature article on their shop if you are lazy to go there:

http://www.baikbike.com/a-fresh-peek-into-vans-urban-bike-co/

These days I felt really awesome as I think that my life have something to do with cycling as related things just start rolling over around me.

A Good Prep for touring

Preparation is needed, no matter what, before travelling somewhere further.

I train myself by taking challenges as I believe that it will strengthen my endurance as I progress through my training stage.

It is a matter of time and efforts. Courage is building gradually through out my training as I get more and more familiar with roads and highways.

Furthest distance from home is Specialized Malaysia and Grafa.

When you set on the road, there is no turning back until you reach your destination. Just gotta keep a straight head and look forward. 

Beside some training, good supply of nutrition is important. I usually eat fruits like banana and apple for quick digestion. Baked beans and can tuna for long lasting energy. That's what I think it does.

From Home to Seremban

Before I hit on Perak. It's better that I start somewhere shorter first. I have been thinking of going to Seremban. Approximate about 68KM. I will make it happen someday.

I am still afraid on riding by myself. It's better off with a party.

My Specialized Bike

Specialized Bike is a one of de kind in premium bikes brands.

Beside the cool looks, they felt quality made too.

Specialized Sirrus Sport

Later on, I felt the need of changing the handlebar from flat to drop. May due to influences from movie like Quicksilver and tons of videos that show "how awesome drophandlebars are".

In the end, I change it somehow. And it costs a lot. But it is worth it.

Drop handlebars!

Don't wanna bore you guys with the specifications though. I cycled about 10km back to GH Specialized Concept Store at Kota Damansara just to get the handlebar and the stem. It was a shop that have tons of Specialized bike, gears, accessories and some other brands like Fuji. This is the place where I purchased my bike.

For the first visit, I took a cab to the shop. Got confused along the road but somehow manage to get there. I cannot believe how awesome the shop looks. It is so well designed.

A bit shaky~ Can you see those beauties hanging on the wall?

Daniel, a senior worker(I guess) helped me in my bike selection. He later told me that the models that I had selected were not available for that day.(I want to get it straight away)

I was kinda disappointed that day but later on, I walked up the stair as I recalled that there was a white Sirrus Sport hiding at the back. Immediately told that guy about it as he was shocked and instantly smiled at me and said: "It's your lucky day".

And yes, that's a miracle. After all I thought I might not get a bike that day.(Fucking doesn't wanna spend on another cab ride)

This MTB weights a ton!!

I never rode a MTB before but boy... this bike is heavy!

A Specialized Tricross

I would love to get my hands and feet on this baby. It is meant for touring.

Fixing and maintenance 

I visited this shop about five times, mainly because I once stumbled into a fucking longkang that has a bad design as my front rim just rammed right into it. So in the meantime, got myself some gears.

For my third visit, they finally diagnosed that one of the nipple (yes it is called that way) of my bike's rim was broken. 

 Return home

This is one of the road that I use to return home from Kota Damansara. It is damn hilly. It will lead you to a highway which you will need to face the traffic.

If the traffic is heavy congested= good. Because you can just wave at them and say good bye as you pass by them with ease.

But of coz. Heavily air polluted.