Weekly Newsletter – 6 May 2009 / Issue Number: 439-18-2009

PCC, Your Perfect Cycling Companion

A Note from the Editor This issue

Note from the Editor P1
It must be the post IS 09 thing, loads of photos available The week ahead M+D P2
on facebook and the likes, but only 1 write up. In any The week ahead T+G P3
regards, this being my first interstate, I’ll spin some Rules of road riding P4
tales in my little column here before I re-evaluate. The week that was P5
Spare wheels project P6
3 days of doing what you really can do in a 2 hour drive, Club membership P7
well, a lot less if you are speed signage illiterate. This Pedal to Crank: The Interviews P7
was the general consensus that I got from most non
riders when questioned with, “What did you do for the
long weekend?”

In a nut shell, the scenery was beautiful, 70% of the

drivers utterly insane, others in wonder, and of course
the company...what pesto is to pasta, garlic is to oven
baked crays and of course what black soya sauce is to
Hokkien Mee. We had a great bunch that just made it
all into a perfect ride, encompassing the essence of
what PCC really is about...the ride, the company and of
course, the talking cock that goes with it all.

Great work to the Sub Committee of IS 09, and we do

look forward to next year’s.

We will continue to update the newsletter with the

write up’s as they come in.

Ed.

Photos are viewable on Facebook via,

PCC Malaysia Group / James Bak’s profile

Contributions this week

Articles & Photos/Images

Rob / Bunny Tan / James Bak
 Weekly Newsletter – 6 May 2009 / Issue Number: 439-18-2009

The week ahead – M + D Sunday ride 10 May 2009

Mud + Dirt by The English Nose & The Sub-Editor

OK, this Sunday there’s a big one going on. The KLMBH Epic ride, meaning it will be
long and memorable- I hope. Therefore most of us PCC members will be there
having a day off so to speak, not that it will be a walk (ride) in the park.

Hope to see you there! Information below extracted from KLMTBH website

Date: 10 May 2009

Location: Batang Kali (N3 27 30.3 E101 39 41.8)

Ride distance: 55km

Meeting Time: 7:00 am Registration / 7:50am Pre-ride Brief / 8:00am Start Riding

Contact Person: For more info, please call Ying How on 012 205 5323

Check out http://www.bikehash.freeservers.com for full details.

Upcoming M+D Rides

Date Ride Distance

10 May KLMBH Epic Hash 55km

17 May Kiara 18km

24 May Kemensah 20km

 Weekly Newsletter – 6 May 2009 / Issue Number: 439-18-2009

The week ahead – T + G Sunday rides 10 May 2009

Tar + Grime by The Don

We head skywards to the Gap this Sunday. Voted the Best Ride in the Klang-valley, it’s a gradual climb up through
meandering roads with sounds of rapids of the nearby river and luscious trees filter the sun rays. Fresh, cool air with low
vehicular traffic is standard.

Date: 10 May 2009

Time: 8:00am (pls be ready by 7:45am)

Start/End: Kuala Kubu Bahru Stadium car park. Easiest way is to take the NKVE north and exit at Rawang.
After toll turn right and go north through Rawang town. You will pass Serendah, Ulu Yam, Batang
Kali, Rasa before the junction to KKB on your right. Turn 3’clock and u will see Stadium KKB on
your left.

(http://www.maplandia.com/malaysia/selangor/kuala-kubu-baharu/)

Distance: 60km to the Gap and back (75km with a warm up ride)

Contact person: Please contact PK (016-666 6110) should you have any queries on the ride. See yuh Sunday!
 Weekly Newsletter – 6 May 2009 / Issue Number: 439-18-2009

Rules of Road Riding – T + G

Change positions correctly Rules of Road Riding

• Slower moving traffic stays to the left; faster traffic to
the right. Never overtake on the left of the group! By The Don
• Pass slower moving vehicles on the right; announce
your intention to do so
Announce hazards
• Most cyclists do not have a full view of the road while
riding in a group
• Announce potholes and other hazards so others can
avoid them
• Call out the hazard and point down to it, either left or
right. No need to yell like a maniac tho.
Watch for traffic from the rear
• The last rider should frequently check for overtaking
cars
• Announce "car back" clearly and loudly
• It is also helpful to announce "car up" on narrow
roads or when riding two abreast
Watch out at intersections
• Leader should announce slowing or stopping at
intersections, if necessary Practise Good Peloton Etiquette
• Cyclists should not follow others through
• Everyone in the peloton has to contribute to the
intersections without first looking for themselves
workload. That means taking your fair share of pulls at
• Each cyclist is responsible for checking cross traffic; if
the front. It’s ok to do shorter pulls, especially if you are
you must stop, signal tired. Just do a token pull, indicate and pull off to the
Leave room for cars right & back after you’ve established it is safe to do so.
• On narrow road or during climbs, leave space • When you go to the front, always keep a constant &
between every three or four riders steady speed. Do not accelerate or show how fast you
• Motorists will utilize the shorter passing intervals to are. It is not a race, moron!
pass the group • Typically everyone climbs at their own pace. So after a
• Good relations with motorists is the responsibility of climb, recover & regroup before setting off again.
every cyclist. Remember, we share the roads with • Do not pull too long at the front. Always reserve some
others; it’s not our Grandfathers’ road. energy
Stop off road Ride single file
• When stopping for mechanicals or regrouping, always • It is illegal in some areas to ride more than two abreast.
move clear off the road Avoid doing this.
• Always indicate you are stopping with your right hand • In our country, the roads are narrow and winding. It is
asking them to overtake you on the right. better to ride single filed in this case, unless it is safe to
• Always yield to traffic in the roadway ride a double pace line.

Impromptu Saturday M + D rides

Spare Parts Choy with his ever willingness to ride, be it morning, noon AND night will be taking calls with his mistress
Rachel from the Yeti Clan by his side, he would certainly ride anything and everything as often as he can. So contact him
for the Saturday Goodness at +60123955255. All levels and ride suggestions are always welcomed.

Weekday T + G rides

TUESDAY NIGHT SPECIAL – TAMAN TUN (SUITABLE FOR ALL LEVELS)

NO HELMUT, NO RIDE
Ride distance: 25km (TTDI – Damansara Heights – TTDI)
Time: 830pm (check in 15mins before)
THURSDAY NIGHT RIDE – NEW (SUITABLE FOR ALL LEVELS)
Meeting place: In front of KSH (Taman Tun Dr Ismail)
Ride distance:
Contact person: Kevin (012 354 7181)
Time: 700pm (70km) / 830pm (35km)
Meeting place: Putrajaya Mosque Car park
Contact person: Vong 016 287 2066
COMPULSORY TAIL LIGHTS Ride Guideline: Well maintained flat to undulating
roads.
FOR ALL NIGHT RIDERS Objectives: Improving endurance,leg strength and
road bike skills (eg. Drafting technique,
signalling, road safety)
 Weekly Newsletter – 6 May 2009 / Issue Number: 439-18-2009
A tribute to PCC by Bunny Tan / The week that was (1st to 3rd May 2009) – T+G

A Tribute to PCC - by Bunny • conduct a dry run of each day’s route the day before to
ensure there are no surprises and thoughtfully put up
We have just completed the Interstate 2009, and what a great signage to ensure we don’t lose our way.
success it was. This is probably one of the best Interstates that I
• at the end of each ride day will be busy photo editing a
have participated in (and I have been to six). The routes on all
slide show for our enjoyment during dinner. This
three days were interesting and provided a different kind of
means that they get no rest.
challenge.
And all of these and more, they did on a voluntary basis. A
Did you know that the organizing committee (OC) professional event management company could not have done
a better job. Kudos to the Organizing Committee. Each year, I
• started preparation for the event as early as September
just look forward to participating in the PCC Interstate and did
2008? That’s how long before a full term child is born.
not give much thought to the time, effort and expertise that
• spent many many weekends and hundreds of recce
goes into the organization of such an enormous and successful
hours to mark the routes (to make a 180km road trip
event. But it dawn on me that the dedication and sacrifices of
into a 360km ride) and plot the tulips.
the OC should not go unnoticed nor be taken for granted, hence
• visited numerous hotels, resorts, etc, checked their
this tribute. It is this spirit of voluntarism that makes PCC what
cleanliness and food sampling to ensure we are well
it is.
fed after the days’ ride and have clean place to rest our
tired bodies. Registration goodie bag = RM50 / Food = RM120
• spent many hours coordinating registrations from all
states and trying hard to accommodate all fellow Accommodation = RM180
cyclists who so look forward to this event.
PCC IS experience = Priceless
• planned and organized design of event logo, car
stickers, road signage, name tagging, lamination, t- For me, PCC is the Perfect Cycling Community
shirts, printing of tulips, briefing notes, registration
venue, chartering buses, cable ties, plastic bags (for
bikes), tags for luggage, p.a. systems, projector screens,
photography, marshalling, etc, etc.

Labour day weekend in FRIM – The English Nose / 1 May 2009 – M+D

First ride of May -09 was at FRIM, a superb mountain bike

location, so while many of our mountain bikers were off riding Labour Day weekend in Frim by The
road on the interstate, we had a collection of about 12 riders
lead by me and swept by Spare Parts.
English Nose
Victor was on his new steed. A mighty fine old-skool Merlin Ti
and then there was Mark on his Turner’s virgin ride.

We did the usual route, excluding the Rover trail so as to avoid

hiker contact after doing Steriod, Heli, Dream. Canteen was
closed so had to make do with Chendol at the waterfall.

By the time we finished this it was 11:30 as the ride took longer
than usual due to 2 flats, so after the re-fuel we headed out and
were back at the cars by 12:15.

Perfect weather conditions as it was overcast with a strong

th
breeze, with the sun only making an appearance at the 11
hour.
 Weekly Newsletter – 6 May 2009 / Issue Number: 439-18-2009

Spare Wheels Project

Your friends have heard you rant about the drops and
the endos and have seen the breathtaking scenery
from your flickr, Facebook and not to forget the fridge
door photos.
They finally want to get off their bum and join you for
a ride but running behind you, sitting on your top tube
or dinking them are probably not the best ways for
them to experience it with you. Of course, he/she
could be shit hot, then no one would probably say
anything.
In all SERIOUSNESS, if you have someone who wants
to join us for a ride, please do not hesitate to drop us
a line and we WILL do our best to get them a bike for
the next suitable ride. Take note that there will be a
$15.00 charge to cover expenses such as ferrying the
bike around (only if you are riding with us), washing it
and of course its ongoing maintenance.

In any regards, PCC has the SPARE WHEELS PROJECT

underway. Currently made up of generous owner's
bikes, they are available for people to borrow and
ride. Some of them have been ridden more than the
village…er…never mind. They've been ridden a lot.

Boon Foo has recently offered his assistance to put

Rob (012 6191 308) / Peter (012 227 4443) /
together a few hard tails, and together with what we
have now, we should be able to cater for height Alvin (012 3070 830) / Adrian (012 383 2618)
ranging from Snow White's pals to the Yang Mings
who want to give this ago.

PLEASE DO NOT CALL US AT THE 11th HOUR ASKING FOR A BIKE. ALLOW 2 DAYS NOTICE MIN

CLUB MEMBERSHIP

Be a member of PCC. Sign up at our site at http://pcc-

cycling.freeservers.com by downloading the form and mail the
Membership is FOC, no subscription fee. All
completed form to pcc_news@yahoo.com. or sign up by that is required is your commitment to Ride!!
simply joining our yahoo groups site at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pcc_newsletter which also (bicycles that is…) Welcome onboard and
automatically subscribes you to our weekly newsletter Spokes
n Nipples. have fun.
The ‘Spokes & Nipples’ is the official newsletter of the Pedalholics Cycling Club. Unofficially, it’s the medium by which members and regulars will ‘kay
poh’ amongst themselves! Target is to publish it every Wednesday but do not be surprised if you receive it only on Thursday or, worse still, Friday. After
all, we got another job to tend to which unfortunately demands more priority from us.

We welcome ride stories and articles from everybody as well as your feedback but do try to submit them to us at pcc_news@yahoo.com before noon
each Wednesday; otherwise we’ll pin the blame on you if the newsletter is delayed! And of course, like they always say, we may edit all articles
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this newsletter has come to you unsolicited and it irks you like heck, please unsubscribe through the address listed below. Otherwise, we welcome you
with open arms and legs to our little circle and, most of all; we look forward to riding with you!

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 Weekly Newsletter – 6 May 2009 / Issue Number: 439-18-2009

PEDAL TO CRANK – Get to know your PCC Riders....

Chris Hay

Chris has been riding with PCC for as long as I know. As funny as an Englishman can get, Chris has many tales to tell…and
that’s even without a few beers. Seriously though, if you are new to cycling, Chris is the man to see for answers to
questions you never dreamed of asking. (Do you really want the answers though? – Ed)

1. When did you start riding and who got you involved?
4yrs old - exam’s present, fell off and turned to swimming as crashes
less painful, got bored and at 13 borrowed a bike and rode 100km with
school mate, rarely stopped since.
2. Why did you start riding?
My Dad wanted a Tour de France champion; he placed a bet on me
with the bookies when I was 4.... Hmm, sorry Dad.
3. Why do you continue to ride?
Fear of letting Don get too good, someone’s got to give him some pain.
6. What type of rider would you consider yourself?
Reincarnated
7. What is your dream bike?
Motorized tandem with built in beer cooler, comfy rear seat and attractive
lady doing the steering up front.
8. What is your favourite ride food (include drink)
bacon butty or chip butty
easy ride - teh tarik by the gallon (imperial not us)
hard ride - beer and more beer and teh tarik - but not mixed

4. What (or who) do you ride now ? (i.e MTB / Road or both). Give us 9. Do you fantasize about riding when you are not?
the juicy details of your ride... No only hallucinations these days which usually disappear within 24 hours
Kuota carbon with campagnolo chorus and yes I know my front wheel is of a PCC ride.
blue and rear wheel black as demanded by my secret society.
10. Do you or did you sleep naked with your bike?
5. What and why (is it) your favourite trail? Almost, until my cats voted it off, they must have got the idea from
Orang Asli to Janda Baik, especially the ride by the stream from Janda watching too much big brother
Baik, it reminds me of Europe on a good summer day.
UK: numerous country lanes in Somerset, Devon, Lake District, but best
place is NW coast of Scotland and the "pass of the cattle" climb which
overlooks Isle of Skye
Hardest Climb - Mt Ventoux, from the Chalet Reynard side-26km at
10kph with brakes off
Best Descent - Mt Ventoux down the other side, 26km at 80kph with
brakes on!