22 September - Hari Tanpa Kereta Sedunia

Aku tak perasanpun sebelum ini wujudnya acara ini. Bila menjengah blog Akmal, baru aku tahu ada rupanya acara seumpama.  Akhbar NST juga menyiarkan berita tentang acara ini.  Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek ikut sama menyokong malah turun sendiri berkayuh sebagai penggalak kepada acara ini.  Itu cerita besar oleh orang besar.  Acara ini diharap menjadi pemangkin kepada kesedaran untuk mengurangkan penggunaan kereta sebagai kaedah pengangkutan dan mencari alternatif lain sebagai pengangkutan harian.  Berbasikal dan menggunakan pengangkutan awam menjadi sasaran utama.

Aku sudah beberapa tahun berbasikal ke pejabat.  Walau tidak sekerap Akmal, atas sebab dan alasan yang kadang-kadang aku sendiri reka-reka sebab terasa berat untuk berkayuh.  Untuk Hari Tanpa Kereta Sedunia - World CarFree Day, aku bertekad untuk berkayuh ke pejabat.

Alhamdulillah, perancangan termakbul.  Turun pagi tadi dengan perasaan berbeza walaupun sebenarnya perlakuan itu rutin sahaja.  Hati kecil berharap akan bertemu ramai pengayuh basikal yang menyahut seruan ini di jalanan nanti.

Laluan kayuhan biasa aku dari Taman Melewar ke Chow Kit melalui Sentul dan Jalan Ipoh tiada bezanya daripada hari-hari biasa.  Kereta dan kenderaan lain masih memenuhi jalan.  Bagai tiada pengurangan.  Tiada pertambahan ketara bilangan pembasikal di jalanan.  Hanya muka-muka biasa yang selalu aku jumpa.  Dalam ramai-ramai, ada seorang pengayuh sikh yang menarik perhatian aku.  Dia luar biasa.  Sekali pandang tiada istimewanya.  Basikalnya basikal cabuk bukan berjenama hebat.  Tetapi...kalau diamati akan ternampaklah kakinya yang "luar-biasa".  Keting dan pehanya kurus.  Kepala lututnya terbonjol.  Pergerakan kakinya tidak seperti manusia lain... 

Dia rupanya pernah mengidap polio.  Hampir lumpuh tetapi mujur masih dapat diselamatkan.  Dan dia memang gigih berkayuh setiap hari...Aku tidak sempat mengambil gambar.  InsyaAllah, kalau berkesempatan, aku paparkan gambarnya di sini pada masa hadapan.

Hari Tanpa Kereta Sedunia berlalu.  Tiada perubahan ketara berlaku.  Kereta masih berlambak menderu di jalan dan lebuhraya.  Sama ada acara tanpa kereta ini disedari atau tidak, aku tak peduli.  Untuk aku, aku telah menjalankan bahagian aku.  Menunjukkan yang berbasikal ke pejabat itu satu yang tidak mustahil.  Harapnya, ada satu dua hati yang tergetus "Bagus jugak kalau berkayuh basikal ke pejabat ni ek?".  Dan aku akan terus berkayuh, selagi daya...

Kepada bahia polio...Aku salute kau!!!  Sememangnya luarbiasa.  Hari Tanpa Kereta Sedunia, aku dedikasikan untuk anda.

Mengembalikan Kebaikan...Dengan Sedikit Kebaikan (harapnya...)

Apa anda akan rasa kalau anda beli beberapa barang basikal, kemudian sipenjual telah sangat bermurah hati memberikan beberapa hadiah iringan percuma? Bagaimana kalau hadiah iringan berupa SEBUAH BASIKAL!???

Tak percaya? Akupun macam tak percaya. Tapi,ini cerita betul bang! Bukan COBAAN. Aku dihadiahi sebuah basikal Specialized M4. Bukan sebuah jentera hebat, tetapi hakikatnya ia diberi percuma kepadaku. PERCUMA! FREE! Satu perlakuan yang membuatkan aku berasa sungguh terharu...

Jadi, apa patut aku buat dengan pemberian itu? Bagaimana harus aku memanfaatkannya sebaik mungkin. Bagaimana cara dan kaifiat terbaik untuk menunjukkan penghargaan dan terima kasih kepada Shah Yeop?

Datang kembali himbauan peristiwa lepas. Peristiwa ada yang bertanyakan basikal untuk disewa. Peristiwa seorang dua yang teringin memulakan hobi berbasikal tetapi jadi sejuk malap pudar kerana tiada basikal untuk dicuba. Itu jadi cetusan minda. Basikal pemberian akan dimanfaatkan untuk diberi pinjam kepada sesiapa yang berhajat. Orang baru yang ingin mencuba, orang yang datang dari luar Kuala Lumpur tanpa basikal dan sesiapa saja yang berhajat...

Specialized M4. Siap berkhidmat...

Basikal diservis setakat termampu. Basikal turut dilengkapkan dengan herusi pengangkut budak. Sesuai untuk membawa anak-anak yang berumur 5 tahun ke bawah (berat maksima 20kg). Ini untuk ibu bapa yang mahu membawa anak berkayuh bersama sekali sekala.

Specialized M4. Dalam mode limosin. Siap membawa "boss" anda berjalan-jalan...

Jadi, kalau anda berhajat nak meminjam basikal ini, dipersilakan. Sama ada untuk membawa kawan yang baru nak belajar berkayuh. Ataupun ibu bapa yang nak cuba membawa anak berkayuh. Ya betul...PINJAM, bukan SEWA. Tiada bayaran dikenakan. Inilah caranya aku rasa dapat mengembalikan kebaikan yang telah diberikan kepadaku.

Untuk urusan pinjaman, sila hubungi saya di 012-9049031.

Poei Pokan...Naik Besika...

Artikel ini ditulis oleh isteriku...yang telah terkena getah dengan basikal...teks dalam [teks] adalah tambahan dariku.

oleh : Kak Cik

Ada satu perkara yang suami saya tidak akan menolak bila diajak melakukan bersama….berkayuh..Jarang2 sekali dia menolak permintaan saya untuk berkayuh bersama…baik indoor mahupun outdoor. Cayanggg abang…[cayang awak juge!]

Hari tu cuti untuk KL sahaja. Cuti gantian sebab semalam 1 Feb. hari Wilayah. Jadi anak-anak semua bersekolah di Selangor tak bercuti. Apa lagi ibu dan ayah boleh bulan madu dengan tenangnya kat rumah. Tapi rasa bosan la pulak…pagi2 cuti biasanya keluar berkayuh…takkan hari ni nak lepak kat rumah saja. Otak mula berpikir2 apa nak dibuat di pagi2 yang syahdu ni…

Ha...hah idea pun mari sambil dok bersarapan bersama suami. "Bang…jom la kita kayuh ringan2 hilangkan gatal2 sikit cukup la…bebudak pun takde ni…musti syokkk". Saya mula mengayat si suami sambil tangan saya menggosok-gosok manja pahanya…"Tak naklah..penatla…semalam dah kayuh…makhang ni taktau penat ke???", Suami saya menjawab…itulah panggilan manjanya untuk saya…”makhang”… Saya terus mencuba dan menggoda lagi… alaa sikit je…bukan selalu ada peluang camni…jomla..jomla… saya mula merengek.

Mungkin tak tahan dengan godaan saya, suami saya terus menyahut…okaylah..ON ON…Yeayyy…jarum sudah masuk lubang…berjaya…Saya pun bergegas menyiapkan diri, sementara suami terpaksa melakukan sedikit modifikasi pada jentera kayuhannya kerana kayuhan kali ini…lain daripada yang lain…

Apabila saya selesai, saya terus mendapatkan suami…saya terpegun melihat suami dan jenteranya…Wahh…HEBATnya abang…2 buah bakul sudah siap diikat di Element hitamnya. Bersedia untuk diasak ke pasar Selayang untuk membeli bekalan keluarga. Hahaha…tengoklah hasilnya…hebatkan suami saya…

Proton Element SE09

Catatan BC Kelolo : Rack dari Beto yang merupakan sebahagian daripada child carrier. Child carrier boleh ditanggalkan. Bakul di pasangkan ke rack menggunakan dawai. Bahagian luar dan bawah tiada sokongan menyebabkan bakul meliuk bila beban dimuatkan. Mujur cukup untuk menanggung belian hari tu


Macam-macam ada...


Moto akupun bakul sebijik je...


Special home delivery for special customer..

Semasa berkayuh…lagu Ito “Apo Nak Dikato” terngiang-ngiang di telinga saya. Lalu saya pun menyanyikannya dalam versi tersendiri…

Poyii pasa…naik basikal..
Pagi-pagi…pagi cuti…
Apo dayo…pakai sabun daya…

Walaupun bakul cap ayam tapi macam2 boleh bawak…ayam, telur ayam, nasik ayam pun boleh masuk sekali. Best gilerr…Tak kesah la apa orang lain nak kata tapi saya memang enjoy naik basikal tak kira la kayuh endurance ke…santai ke…janji KAYUH.

First Ride With The Mass

I have heard about it.  Seen pictures of the ride.  The inside of me was raring to join the ride.

The 10th Putrajaya Critical Mass ride fell on Jan 30th, 2009.  Fortunately, I managed to slot the ride into my diary.  I even took a half day leave for that Friday to ensure that office workload did not bug and held me back.  Hype built up the moment I mentioned about my intention in the bicyclebuysell chat box. Great support and encouragement from fellow riders and seasoned massers made it hard for me to not to go.

A twist of event made it more interesting.  Missus decided to join the ride on D-Day minus 1.  All for the better but require a bit change of movement plan.  We would shoot from her office in Mid-Valley to Putrajaya after work instead me departing alone from my office..  To do that, all had to be prepped up beforehand.  I busied myself with the chores of getting the rigs and the gears ready.  On D-Day, bikes and gears loaded into my trusty Unser in the morning before setting off for work. 

We arrived at the RV area around 7.00 p.m.  Had dinner at one of the two "troubles".  Being greeted by both competitors, then both tried hard, very very hard to make us go to their restaurant, which were side by side.  Hmmm...that's why the masser dubbed those two "double trouble".  We had a quick dinner, then went to my sister's house which was just nearby for freshing up solat. 

2100hrs, the Unser rolled into the RV area.  Parking was already filled to the brim.  Bicycles could be seen everywhere.  We had to park alongside the road opposite exit.

Next to us, was a family from Klang.  Bro Aliff, if I'm not mistaken.  His cruiser caught my attention.  We geared up then made one round around the lot.  Looking for familiar faces.  Eyes also trained for faces that I knew from forums, chats etc but had never met in person.  Many exchange of greetings and handshakes.  Like long lost friend/relatives finally reunited.

Was I glad to finally meet the eyes of Daoh, the man who had taken all the trouble to organise the mass.  Others were Heero, Flatfinger, Angah, Aini and many more.  A huge congregation of cyclists of all sorts.  Roadies, mountis, fixies.  There was even a basikal tua.  A classic Raleigh, still looking pristine, of Bro Ijass.  Salute bro!.

Circa 21.45, Man Ciocc and Daoh started rounding all riders.  Briefing began.  Soon thereafter, we were off.  Around estimated 80 odd riders altogether.  From double trouble starting point on Jalan P9E, we hit right at the traffic light onto Jalan P9.  Hordes of bicycles with assortments of blinkers and headlights swarmed the road.  With no police escort, crossing the traffic light was tricky.  Traffic light split the peloton into groups...


View Larger Map

A crossroads on the P9 later appeared.  We took right onto Lebuh Perdana Barat.  Road is still level.  Casual pedaling as what a mass cycling should be.  Some fast roadies already in their turbo charger leaving the slower riders behind. One special feature of Putrajaya is its vast network of cycling path.  I took the opportunity to sample it.  Paved passage seems to see very little users.  such a pity that a facility that good was really under utilised.  The authority should do more to promote cycling in Putrajaya.  Letting a bicycle shop to operate in the township would be a good start.  But, who am I to say anything?

The well lit dual carriageway continued.  Disrupted a few times by presence of traffic lights.  Few motorists were seen traversing.  Leaving the wide highway all to the massers.  Our first bridge of the so many bridges in Putrajaya loomed ahead.  Nothing to see in the pitch black night.

Lebuh Perdana Barat then merged with Persiaran Sultan Sallahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah.  A left at the merging, to a wider highway.  I must remind that this section required to pass a slip road to and from Persiaran Persekutuan.  Motorists can be fast and may not notice slow moving bicycle with tiny lights.  Be cautious when you tread on.

Next came the left turn for Lebuh Perdana Timur.  The same road that would take you to the famous Alamanda.  But we were not there for a shop in Alamanda, so we continued on.  Some other time Alamanda, some other time...

A bit of climb felt.  A little change of pace when we go up the interchange to hit right for Persiaran Timur.  Once into Persiaran Timur, bike felt heavier and heavier.  Oh...a climbing stretch.  No wonder.  The gradually changing gradient didn't make you realize that you were going uphill.  It was good when going slow because you could take a good look at other cyclists.  I caught a glimpse of angah, with Arel in her tail, keeping a close eye on his kakak.  In the distance, we could hear people cheering from the nearby flat.

Upon reaching the top of the climb, I saw many riders stopping by and huddling over a rider sitting on the curb.  What happened?  What happened?  No crash, just a rider relieving his cramps.  Many other riders took advantage of the incident to stop for a breather.  Quite a climb that was. 

What goes up, must come down.  Missus blasted her way down leaving me behind.  I chose the bicycle lane instead.  Wrong choice resulting in shaky descent.  I jumped off back onto to the highway thereafter.  Riders were already separated far apart.  I managed to catch up with missus and we pedaled together like a young loving couple,  short of holding hands together.

Persiaran Timur then merged with Persiaran Selatan.  Passing by Pinggiran Putra.  I recognized the place immediately though it was dimly lit.  I used to ride there with my school mates last year.  I mentioned that to missus and she nodded in agreement.  A mat rempit whizzed by offering us teh tarik bungkus as they passed.  Tempting.  They should have been more serious and sincere in their offer because I could really use a sip or two at that time.

A glance at the watch showed it was almost 11.00.  No riders in sight in front.  We heard some racket in the back.  They were getting closer and closer.  "Wah...pasangan romantik", we heard from the back.  I recoginzed that voice.  It was Shaque and they were gaining on us.  Soon, PICC loomed in front.  It's outline higlighted by the blue lights decorating it.  We weren't sure where to go.  The nearest rider in front of us was too far away.  Fortunately, the patrol car was there to guide us.  Like the lighthouse guiding vessels in the sea, the crew cum cameraman waved for us to hit right  towards PICC.  Coupla minutes later, we ground to a stop at the traffic opposing PICC.  Many more were already there.  Taking a break, filling their bladder with fluid, filling their lungs with nick o teen.  Me included.  Heh...heh.

Time was close to 2300hrs.  Phone rang.  Udang on the line.  He was on his way from KLIA to meet us.  We pedaled in our small group crossing the jambatan Seri Gemilang, made half a circle around the Datarana Gemilang then passed by  Dataran Rakyat all the way to Dataran Putra, in front of Masjid Putra.  We stopped there for a while because after another phone call from Udang, we change plan to meet there instead while he made his way to there from PICC.  We waited till 2345hrs but no sign of him.  It appeared that he was already at the double trouble.  Whaaaaat?  So, we hurriedly rushed to go back to double trouble.  A fellow rider, who was a mass regular, rode together.  Acknowledging his prior experience, we let him led the way. 

So out from Dataran Putra via Laman Perdana then merged back with Persiaran Sultan Sallahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah.  Approaching Lebuh Perdana Barat, I anticipated that we would turn left the head back to double trouble.  But our buddy rode on.  I asked him, "Bukan masuk kiri ka?".  "Tak..kita terus, masuk ikut Alamanda."  He replied.

I thought that he would know better because he had ridden the mass before.  An d I thought I was disoriented.  So we made another round on that huge roundabout, passed Alamanda another time.  Then he started to slow down.  He turned back to look at me and in his guilty look..."Sori la bang, saya ingat kita salah jalan...".  Halamak!  Finally he admitted.  I was also unsure of the way myself.  So, reluctantly, we decided to follow the sign.  A safer bet, but maybe farther.  That decision took us to Persiaran Timur, then up and left at the interchange to Persiaran Utara, not knowing that we were floating furhter.  As if that was ot enuff, my rear tire went flat.  Cobaannnn.  That made the buddy felt more guilty.  A quick tube change, though improber because the tire alignment was bit out.  A small wobble felt.  But that should wait.  Main objective then was to return to base soonest possible.  Time passed midnight.

From Persiaran Utara, we took Lebuh Sentosa.  Relief slowly seeped in when I started to recognize the landmarks along Lebuh Sentosa.  And a big sigh of relief was let off once we reached the Lebuh Sentosa - Lebuh Perdana Barat intersection.  Double trouble was just minutes away.  I wasn't sure how much we had diverted, but it felt pretty far.  Hmmm...I could use the extra mileage.  Missus also took it positively...I think Allah purposedly made me do the longer route so that my first PCM, the 10th PCM, would be memorable...It is indeed.

Putting Some Fun Into Going To Work

Have I lost it? What? Fun going to work? Yeah...Try cycling to office. I'd like to share one of my office going route. With back pack fully loaded - change, tools, spare tube, water I clip-on and pedal off. Minutes after leaving my front gate, the nicely paved tarmac turns into this. Well, it didn't, but I chose to...

Where has the road disappeared to?

It's like seeing the weekend off road trail. Off goes all thoughts of going to work...

Barricade? Uh-oh...But no problem for the go everywhere MTB

From a momentary pseudo wilderness, to modern day triple carriageway. Presenting Duta Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE). The barricade fails to stop my black stallion from galloping on. Try doing that with your car, motorcycle even.

The emergency lane is wide enough for my black stallion

Moderate morning 0730hrs traffic zooming by. Note that I use lighting, blinking white light front, and blinking red rear even during day time. It helps to be seen. Especially by the rempiters who can zoom around at supersonic speed.

Approaching the new unopened section

Encroaching the unopened section

So far, no difference whether you are cycling or driving. Not until you come to this section. The junction at Bandar Dalam. Notoriously jam packed because of the skinny bottleneck thereafter heading towards Sentul. Barricade laid on the entrance of the flyover, warding off motorists. Note, motorists NOT cyclists. Careful glances to the back to ensure road is clear and I am off into a newly built highway. Free from pestering internal combustion engined road monster.

Massive jam compounded by irresponsible and selfish motorists driving contra flow.

Time to even the score. From atop the flyover, I heave a sigh of relief and a smirk forming at the corner of my lips looking at the crawling traffic below. In front of me - wide highway that spell "FREEDOM" awaits.

A highway will be incomplete without the toll booth

Pedaling continues towards Sentul. Passes by Sentul Murni. Soon to be charted in the road map for the presence of another toll booth.

Left to Keramat, right to Duta

Highway forks thereafter. left will take you all the way to Keramat. Right to Jalan Duta. I take left. Passing by Bandar Baru Sentul heading for Setapak. Unfortunately, there is no exit at Setapak. Again the advantage of a bicycle saves the day. Bike lifted across the divider to make an illegal exit at Titiwangsa.

Ilegal exit near Titiwangsa

A swooping exit then into the streets of Titiwangsa. Then back and drowned into the insanity of morning weekday traffic of Jalan Pahang.

Jalan Pahang morning traffic insanity

Actually, traffic jam is a huge blessing for cyclists. Crawling traffic poses lesser threat in terms of safety. Scarce spaces in between vehicles is more than enough for a bicycle to squeeze through. You can pedal casually pass by them leaving behind a trail of envy.

Traffic jam is also a blessing when it comes to entering a roundabout. Try doing that during clear time and it will take ages before you can get a clean shot. During jam, just squeeze through...

From Bulatan Pahang to Chow Kit till arrival at the office is simply fun. Being able to overtake motorized vehicle (not because you are fast, but because they are slow) gives some sort of inexplicable gratification. In about 30 minutes, I arrive at the office. Fun traveling to office concludes with a climb up the parking ramp all the way to second floor. Of course I arrive sweating, panting but...SMILING.

The Black Stallion safely anchored at the parking bay. The parking kakak helps to keep an eye on it.

So come on! Make your travel to the office more fun too!

Urban Assault - Bike2Work 2 (Return To Base)

More vid of my urban assault...Whoa...fancy name but no gunman in balaclava and bullet proof vest, no automatic sub machine gun, and nobody was shot by any firearm in this vid. Just vid of my city biking, going home after work...

From office parking lot, 2nd floor...

From Chow Kit with love...A quick stop to get batteries for the cam.

Jln Ipoh to Sentul

Contra flow on the partially completed Duta Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE)

Home at last...

There, that was how it looks like on bike when you cycle in the city. Fortunately, there's no fast highway. Traffic jam is a bonus to bikers. A chance to mock those motorised vehicle...

Bike 2 Work Vid (A small part of it...)

I have been cycling to work occasionally, even before the fuel price hike. It's fun! It's faster. What? True...Not in the sense of speed, but in travelling time. Bicycle don't get stuck in traffic jam... I managed to video this before my battery went down...behold!

Going to office. From Kpg Bandar Dalam to Sentul. Speed unknown, but the fun and excitement of overtaking crawling cars are truly gratifying.

Going home. From Jalan Ipoh to Jalan Sentul circa 1800 hrs.