The Reader

Caught in tandem..

PIPR #14:3072 Riders!

Congratulations to Organisers and Riders!I think this is the biggest turnout so far and I am proud to be a  member of the Organising Committee.On complaints about the service at the registration counters,I will bring up to the Committee for discussion and improvement at the next ride.Thanks you all for your continous support and participation.

@Jambatan Seri Wawasan,Putrajaya

During the recent FT Day a few days ago,a dozen of us went cycling in Putrajaya.On the way back to base(Umai Cafe),we stopped to take some photos and catch with our breath.If you were travelling in your cars,you won't able to see this view and appreciate the intricate and beautiful design of this bridge.Either you walk or cycle here-then you will see many hidden beauties in Putrajaya.Not to mention the beautifully hidden walkway where I took a newcomer to ride with us...

Most of what is visible in our lives are mostly superficial...we need to dig deeper or go lower layers to see more..

Recovery ride..

 

Brompton M3L fixed with rack,Brooks and Carradice bag

Yesterday,my son Maher and me joined our PUR tribe for their normal PMR(Putrajaya Morning Ride).There were about a dozen of us and I was pleasantly suprised to see eight Bromptons!I guessed we shall have about 20 B's by end of this year.

 

This ride is very important to us.My son has been grounded due to a fall and this was his first ride after the unfortunate accident.He was happy to discover that he could ride again without feeling any pains to his injured shoulder and likewise for me.I was grounded for a week due to fever and bad coughs.I plan to ride only for a round trip of 10km but with the group, we ended up riding for 18km.Later we adjourned to have brunch at Umai Cafe.The strenght came from the community!

By the way,yesterday was also my first ride with a Brooks Saddle+Carradice bag from UK.

Book:Bromptom Bicycle by David Henshaw

First,let me thank my dear friend KA for buying this book in London and lent the book for me to read.It was very interesting read about Mr Andrew Ritchie got involved in early 70's to design and manufacture a folding bike.It started with small capital of a few thousands pounds and now its sales reached a few millions.

Mr  Tim Guiness,Brompton Chairman has this to say:"So far we don't know whether the marketing is successful,because the bike's selling itself.We can't produce enough".

When KA told me my choice of M6R is out of stock,I have to settle for M3L.Otherwise, who is going to do the shipping for me.By the way,about 70% of Brompton bikes are for export.This Brompton bike reminds me of the early iPod and present day iPhone and iPad where we the consumers have to wait for the stock to arrive.Good products will make people want to buy and they will wait.{like me now waiting for the ship to arrive in about a month's time}

This book tells the story of what the entrepreneur has to undergo in manufaturing sector.It was tough work and one needs a lot of patience to keep on track and passion to drive the road to success.Another lesson I learnt in reading this book is about the ingenious engineering of Mr Ritchie to keep on improving the various components of the bike.On the long journey,one could not travel alone.One needs a few good friends who believe in your vision to help one arrive at the destination.Engineers,how good you are at designing and manufacturing your products,you still need the investors and marketing/sales people.

This story of good product reminds me of our local famous  'nasi belauk' at Kampung Pandan.No marketing is needed because people like me who loves Kak Mah nasi belauk are doing it for free!

The right tools..

Whatever you are doing,please use the right tools for the right jobs!What if we failed to fix the tyres of our cars or bicycles properly?It may cost our own lives!The tools may be the right ones but the person must have knowldge and skills-otherwise the jobs will not get done.The example mentioned applies to all aspect of our everyday lives as well as the life of a nation.

Putrajaya:100 bicycles for rental..

Cycling & Paris ,May 1997
Originally uploaded by Adibi

Yesterday,I read in Berita Harian that Perbadanan Putrajaya is going to buy 100 bicycles for rental so that people(local and foreigners) could see and explore the beauty of the city on two wheels.Kudos to Tan Sri Samsuddin and the management involved in this project.

Before I started cycling in Putrajaya in 2008,I only saw Putrajaya from my car.It was only the tip of the iceberg!When I started cycling in Putrajaya (with friends and led by Col(R) Azudin),I saw many more beautiful places and gardens-formerly hidden because cars cannot access these locations.Nowadays,I also walk around the gardens and my favourite locations are Kelab Tasik areas and Taman Saujana Hijau.

I wish all the best to Perbadanan Putrajaya for this initiative.This may be another additonal catalyst for culture change in promoting cycling and healthy lifestyle.

Just imagine,busloads of tourists alighted from their air-conditioned buses and started riding those 100 bikes to explore Putrajaya.I hope this will motivate the local residents to cycle as well.Talking about business opportunities,my cycling buddies and me can work as cycling tourist guides on weekends.It will be great to have fun and exercise and get paid for it!{3 in one}And that remind me of my Nescafe;-)

By the way,this is an old photo of me cycling at a French resort in Paris way back in May,1997.The lady behind me is my wife.

Happy cycling to all and have a good weekend!

Inter Parks Bike Ride/Open House

Today,I will be very busy from morning until evening.In the morning,I will be helping Perbadanan Putrajaya organising the above event at Taman Wetland.You can see the event from the photos I will be posting whenever I can during the event from 8am to 1pm today.InsyaAllah.

In the afternoon,I will be attend two Open Houses in KL/Gombak.The photo above  is one of the many nice sceneries waiting for you if you cycle around the lakes in Putrajaya.All the 7 big boys shown in the photos are in their 50's-The Roaring 50's;-)

Below is a photo of my son taking a rest at one of those scenic places along the trail at Putrajaya Wetland..

Electric bike

Tok Wan Ismail's bike
Originally uploaded by Adibi

I have a lovely suprise last week when I saw this bike in front of my friend's house.You can pedal it but when you are tired or climbing a hilly part of the road, you can switch on the electrical power.This machine is made in Malaysia and approved by SIRIM.

My uncle has one of these cool bicycles.He will pedal as far as he wants to go and on the return journey, his bicycle becomes an electrically powered mini motor-cycle!

Personally ,for now,I still prefer the old fashion bicycle where I can cycle.

We are at Mercu Tanda,Putrajaya

We are at Mercu Tanda,Putrajaya
Originally uploaded by Adibi

Previously my RV for my MTB rides at Putrajaya was at Taman Warisan Pertanian.Now, my favourite RV is at Kelab Tasik Putrajaya where it is very convenient for me to go for breakfast at P8 and a nice place for my family to have our morning walk and exercises by the lakeside.[Boardwalk/Yara 8]

Today,I requested my friend Tajuddin to take the lead for our weekend morning ride.He took us(his son,my son and me) to enjoy the nice hilly rides at Taman Botani and Taman Aman.I have been a few times to Taman Botani but I never walk and cycle to Shangrila Hotel where I saw a sprawl of beautiful garden over-looking the PM offices and PICC.

Thanks to Allah swt I could pedal uphill without stopping and later Tajuddin took us through a tapestry of beautiful gardens to Mercu Tanda of Putrajaya!Honestly,this is my first time here even though I have been to Shangrila Hotel(by car) twice for business lunches and had been a regular visitor to Putrajaya in the last two years when I took up cycling.I also discovered that there is a network of walking paths up there.Now,I can't wait to take my wife there for our morning walk!

One lesson learnt was that in order to discover new place ,we must listen to other's experiences and be willing to venture out.Our lives will be more interesting as we make new discoveries every weekend!