Riders’ Stories

ToughAss Audax BRM200, a story of grit, perseverance, friendship and plenty of cursing..oh, emo too 😁

Stumbling upon the ride info being shared here, the idea of climbing 4500m was totally absurd but somehow a few days later it was still lingering at the back of my mind. The ‘jio’ process started, the standard response upon learning the total elevation would be crazy, good luck, have fun, dont die… and finally one said let’s do it and that’s how dumb and dumber was found! Hmm.. wonder who’s dumb and whos the dumber 😂, pengajak or yang diajak? your vote fellow reader.

-The Beginning-
Long story short, we found ourselves at the starting point, unload bike, unload kencing and off we go into the darkness. Short 10km later, with them legs barely warmed up, the climb started. It was a cooling, quiet, and a very dark climb which works in our favor as all you need to do is focus on the beam of your light and cycle away not knowing what kind of hills you’re actually dealing with. For those who dare, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful starry sky if you switch off your lights.

-Let there be light-
As I was approaching a fellow cyclist around KM30, Mr Hariff’s (if my memory serves me right) light died. He quickly asked if he could tag along as it was total darkness and he cant see much of what’s ahead, so we cycled together til sun comes out where he decided to take a break and wait for his friends. It was getting pretty mind numbing, climbing for so long. This stretch of road is by far the longest non stop climb I’ve done so far. Quickly whip out the phone, turn on Spotify and Metallica, Megadeth, Otto Knows, Tiesto all started blasting thru my phone’s tiny lil speaker. My once steady pace quickly rose, fuelled by the awesome drum solo and bass beats 🤘.

It was getting brighter, and I can finally see how high I’ve climbed. Awesome view of the hills to the left, dreaded climb up in front, took the opportunity to snap some picture as the sun rise behind the hills revealing the snaking road ahead, cantiks! So conflicted, you wana see beautiful hilly road but dont really wana suffer the climb up, such is life. Somewhere along KM40+, found a spot where many fellow cyclist stop for picture opportunity and to take a break. Figured I too should stop and wait for dumber and just enjoy the view while waiting, snapping picture, sipping water and telan roti cheeeeese yang sedapssss. Kawan was only minutes behind, reached, asked for roti cheese and hantam almost all! He had very light breakfast and was starving. So selfie, wefie, met more familiar faces, more wefie, bikefie and off we go. Monte Carlo famous tunnel yo, rempit thru macam Michael Schumacher at Circuit de Monaco 😎.
Dumb and dumber decided to keep pretty much the same pace til breakfast at Lojing.

-Downhill Bombing-
Quick breakfast of nasi banjir dhal and roti jantan, refuel, refill and off we go. Speed was picking up rapidly, less than a minute I hit terminal velocity. Weaving left,right avoiding potholes and being airborne due to bumpy road at 70+ kmh was pretty nerve wrecking. One bump was so bad, my bottle flew out! Brakes on hard, squeal to a stop, ran back up about 20m waving frantically at cars to avoid running over my precious bottle of water only to find that it has cracked open, sighhhhhh 😩. It was one of my biggest worry that day, as I sweat alot and hydration is crucial on that particularly hot hot day, the other worry was rain that was forecasted to fall by late noon, we’ll come to that later.

With one bottle left, I was pretty worried as to how I would make it back, according to the recce info shared there’s no place to buy/refill except a spring water somewhere down the road. At this point, there’s no choice but to continue the hill bombing. Lo and behold, as the road flattens I spotted a stall on my right, made a quick turn and tadaaa 100+, one bottle in the back pocket and another taped to my bottle cage worrying it might drop. Feeling much better, I soldiered on.

-Road to CP1-
HELL!! Hot as hell. Climbs were going at an average of below 10kmh, sweating bullets, barbecued alive as I search for CP1. Hills were relentless, one after another they never seem to end. The view though was amazing, overlooking endless hills, random rivers provides the illusion of a cooling day only to be reminded again of the scorching heat by the mirage on the road. the odometer shows 100km where CP1 was supposed to be but CP1 was nowhere to be found! What.the.fuck!! Where are you CP1? I look to cyclist on the opposite for clues but all I can see on their face was pain and agony, this immediately shifted my thought to what awaits me after CP1.

As the hills grow smaller, I pedal on in search of CP1, finally KM102, CP1. Regrouped with my partner in crime here. Was very thankful that they actually provided us with water, whip out a packet of hydration salt, refill the now empty bottle, chug it down like a pint of nice cold beer, mmmmmm. More hydration salt, filled my bottle to the brim and off we went. The journey back begins.

-Oven : Slow Roast Mode-
By now it’s around 11am, sun is soon to be at it’s highest point. Few km from CP1, we found a shady spot. We decided to take a break here, needed some counter pain for my legs to keep em cramp in check. You know what they say, prevention is better than cure. A pickup truck was parked there too, believed to be some of the cyclist’s support car. They were so kind to offer us a can of coca cola and banana, we told em it’s okay, but they insisted and said ‘we have ice cold coca cola’ I was sold as soon as I hear the word ice. Dont usually condone soft drinks consumption but during times like this, its gift from the gods, then again so is the ridiculously clear sky and hot sun.

Down the coca cola, banana in the tummy and off we go. We were immediately greeted by a heart attack inducing sight of a ridiculously steep climb. So it has begun, averaging at 8kmh. Now it explains the look on the face of them cyclist I saw a moment ago. Put yo head down and pedal on, shut up legs, you can do this, one leg at a time, dont stop dont unclip, keep em wheels spinning.. those are some of the words being kept on replay. Out comes the power gel, followed by a sip of water, even resorting to zigzagging to make the climb ever so slightly easier, risky tho, cars were pretty fast. This went on for about 15km.

We eventually reach a random convenience store, cold 100+, ice, water refill, soaking our ead under a running tap was the best thing ever. Having cooled down properly, off we go, 20km to Lojing, a monstrous climb they say and they sure got that right. We joined a couple of riders going at about the same pace, stopping at shady spot for a quick break and cool down. It was scorching hot, shoe feels like they’re melting. Now its full on mental, ridiculously slow and dumber was shutting down. Contemplating quitting every now and then, constantly in doubt if he could make it. I was constantly updating him on our progress, that seemed to keep him going, knowing that we’re inching our way back to Lojing where the gradient turns in our favor. At one of the break,he passed me his car keys, the idea was that if I get completes first I would come and pick him up, he must’ve neared breaking point. Eventually we were separated as he needed more frequent stop by now.

I eventually arrive at Lojing mamak. Ordered the usual, salt, water and 100+, seems to be popular pick of the day. Sat outside and waited for a friend foolish enough to agree to this ride 😁. Called him twice on the phone, no answer. Few riders have since passed.I would ask them if they saw him but the answers are very vague, I guess everyone is so exhausted they’re probably in zombie mode by now. Getting more and more worried, wondering if he collapsed but hey it was shortlived. Emerging from the hill, off saddle swaying side to side here he comes finally! In style, I might add. The moment he got off the bike, all he wanted to do was to lie down. Took his bike, parked it. Brought him drinks, refilled his bottle, gave some motivational talk and off we went not wanting to let him rest too long and fall into a fatigue induced coma. The last charge! Aroo!

-Wash Away My Pain-
Feeling motivated as there’s only 5km left til the long downhill back to Simpang Pulai, we just whacked it. As I began my descent, emerging once again from ‘The’ tunnel I noticed dark clouds ahead, hoping that I will reach final checkpoint before rain falls. Quickly kept the phone in a ziplock bag knowing that if it does rain I wouldn’t have much time to save my phone.

Here I go, bombing downhill, feeling like a million bucks, looking at the odometer nearing 200. Unfortunately, at around KM170 wind speed picked up, could feel cross wind, scary stuff as cars were passing me and being blown towards the middle of the road. Held on tighter, ever more focused now.

Without warning the sky opened up and started pouring! If you recall, this is my other fear for this ride, rain! Worse when it’s during descend, can’t see potholes, heck can really see much actually. Focus focus focus, be brave and finish it safely I told myself. The rain seems to have a positive effect on me though, legs felt fresh, energy restored, I suddenly find myself attacking them hills, pressing on as though it was start of the ride. Perhaps its the adrenaline, I dont know but surely most welcomed.

As the road flattens, towards the end of the descend with the odometer reading 190km, looking ahead I was stunned. Half blurred vision, yet it caught my attention. Was doing about 50kmh, yet it stopped me in my tracks.

I had to stop, I had to soak it in despite being soaking wet, I was greeted by the most beautiful sunset. This has got to be the defining moment of this entire ride, as the most gruesome ride ends, the most beautiful sunsets. Speechless, this couldn’t have been timed more perfectly. I think there were a few drops of tears, of happiness. Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect end to this awesome, epic, ridiculous, stupendous amazing one heck of a ride.

-The End-

#Audax is not a race. Yet is exciting & unpredictable! Audax200 on 19/11/18 (#SimpangPulai/#GuaMusang/#SimpangPulai) will be an unforgettable day!

I just gotta share this experience! It may be the last time I go on this route unless I am 10 times stronger than today!

This was my least prepared cycling event, as it was a last minute decision to participate! I hardly slept for 2 weeks & was unwell too.

I bared in mind the advice from coach Matt on “Bad preparation, good execution!” Coach Joyette Jopson had more confidence in me than I have in myself was the green light that I had to give it a go!

More so how often do I we get the time to do something crazy to test myself to the limit! I also would like to give daddy the best birthday present!

#AllMalaysianCyclistsMustDo this route at least once in their life time!! It was hell of an experience.

When I stepped into the starting point, a group of strong & dashing male cyclists greeted me with smiles full of respect! I looked around, I was the only lady there! Definitely they were smiling at me. That moment I knew what QOM Sherry Wong warned me on this route was going to be a reality!

As early as 4am we started the toughest BRM200! The climb began almost immediately in the dark & cold! After 20km, it was so cold that I had to stop to refuel my hunger! My teammates were much stronger & were ahead of me! Bearing in mind that I still have 4000 over metres to climb, I paced myself & keep on refueling! I can’t see the road elevation ahead, so I decided to go slow & steady.

At around 7am, darkness started to be replaced with beautiful morning mountainous views that which took away the tiredness in my mind. Sis Sherry was freezing earlier & had to call for a wind breaker!

The strawberry farms were still closed when we passed by! No strawberry! No pee! At 50km, for the first time stopping by a petrol station was like 5 star hotel! After a quick toilet break, refuel & refill, I started to roll again!

But my tummy wasn’t happy without proper meal! Thankfully, at around 60km, there was a mamak stall! There were rice & dishes! Thank God because after this for next 100km there were no more food stall! Happy to have a quick catch up with Vianne & Jason!

From 50km to 100km there was around 30km of exciting decent & 20km of of very tough climb! The deadliest is yet to come! Suddenly the weather turned hot! When I reached check point 1 at 100km, I can barely come down from my bike! A number of cyclists had given up!

My dearest teammates were there waiting for me with food, water & plenty of moral support! I just gotta keep on moving forward! This time when I prayed for rain, I was blessed with blazing hot sun & deadliest gradual elevation from #GuaMusangtoSimpangPulai!

Barely moving at 6km/h, I came down to push my bike barely walking at 4km/h! Every few km, I had to stop to rest! Cyclists were sitting down by roadside, some in big drains & many had boarded their support cars or flagged for help!

When I looked into the beautiful clear blue sky I see my beloved father smiling at me! He was a crazy cyclist who conquered elevation with cheapo bike! I am Chun Kok Khaw‘s daughter! I can & I will make it!

My teammates stopped by to refill & check if I can still move! They reminded me now is time to cycle with my mind! I will at least climb till 150km! I am not giving up!

When I arrived at a small sundry shop, was like walking into Baskin Robins! Teh Edward & C-Elle Thye (Ah Loong) were there! I was so happy to see them though they look like barely moving! I poured myself with water, ice & gulp icey cold water. It was too hot to eat! Then, 3 of us moved on! In a few minutes I lost sight of them. Barely 10km, I had to seek refuge again! The small unseen convenient store was like heaven! I bought coke & ice cream! Then came Edward & Ah Long! Happy that they were still on the crawl!

This time, we were really crawling & I was just crawling a little faster! When my teammates arrive at 130km, more & more cyclists had given up! I feel like prisoner of war! There’s a chance to escape but yet I chose to serve my torturous sentence!

It was so suffering the next 20km that I can’t remember how I made it till 150km back to mamak stall. Just as I thought the deadliest is over, a new challenge begun~ down hill for next 50km in pressed for time to arrive at ending point!

Fatigue started to set in! Weather turning freezing cold & dark! I was falling asleep. Dark clouds replaced the clear blue skies. It was going to rain! I was rolling down at 60km/h!

@170km, I knew for safety reason, I had to stop! I was losing focus! I took my very last powergel & coffee sweet! I urinated at the roadside! Then, I began rolling down hill again! This time under heavy down pour!

Thankfully I know I can do it as sifu Chee Wai Chung has guided me on this route under the same condition in February this year! He reassured me too, though my bike wheels are high profile carbon, is proven & tested to be save in all our weather condition!

Finally, I started to witness the meaning of when the mind got stronger & the will is there, we can do anything! At the last part of the flat road, I was cycling at 30km/h under rain, strong head wind & over a few flooded ground! Thankfully, I am able to remain focused till the ending point!

Last few months of almost daily training by coach Joyette & coach Matt definitely made this ride a success! Thank you very much coach! Especially to my mentor Thomas Ridley & YK Chiam, over the months around the hills, thank you for your patience in guiding me & always ensuring my safety!

As this was a mountain battle & everyone’s fitness is different, I cycled alone 80% of the route! Thankfully there were plenty of moral support from sis Sherry, Hazelyn Kim HT, Tan Yan, Corwin Wong, Elwin Yun Jing, Desmond Tai, Edward, Cinwen Wong & Ah Loong!🙏🙏🙏

Audax to me is all about endurance, fitness, fun, planning & pacing. Above all is the true selfless friendship & teamwork built in the few hours that may last forever!

To Sam Tow & team, thanks again! I had hell of a suffering good time that I will forever treasure!

To my darling Azmi Adil Yazdani, thank you for always supporting my decision & bearing with my extreme hobbies! To my sons, both your discipline & maturity have given me a peace of mind to persue my dreams! Love you all to the bits😍😘

To all participants of this toughest Audax200, you all deserve a 💯 likes & respect! Your cheers had definitely kept me going! My highest respect to a gentleman cyclist who carried so many bottles of water for a lady partner cyclist! Thank you sir for also stopping to offer me water at the toughest point! Your kindness is such priceless lesson in life to many!

To myself, after almost 6 months of rehab & exactly 1.5 years of cycling, for the first time in my life, I am damn #proud of myself! The happiness & joy is simply indescribable! There again, I will #never do this route again, unless I am 10 times stronger than today!

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