Mercury Team asked me to join in on their team as the team mechanic for the Langkawai International Challenge in Langkawi. As I have no previous plan, it would be great...
The team will be driving to Perlis and board ferry to Langkawi. At first I did not intend to bring along my bike, as I'll be just as a mechanic during the race. Since one of the team members could not join us, leaves me with an open roof rack. The team met at Tiara Ampang at 9pm. As usual, I ride from my father's house in Gombak. While waiting for other team members, had dinner at the club house and Ismanor our team captain, load the bikes on the car roof. Everythin is settled at 2230hrs and we started our journey to Perlis. Stopped at R&R Jambatan Sultan Azlan Shah for a short rest and drinks. Reached Perlis around 6am, we stopped by at Sham's house for 2 hours, to give Sham the oppurtunity to visit his mother. Continue our journey to my friends house at Kampung Pondok. My friend, Jatt, was from the days of ITM Shah Alam. Being a succesful lawyer, I would say she's living the dream. Good to have frineds from out of town though.
Here we were allowed to park our car at her house, despite that she is working today, she managed to drop us off at the jetty Kuala Perlis. At the jetty many riders are also waiting for the ferry. Quite a few familiar faces too. As the ferry operator was quite aware of such International events, they allow riders and their bikes to have special lanes. This is also for other passenger's convinience.
Reached Langkawi Island around noon. For me, this is the first time I arrived at Langkawi Island with my bike. So from the jetty Pekan Kuah, most of us ride to our designated hotels. Situated at Pekan Kuah, the hotel is only 8km from Kampung Tok senik, the location of the competition. It would be great as it allows us to ride to the race location, and we dont have to warm for the race. After checking in and settling down, we went out for lunch. Decided to walk around a bit to familiarise with the Pekan Kuah. At 5pm, we ride to Kampung Tok senik for registration and goodie bags. On the way, I had a puncture. Had a quick repair while other team Mercury ride to Kampung Tok senik. Again, at the registration I had a surprised. One of the team member could make it to the race. Ismanor asked me to fill in the spot.
Relunctantly I agreed. I did not have any intention to enterthe race. My involvement was supposed to be as a mechanic for the team. Thus I ride to Langkawi Island with slick tyres. To make things worse, I entered the Men's Elite Category, Imagine that. Therefore winning will be out of the questioned.
I only managed to finish one loop only, and was disqualified to give way to other stronger riders. The trail was technically hard. last night's heavy rain makes the trail even harder, and for slick tyres like me, the trail is unforgiven.
At least I was renown within my friends as the most craziest rider at the race, because of my slick tyres. To even finish one loop with slick tyres without any incidents, is a miracale the say. As for me, I enjoyed it. I have no intention to push my physical limits as I sees it as a waste of my energy. So I ride to enjoy the trail. Maybe if I had the right tyre, things might have been different. After finishing my loop, helped other team member as feeder at the designated checkpoint.
I only managed to finish one loop only, and was disqualified to give way to other stronger riders. The trail was technically hard. last night's heavy rain makes the trail even harder, and for slick tyres like me, the trail is unforgiven.
