Audax Pink Ride 2022

I just noticed that more than 3 years on, my supposed recap of of my first ever Audax Pink Ride 2022, didn't happen. 

Here's another attempt, which will hopefully managed to be concluded.  

But frankly, it should be a hard one. 

***

2022 was a fresh from Covid year. Especially at the start of 2022. Qays hadn't even finished primary at that time and he is by now, has only 1 year remaining in STAR. Fitness wise was definitely at the top. 2021 was one of my most active cycling year. To add on to that, I managed to do my first and only Rapha 500, all outdoor. 

500km of cycling within 7 days. Mostly outdoors with only 1 indoor. 

So I went into Audax more thank equipped. 

Audax was held on 16 Jan 2022, just 2 weeks after. Recovery was optimal and to make it more sizzling, me and hubs had a Century Ride just a week before. I was not even equipped. I was top notch. 

My cheat sheet for the week prior's Century Ride

My Rapha 500 log

So we had high confidence going into Audax. We rented a room near Morib, just like how other STAROBs did. We made plans to ride together with Akma and Paril. Not sure why they gave us such favour that time to ride together. Knowing they were well more advanced than us, ride wise and would have more acquaintance option to ride along with. Cycling spirit was at all time high with the others as well. Other Srikandis took up the 100km route. You could see a lot of familiar faces en route. As usual, I planned my stops well, similar to how I did above. I put it in my trusted Google Keep. I may have written on a note instead of the handlebar. Should have done so and it would have been more epic. 

*Start KM0🟢*: 0500hrs 

_⏩Pace 26kmh_

*📍CP1 KM36.5 Continental Tyre Shop* 

0625hrs @ Petronas Sg Pelek 

_*🕌Subuh break for 15min*_ & 🟢0640hrs

26kph rolling for 31km (1:15)

*KM68* : 0755hrs. 

_*🥪Breakfast break @ Citarasa Kg PD for 30min*_. 🟢0825hrs

26kph for 23km (55’)

*📍CP2 KM90.8 EAGLE Ranch Resort* :0920hrs+15min.🟢0935hrs

*

_KM107 ~ KM143 : 📈Rolling for 13 km_

23kph for 29km (1:20’)

*KM120* : 1055hrs. 

💧Break for 15min & 🟢 1110hrs

23kph rolling for 23km (1hr)

📍*CP3 KM143.2 Sendayan Merchant Square* : 1210hrs. 

_*🥪Lunch break @ Sendayan Merchant Sq for 45min*_. 🟢1255hrs

_📉Continue downward roll until KM179_

27kph rolling for 27km (1hr)

*KM170* : 1355hrs. 

📍*CP4 KM170.9 PETRON Sepang*for 20min & 🟢1415hrs 

_⏩Pace 25kmh for 24km (1hr)

*KM194* : 1515hrs. 

💧Break @BHP for 15' & Resume 1530hrs

_⏩Pace 25kmh for 15km (36')

*KM209*: 1606hrs 

_*🏁ARRIVE AT FINAL CHECKPOINT_*

Almost everything fell according to plan. Slight misalignment started in PD since we may have had to find other venue for breakfast instead. But nothing bad happened as an outcome. We reached Eagle Ranch Resort just about 20 mins off target. Ride was smooth throughout. Everyone was together, almost at similar effort and pace (I did realise hubs was already struggling a bit at that time, but he was totally in control still). 

It started to get downhill only after. We were looking for water at various shops on the way out. Water of various kind had already been cleared out by those ahead of us. We were just a bit too late. But this wasn't the main problem still though. But it somehow did have some effects. The route started to get more challenging, with both heat and elevation combined. We might have went a bit faster than we could earlier part of the ride, at least for hubs' fitness level. And it backfired at the later part of the ride. He started to get really slow at some of the incline sections. We had to make various stops in between. I asked Akma and Paril to go ahead and possibly regroup in front. We were at a no where stretch - no nearby shops and houses, just empty roads, trees, bushes and plantation on the sides. Still, we made some stops intermittently, within the rolling route that we were in. Since it was in the middle of no where, we made do with what we could. Simply stop at any shaded roadside, and just sit there on the tarmac. Despite all that, everything was still in control. 

We managed to reach a more civilised area, and if I can recall correctly, a line of shops finally emerged after our long and barren ride. The day was still not on our side. Every iced, cold water and drinks were totally finished up. Couldn't actually remember what we did but we might not have drank anything or if we did, only minimally. With no place to rest despite many other cyclist stopped as well, we lost interest to stop and recuperate longer, despite how badly we need it(hubs, I was still quite manageable). We had to make lunch earlier than planned, which left us at not that ideal lunch venue. But few others stopped with us as well hence, hence, it wasn't a too bad a place to have one. 

It all seemed to get better initially. We still had to make constant breaks in between. But the route wasn't as isolated then before. And the weather has started to get better. I was mostly riding behind hubs if I can recall correctly. His jersey was already filled with crystalized salt from his sweat, clearly visible with bare eyes. Upon reaching this stretch of road, he was getting wobbly on the ride and suddenly fall sideways. Totally fell on the roadside. Good thing the side of the road was wide with soft, green grass and traffic was next to non-existent. He had briefly fainted while on the bike. After all the hardships earlier on, this one was one of the deal breaker. A lot could have caused. The heart rate might have spiked too high. Blood may have not flowed enough to the brain. But I think the most likely reason was extreme dehydration and possible heat stroke. We stayed there for a while and not long after, the rest of STAROBA crew reached us. They were slow and steady but they were definitely fine. It hit me that time that I may have been the reason for his condition. I dare swear that his fitness level was better than some of them. 

Upon explaining with them what had happened them for a while, and after another round of recuperation, we had to make our move to the next main checkpoint, which happened to be at a more established area of Sendayan Merchant Square. We had lunch again and this time, we were advised that it would be better for hubs to call it a day and make it back safely. It was already 2/3 way through and it would definitely not getting any easier. 

I continued on with the remaining Audax with Bulat, Shapeng and Lutut. Journey from Sendayan back Sepang was definitely not a walk in the park. I may have been leading the pace rather than following. I was indeed trying to pick up where I had missed, time wise. The only person who could keep up was of course Bulat. We left the more established Sendayan still intact, all 4 of us. But 1 by 1 started to disconnect, started with Shapeng. Not long after Lutut, once we reached Nilai area, which was very near to his house. He said his wife was waiting. I was then left with only Bulat to ride with. Looking back, I think he was there just for the sake of keeping me safe only. There was really no one else to be seen. It was just mostly. Sendayan and Sepang was connected with a  section that cut through plantation areas and rolling hills. The rolling hills was quite fun though. I remember playing catchup with Bulat on those hills. I would pick up on the uphills, and would definitely be left behind on the downs. 

After the long and lonely ride, we finally managed to reach Jenderam area where finally, a group of other riders were around for us to ride as a group. Finally we were not fighting for our life again. We then reached the last checkpoint at the petrol station on which, Bulat decided to stay longer. I couldn't as I wanted to reach earlier. So, there I was, resuming the remaining ride with whichever group that I could hook on to.

The remaining ride, were mostly flat, but was long and windy. 1 peloton, passed on to another peloton. I had more that enough energy to carry through until the end. Pushing it through more towards satisfying my own ego more than anything, I wanted to reach both early and improving the overall speed where possible. Once we reached around Banting area, it started to rain. But still, we went and push through. 

Looking back I can tell that it was one of the most satisfying riding moment as well, despite being totally on my own, with favour from strangers. As we reached near Morib beach, we had to slow down a bit due to traffic. And my overall speed had to again, suffered a bit. But managed to reach the finish line before the timing was up. That itself is something to be grateful for. Alhamdulillah, Audax unlocked, despite the drama but at least everyone was safe. And that was my only 210km. At the current fitness level, and the current way of life, that may definitely be my one and only 200.