4000km on Bicycle...

It has been a year since I rode again and done 4120 km - just 880km too short from 5000km "SKT" [sasaran kayuhan tahunan].

Pencapaian SKT cuma 82% sahaja. Mungkin kerana faktor cuaca - terutamanya dalam masa tiga bulan pertama tahun 2009.

Last 12-month Cycling Distance from April 1st, 2008 to March 31st, 2009
March 2009: 124km
February 20009: 356km
January 2009 - NO cycling - busy testing cars
December 2008: 382km
November 2008: 454km
October 2008: 409km
September 2008: 393km
August 2008: 356km
July 2008: 424km
Jun 2008: 652km
May 2008: 318km
Apr 2008: 252km
Total : 4120km

myBikes and I are now TIRED

Bikes were tired BEFORE the trips, I'm tired AFTER the trips...

Putrajaya Critical Mass - Ride for Gaza

RIDE for GAZA

Date: February 27th, 2009 

Venue: Palace of Justice, Putrajaya 

Meeting time: 8.30 pm 

Ride time: 9.00 pm 

Distance: About 20km

We could collect significant amount for GAZA. A good start. Thnx everybody for your support

Le Tour de Langkawi 2009 - Final stage

Sunday, February 15th was the day for the 7th and de final stage of Le Tour de Langkawi 2009. There would be 12-lap criterium racing covering approximately 80+ km [3:30pm to 5:15pm] around the city center of Kuala Lumpur. Start and Finish lines were at Merdeka Square [in front of the famous Sultan Abdul Samad Building]. I was one of the freelance photographers at LTdL 2009.

3:30pm - the 7th and Last stage of Le Tour de Langkawi 2009 pushed off.


... the motions, the actions, the e-motions, the tensions... and lots of manipulations and calculations too.


...and finally the expected winner.... Gianni Savio's Diquigiovanni-Androni Gioccatoli team .


The Individual Winners - the yellow, green, red and blue jerseys.
Jose Serpa Perez, who sealed the King of the Mountain (red polka dot jersey) on previous day stage 6 with 25 points, claimed the yellow jersey today.


Gavazzi who won four of seven stages in LTdL 2009 sealed the green jersey (sprint) with 97 points, Nolan Hoffman settled in second place with 82 points





The only other jersey, the VW blue jersey for the Asian riders' classification winner, was taken by Le Tua Cycling Team's veteran Indonesian rider Tonton Susanto, who bagged his third ever win in that classification after doing the same in 1999 and 2002.

Happy New Year 2009!

When the clock strikes twelve on December 31st, people all over the world cheer and wish each other a very "Happy New Year". For some, this event is no more than a change of a calendar. For others, the New Year symbolizes the beginning of a new adventure and better tomorrow. As the new year blossoms, may the journey of life be fragrant with new opportunities, days be bright with new hopes and hearts be happy with love!

Happy New Year everybody!

ZD14~54mm f2.8/3.5 @54mm f22 6seconds ISO100

With my very best wishes and regards for 2009
- uncle.D -

January 1st, 2009
Went cycling around Putrajaya with the other half till midday.

January 2nd, 2009
No cycling today. Went to Hospital Serdang instead - to make appointment.

January 3rd, 2009
It rained all day on the first weekend of the new year. All outdoor activities, including cycling had been cancelled.

Just stayed indoor - relaxed and looked out at the evergreen trees and shrubs...

... while listening to the symphony of birds and insects. What a worderful world!.

50km Cross Country Practice

I'm getting much better now. It has been for quite sometime I'm flying low and moving forwards in a very slow pace. Had to pick-up bit by bit by hoping not to mess around with all the activities too much. It looks like more things to do than could ever been done!

Sunday October 26th - 50km 'Cross Country' Weekend Cycling
The weather at sunrise was favourable. Lots of clouds in the sky but no indication of rainfall within the next 6-7 hrs.

Went out cycling on and off roads with Dr. G for around 50km. We kicked off at 7:10am from SKV towards UKM Oil Palm Plantation undulating terrain before emerging at Bangi Lama. Then moved on to Beranang via 3-m wide kampong road before cycling 8 km on Jalan Enam Kaki - which is now already upgraded to 4-meter wide. Returning back to SKV via Semenyih and Tmn Teknologi Kajang. Arrived home just after 10am.

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Tuesday October 21st - Off Season Fruits
The late afternoon rain prevails - dampening outdoor activities such as cycling, gardening or just strolling around.

After the rain had subsided I spent some time on rear balcony and observed some rambutan trees keep on bearing fruits. Not just twice but trice or four times already this year. Why aaah? - ada yang sedang berbunga...dan mula membesar. Ada yang baru nak masak, ada juga yang dah masak ranum. Buah durian dan duku tak pula berbuah sampai dua tiga kali setahun, tapi manggis berbuah juga dua kali dalam tahun ni.



Monday October 20th
It is very interesting to note that this week's daylight and night time for countries along the latitude of North 02deg 40min are about in the same proportion.

For instance, the sun rises at 6:56am and sets at 6:59pm today. And also, the moon rises around mid-night and sets at noon. The dates for the exact number of 12-hour of daylight and night time will be on Nov 11th and Jan 31st though.

Another 'hapening' today [Oct 20th, 2008] is that there is no moonrise time mentioned on GPS. The moon we see today actually rose YESTERDAY at 11:23pm, will set around noon and will rise again TOMORROW at 12:25AM.

Post Aidilfitri 50km Cycling

my hardtail bike with upgraded suspension and disk-brakes

Saturday October 11th - 50km Cycling
For the past six weeks - my routine and weekend-cycling trips were limited to short-range [below 30km/session]. Almost all cycling trips were done at night after tarawih and at dawn. No swimming and aerobic too within the same period.

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Only today I went out for a mid-range cycling trip [with Dr G] - about 50km covering SKV - Kg LManis - Medan Putra - Putrajaya Water Sport Complex and returned to SKV. At Putrajaya Water Sport Complex Dr G and I stopped for about 90 minutes [spent 60 minutes in the swimming pool - dah lama tak berenang].

Berbasikal kalini, walaupun hanya pada jarak sederhana tetapi banyak turun naik banggol dan bukit. Yang paling mencabar ialah semasa mendaki bukit Limau Manis - pada satu masa uncle.D terpaksa turun dari basikal kerana sprocket depan tak masuk gear satu- kabel yg kendur perlu di adjust nanti. Maklumlah dah lama tak guna gear serendah tu.

Cycling Details
Kicked off from my home @Lot5 at 6:59am. Cycled through Kg Teras Jernang, then south of Kg Sungai Merab near Tmn Casa Mekar before accending Bukit Limau Manis at snail climbing speed of 6km/hr before started to cycle at normal pace towards PICC . Overall moving average was 17.6km/hr.


Oleh kerana dah lama tak berbeskal jarak sederhana/jauh, tambahan pulak pergi berenang dalam masa yg sama, kedua2 peha uncle.D mengalami kekejangan setelah berbeskal sejauh 50km - hanya 800meter sahaja sebelum sampai 'digarisan penamat' [@Lot5] - belum pernah lagi mengalami sakit otot peha spt nih. According to Dr G, muscle peha mengalami dehydration. Beliau menasihatkan supaya uncle.D mengambil dehydration salt atau minum 100+. Thanks for the advice Doc - satu nasihat yg berguna walaupun dari seorang non-medical Doktor. Sampai diLot5, uncle.D mengambil masa hampir 4 jam untuk recover, termasuk taking good afternoon nap - before adjourned to the nearby kenduri kahwin.

Next long range [exceeding 80km] cycling will be a day trip to and fro Bagan Lalang or PD. Doh lamo bona den tak pekeno ikan bakar. Probably after clocking 5000km I will try an extra-long range cycling [exceeding 150km]... with the God will of course.

Pics at Putrajaya - with 3MP Camedia C350Z

my coach, Dr. G - in front of the Palace of Justice

Perbadanan Putrajaya

Putra Mosque

Wednesday - Friday - No Out-door Activity
It has been raining all afternoons throughout this week, except on Friday. All preplanned evening outdoor activites had been cancelled.

Selasa Syawal 7, 1429 - Nature Photography
Nature photography is not just a hobby but it could lead to a carrier in scientific research. To get good results the photographer must follow certain rules such as observing, studying and taking notes, just like reserchers do. Nature photography has been my interest for the past few years, practiced mainly during holidays and on weekend cycling trips.

ZD70~300mm f4/5.6 @ f8 300mm 1/250sec ISO400

Unfortunately the one-week off for me ends today and for the last few days it has been raining all afternoons despite of early sign of good sunny weather with clear blue skies in the morning. Not much photography opportunity actually.

It is necessary to convey to people the importance of protecting the environment. Nature photography and cycling play their role in this regard - permitting anyone to discover the beauty of the flora, fauna and the environments. My hopes this will lead to respect and the determination to do the utmost to preserve all form of life and environment.

Rambutan flowers - details are hardly seen with naked human eyes. Captured with ZD35mm f3.5 macro @ f11 1/180sec ISO200 on Olym E-500

Isnin Syawal 6, 1429
Uncle.D masih lagi bercuti harini dan besok. Cuaca pada pagini agak terang. Sambil "meraikan kehidupan", uncle.D menghirup udara segar dan nyaman dibelakang rumah yang terdapat bunga-bungaan yang beranika warna...

What a Wonderful World!

Menjelang Satu Syawal

Asas Penentuan Awal Ramadhan dan Syawal dari Sudut Syarak - Apabila membicarakan tentang asas penentuan awal Ramadhan dan Syawal dari sudut syarak, ia merujuk kepada panduan yang telah diterangkan oleh Allah S.W.T. dan junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. kepada kita iaitu al-Quran, Sunnah dan pandangan ulama'.

Para ulama' sehingga kini masih berbahas dengan panjang lebar berkenaan isu ini di dalam kitab-kitab mereka yang muktabar. Berdasarkan pedoman-pedoman ini, lahirlah tiga amalan yang berbeza dalam menentukan awal bulan Ramadhan, Syawal dan Zulhijjah dengan kaedah berikut:

(a) Rukyah (melihat anak bulan)
(b) Hisab falak (pengiraan)
(c) Rukyah dan hisab dengan menggunakan kriteria imkanur-rukyah iaitu menggunakan hisab dalam menentukan kebolehnampakan anak bulan (hilal)

Perbezaan amalan dan cara di atas berlaku adalah berpunca daripada berlainan dalam memahami dan mentafsir maksud ayat-ayat al-Quran dan hadis yang berkaitan. Malaysia mengamalkan cara penentuan awal bulan Ramadhan, Syawal dan Zulhijjah dengan rukyah dan hisab berdasarkan kepada kriteria imkanur-rukyah. Berdasarkan dalil-dalil al-Quran, hadis dan pendapat ulama' serta kajian astronomi moden, kaedah rukyah dan hisab sesuai dilaksanakan di Malaysia kerana menepati kehendak syarak.


Dengan bantuan peralatan moden yang canggih yang mampu dimiliki spt GPS, perlukah lagi pergi meneropong anak bulan?
Berdasarkan "handheld GPS" [seperti Garmin eTrex Vista HCx] pada 29-SEP-08 tidak akan kelihatan anak bulan semasa Sunset 7:06pm kerana Moonset berlaku lebih awal yakni pada jam 7:01pm. Perhatikan dalam gambar sebelah - tidak kelihatan "anak bulan" pun ketika matahari terbenam pada tarikh tersebut.











Anak bulan Syawal 1429hijr akan kelihatan pada 30-SEP-08 pada 07:06pm, i.e ketika matahari terbenam. Moonset ialah pada jam 7:43pm - yakni berada diufuk barat selama lebih dari setengah jam selepas matahari terbenam. Confirm, anak bulan Syawal lah tu... Wallahu-alam.

Maka dengan ini izinkan uncle.D tetapkan Hari Raya Aidil-Fitr 1429 Hijr jatuh pada 01-Oktober-2008.












Sunday, September 28th
Pada malam ini bilangan jemaah yang datang bertarawih di surau/mesjid berdekatan kurang dari 50% [manakala dikawasan2 baru mungkin 25%] kerana sebahagian daripada penduduk setempat, terutamanya yang bujang dan yang dibawah separuh umor telah pulang kekampong halaman masing2.

Yang tinggal kebanyakannya yang bermastautin lebih dari 20 tahun - terdiri daripada veterans dan pesara2 yang dah bergelar "datuk" atau lebih tepat "atuk". Terdapat juga yang tidak dapat pulang kerana tugas dan tidak dapat tiket pengakutan awam.

Keluarga uncle.D seperti biasa, akan mula 'bergerak' selepas solah hari raya nanti. InsyaAllah.


Saturday, September 27th
Selepas solah tarawih, 'Dr. G'  dan uncle.D pergi bergatih sejauh 22km sambil menikmati udara segar dan nyaman [kerana hujan disiang harinya] disekitar BBBangi-Sungai Ramal-UniTEN-Kg Bakar Baginda-Sungai Merab. Singgah untuk TT di Restoran Soho.

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Friday, September 26th
Untuk lima hari terakhir Ramadhan, uncle.D bertarawih dan solah suboh berjemaah disurau terdekat sebelum meneruskan kayuhan malam dan awal pagi respectively... syukurlah kerana masih diberi tenaga dan keupayaan oleh Nya untuk beribadah dan beriadhah.

Nampaknya pada tahun ini uncle.D tidak keletihan dan tidak mengantuk seperti pada ramadhan tahun2 terdahulu - mungkin kerana kesederhanaan gayahidup dan pemakanan. Sepanjang ramadhan ini uncle.D kurang mengambil makanan berkanji termasuk nasi dan pulut. Makanan dari Pasar Ramadhan langsung tidak disentuhnya - hanya mengambil makanan bijirin campuran bersama tamar, susu dan jus. InsyaAllah pemakanan ini akan diteruskan selepas Ramadhan kerana terbukti lebih berkesan daripada mengambil supplement dan multi-vitamin...

Putrajaya Critical Mass VI

Critical Mass [CM] is a cycling event normally held on the last Friday of every month around the world. CM has no leaders. It's an event, not an organization. There is no national group that licenses local rides. Critical Mass can be fun, but in and of itself, Critical Mass doesn't change anything. CM is effective only when combined with real advocacy - such as lobbying local and state governments for bike lanes and progressive legislation.

In a city that has a CM, one or more cyclists just picked a day and time and started handing out fliers. The purpose of Critical Mass is not formalized beyond the direct action of meeting at a set location and time and traveling as a group through city or town streets. Most Critical Mass rides don't have a set route - they go through the central city randomly, with whoever happens to be in front leading the way. At Putrajaya Critical Mass [PCM] however, the route has been set before each ride.

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Friday 19th - Putrajaya Critical Mass VI
Normally Putrajaya Critical Mass Ride is scheduled on the last Friday night every month. However PCM V and VI took place a week earlier. Click HERE for more info.
PCM for September this year took place during the Fasting Month of Ramadhan [the 9th month of Hijr Calendar]. During which month the Muslims have to go to mosques for or after breaking fast to perform prayers which normally end around 10:00pm or so. Hence PCM had to begin after 11:30pm to allow for
riders traveling time - some riders have to drive more than 50km from their homes for the PCM.

Ramadhan 1429 Hijr Ride

Kepada semua muslimin dan muslimah uncle.D ucapkan assalamualaikum dan...

Selamat Menjalankan Ibadah Puasa Ramadhan al-Mubarak bagi tahun 1429 Hijrah


InsyaAllah, kedatangan bulan yang mulia kalini akan dapat memberikan kita hidayah untuk lebih mendekatkan diri kepada Nya. Sama2lah kita ambil kesempatan pada bulan yang mulia ini untuk mempertingkatkan lagi amal ibadah kita kerana bulan Ramadhan adalah sebaik-baik bulan untuk melipat gandakan pahala.

"Apabila kamu berpuasa maka hendaklah berpuasa pendengaranmu, penglihatanmu dan lidahmu daripada dusta dan dosa. Dan janganlah menyakiti hati. Hendaklah kamu hormati dan bersikap tenang pada hari puasamu. Janganlah kamu samakan hari puasamu dengan hari tidak berpuasa."




Bulan puasa bukan sahaja bulan yang baik untuk kita beribadah dan bersedekah kebendaan, oleh yg demikian marilah kita sama-sama ringankan tangan dan akal fikiran mensedekahkan kemahiran dan ilmu-ilmu yang ada dalam diri kita kepada orang-orang lain. Semoga ilmu yang ada pada kita itu menjadi lebih berkat... tak kiralah ilmu fotography ke, ilmu pembasikalan ke... atau ilmu alam ke, tapi jangan lah ilmu hitam lak.

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Berpuasa itu ibadah, sembahyang itu ibadah, dan membantu kepada yang memerlukan juga satu ibadah. Oleh itu mari kita banyakkan ibadah.

Berbasikal sepanjang bulan Ramadhan
Berbasikal pun ibadah juga... InsyaAllah sepanjang Ramadhan tahun ini uncle.D akan pergi solah berjemaah dimasjid/surau di BBBangi dan kawasan2 yang sama waktu dengannya secara begilir2 - dengan menaiki basikal.
Ramadhan 25~29: Surau al-Madani [BBBangi 3]. Bermula dgn bacaan Ya-Sin pada jam 6:10ptg diikuti dengan doa selamat dan majlis berbuka puasa.
Ramadhan 24: Surau Ab Rahman Auf [BBBangi Perdana]
Ramadhan 23: Masjid UKM
Ramadhan 22: Surau Damai [BBB2]
Ramadhan 21: Surau al-Ikhlas [BBB4T]
Ramadhan 20: Surau as-Sakinah [Tmn Bkt Mutiara S1]
Ramadhan 19: Surau at-Lot5 [BBB3]
Ramadhan 18: Surau al-Mawaddah [BBBangi Mutiara]
Ramadhan 17: Surau sementara BBB15
Ramadhan 16: Surau at-Lot5 [BBB3]
Ramadhan 15: Surau at-Taqwa [BBB6]
Ramadhan 14: Surauat Lot5 [BBB3]
Ramadhan 13: Surau at-Lot5 [BBB3]
Ramadhan 12: Surau al-Ijtihad [BBBangi 1]
Ramadhan 11: Surau al-Falah [BBBangi 6]
Ramadhan 10: Masjid al-Kausar [BBBangi 4]
Ramadhan 09: Surau an-Nur[BBBangi 1]
Ramadhan 08: Masjid UKM
Ramadhan 07: Masjid as-Solihin [Teras Jernang]
Ramadhan 06: Masjid al-Mustaqim [Bakar Baginda]
Ramadhan 05: Surau al-Ehsan [BBBangi 2]
Ramadhan 04: Surau Jubili Perak [BBBangi 4]
Ramadhan 03: Surau as-Sobah [BBBangi 3]
Ramadhan 02: Masjid Bangi Perdana [BBBangi Perdana]
Ramadhan 01: Surau Ab Rahman Auf [BBBangi Perdana]

Sunday, September 7th
Selepas bersahor, berbasikal ke Masjid as-Solihin di Teras Jernang untuk solah suboh. Sesudah itu uncle.D  teruskan bergatih sambil relax2 dipagi hujung minggu dan menikmati kedamaian, keindahan, kesegaran awal pagi dibumi Allah ini.

Sebelah malam pula yakni masuk hari ke-8 Ramadhan uncle.D bergatih beskal ke Masjid Jame'. Selesai bertatawih uncle.D teruskan berkayuh sambil menikmati kesegaran malam. Sampai rumah dah hampir tengah malam. Suboh Isnin berkayuh ke Masjid UKM pula... and the adventure continues as usual.

Friday/Saturday, September 5/6th
Malam 6 Ramadhan: Pergi bertarawih di Masjid al-Mustaqim Kg Bakar Baginda yang terletak diantara rumah  uncle.D  dan Putrajaya. Hujan renyai2 ketika itu membuatkan perancangan asal untuk berbasikal ke Putrajaya selepas bertarawih hampir2 dibatalkan.

Walaubagaimana pun terus juga ke tempat START-FINISH selepas solah sunat tarawih selesai kira2 jam 10:30 malam, kalau tak jadi berkayuh ramai2 mungkin boleh ber TT sahaja dengan cyclists sambil bersahur disitu.

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Tempat biasa berkumpul sebelum berkayuh ialah sekitar koordinat N2 56.470 E101 40.500. Disitu terdapat dua restoran mamak [well known as Mamak Double Troubles]. Pada malam tsb ramai pengunjung disitu - mungkin mereka singgah selepas bertarawih [melihat kpd pakaian masing2]. Pelajar2 IPT berhampiran pun ada. Lama juga kami bersembang mengenai 'pembasikalan' sambil menikmati juadah.




Sebahagian dari cyclists datang dari Shah Alam dan Subang Jaya. Hampir tengah malam sebahagian daripada kami beredar - ada yang tak jadi berkayuh dan terus pulang kerumah masing2. 66% meneruskan kayuhan ikut route Critical Mass bulan lepas.

Semasa berkayuh di Pesiaran Perdana kira2 jam 2:00 pagi [hari Sabtu dah..] berhampiran dengan the Palace of Justice kami terjumpa dengan sekumpulan dua-puluh orang MTBikers dari Damansara.

Catatan Monday~Thursday
Muslimin dan Muslimah di Malaysia mula berpuasa Ramadhan pada hari Isnin, September 1st. Semasa bulan puasa tahun ini  uncle.D berkayuh basikal sebelah malam ke masjid/surau untuk bertarawih dan waktu dinihari untuk solah suboh. Biasanya selepas solah suboh meneruskan kayuhan sehingga hampir terbitnya matahari .

Merdeka!.. Merdeka!!... Merdeka!!!

Sunday, Aug 31st - MERDEKA!
Hari Kebangsaan Malaysia ke-51

Kibarkanlah Jalur Gemilang dengan cara lazim...

Bunga Raya Merah - Bunga Kebangsaan Kita.

Kemerdekaan bukan bererti bebas kerana tidak ada apa atau sesiapa yang boleh berada dalam keadaan independency secara mutlak! Sama-sama kita hayati erti KEMERDEKAAN yang sebenar. Semoga Negara kita akan tetap aman damai, dan terus mempertahankan kemerdekaan yang dimiliki.

Mungkin sebahagian daripada kita, Kemerdekaan itu bererti bebas memilih opsyen dan sumber yang kita miliki untuk execute dan menjayakan sesuatu ... tetapi kita tidak terlepas daripada peradaban, peraturan/undang2, ajaran agama, dsb...

Berbasikal diatas jalanraya pun ada peraturan yang perlu dipatuhi, walaupun semasa kayuhan MERDEKA! Orange Baseball Cap yg diberi percuma itu tidak sesuai dipakai semasa berkayuh diatas jalanraya, pakailah helmet yang sesuai untuk keselamatan.

Kayuhan di pagi Hari Kebangsaan

Merida AM 3000-D

Merida AM 3000-D is not my MTB - it belongs to a friend but I like it... one of the best looking MTB on trails - probably the best value for the money for bikes in RM10k category!. Very comfortable, responsive and not too soft on rough terrains. Weighs around 13kg is light enough for a full suspension machine.

Friday, Aug 29th - Putrajaya International Fireworks Competition Finale - Team Australia
In conjunction with the 51th Independence Day, Malaysia hosts the International Fireworks competition at Putrajaya International Convention Centre for the 2nd time [first was in 2007 where Team Australia was the champion]