On Day 1, the event started with a Criterium category where the best of the best race against each other's bike to win the coverted title and some cold hard cash of USD 12,500. Australian cycling legend Robbie McEwen wins in 2012.
For me, I participated in the Day 3 event, a 39km bike ride (The Challenge). On the same day, another category that was racing is The Super Challenge - 60km
Wow! this is one really early race. I had to wake up at 0430hr just to make it for the the flag off at 0630hrs. The team managed to reach the F1 pit at 0600hrs. We had a little warm up by walking to a very far start off point.
As my race bib is in the 'A' category, I had the honour to start in the first wave. The start off was really really well timed and organised. The transition to the start point was not crammed as I thought. KUDOS!
The first 5km of the race was within the MBS / CBD area, as it rained the night before, the floor was slippery. There was a few near miss at the exit of MBS to ECP (the area was laid with some metal flooring due to construction), but luckily the organiser managed to lay some carpet to reduce the slips.
After exiting MBS, it was free ride at ECP expressway. This is the only time that you can ride your bicycle on the expressway. The feeling was super uber fantastic when rolling down the steep slope. The speed that I recalled when rolling down was around 50km/hr. One word, SHIOK!
Photos from RunSociety.com
Photos from RunSociety.com
During the ride, I managed to find someone riding at almost the same speed as I am, I took the opporturnity to draft on the person. Thank you so much. By drafting the front person in front of you, you will have someone help block oncoming head winds for you, so that you will not exert so much energy. I took a peek at my back and saw someone else drafting me too Hahaha...
Well, during the race there were a couple of accident. I witnessed one really bad one. I predicted that, he was drafting someone so close that he fell off and injured he head. Blood was flowing down from his face. The rest is up to your imagination.
The race ended with a uphill climb on ECP going towards MBS/ Bukit Merah. That climb was really tough. Most people were struggling up (including myself). Many others just got of the bike and push the bike up. Good try everybody. Well, for me I just continued riding upwards.
I ended the race with a timing of 1hr 12min
Struggle back up to the Expressway
Finishing Line
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