4th Training Session

I did the fourth training session only riding flat-terrain for 20 laps of 1km with very little traffic making a total of 20km. It took me 1 hour and 15 minutes since I had to stop at the Mamak joint to get a glass of 'Limau Ais' and another glass of 'Ais kosong' while I stretched off the calf muscle cramp. I didn't manage to get the bottle holder for the bicycle and survived on 2 glasses of water just before cycling (Don't ask me how I can do that! Just watch my belly!).

Somehow the neighbourhood knows that I am here to cycle daily. So most drivers have started to slow down when they see me coming. A few did try drive me off the road as they would do to a motorbike.

I seem to be catching my breath with less effort and able to push an average of 22 km/h except for the U-turns. I had to learn how to stand on the pedals to relieve the perineal pressure (sore buttocks!) and give my calf muscles a stretch. Cycling has become more interesting day by day.

Some more photos of my calf stretches and my bike.

Can Cycling be safer?

Very few adults would find the courage to cycle to work for the fear of 'getting killed 'in a road traffic crash. The fear is justified if the cyclist does not take precautions and train himself to ride safely. Although I would agree with many Malaysians that our roads are not cyclist friendly, I have found that many countries in the world also have poor road traffic systems which would endanger the lives of cyclists.

Before you jump on your bike and take to the roads, kindly go through these websites:-
1. Think! Road Safety Website - Do's and Dont's for cyclists and Motorists
2. How not to get hit by cars
3. Is cycling dangerous?
4. Cycling Road Rules (Australian)

We are in the process of engaging trained professional coaches to help our fellow cyclists who want to commute to work on their bicycles. Kindly contact me at draston@gmail.com if you are interested.