We drove into Malacca on Saturday, 25 October, 2014 to participate in the Melaka Century Ride the next day. This is our first time riding with a group of more than 2,600+ participants in a foreign land.
That evening, we went with of one Peter's cycling buddies, Cherlek, to do a short 12km orientation ride of the surrounding area. At the back of my mind, I was thinking of backing out of the next day's ride :0
My steady and determined husband. Really admire his perseverance and discipline in training in order to participate in such an event.
His not so steady but willing to try wife, together with his cycling buddies :)
All set and waiting at the starting point.
Like real, 52 year old aunty on a road bike cycling with a group of strong and abled body riders ;-) One year ago, I was not even able to make U-turn and cycle steadily on a bike.
Another picture of aunty behind the cyclist in orange jersey.
When I reached the coastal area, I was separated from the rest. So I stopped and took a couple of pictures and a video of the sea. Must enjoy GOD's creation on your journey, right? ;-)
After leaving the coastal area, I cycled through the kampong alone.
Along the way, this song came to mind
"My life is in You, Lord, My hope is in You, Lord,
My strength is in You, Lord. In You, yes, in You."
I kept on singing and enjoying the experience of cycling alone in a foreign land.
Do I look tired? Hahaha, this is where an inexperienced rider got "conned". While I was enjoying my ride, there was this guy (part of the organizing team) in a car, asking if I was okay. I told him "Thanks, yes, I am able to carry on." So I continued but the vehicle kept following me until I pai seh and said "Okay, I will get up the vehicle." Little did I realize that it was more torturing to be in a vehicle, slowly going after riders who are tired and I wished I had continued cycling instead of being pai seh :(
I was shortly transferred to a lorry, being told that it would go straight to the resort. Instead, it went round the route, picking up cyclists who were either tired, got cramps or got slight injury. One of their own marshalls on motorcycle also came up as his motor bike had a puncture. Got to talk to this cyclist in white jersey from Kuala Lumpur. He said he ran out of water and his buddies - 7 of them told him that they would wait for him before the start of the ride but all "deserted" him. Maybe that's why we learn that in our Christian life's race we always say "run the race, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith." - man will fail us but Jesus would never.
Here's another picture after more than 1+ hour in the lorry. I counted, there were 15 cyclists with 15 bikes! I regretted getting on to the vehicle and the lorry.
Pete did very well, he completed his first century ride well within his targetted time. So proud of him :-D
Since I came back earlier than he did, I showered and went downstairs to welcome my hubby. He put on his medal with pride, tired but happy with his achievement. Well done, dear!
The next day, before setting off for home. We gathered and took pictures for remembrance.
So happy and relaxed :)
At Malacca, enjoying Mee Sua Soup and shopping :)
This was dinner on the second night at PappaRich as there were not many eateries near the resort.
These are the two medals received for our participation. For Pete, he completed the ride and he well deserved it. For me, I only did about 1/3 of the ride but most of all, I thank GOD for the safety and experience, especially cycling alone on the road in a foreign land when I have not even participated in such events in my own country. The part I enjoyed most was, when I was singing and cycling past the kampong area. Now back to life's reality and to persevere on my eternal race, looking unto my Saviour and hearing Him say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." on the day I meet Him face to face and maybe receive a crown :).
The official results were out today. Look at what I received. I could not help but laugh at how humorous GOD is - it stated here that my timing was 4hours 47mins and 7 out of 154 in my category, 263 out of 2672! What a joke! The best 4 riders in the Yew Tee team clocked in about 5.15hours and I am ahead of them???? It is really as what the Bible says, "the last shall be the first." :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0M0NALW7EM&gl=SG&hl=en-GB
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