It has been almost nine months without a single update on my blog, and there has been no significant event or condition that could be considered a meaningful or rewarding story to share. But today something happened that crossed my mind: why don’t I write down my sporting activities here on this WordPress? Basically there are two kinds of sporting activity I perform regularly, almost every weekend (Saturday and Sunday) or on holidays:
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Jogging or Walking
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Cycling
Normally I cycle every Saturday and walk every Sunday, but recently I have preferred to cycle twice over the weekend. Why? Perhaps because I am tempted — or provoked — by the many cycling events taking place in Batam, whether organised by professional event organisers or by invitation from the local cycling community. But the strongest motivation is that I have a dream of burning my calories by cycling in Singapore. Yes — because I live in Batam, and almost every weekend I see Singaporeans pedalling along Batam’s streets, and they seem to enjoy the hottest asphalt roads such as the Trans Barelang road, the Nongsa road, or the Duri Angkang Bike Park (a famous bike park in Batam). I think it is time for me to cycle on the smoothest asphalt road or the Park Connection Network (PCN) in Singapore. To make my dream come true, my first plan is to choose the best route — starting by googling and peeking at cycling community blogs scattered across the cyber world. That brought me to this route:
Picture 1. My planned route in Singapore through the Park Connection Networks (PCN)
OK, the route has been chosen — what next? Of course, the next part is myself: I have to be prepared physically, mentally, and most importantly, financially. Yes — going to Singapore requires preparation beyond the legal documents, such as a passport; the money must be well prepared too. So I started making a list:
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The Route has been chosen, i prefer East Coast Road Network
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The White is my bicycle is ready and i believed it’s the toughest bicycle i have.
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The money, how much money should be prepared ?…. hmmm need more .. I have collect or save my money for this event
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The legal document… ooh no my passport already expired almost a year ago… need new passport.
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Regarding point 4, my ID card issued at Pekanbaru (my hometown), is required to me go to pekanbaru ? to clear the passport issue ?
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Do I need companion or Partner ? yeah I don’t want pedaling alone, looking for partner on my bicycle community The Rofour, and found the candidates are Pak Hendi and Pak Ganang both of them agreed with me and ready to go ….
Looking at that list, there are two things missing that need to be solved soonest — items 3 and 4 — but the preparation should keep progressing; the show must go on. So the first thing to do is physical preparation in terms of my healthiness, readiness and determination. Just consider the planned route: almost 120 km. What goodness — normally my cycling activities average only 20 km each weekend, and I need 100 km more. But I never give up; the training days should be arranged as soon as possible. Being well prepared is better than nothing.
The White (the story of my bicycle)
The White is the only bicycle I have. I bought it in 2010 from my best friend, Pak Riki Darma (now in East Kalimantan). To be honest, I bought The White very cheaply, considering its specifications — the normal price at that time was not less than Rp 10,000,000 (1,000 SGD). For Pak Riki Darma, thank you for your kindness and understanding. With this bike I can explore every corner of Pekanbaru, Jakarta and Batam, and I always bring The White wherever I live.
Picture 2. The Mighty White Conquer Asphalt Road around Nongsa Batam
The White is a powerful bicycle, and my loyal companion since 2010. It is always with me; wherever I go, it is there too. It is familiar with almost every corner road in Pekanbaru, Jakarta and Batam. The longest route we ever rode was from Kwitang, Jakarta, to the Jalur Pipa Gas Bicycle Park (JPG) in Tangerang / Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD), a total distance of almost 120 km (and back). We completed the course in 12 hours, with my muscles cramping four times. When I moved to live in Batam, The White moved too.
The Training Day
Although there are two requirements that should be completed first to make the Singapore tour a reality, there are still some activities that can be done. Frankly speaking, the training days are for physical and mental readiness, and I set my target to increase gradually. My two favourite cycling routes in the Batam area are: the 1st is Duri Angkang Bike Park (DBP), and the 2nd is the terrain road at Nongsa — more popularly known among cycling junkies as the Nongsa Loop. This route is a normal route for me, and every week my beloved White measures the asphalt, because the location is not too far from my house in the Odessa Batam Center area near Hang Nadim Airport:
Picture 3. The Nongsa Loop, Batam
Route 1
This route has a complicated course for cycling, combining flat sections with climbs. If you try this route, you will be rewarded with lovely scenery — cycling along a premium golf park, Nongsa Beach and natural vegetation. It is perhaps a rare spot in Batam, where tall, 100-year-old trees still stand and shade the road, so although the sun is shining, don’t worry: you still get a cool climate and fresh air while you pedal.
Picture 4. The route is a combination of road and countryside
Recently I was cycling with The Rofeers, my cycling club — “the Rofeers” is the nickname for members of the Rofour cycling club. Two other Rofeers accompanied me this week. We set our route with a meeting point at KFC Botania, going to Citra Lautan Teduh – Mapolda Kepri – Nongsa Pura – Galian Pasir (sand mining) – and back to KFC Botania, a total distance of around 30 km.
Picture 5. The cycling time filled with magnificent scenery, closed by the coolest coconut water as a replacement for our body ions… refreshing, and the taste is good…
That was all of my training day on route 1, the Nongsa Loop, this week. See you at the next route. Bonjour! Do you want to join us? Feel free to drop your comment or email me at zulfitrizulkarnain@gmail.com.
Route 2
Next morning, exactly on Sunday, my plan is a solo ride from my house in the Odessa Batam Center or Botania area, going to Batu Besar – Punggur – Kabil Industrial Park – Nongsa Pura – and back to Botania. The route was chosen with the consideration that I need to increase my cycling durability, because yesterday the route was completed in a total of 30 km — the distance was still under target. My target is at least 60 km.
I woke up at 4:30 at dawn, while my wife and daughter were lost in sweet dreams. I heard the Adzan, or call to prayer, from the nearest mosque in my housing complex. In a hurry I made my preparations and went to the mosque; after that I prepared my bike, gear and jersey, and at 5:30 sharp I started pedalling on route 2.
Picture 6. Route 2: Botania – Batu Besar – Punggur – Nongsa – Botania, with a total distance of 50 km
Route 2 is more advanced compared with route 1: the topography is more complex, combining climbs and bumpy roads with different scenery. Realising the route is longer than before, physical and mental preparation is a must — but you will be rewarded with magnificent scenery, and you will find the difference. Let’s go.
Picture 7. Sun Rising accompanied me this morning
Pursuing my target in this session required determination, strategy and technique suited to the route. I am not a professional cyclist, and I fully understand that my weakness is that I cannot speed up under these conditions; my target is to cycle smartly — choosing the right speed for the road condition, and enjoying the ride as well.
Picture 8. The White at Punggur Ferry Terminal
Punggur ferry terminal is the gateway connecting Batam Island to Bintan Island. As you know, Bintan Island is another destination for cycling junkies, and there is a famous international event, “TOUR THE BINTAN”, held every year. I cycled there two years ago, and frankly speaking I have a target to cycle to Bintan a second time, maybe next year.
Picture 9. Telaga Punggur Ferry Terminal, the gateway from Batam to Bintan
Riding to Punggur is enjoyable; along the way you will be rewarded with magnificent scenery and the smoothest road. Having started at 5:30 AM, I arrived at rest point 1 and my stomach had begun to sound like an orchestra. Yes — I was hungry, and a bunch of lemper (sticky rice cakes) with a cup of unsweetened coffee would be nice to kick-start and boost my spirits and re-energise my body.
Picture 10. Feeling hungry? No need to worry — there are many food stalls along the road
Re-energised with a cup of unsweetened coffee — “kopi tiam” style — I felt more powerful and able to finish this route. Yes, the caffeine effect works well with me; amazingly, I never felt tired, but more and more energetic than before.
Picture 11. At Nongsa you will pass this new icon of the area
Finally route 2 was completed in 50 km, with almost four hours of riding. So what are you waiting for? Want to join me? Drop your comment or email me at zulfitrizulkarnain@gmail.com. Salam!