Cycle Friday

Roadblocks To Cycling Culture

2011-12-18T03:46:00.002+08:00

A recent interview by New Straits Times. Thanks to Nurjehan. You can read full article here

Could we really go car-free?

2011-09-19T04:13:00.007+08:00

Are we willing to do without our car for a day-the World Car-Free Day on 22nd September 2011? So far Malaysia has never organize her own car free day and maybe the government should put in effort towards promoting it. It is a day whereby we find other means of commuting, be it by the public transport, bicycles or a combination of both.

Photo from NST

Even though the event or campaign is focus more on congested areas, I would prefer to look at it more as a way of we moving around no matter where we are in Malaysia. Can we live car free? How actually we could get to where we need to go and ways to that without getting in a car and driving. To be totally car-free would seem to be quite impossible for most of us due to the inefficiency of the public transport system in Malaysia. Besides, taking public transport is somehow expensive and inconvenient when compared to riding a bike or maybe driving. For instance, if I were to take the bus from my hometown in Batu Pahat, Johor to Subang Jaya, the total cost would be around RM60 to and fro for a single person. Driving my car, it will cost around RM90-RM100 to and fro (excluding the car maintenance cost). So in this case, if travel more than 2 person, definitely it's better to drive than taking the public transport. Long distance travel, would actually require you to evaluate whether it's more convenient and how much does it cost between driving and taking public transport.

However, what we really need to look at and evaluate is our short distance commuting. Based on personal experience, anything below 25km (single trip), it is much more better to ride a bike than driving or taking the public transport. I have experimented it myself between driving and bicycling for all those short trips and found that bicycling is quicker and less stressful. Why don't you do you own experiment and see what is it like for you. A simple approach that I would suggest that could improve your life and your financial is to Drive Less. Start replacing all those short trips by car to riding a bike. For instance, to the grocery store, to meet a friend for a coffee, to the bank or to pay your utilities, etc. Sure, you can't replace all of those trips due to certain valid reasons, but most of it you would be able to. I can assure that you'll find it fun and freedom riding around.

You don't have to make a big change in your life to make a difference in the world. While living car-free is probably not possible for you, a Drive Less commitment is doable. Sooner you will reap the benefits for all those short trips. Even though I do support The World Car-Free Day campaign in Malaysia, I just feel that most of the campaign sometimes just for the sake of a campaign. I would prefer a program or event that would change the mindset and systems that will encourage Malaysians to cycle on a daily basis a transport.

Biking is Better-From Taking Public Transport to Cycling to Work

2011-09-09T04:44:00.019+08:00

How do I get started? It was sometime in 2005 when I lost my motorbike. So while waiting for the insurance claim, I started taking the public transport. At that time, in January 2006, RapidKL was about to introduce the new bus systems. The best way to save money on taking public transport is by purchasing the RapidKL Monthly Pass. For you to use the RapidKL buses and LRT for unlimited ride, you need to pay RM125 a month at that time. Now it has been increased but I don’t know how much. I don’t need to bother as I have already discovered a better and efficient alternative transport i.e. Bicycle.

Proved that I tried the public transport for 18 months or 1 ½ years. I gave up!

The biggest upset of the RapidKL bus system at that time was the feeder or local shuttle buses, that collect the passengers from the residential areas to the suburban or regional hub (Trunk Routes). So basically I need to take two buses before reaching KL from Subang Jaya. It can easily take about 1 ½ to 2 hours before I could reach my office! The feeder bus timing was really inconsistent. It can arrive at an interval of every 15 minutes up to 30 minutes. What triggered me about riding a bike was when I saw the foreign works riding their bikes. I was thinking maybe I could ride to the suburban hub and parked my bike there. But I was worried that it might get stolen. So, the solution was to ride straight to office.

Since the distance to my office from home was quite far i.e. 50km to and fro and I have not been cycling for so many years, I started to ride around my neighborhood to build my confidence and stamina. I ride 3 times a week for 30 minutes after came back from work as well as during weekends for the first 3 months. Honestly, it was quite boring after awhile riding around the neighborhood. So the subsequent 3 months, I started riding a bit further and longer but still maintained the 3 times a week routine. So it was like riding in the neighborhood during weekdays and during weekend I would ride from Subang to Shah Alam.

So after 6 months of training and riding around neighborhood as well as from Subang to Shah Alam to build my confidence going out on the streets, I started to ride to office in Kuala Lumpur. My first ride was during weekend because I need to check on the safest route as well as to time myself on how long I would get to office. I also time myself on how long to cool down. This is very critical as you need to familiarize yourself with the route as during weekend the roads are not that busy. With the heavy traffic during weekdays, you can’t actually think much of which way to go but to focus when you are on the road.

I wouldn’t have discovered that riding a bike to office was a lot more fun and faster if not because of the poor service of the feeder bus. It takes me about one hour to one hour fifteen minutes to reach my destination compare to taking public transport ( 1 ½ to 2 hours). It was considered blessing in disguise. Bicycle is a door-to-door transportation. You can ride your bike up to the front door of your office building.

You might not need 6 months of training if your distance is shorter. Maybe 3 months or less than that is sufficient. It all depends on you. The more you ride, the more you understand the challenges and dangers of commuting on the road and how actually to handle it. There are times when you will encounter rude drivers and motorcyclists, Don’t let them get you down. Just have fun and enjoy your ride.

Why Students Should Cycle In Campus

2011-09-02T05:41:00.005+08:00

CYCLING UPM (UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA)

Do you know that bicycle is the most efficient human powered transport? In the context of UPM, it gives you mobility at relatively little cost. A student can cover distances between any two points in the campus in about 15 minutes, roughly the time it takes for a bus to arrive. Generally one can save an hour a day by cycling instead of using the campus bus service. That makes 5 hours a week! Time that can be utilized for something else of your choice.

One bonus point is that cycling is actually an enjoyable activity. Its non-contact and it is also low impact, unless one fall or crash that is. It takes only 40 minutes to ride to Putrajaya from UPM and the ride is good…

The Right Bike

Bicycle is like a shirt one wears. It has to fit the rider/user. To ride efficiently, preferably the bike is of the correct size and the settings adjusted to suit the rider. The saddle height is the easiest to set. So is the saddle position and angle which can be slided either forward or backward. The most practical bike for getting around campus is a basic 26” MTB preferably fitted with 1.50 slick tires to reduce rolling resistance. There is the smaller 24” bicycle but getting suitable tarmac friendly tires for a 24” bike is almost impossible.

The most efficient bike design is still the basic diamond frame with front rigid fork. The suspension was originally designed for off-road riding so there is not much point in getting one for road use. Suspension system also adds unnecessary weight to a bike and soaks some energy from pedaling effort. The heavier the bike is, the more power it requires to move and that power requirements comes from the rider! Simple physics!

Apart from the physical weight, the quality of components used also determines the effort required to put a bike in motion. This is because better quality components have less internal friction due to better grade materials and manufacturing tolerances. In the long run it pays to get a bike with better quality components. They are more efficient and last longer. Sadly, demand for lower price bikes have preclude fittings of better quality components to standard bikes sold in the market. Whenever they are fitted, the final price tag would be relatively high. That is the reason why only those in leisure ride segment can and are willing to pay the higher prices for those bikes. It is a question of value. For the purpose of personal transport around campus, a bike costing RM300-400 is recommended. Anything below that will just not last the two of three years required of it.

All is not lost however because decent quality parts can still be fitted to a standard bike to make it better and more efficient. The amount spent on them will be worth it. Think of the minutes and effort saved during the life of the bike. When acquiring a bike, go for function, not look (form). Pretty bike is just for the eyes, a good bike is meant for ride!

Maintaining It

Bicycle is a machine. It is simple. It is light. Like all machines it has to be maintained to keep it running efficiently. To make a bicycle efficient, most of parts used are small and light. Generally, if a bike is used often it requires general service once every six months. The three main bearings – front, rear & middle - have to be regreased if not rebuild.

The chain, which transfers power to the rear tire must be lubricated periodically to extend its life and keep it efficient. A better option is to clean the chain every month or so to rid it of sand and grits that acts like grinding paste reducing the life of the chain further. Use a good chain lube if you can afford it. It is worth the cost in term of longer life and better efficiency when pedaling a bike.

Brakepads should not touch the rims when brakes are not being applied.

Generally, efficiency suffers over time. Most bike owners do not really realize it because the degradation is gradual. A good running bike makes the owners want to ride it. So, choose a bike well and maintain it. Get the most value out of it. A decent quality bike can last 2-3 years if maintained properly. After that period of use it will require major work to make it good again. This is when many moving parts need replacement. The basic frame made of steel can last virtually forever!

Security

One word – get a good lock for your bike! In the Netherlands most commuting bikes uses not one but THREE locks! So, value your asset and take some measures for security. For a student, a bicycle is a mode of transport. It means mobility. Be especially careful when parking near faculties. It is good if one can get a length of chain and a good padlock for those high risk areas and please..please do not leave your bike near faculties overnite or over the weekend. One can park overnite near the koperasi & CIMB because of CCTV coverage but not the faculties & library, those are high risk areas.

MORE INTERESTING THINGS ON BICYCLES!

Frame material

Today with modern technology bicycle frames are made with various materials. The four main ones are steel, cro-moly steel, aluminium, carbon & titanium. Steel being the cheapest, is the heaviest of the lot. Aluminium bike frames are lighter than steel but the price difference really are not justified because they are stiffer. In our view, cro-moly frames still represent the best value. Sadly they are not being made in quantities anymore. The few that do cost even more than aluminium frames! Majority of middle grade bikes utilized aluminium frames.

Aluminium or alloy frames require suspension system to give it a softer ride, that pushes the bike’s price further up. And suspension parts don’t last that long pushing its value further down. In our view, cro-moly represent the best value. One can still find decent cro-moly frame bikes amongt old stocks in bikeshops. Most of them come from the days before alloy frames became prominent.

Cro-moly, being stronger that just hi-tensile steel, can utilize smaller tubings to make bike frames making them lighter and more flexible. That’s the word, ‘flexible’. It can make a bicycle has more feel and give a softer ride without resorting to suspension system. It is quite obvious when one takes sharp corner.

One word on aluminium frames, they are light but stiff. Every knock it takes weakens the frame. Technically because of that character, an aluminium frame has a shorter lifespan than a steel or cro-moly frame. Precisely for that reason one do not see an alloy frame without front shocks. It just cannot take harsh knocks repeatedly for long period without breaking down.

Frame design

The basic and most efficient design is still the diamond frame. It requires the least material leading to a very light frame. Suspensions, either in the front or the back only add a lot of material weight to a bike. Yes, the ride will be softer but the energy required to move the bike around will be substantially more than moving a lighter bike with a rigid fork. To make a bicycle with fancy frames, many manufacturers compromise by substituting inferior components fitted to it.

Opt for a basic diamond frame with rigid fork if you are not going off road.

Other components that matter

To make a good bike, three major components must be of decent quality – front and rear hub & the bottom bracket (the bearings assembly attaching the crankset to the frame). Of course the rest follow.

There are many component makers in the bike world. For all practical intent and of interest of commuters and leisure ride communities Shimano represent the best value. They are relatively more expensive than no-name products. Shimano does not make bicycle. It only manufactures bike components. The product range is quite extensive.

Bicycle runs on two wheels, they are the most important part of a bike. To run smooth and efficient, hubs must be of decent quality and the wheelbuild is good. Spokes tension must be uniform so that wheels are stronger and stay true longer.

Then there is the bottom bracket. Practically it is the main bearing for a bike. Cheaper bikes utilize cup and cone design for the bearings while a better design is the sealed bearings type. The sealed bearings cartridge type represent better value because it can last and perform well for a few years while the cups and cone bearings type requires overhaul every year or so.

The chain transfers power from the crankset to the rear wheel. Quality determines efficiency. Opt for better quality chain for your bike. Due to the nature of modern bicycle design, the chain is exposed to the elements – dust, dirt & moisture. It requires lubricant to make it works well. Every couple of weeks or so put a drop of oil on every link of the chain to prevent rust from setting in because presence of rust accelerates wear. Periodic cleaning of the chain is also recommended. Generally with daily use, a set of chain can last a year or so, depending on mileage and maintenance.

Basic upgrades

There are many options to upgrade a bike. A decent basic frame generally just requires an upgrade of the drivetrain to make it more efficient. One can either do it in stages or do the everything in one go. The first is the BB bearings (the bearings assembly that attaches the crankset the the bike frame.) If the original set uses the BB cup & bearings type, change it to a sealed bearings cartridge unit. It offers the best value because the unit is maintenance free and is very efficient.

The next items are the hubs, both front and rear. Shimano freehub offers the best value because of better manufacturing tolerances and materials used. Sadly shimano has stopped manufacturing those 7-speed freehubs some years ago. Whats available in the market are old stocks that can still be found if one knows where to look for them. Those with double seals require less maintenance. Their main enemy is water ingress… if you value your bike, have your hubs serviced at least once a year because replacing a hub is an expensive affair.

Between the crankset and the rear hub there is the chain that transfer power from crankset to the rear tire. A decent chain does it more efficiently. In the drivetrain, the chain is the item that wears the fastest due to its exposed nature. It can last up to a year with daily use if properly maintained. After that one year, a stretched (elongated) chain will start ‘eating’ into the rear drive components so it is better to change a chain before the rear ‘sprocket’ gets totally worn that a chain can no longer sit on those rear sprocket cogs.

The rest in the drivetrain are just ancilliaries, they are the gear system. They consist of shifter, FD (front derailleur), RD (rear derailleur) and cables. A good RD in a properly tuned system is a joy to use. It matters most when one encounters hills and descents when cycling.

The last is the rubber. The tire.

Mountain bikes or MTBs were initially designed for off-road riding. Hence they come with big fat tires with rough thread patterns meant to provide grip and traction on unpaved surfaces. On paved road, they are heavy & noisy, requiring a lot of power to move the bike. Cycling on-road, one does not need those knobbly tires. A set of smaller diameter & slicker tires is recommended. They present lighter weight & lower rolling resistance without compromising braking power. They are more expensive though because they are designed to hold higher pressure, being smaller. Normal MTB tires are designed to operate with 45-50 PSI (pound per square inch) of pressure while slicker 1.50 tires are designed to run on 55-80 PSI of air. Higher pressure requirement also means that they require better quality inner tubes. They are worth the price because of the less effort required to propel the bike. Generally a set of tires will last 1-2 years. Of course one has to get lucky with inner tubes because they’re subjected to puntures by sharp objects strewn around on our roads. Even a staple or a tiny thorn is enough to flatten the cushion of air we travel on!

FINALLY, RIDING A BICYCLE

After one has acquired a bike, one better learn to ride right. Being human powered, it is to the rider’s benefit to know how to cycle efficiently.

First thing first, the set up of the bicycle must suit the rider. The most important is to adjust the saddle/seat height to suit the rider. To be most efficient, the saddle height has to be adjusted so that when one pedal is at its lowest point, the rider’s knee is only slightly bent. That means that when the rider is on the saddle, one’s feet cannot reach the ground. If one is not able to handle that in the beginning, start with a lower saddle height and raise it by degrees later after one has gained more confidence.

Handlebar height also has to be adjusted accordingly. Ideally it has to be lower than saddle height but getting there may take some time for those not used to cycling. So take your time getting there. All these are because our bodies are most efficient cycling in that position.

Pedalling rate also determines efficiency. Generally we are more efficient if we pedal at a higher rate. Learn to use a lower gear and pedal faster. The pros ride their bikes pedaling at 70-90 rounds per minute! (That pedaling rate is called cadence) That is how professional riders can ride such long distances …up to 250km a day! But riding efficiently is to our interest. Like it or not, bicycles are here to stay. High fuel prices necessitate that. It is already happening in Europe. In the Netherland, 40% of the workforce cycle to work!

Another benefit of pedaling at higher rate with lower gears is, it put less strain on chain, extending its life further.

We are not pros. We are not aiming to be! But getting around on a bike is fun and saves time. With a bicycle, one is very mobile. UPM campus and its surrounding areas are ideal for cycling. A ride to Putrajaya is recommended for those who are interested. It takes about 30 minutes to get there. Quicker if your bike is good.

One can go exploring the whole UPM campus on a bike. Catch a glimpse of sunrise near the GSO very early in the morning and you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view of the ‘ladang’… Or, go and have breakfast at Uniten just to have a look at your neighbour’s campus! … (It is a boring place by the way!)

If one is in the mood of getting a bit more adventurous take a ride to Kajang for its famous ‘sate’. The town also offers an excellent bookshop with a vast range on stationeries. It’s called Chip Lee near Metro Kajang. Do remember though not to eat too much when you are riding… you’ll discover why when you do!

Finally, there are longer routes a cyclist can take if he/she wants to do longer distances. They are there to be discovered.

Note: Article contributed by Hisham Mohd Mukhtar. He is running a bicycle shop in UPM at Gate 5- Black Cup. He specializes in rebuilding bike from the junkyard to bring it back to life.

From Junkyard to Perfect Commuting Bike

2011-08-29T03:09:00.038+08:00

CHOOSING A BICYCLE

The main purpose of this piece of writing is to provide some pointers in choosing the right bike for you. The main objective is very simple, to get the most efficient bike one can get with the budget allowed. There is a threshold one has to reach to be able to get a reliable and efficient bicycle.

The bike best suited for commuting is still the basic steel diamond frame fitted preferably with smaller tires.

The picture below is one classic example…

The above bicycle may not look much but it sure runs smooth & fast with little pedalling effort required. The frame design is an epitome of maximum efficiency with minimal use of material that yield a bike that is light and slick.

If you are buying a bike from a bikeshop, please refrain from buying the cheapest available. The components fitted to that kind of bike simply cannot stand the rigor of daily use. Low quality materials and components used will lead to early failure and inefficiency. Many bicycles are grounded because of this reason. We just cannot afford cheap things. Maintaining a cheap bike cost more than buying a new one! It is better to buy a decent bike that can last for a few years with little maintenance.

Steer clear of bike with full suspension because having them means that a lot of energy is wasted in those suspensions. The picture below is a classic example…

Unless of course if you want to do some off-roading.

A basic 18-speed or 21-speed is good enough for daily commuting. For that matter even a single speed bike is sufficient if your regular route does not include any steep gradient. With a 21-speed drive system one can tackle practically any gradient and that is when the fun starts…

How…

First find a frame that suits you. Generally for the average height a size 16 or 17 is nice. There are a couple of options to find frame. First look in your neighborhood, you may find people idle their bikes and just parked under their porch or in the compound. Those with flat tires are signs that the bike been grounded. Offer the owner to buy it. The price to be agreed is subjective. Generally the range is from RM50 – RM150 depending on the make of the bike and its quality. Look at the brakepads closely, they can tell you about the mileage of that bike. If the pads are only slightly worn it means the bike has low mileage. But worn pads may also tells you that he bike is good and the owner uses it often.

The other option is to look for decent frame at a junkyard (kedai besi buruk). Many people junk old bikes that no longer works. In many case the frames are quite OK. Remember to look for basic diamond frames. Building a bike from these frames may cost a lot but by doing that you will practically get a new bike. I can promise you with a RM1,000 or so outlay you will get a far better than new RM2,000 bikes that are available in the market currently.

Here are a few example of decent frames…

Generally LeRun makes good frames. The older it is the better generally. The most recent ones are not so good, especially those with fancy tubings.

If the components on the bike is still good and usable have it serviced to bring it back to life. Normally it will require a couple of inner tubes, a chain and maybe some cabling works. Then you can try the bike to gauge how the ride is like. Mind to adjust the saddle height to proper height first before you do because riding with low saddle takes so much effort you will get tired after one or two kilometers only. This familiarisation normally takes a few rides over a week or so. The more distance done the better. After pedaling a few kilometers you will know whether the bike suits you or not. if it does then time to decide whether to make it better or just use it as it is. My suggestion is, if you only wish to ride a few kilometer a day, what you have is already good enough. When you have done some rides after a month or so you will notice that you will want a better bike with better performance that can give greater range.

Upgrades:
Basically upgrading works can be divided into three parts :-

1. Wheelset & drivetrain
2. Shifting mechanism & brake system
3. The rest

It is best to upgrade the wheelset and the drive train in one go. They all work together and by doing the upgrade at one time one is avoiding one worn part affecting the new ones.

Wheelset

Cassette

The Crankset

All the above will make your bike rides like a dream. Don’t forget to pick a decent chain for the drivetrain. KMC makes good chains. Avoid the cheaper ones because the chain is the link that transfer power from the crankset in front to the rear wheel.

The above pictures show products that are no longer being produced by shimano but they represent great value and they are more durable than the more modern components that are widely available in the market currently. They are slightly heavier than modern stuffs but they last longer due to more material used.

Here is a picture showing an old bike that has been upgraded…

The rest of the bike are all originals. The owner is a happy rider and he clocks miles everyday! Total cost….RM700.

The next upgrade, if you want to do is for the shifting mechs and brake. But they really are not necessary ifyou can live with what you already have. If a friction shifter works for you then it is not necessary to upgrade to an indexed one. Brake system is just to stop your bike. If it works then it is doing its intended job.

Note: Article contributed by Hisham Mohd Mukhtar. He is running a bicycle shop in UPM at Gate 5 - Black Cup. He specializes in rebuilding bike from junkyard to bring it back to life.

Bicycle for transportation purposes

2011-08-26T07:58:00.015+08:00

I was being asked recently during a radio interview (BFM 89.9 fm) what would be the suitable bike for commuting to work? Well, it can be any bike. You can go for road bike, mountain bike, folding bike, City bike, Mini bike, Fixed Gear bike, etc. It all depends on your preference and situation. The most important thing is you need to enjoy your ride with the bike. Or else in no time, you will quit riding! From my observation, most of us bought a bike that is not practical for commuting and utility purposes. What being sold in the market was mainly focusing on cycling as a sport or leisure. You need to establish your scenario so that you can select the suitable bike.

There are a few simple rules that you need to observe:

1. Safe Parking
If you need a bike that you can safely parked without worrying much, then you should consider buying used bike. I would highly recommend steel bike e.g the old Lerun diamond shape steel bike. As long as you don't find any major fault like cracked frame, or required extensive repair, the bike would be good for your commuting purpose. You could also consider buying Japanese recondition bike. A folding bike is another good option as you can carry it wherever you go.

2. Ability to hold luggage

If you do not want to burden your shoulder with backpack or with messenger bag, then you should consider fixing basket on your handle bar or a rear carrier. A Japanese recondition bike is the best for this purpose. Most of the old steel bike also have the braze-ons for you to fix the carrier and basket.

3. Riding position

If you prefer an upright riding position which is more relax and would be willing to go for slower speed, then a Japanese recondition bike or folding bike would be a good option. A steel mountain bike riding position is normally slightly forward, so you could go faster.

What would be my pick?

If you need a practical bike for commuting and utility use, I personally favour the used steel diamond shape mountain bike (Lerun or other reputable brand). It is an excellent multipurpose bike. Throw in a rack and panniers, and it can become a very reliable touring bike. Try to look around at the junkyard, your neighborhood for grounded bike, or at your local bike shop. If you are lucky enough you could get a brand new old stock Lerun for a very good bargain price. Make sure it's the older generation if it's Lerun bike. The new generation is not so good. Do minimum repairs to bring it back to life. Try it out for a few rides to see whether it suits you or not. If the components is still in acceptable conditions, then just leave it as it is, till it really worn out.

The Japanese recondition bike is also a good option. Even though it's a used bike, it's built is very sturdy as it's meant for day to day use. It it much more durable compared to the cheap bike being sold in market that are of comparable price as the latter bike is normally fitted with low quality materials and components. The price range of the Japanese recondition bike would be between RM 200 - RM450 depending on the design and components fitted to the bike.

Folding bike is also a great option because of it's ability to fold. It is allowed in the LRT. I would recommend either 16" or 20" model. The biggest advantage of folding bike is the ability to integrate your commute into alternative transport. Since you can fold the bike and carry it with you, it is virtually thief-proof.

If you don't carry much stuff and prefer to carry it on your shoulder, then you could opt for fixed gear bike or fixie. A reasonable quality and nice looking fixed bike is normally around RM500-RM800.

Choose the bike that fit into your scenario and start replacing all those driving trips to riding your bike.

Cycling for Stomach

2011-07-31T03:19:00.004+08:00

Some Cycle as Passion, Some for fun, Some for Sports, Some to Commute & Some because they don't have any other alternative. They need to push it hard empty Stomach & do peddling for there family's Stomach. They are people around us, serving us for different services, directly or indirectly using Cycle. They are never considered as environment friendly even they never burnt a single drop of petrol/ diesel to commute. They are Part of our cycling community. Cycling is Hobby of Rich & Art of Poor. The tough art, they need to perform always, sometime under encroaching sun, heavy rain & chilling cold only on Cycle. Lets meet People for whom Cycling is a Weapon for Struggle of life. By pankajsisodiya YouTube user.

Even though the video were about the people in India, but it's still very much the same for some Malaysians especially in the smaller town.

Commuting bike should not be expensive

2011-07-07T17:43:00.013+08:00

I am writing this post with reference to a comment from Cheong. For now, I will address on the bicycle maintenance issue.

I will try to answer his comments based on my personal experience and whatever knowledge I have on bicycle.

Yes, I do agree that cycling in Malaysia is being regarded more as a hobby rather than a necessity. A bicycle for a hobby purposes definitely would be expensive. It's all depends on your needs. Personally, I , myself can't afford for such kind of bike and not to forget the maintenance required.

The bike that I use for my commuting or rather for transportation is an old beater steel bike. I have 2 bikes that I use regularly i.e An old steel mountain bike that I purchased for RM200 and a fixed bike converted from and old road bike. I bought the frame for RM80 but end up spending in total RM65o. I made a mistake intially, because I fitted it with 12 speed gearing system before converting it into a fixed bike. Nowadays, you can get a brand new fixed bike at a much lower price.

The cost of maintaining my bike was very minimal. I remembered that I only changed the fork as the original fork was cracked. I bought a 2nd hand fork for RM70. The other thing that I changed was the crank arm as the original crank arm was loose after I used the bike for a while. The brand new crank arm was RM65. So total cost of acquisition for the bike would be RM335. So far, I have been using the bike for 4 years and been clocking more than 3,000 km. I don't really recall, the cost of maintaining the bike as I didn't have a record for it. But it is very minimal. I do change the tire maybe twice during this period of 4 years. That's all.

For the fixed bike, after 4 years, I only changed the chain. Tires twice as well during the period of 4 years if I am not mistaken.

Maintaining a bicycle for transportation purposes should not be expensive. If you bought a brand new bike, what is needed is to clean the chain which you can personally do it. Just buy RM1 to RM2 of petrol for you to clean up the chain. You also need to buy chain lube. I bought a can of chain lube for RM28 and it still last till now after 4 years. You need to allocate maybe about RM1 to RM2 a day for future replacement for you moving parts i.e crank, hub, bottom bracket and chain. If you clean your chain regularly, you can use your bike for about 1 and a half to 2 years before you need to change your moving parts.

Old Steel Mountain Bike

Converted Fixed Gear

Sorry for long silence. Will write soon

2011-04-14T23:50:00.002+08:00

I have been extremely busy. So can't update my blog for a long time. I will be writing soon.

Bicycle is King-Public Transport is Expensive

2010-05-22T01:26:00.007+08:00

Riding a bike is the most economical and efficient way of moving around. I am writing a series of why bicycling is KING comparatively to taking the public transport. I have tried the public transport not for 1 day, 1 week or even 1 month but for 1 and a half years. I really had enough.

My case study or analysis is based on my personal experience and
the distance is 25km radius one way.

1. Public transport is expensive:

a) Rural areas- eg From my house to the Bus Terminal in town the distance is 4 about miles, I have to pay RM1.20 per trip.
So to and fro would be RM2.40. If I work for 20days it would be RM48 a month. A year would be RM576.
Riding a bike would only take me about 20 minutes at a moderate pace. It also gives me the opportunity/power to stop wherever I like without incurring extra cost.

b) Urban areas-eg From USJ to Central Market, the bus fare is RM2.00 per trip. So to and fro would be RM4. Per month would be RM80 (20 working days). A year would be RM960.
Time taken to reach destination is about 45min to 1 hour. Riding a bike would take me about 1 hour 15min at a speed of 20km/hr. So it's not much different in terms of time to travel. I have not included the time waiting for the bus especially during off peak hours.

I will write more about the fun and freedom of riding a bike comparatively taking the public transport.

Fixie on motorbike=it's only RM4

2010-04-27T00:46:00.023+08:00

Since I don't like to take my bike with my car, I always have problem joining rides that requires me to come very early in the morning or leaving late at night after the rides. Costing wise, for instance to drive to Putrajaya to join the Putrajaya Critical Mass, it would cost me around RM21.40 i.e RM15 (petrol) and RM6.40 (Toll). If i use my motorbike (Honda EX5), it would cost me only RM2 (petrol) for that trip. So to solve the problem and to save cost, I have designed a simple bike carrier that uses 2 wooden sticks that you can find at your backyard. I just use 6 bungee cords to tie the bike and the DIY carrier which I bought at the night market for only RM4.

Before you start tying the carrier and the bicycle, make sure your motorbike tank is FULL.

It's only RM4 for this 6 bungee cords

Put the 2 wooden sticks across and tie it with 3 bungee cords (indicated by 2 reds and 1 blue bungee cords) to the GIVI motorbike rack

Position the bike slanting across the carrier

Make sure your crank are parallel and tie the chain with string.

Tie the seat tube to the carrier

Tie the handlebar, top tube and downtube with the bungee cord to the GIVI motorbike rack

Tie the wheelset with the bungee cord to the GIVI motorbike rack

Completed view from rear

Completed view from side

Shake the motorbike to ensure that the bike is firmly secured (QC)! To ensure that you will not scratch you bicycle, you need to cover some of the parts that are in contact with the GIVI motorbike rack and DIY carrier.

I know that some people has done something better than my version. But it's okay. At the moment, it's solved my problem. I will try to improve it in the future.

Use your front brake only and save more!

2010-03-08T21:11:00.013+08:00

I have been using my front brake only for braking for the past 2 years and so far no untoward incidents happen. Since I am riding at an average speed of 20km/hr, stopping my bike is not a problem at all. Ever since I learned this technique from the late Sheldon Brown website, I will not have to replace the rear brake pad for a long long time.

I am a fan of V-brake for its low and easy maintenance. My brake pad normally cost me about RM5-10 a pair. I don't use all those expensive brake pads as I just use "Chap Ayam" (ordinary) rims. Commuting bike does not require all those high performance brakes and rims. So start learning the technique of using your front brake and you could save more!

cyclefriday slow ride is back! 8th January 2010

2010-01-05T23:31:00.004+08:00

I have been extremely busy for the past 6 months and could not organise the Teh Tarik Session as well as the slow ride. So now let's join the fun and enjoy the city ride.

Meeting place: Pelita near KLCC

Meeting Time: 6pm onwards for Teh Tarik session.

Ride start: 8.30pm

Ride duration: about 1 hour.

Route: Pelita ---> Jln Yap Kwan Seng---> Jln Tun Razak---> Jln Pahang (GHKL) --->Chow Kit ---> Jln Tuanku Abdul Rahman ---> Dataran Merdeka ---> KTM ---> Central Market ---> Petaling Street ---> Puduraya ---> Berjaya Times Square ---> Bukit Bintang ---> KLCC

Note: Not suitable for road bikes coz it's gonna be too slow.

cyclefriday! The Merdeka Slow Ride 14th August 2009

2009-08-10T00:17:00.004+08:00

It's The Merdeka Slow Ride! Come and Join us for the fun.

Meeting place: Pelita near KLCC

Meeting Time: 6pm onwards for Teh Tarik session.

Ride start: 8.30pm

Ride duration: about 1 hour.

Note: Not suitable for road bikes coz it's gonna be too slow.

cyclefriday slow ride 12 June 2009

2009-06-10T12:43:00.002+08:00

Objective: To familiarise cyclists with Kuala Lumpur busy traffic as well as to promote bicycle as an alternative transport. A slow pace ride is one the best ways to enjoy the night scenary in Kuala Lumpur.

Meeting place: Pelita near KLCC

Meeting Time: 6pm onwards for Teh Tarik session.

Ride start: 8.30pm

Ride duration: about 1 hour.

Note: Not suitable for road bikes coz it's gonna be too slow.

How about converting motorbike lane to bicycle lane?

2009-06-02T03:24:00.004+08:00

Lately I have been using the motorbike lane at the Federal Highway on my journey to office from USJ to KL. The motorbike lane is separated from the highway and is a stretch from Klang to Midvalley Megamall. I travelled during the non peak hours i.e after 8.30am and find it very safe. The lane is about 9 feet wide thus has ample space for motorbikes to overtake.

You need to be careful as you enter the motorbike lane. I would normally stop at this point.

Ensure that you ride on the left hand side and use the white line as a guide to ride straight.

Need a break and refill. No problem:-) On the way towards Kl direction, there's a stall after the Armada Hotel, Petaling Jaya.

On the way towards Klang, there's a cendol seller after you passed by Jalan 222. It's before the Overhead bridge.

At about 100-150 metres towards the exit, I would move to the right hand side to enable me to have easy and safe exit.

Make sure that you look back to ensure that you have clear traffic and use your right hand to indicate that you are moving to the right.

I would stop at the exit point look for oncoming cars.

It would be GREAT if the laws allow motorbikes to use the federal highway so that the motorbike lane could be use SOLELY for bicycles. The federal highway has emergency lane that could be used by motorcyclists.

I think it could encourage more people to cycle to work especially the one residing and working in Klang, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. Most people didn't realise that for distance below 30km, it's most efficent to cycle than taking the public transport. I know coz I am doing it on daily basis. I will blog later on this matter. So for now keep on cycling using the motorbike lane so that motorcyclists would be familiar with our presence. I really find it enjoyable cycling to KL or Midvalley Megamall via the motorbike lane.

Watch Out!-The Left Turn Junction

2009-04-16T01:36:00.008+08:00

1. I always noted that most motorists did not give signal when they are turning left. Are they trying to save their car battery or they think we can read their mind that they are turning left?

2. So when you are approaching the Left Turn Junction and you want to go STRAIGHT, you need to:

3. Look back.
There are two types of drivers/motorcyclists

4. First type. They will slow down and go behind you and give signal that they are turning left. So you just need to flag your right hand to indicate that you are going straight. I always give thumb up as a gesture of appreciation:-)

5. Second type. They will start moving away a bit and sometimes didn't give signal to turn left. Normally I will just brake and let them go first. Sometimes I will just TURN LEFT to avoid colliding with them.

6. Sometimes I will just stop at the corner and wait till the traffic clears.

7. If there's vehicle coming out from the left turn junction, maintain EYE CONTACT with the driver. Make sure he/she sees you. Flag your left hand to indicate to give way for you to go first. If the driver is not making eye contact with you, just brake and let the vehicle to go first.

maintain eye contact with the driver (grey car) coming out from the junction.

8. Practice defensive riding skills. Always be on alert. Never ever rush. Just relax and enjoy your ride.

How to improve your liquidity

2009-04-08T02:34:00.001+08:00

Ensuring that we are always liquid is critical. A company could go bust overnight due to liquidity problem. What is liquidity? Liquidity simply means to be able to pay when we have to pay. Likewise as an individual, managing our liquidity is critical as well. We need to basically set up an emergency fund of our monthly expenses between 3 to 6 months to enable us to sustain should we encounter financial crisis like this. To ensure that we are always liquid, we need to monitor our cashflow. If we have been tracking our monthly or better still daily expenses then we could easily indentify the expenses that we could cut down.

We have been conditioned all this while to drive even to the nearest destination. Nowadays, bicycle has been my first choice mode of transport, followed by motorbike, then car and public transport. Not to forget we could even walk, okay!

Bike commuting is one of the ways to improve our cashflow. I am using this drinking container to put aside all the direct or indirect expenses that I could save whenever I am cycling my bike instead of using car/motorbike..

What are the direct and direct expenses that you could save?

Cost per kilometre (km)
How much does it cost you for every km travel if you are using your car or motorbike? I prefer this method since it also encourage me to track the distance that I have travelled so far. For instance if my cost per km is 15sen, then if I cycled for 50km to work (to and fro), then I would save RM7.50 (RM0.15 x 50km) that particular day. This is only applicable to activities that
instead of using car/motorbike, you cycled. Sports activities are not counted.

Parking
How much would I have to pay for parking? Let say RM2.50 per entry. Then that RM2.50 will be put into the container.

Toll
Do I have to pay toll for my journey? For instance, if I am using the NPE highway, I would have to incur RM4.80 (to and fro).

Cigarette
Maybe as a result of this bike commuting, you would quit smoking. Let say RM10 per day. Read the story of Riezal who has finally quit smoking

Gymnasium fees
Since you have been cycling regularly, you might stop going to the gym as well. Let say another RM50 per month saved.

I know that it's a bit tedious, but unless we know where our money goes to, we could never be able to improve our cashflow. Well, it's all about habit forming.

Commuting bike doesn't need to be expenseive. I acquired these 2 used bikes for about RM1,000. So far no problem and it has travelled for more than 2,000 km.

Fixie (Single Speed Fixed Gear)

Giant Chromoly 21 Speed

The most common operating expenditures would be:

Flat tires
Replacing tubes would be very expensive. A tube would cost between RM10 to RM16 depending on the bike shop. A cheapest solution would be to patch the tube. I bought a box of patch for RM10 only. It has 48 patches incusive of a glue. So per patch it only cost you about 21sen (RM10/48).

Replacing tires
You don't need to buy high performance tires for commuting purposes. My tires only cost me RM25 each. Honestly I didn't know how often do I need to replace it yet. Let say for 3 months (60 working days), then the cost would be RM0.83 per day (RM50/60 days)

Parts wear and tear
I don't upgrade. Only replaced it when required. Honestly, I don't have any problem commuting with my fixed gear bike. So the 21speed chromoly MTB is far more than adequate. So far for the past 2 years, the only parts that I replaced was my MTB's crank arm.

The whole idea is to minimised your operating expenses. It's like setting up your bicycling account. At the end of the day, you would be amazed that how much you could have saved. So cycle more in life (CMILe)

Read Dino's article on Spend wisely

Friday 10th April, Monthly Cycle to Work Day gathering

2009-04-07T13:08:00.001+08:00

Come and join us for our monthly cyclefriday! Teh Tarik Session.

Date: Friday 10th April 2009
Time: 6pm onwards (after work)
Venue: Pelita Restaurant near KLCC/Wisma Central

See you there!

The 20sen solution!

2009-03-31T17:11:00.006+08:00

The most common problem about bike commuting is a flat tire. I just don't know why but it always happen to me. At one time I was replacing 2-3 tubes per week. Whoaa...it's really costly as per tube it cost me RM10...sometimes RM16. So I began to learn on how to patch a tube. A box that has 48 patches inclusive of glue only cost me RM10. So per patch it's only 20 sen. Another thing that you need is the sand paper.

Step 1. Rub and clean tube repair area using the sand paper (make sure the rubbed area is bigger than patch)

Step 2. Apply glue to repair area and allow to dry (Ensure coated area bigger than patch)

Step 3. When the glue is dry, remove foil of patch and stitch down repair area. (When the foil is taken off, don't touch the back of patch with fingers)

Step 4. Pressed hard (I used the pump) on the patch and let it sticks fast.

That's all and it's really a simple process. I will normally do it when I am relaxing at home:-) I know someone that has 18 patches on his tube!

Please Respect Cyclists. We are Road User Too

2009-03-14T05:12:00.002+08:00

I am always intrigued when I read this statement...Please Respect Cyclists. We
are Road User Too... but...but where are the cyclists? Based on my personal
experience cycling to work, I can hardly see cyclists especially the one
wearing helmet.

If we are riding off road, there won't be any motorised vehicles. So what to
respect? When we are riding on road we will prefer to ride the road less
travel. So again what to respect? Hmmmm....I just wonder maybe this statement is
not applicable in Malaysia. Maybe I can conclude that cycling in Malaysia is
very safe. No wonder we don't need any bicycle lane. I am of the opinion that
if cyclists need more facilities and respect, they need to be more visible.
Please enlighten me.

cyclefriday! Teh Tarik session 13th March 2009.

2009-03-10T23:32:00.001+08:00

Bike commuting is the best solution towards easing the traffic jams.
Let's cycle to work this coming friday and meet up after work for "Teh Tarik" i.e 6pm onwards at Pelita near KLCC. See you there:-)

It was a good start! Shah Alam Criterium 8 march 2009

2009-03-09T21:54:00.007+08:00

It was a good start! 20 cyclists turned up for the 1st official Shah Alam
Criterium Ride. Some cycled all the way from Klang which was about 22km. They
were hungry when they reached Shah Alam and wanted to have breakfast
first...hhmmm..okay, okay...seems everybody agreed so no problem. So it started
a bit late. The ride was a bit disorganised but everybody was happy:-) Till we
meet again for our next ride on the 12th April 2009.

Change of Venue and Time

Effective from next month onwards:

Venue: Laman Budaya, Tasik Shah Alam

Time: 8.30am

Ooopsss...forgot to take photo during the ride...and not that clear as using
mobile phone.

If we don't start, who else will?

2009-02-19T02:22:00.000+08:00

Tomorrow friday 20th February 2009 Cycle Friday Teh Tarik Session!

If you are working in KL or so happen to be around the area, join us for the bike commuters get together.

Date: Friday 20th February 2009
Time: 6pm onwards
Venue: Pelita Restaurant near KLCC/Wisma Central

See you there!

Bicycle Lane...Perceived to be safe?

2009-02-06T02:24:00.010+08:00

1. Whenever the topic of bicycling to work being brought up, one of the comments would be "it's too dangerous unless we have bicycle lane". Let's talk about Malaysian environment. Honestly, I haven't been or even ride in Copenhagen or Netherlands or even Japan or other parts of the world, so I can't comment. But will we ever get the Bicycle Lane in Malaysia? I personally think it will be very very unlikely. Even the buses didn't get more bus lanes and now some areas have been scrapped. And it doesn't look like being enforced coz it seems that no one bother to follow the laws.

2. How about motorbike lanes then? The number of accidents are the highest among the motorcyclists but I don't see that many motorbike lanes being built yet. So, you think you can get bicycle lane? Yes, we have bicycle lane in Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Putrajaya. But see for yourself the condition especially in Taman Tun and it's not solely dedicated to bicycles.

3 We have a notion and perceived that when we ride in a bicycle lane that we will be safe. We are worry of being struck from behind. Yes the possibility is there but it's rare. It can happen for example if riding unlit at night. Personally, I believe that accidents would be more likely at the following areas:

4. Round About

Always use your hand to indicate the direction that you are going. Motorists can't read your mind!

5. T-junction

Take your time especially when you are turning right.

6. Road under constructions

Normally the road becomes narrow. Be assertive. Claim your space.

7. Motorbike lane at Toll booth

Look back. Maintain eye contact with the motorcyclists. Flag your hand to request motorcyclists to give way to you.

8. Spilt Road

Since I am always riding at the extreme left, I would just sometimes push my bike to the edge of the split road.

9. Maybe we need wider emergency lane but improving your skills at the areas mentioned above is a must.

Batu Pahat, Johor...A bike town?

2009-01-29T12:38:00.002+08:00

During the Chinese New Year holidays, I cycled around my hometown Batu Pahat, Johor...hmm it seems that the cycling activity is still very much alive:-) You can still see people cycling around.

My bike

We have a lot of Japanese reconditioned bikes here. It's very popular among the folks here as well as the foreign workers. Very much like the Velorbis bikes.

While wondering around the Dataran Penggaram, I saw this very own Malaysian style single speed cargo bike...but the owner was not there.

I saw this bike at the traffic light of Jalan Tan Swee Hoe. The box attached to the rear carrier really attracted me. It's a DIY box decorated with CDs around the box. Owned by a 62 year old uncle staying in Parit Besar. He told me that the box is very convenient for him to put his packed food when he goes to work. (sorry image not that clear)

I met this foreign worker on my way back home. Look at his wheelset. A DIY as well:-) Whaa...not bad..very creative.

This boy happily willing to pose with his Japanese bike.

Who knows maybe one day Batu Pahat can become like Copenhagen. Why not? Maybe we should launch a campaign there. The traffic jams is quite bad nowadays.

For more info about Batu Pahat visit www.batupahat.org

On the move-no sweat

2009-01-22T02:53:00.013+08:00

If you are confined to being in the office, then what you carry with you when you cycle to work can be very minimum. The most important things would be the spare tube/s, pump, headlight, blinker and maybe your office attire and toiletries. You could also send your week's clothing to your office during weekend and bring it back daily. Provided you have the space! but office shoes
and toiletries shouldn't be a problem.

The challenge would be when you are on the move. Sunny days shouldn't be any problem but how about rainy days? So far I am lucky as whenever it rains, I am always under shelter or at client's place or the rain has just stopped when I am just about to embark on my journey. I will blog later when I am dealing with the situation.

Being on the move requires me to ensure that all the things that I carry are always safe from rain and it's not too heavy to carry over the shoulder. Below are the items that I always carry:

1. Spare Tubes (I always carry 2)
2. Pump
3. Headlight and blinkers
4. Rim tape
5. Tire lever
6. Screw driver
7. Spare batteries
8. Perfume (small bottle body shop)
9. Hair cream
10. Good Morning towel
11. Business Shirt
12. Tie
13. Working documents and stationery
14. PDA
15. Shoe polisher-Cloth type
16. Rain Jacket and pants (Still considering as the bag is full)
17. Slippers ( For rainy days-tied to my mtb rear carrier)

I prefer to travel the bike messenger style. All of the above items are in my Timbuk2 messenger bag (waterproof). I just bought another one Chrome...hehe. Another brand that you can consider would be Crumpler which is available at KLCC. I wear Khaki pants (tights inside as it will dry faster), Dry fit T-shirt and leather shoes (Obermain/Clarks) when cycling to work.

I always reach client's place early. Have teh tarik at "mamak", cool down, clean up with Good Morning towel, put on my business shirt and tie, perfume and hair cream inside the restaurant toilet:-) . I can't perspire and smelly when seeing my clients...k...:-)

Parking is not a problem as I ride a fixie or an old beater chromoly mtb bike. I will just park at the mamak's restaurant or any place that I think that is safe and allowable. Just make sure that I secured it to a railing, pole etc. I don't leave anything behind.

So there you go...on the move...no sweat:-)

p/s: Below are the photos on how you should fold your business shirt so that it won't crumple.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Cycle Friday Teh Tarik Session 16 Jan 2009

2009-01-17T23:58:00.000+08:00

It was an enjoyable moment for the inaugural teh tarik session. Man CIOCC and I rode together to Pelita Jalan Ampang from his office at Jalan Masjid Jamek. We don't even sweat...Haha..and as usual the traffic jam madness from Jalan Raja Chulan to KLCC. Others that came were Khairul, Sham Dewa and Kelolo. Some others couldn't make it this time round. Pelita was quite packed at that time. Huh..it will be chaotic if let say 100 bike commuters turn up. Since initiating Cycle Friday about a month ago, I got to know more Malaysians that cycle to work...and more will answer the calling. Khairul shared his story about making his DIY tights..sewing sponge to his boxer..hehe...Finally he gave up and bought himself a proper tights. He could not imagine what his maid would think of him when she does the washing..."apa ini Pak...seluar ada span"...Hahaha...

One thing that I learned was about being practical and you don't have to think too much about making the decision to cycle to work...Just ride it!

Inspiring video and story by Man CIOCC on his maiden ride to work: http://manciocc.blogspot.com/2009/01/160109-cycle-friday.html

How much could you save?

2009-01-06T13:09:00.005+08:00

How much could you save when you ride to office?
Let say you ride on every friday and your car petrol is RM10. How about parking charges..Let say RM10. Toll maybe RM2. So the total cost would be:
Petrol RM10 + Parking RM10 + Toll RM2=RM22 per week. Let say you cycle for 50weeks...that would be RM1,100 per annum. How about when you cycle twice a week? That would be RM2,200. That could easily get you another new bike every year! Your bicycle maintenance cost won't be that much since you are just using it for road riding.

How much would the government save on petrol subsidy? Let say 30sen per litre. So for RM10 petrol consumption per person that would be = 5.56 litre per person (RM10/1.80 per litre). So subsidy save per person would be RM1.67. Let say 10,000 people in Malaysia ride to work once a week...that would be RM16,680 (10,000 x RM1.67). So per annum the government would save based on 50week people cycle to work would be RM834,000. How about 100,000 people cycle to work just for once a week? That would be RM8.34 million!

How about the stress caused by the traffic jams? How about better health? How about the environment?

Points to ponder for the begining new year 2009. Hey think no more...Let's just do it! Start with Cycle Friday! If the expatriates can do it, why can't we..

Salam Maal Hijrah and Happy New Year

2008-12-29T23:43:00.001+08:00

Hope to see more Malaysians cycle to work in 2009!

Cycle to work...A New Year Resolution!!

2008-12-25T22:54:00.001+08:00

I read a comment by PAUC at Putrajaya Critical Mass blog saying that his new year resolution is to cycle to work!! He is a novice and yet he is making that resolution. How about you guys who are seasoned roadies and mtbs?

If you are not familiar with the route, this long holidays is the time since the road is not that busy. Identify the safest route. See how long does it take you to reach your office and to cool down. You also need to learn on how to repair a puncture:-)

Maybe you can calculate how much money you could save on your petrol, parking and tolls.

Cycle to work...Yes you can!!

By the way...Happy holidays:-)

The New Mindset...What a feeling!!

2008-12-21T01:14:00.002+08:00

Last friday 19 Dec 2008 when i cycled to office it was totally different feeling...the day that we will make cyclists more visible...the day that people will subsequently say that it's a bicycling to work day! The day that i did something that i learned long time ago from Stephen Covey's book i.e focus on circle of influence rather than circle of concern. We always concern about something that we don't have the power to do it. I ain't nobody but i can do something that can make Malaysia a safer place to cycle, better environment, less traffic jam at least on friday and all those good reasons that you can think of:-) After all it's for my own good health.

Till next friday...You need the cyclefriday! mindset to really have that feeling.

P/s: read Kelolo's feeling at www.fakawitribe.com cyclefriday! forum

Ride to work with BC Kelolo!!

2008-12-18T20:49:00.000+08:00

Those within the vicinity of Greenwood, Sri Gombak, Taman Selasih, Taman Samudera and the like with destination to KL are welcomed to ride together with BC Kelolo.

Call him at 012-9049031 for more info and also at fakawitribe forum "cyclefriday! It's friday. Let's cycle to work"

http://www.fakawitribe.com

p/s: sorry can't copy and paste the web address coz I am using my mobile phone to post. Opera mini could not copy and paste...hmm

My daily commuting route: USJ to Pasar Seni (Central Market)

2008-12-17T13:58:00.002+08:00

Excerpt from my post at fakawitribe:

From USJ (use NPE) to KL, I will pass by Summit USJ->follow the round about at Taylor college (follow inner road to Mobil and carry my bike over the drainage at round about)-> Sunway Pyramid till traffic light junction underneath LDP-> turn left towards Kg Lindungan till T junction Kontena Nasional->pass by toll Kg Dato Harun (NPE) till traffic light junction of Jalan Templer-> straight towards Kg Pasir passing by Petaling Komuter Station-> turn left taking the ramp and you will reach Bangsar NPE toll:-) -> Bangsar -> turn right to Bricksfield passing KL Sentral -> straight till Jambatan Sultan Sulaiman traffic light (near KL KTM) -> straight till you reach Central Market:-)

Going back is about the same: Central Market (always d check point) -> Bricksfield -> Bangsar -> follow NPE till I reach Sunway Pyramid (no detour to Kg Pasir, Kg Lindungan) -> Summit USJ.

Hope it can be a reference to all.

cyclefriday! It's friday, let's cycle to work

2008-12-11T17:09:00.001+08:00

Let's make every FRIDAY a cycling day to work! It's doesn't matter wherever you are in Malaysia. Let's make it a healthy lifestyle.

Once a month, after work on 2nd Friday, we meet up for Teh Tarik or Bicycle Talk Session! For KL bike commuters i suggest at Pelita Restaurant near KLCC due to its prayer room facility, easy/safe bicycle parking and free toilet.