Brown Fields.

The fields have turned brown. Paddy have been harvested and what remains is left to dry and would be burned later. But today children are taking the opportunity to play kites in the dry fields. The winds are quite strong today and some kites looked like they are a mile up.

RM13 Ikan Kembong.

Ikan Kembong is being sold at RM13 per kg today at the Jln Tun Razak wet market. That's about the priciest ikan kembong that I've encountered. A rather smallish group of ikan kembong is also available at RM7 per kg. Alor Star is known for RM3 per kg ikan kembong but today perhaps due to the CNY holidays prices have soared. Few people I saw balked at the price and turned away. No doubt they were pissed but it's a demand and supply situation; otherwise it's simply due to greedy traders.

Can't wait ....

Have not had the opportunity to ride since the 54km ride in the 16th. Firstly due to my health. On the morning on the 17th, felt quite severe pain on my throat, though I could swallow food and drink and speak ok. Then felt my body temperature increased and had a bit of flu. Didn't go to see doctor just took some aspirin. Now all those things gone except a bit of runny nose. Then the week went by with too much work that left no time to ride, perhaps now should consider evening rides.
Yesterday went to see the Giant Concept Store in Desa Sri Hartamas. The area was jam-packed with cars, luckily reached there late in the afternoon (about 6.30pm) so managed to get a parking space. Hoping to see folding bikes but none was in store. But there were Giant MTBs, road bikes and kid's bikes and accesories. I was expecting a bit more things to browse though. Went to SACC Mall in Shah Alam and saw an old bicycle being used as part of the CNY decor.

The suffering continues..

After killing more than 1,200 men women and children, injuring thousands and massive destruction of buildings, mosques, schools, hospitals and infrastructure Israel declares that it's implementing unilateral ceasefire. Whatever happens after this, Gazans in particular and the Palestinian in general will continue to suffer so long as they live under occupation. To stop this only a government stronger than Israel/United States is able to achieve any meaningful solution to the Palestinian problem.

Benchmark - 54km.

54km in 2hrs 40mins. That was a benchmark so far and I did it on the Mu P8. Started at the Changloon interchange towards UUM, turn back and then all the way to Kuala Perlis. The road surface is excellent with very wide shoulder and not much traffic. On one particular climb towards UUM I was on the lowest gear & I thought I could do with one more. But then maybe it has to do with my level of fitness?! Otherwise the P8 is suitable ride on a road like this. After about 2 and a half hrs I was relieved and encouraged when the signs said Kuala Perlis is 5 km away. About 500m from the hotel it felt like I was going to get cramps on my left feet. It looks like a century ride would be a long way away yet.

Idiots.

These two cars converged and rubbed shoulders fighting for space! Unbelievable because there's hardly any traffic jam in Alor Star. Must be their extra-large ego such that "give way" is not in their vocabulary. After the brush-in the car on the right went away on the right lane, which is the lane for turning right at the junction ahead. My guess is he did went straight anyway through the junction.

Think safety.

These roads along the paddy fields are a convenient short-cut for people living around the fringes. Riding along these roads especially in the late afternoon you'll see people on motorcycles and scooters every few minutes. One long straight stretch is a favourite venue for young dare-devils testing their motorcycles and themselves at crazy speeds. But those guys in the picture are not speeding though like all motorcyclists on these roads not wearing the basic safety equipment - the helmet.

Harvests

What you sow you harvest. It wasn't that long ago that the field was only mud and water. With two planting seasons a year these paddy plants have to grow and fruit fast. They are about knee-high when harvesters came in and do its work.

152 BPM!

Saw 'bunga teratai' in full bloom, they look better in real life compared to the photo above. Here's the summary of this morning's ride on the Mu P8. Dist=26km, time= 1hr 21mins, AS=19.1km/hr, MS=32.5km/hr, 950cal. Midway through the ride I noticed my HB at 152bpm. That's the highest thus far and I feel ok.

Happy New Year!

Happy new year to everyone on earth! But there really is not much cause to celebrate. The headlines are full of bad news, the major one being the killing in Gaza. Already more than 370 people dead reported in the papers today & no sign yet that it's going to stop. And then there's the economic downturn which affect everybody with the worst yet to come. A very challenging year ahead in every sense & lets brace ourselves & do all we can to help those around us.