KEJOHANAN LUMBA BASIKAL TERBUKA KEBANGSAAN PEHIN DATO AWANG HAJI YAHYA 2011

Event	Pehin Dato Awang Haji Yahya National Open Championship Cycling Race 2011
Organizer	Brunei Darussalam Cycling Federation (BDCF)
Date & Time	8:00am Sunday, 15th May 2011
Venue	To Be Confirm
Distance	132km Team Road Race
Categories	5 Man Team including 1 Elite National Cyclists AND/OR 1 Under 23 National Cyclists with 2 officials
Registration Fees	B$50 per team (B$10 per cyclist) B$10 per cyclist for BDCF registration B$5 per cyclist for 1 year UCI license Altogether B$25 per cyclist
Registration Due Date	Sunday, 8th May 2011
Briefing	Saturday, 3pm, 14th May 2011 at the Lecture Hall, Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium
Registration Form	Download Here

race report: telbru team time trial 2011

(Most of the pictures are taken from Facebook and anakbrunei.com.bn)

This is my 2nd bicycle race of the year 2011. My first race was way back in January held in Subis, Miri Sarawak and the result was not that good. I was among the back finishers.

For this race, it was a TEAM time trial event and it wasn’t hard for me to find another 4 cyclists to create a 5 man team. The usual members are Ali and Reza. One spot I offered to Ahmad Fathi but he decline the offer because at that race date, he was schedule to go overseas for work so I offered Keeran Janin since he was also looking for a team and we know he is fast. The last cyclist was Zaeidi. Luckily his team MIPR Spinners are not participating in the race, good for us.

 

This time, the race was very well organized. They even invited one of the top Malaysian commissar to be the chief commissar. For checking the start and finish time, every cyclists were provided with a transponder to be fix to their left bicycle fork. The transponder was supplied by a Malaysian company – www.theraceboy.com and I guess their service fees were not cheap. Just look at the fine for every lost or stolen transponder – USD400, expensive lah.

Everyone was given a 1 day UCI license to enable us to compete in this competition with other foreign teams. If it was only a local race, probably we won’t need the license.

3 Malaysian teams registered namely Malaysia National Team, Terengganu ProAsia Cycling Team and Piasau Peddlers from Miri and all of them did not go back home empty handed.

Getting ready for the flag off. We were the 8th team with 2 minutes interval out of 18 teams. The last 3 teams are the elite teams – Malaysia Nation Team, Terengganu ProAsia and Brunei National Team A.

In our team, 2 road bikes and 3 Time Trial bikes. So the plans were

1. I’ll lead first followed with Zaeidi, Keeran, Reza and Aliuddin.
2. Try to maintain the speed at 40km/h +/- 5km/h
3. Draft as close as possible
4. Wait for each other and inform others if it is too fast
5. Try to overtake the other 7 teams and avoid not to be overtaken by other 10 teams
6. Change over the lead before the energy is drain out
7. Try to achieve time sub 2:20
    

This lovely photo was taken by Anakbrunei. Getting ready 5…4….3….2…1… GO !!!!

GO Go go…….Before the first lane change over, I was already in attack mode. Zaeidi was behind me. Keeran was a bit surprise by the quick acceleration. Reza was supposed to be behind Keeran but I think he use the wrong gearing, making it a bit slow in accelerating.

As a team, we did not manage to practice together not even once. So its difficult to judge everyone fitness and capabilities.

Back to the race, I was leading the group at a speed of 38km/h up until the first bridge at Tungku Highway. I tried not to over do it by checking my breathing. If you breath erratically and you use both your mouth and nose, that means you’re overdoing it and that would kill you energy fast.

Zaeidi then take the lead up until somewhere between Rimba and UBD then Keeran. After UBD, going out to the Tutong Highway, Ali takes over the lead and from there on, PROBLEMS. A few times we have to reduce speed because Keeran was falling behind. At one time near B.Shahbandar, our speed was below 30km/h because Keeran was still recovering from the Empire hill climb. As it is still early, we don’t want to leave him behind.

Ali is still leading the group but maintaining the speed around 35-38. After Istana Jerudong, Keeran was once again cannot keep up with the speed. He told us just to go ahead and he will try to catch us later which he never did. At that time LOF Bakery B, team no 9 was already behind us and just about to overtake us. So when Keeran give us the go, We accelerated away leaving behind LOF Bakery B and Keeran.

With LOF Bakery B, it was like playing cat and mouse. They managed to overtake us but a few kilometers later, we overtake them again. The whole process goes on a couple of times. I guess we managed to catch and overtake them was due to one of their cyclists was having problem keep up with the group speed. After the halfway point U-turn at Kg Penanjong, they drop their weaker rider and Zoom away and after that there was no chance in overtaking them.

We managed to overtake 4 teams ( TJ Riders, G530 B, Legends & ‘OL’ Tutong Team) and in return 4 other teams managed to overtake us – 3 Elite Teams and LOF B. It was hot already when the race started (8:30am) but after the half way point, it started to rain. The cool shower really cool down the body but the rain didn’t last long. After a few kilometers, it stops.

The journey back to the finishing line – it was still the same. Zaeidi is still doing more work than us since he is the strongest. Reza can no longer take the lead but he still can follow. So he is still good as we do not need to slow down. Every time there is a climb, we have to reduce speed because all 3 of us don’t have the energy to push hard climbing except for Zaeidi.

On flat, we still managed to maintain speed of 40km/h and at one point we almost reach 50km/h. That was from Brunei Muara/Tutong Boundary Signage all the way to Istana Jerudong.

In short, we managed to finish together as a team and with me clocking as the 4th rider – the official finisher.

Group photo with the Guest of Honour – Pehin Yahya. The guy wearing black T-shirt is Keeran. He change his uniform. My brother, 2nd from left (next to Pehin Yahya), he was participating in the XPDC TelBru.

The Champion – Team Kebangsaan Malaysia (B$2,500.00)

2nd – Terengganu ProAsia Cycling Team (B$1,750.00)

3rd – National Team Brunei A (B$1,250.00)

4th - National Team Brunei B (B$1,000.00)

5th- Piasau Peddlers (B$500.00)

6th - G530 A

7th – LOF Bakery B

8th - Anakpanyu

9th – Woostaz Cycling Team

We finished no 8th, the same number as our starting position. Before the race, looking at all the teams, I predicted that we would get 7th and Ali predicted for a 5th place. The 4 National teams, that is already unlikely to be unbeatable by us. G530 A – Aiman’s team is one of the strong local team and the other strong local team would be the ‘OL’ Tutong team. I didn’t expect the Piasau peddlers from Miri to be that strong. The rest of the local teams, some are virtually unknown capabilities (I didn’t know how strong they are), some are just average riders and some are just unbalanced team with strong and weak riders combine together.

Luckily we only have 1 weak rider. If it is was 2 or more, then the answer would be ‘HANCUR’. Cruising mode lah all the way.

10th – Lof Bakery A

11th – Group ‘OL’' Tutong Team

 

12th – Jati Racing Team

13th – TelBru Cycle

14th - SIPADU

15th – G530 Cycling team B

    

16th – TJ Riders

17th – Team 2030

Overall, it was a good race. I was having fun and my training really paid off. My team was well balance except for Keeran which we over estimate him.

The race was very well organize and way much better than last year. Hopefully Telbru will keep up the good work in providing a good competitive race so that the racers are satisfied with management, race, route and the results.

I guess everyone really enjoyed the race and Telbru should consider of doing it again next year. 18 teams – 90 cyclists including team managers and supports. If it is a road race, it wouldn’t be this many. Most would just watch by the sideline.

Next year would be restructuring the team with changing the team members, new jerseys and maybe a new bike for me.

And for Road Racer out there, rumors has it that there’s going to be a road race in Mid May 2011.

Congratulations to everyone and keep on cycling………………………..

Qualified commissaires needed for Tour de Brunei

 

Read More from here ……..http://www.bt.com.bn/sports-national/2011/03/24/qualified-commissaires-needed-tour-de-brunei

HEALTH FOR EVERYONE

For cyclists, there gonna be a bicycle xpdc on the 8th May 2011 starting from National Stadium. Come and Join in.

Standard Chartered Charity Run 2011

 

All information obtained from here: http://www.standardchartered.com/bn/charity-run/en/

Event	Standard Chartered Charity Run 2011
Organizer	Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Brunei
Time & Date	Sunday, 7:00am, 10th July 2011
Venue	Brunei Indoor Stadium Complex
Categories & Fees	10km (B$25), 5km (B$20) and 2.5km fun run (B$10)
Closing Date	Monday, 20th June 2011
Registration Form	Get it HERE

TELBRU TEAM TIME TRIAL RACE – the full results

The results were provided by www.theraceboy a Malaysian company invited by TelBru and BDCF to provide a professional timing  using a transponder fixed to each bicycles.

 

Below is my speed calculation based on the distance of 87.4km (taken from my Garmin)

 

Men’s Open Team Time Trial – 87.4km

 

 

Women’s Individual Road Race

SCB Charity Run 2011

33rd Panaga Triathlon

Download Registration Form Here – Aquathon or the Triathlon

Closing date for Registration is 22nd April 2011

What is next?

It’s been 3 weeks after my first half Ironman and I’m thinking of doing Ironman. A few hours after finishing AVIVA 70.3 Ironman, I felt that I’m not ready for the full Ironman yet considering my swimming result was not that good. Ironman swim is 3.8km which is double the distance of 1.9km. I won’t be able to finish in time (for everyone info, my swim time for 1.9km was 1:09:40, 20 seconds to cut-off time.

But now, I’m considering of doing Ironman. It is because of several reasons:

1. Ahmad Fathi, Hamsul, Sharif and JJ have registered for Ironman New Zealand 2012. Ada macam rasa ketinggalan because everyone is doing it. If it is just one person doing it, it doesn’t affect me that much.

2. This year Ironman events (nearest to Brunei), most of it are already sold out, so the only option is next year, but I have to register this year to do the event next year. Ironman event, once the registration is open, it can be over within 4 hours. SOLD OUT !!! 1000 entry within 4 hours.

3. The original plan was to do Ironman Langkawi this year but due to the event organizer has some unresolved issues, so no event lah. Next year Ironman Langkawi is still unconfirmed. So other alternative, look somewhere a bit further but not that too far such as Australia, New Zealand, Korea, China, Japan or Taiwan.

4. The missus have issued a warning to reduce my international events.So have to reduce lah. Ironman event is a must TO-DO-EVENT before 2013. Unless the event is during school holidays, then it is exceptional. 2013 will be the year my son start his school, so I have to reduce the number of  overseas events i.e. no more event during school days, travelling more than 1 day and …….

So the plan is, register as soon as the event is open for registration. Most probably IM Australia or IM Korea. Then baru fikirkan to do or not to do. Other issues would be MONEY$$$$. Its going to be an expensive event. Most probably I would need around $5K for everything – registration, air tickets, accommodation, transportation, food & drinks, assistant crew and etc………….nda cukup usulnya $5K. Where to find ?????

The sport of triathlon, if No EXTRA money, don’t do it. GO and DO other sports such as running………….

Keep on dreaming………………………………

Aviva 70.3 ironman singapore – my stories

We departed to Singapore on Friday and went back to Brunei on Sunday, 6 hours after the race. Briefly I can say:

                    Swim – I hate it

                    Bike – Cruising along (makan angin)

                    Run – Good, Great and Fast

My Felt B16 TT bike inside the Bike Bag. I bought the bag at www.wiggle.com and it is heavy – 13.5kg. For sure the weight of the bag together with the bicycle, it will be an excess weight of more than 20kg. I have to pay B$180 at Brunei Airport for 2 overweight bike bags. At that time we were travelling 2 person because Zaeidi is coming down to Singapore the next day. If it was 3 persons, then I don’t need to pay as much.

   

My fully assembled bike and still in one piece. My pink helmet and pink race shoes. The race belt can carry 6 Powerbar Gel but I just carried 4 gels only

  

The collection pack area at Suntec City and the other pictures is during the bike check in Saturday afternoon. Everyone else is checking in late for their bikes

 

 

Ali checking in Zaeidi’s bicycle. It was raining during the check in.

  

My Felt B16, Azizul’s Scott Plasma and Sharif’s Cervelo P2C. We were in the same group age of 35 to 39 years. We didn’t choose to park our bicycles together, the Organizer did.

Zaeidi’s Pinarello and JJ’s Cervelo and next to it is the Yellow Cannondale.

 

A long queue at the toilet. I guess a lot of them had the case of a bad athlete stomach.

We were checking out the swim route. That day, the current was very strong and pulling us toward the shore. It was a 2 lap swim – 1st lap inside lane and outside lane for the 2nd lap. I missed sighted the 2nd buoy causing me to swim longer than expected. I could have done it under 1 hour but instead it took me 1:09:40

  

I really hate the swim and I was glad it was over. I even managed to talked to one of the athlete during the T1 about the swim.

By the time Zaeidi come out of the swim, his time was 1:29:36 and luckily he wasn’t disqualified because he missed the cut-off time. The bike rack was almost empty.

 

Some area of the bike route we cannot pass each other but since it is a race, nobody really cares. I’m not going to follow a slow cyclists doing 27km/hr even though it is a no passing zone.

   

It was a 90km bike route (30km X 3 laps). Honestly saying, I did not really push myself to hard on the bike leg. You can say I was ‘cruising along’. My time for the bike leg was 2:56:55 (still within my target time of 3 hours). My average speed was 30.52km/h. Even Hamsul’s bike time was even faster than me (2:47:01).

I did not want to push to hard since this is my first 70.3 Ironman and I don’t want to get a cramped. Getting a cramped on the bike leg will destroy the run and I don’t want that. Its no use going faster on the bike and hurting on the run. I’ve experience it a few times already and I don’t like it.

 

Zaeidi’s time on the bike was 2:30:56 and within his target time of 2:30. He managed to overtake me during 1st lap of the bike leg. Zaeidi also got a YELLOW card by the Marshal maybe due to ‘blocking’, ‘illegal pass’, ‘illegal position or ‘littering’. The penalty was a STOP/START at the Penalty tent but he did not report to the penalty tent causing him to be disqualified (DQ) after the race was over.

 

Azizul doing his walk/run routine and his time for the 21km run was 2:37:24 and Sharif time was 2:22:44

Hamsul time was 2:40:18 and my time was 2:19:15, the 2nd fastest after JJ’s time of 2:03:23

I was very very happy with my run. My target time was 2:30 and I managed to do it 2:19. I ran all the way and only stopping over at the water checkpoint and a few short break to the toilet.

I thought my overall time was below 6:30:00 – my target time but it was a little more than 3 minutes. The swim really mess up the time. My target was to get under 1:00:00 but it didn’t went out the way it should be. Overall I was HAPPY but I feel I am not ready for the FULL IRONMAN.

I’ll come back next year and try to break the record. Next project will be Powerman Malaysia – Nov 2011 (11km run-64km bike-10km run)

Train-Race-Recover-Do it Again