Cyfora race on 2nd April

Here are the much-delayed pics from the Cyfora race in Sepang last Sunday. Ok, so we're about a week behind in posts. =(

We hit the Empress Hotel in Sepang at around 10:30pm on Saturday night, ordered some room service since we didn't really have dinner and Kale got his race kit from the "race central" - aka Mimi and Saiful's room. Showered and crashed into bed.

Woke up bright and early (again) in time for a rushed breakfast before a quick drive out to the race start which was just 300m down the street.

As usual, racing in Malaysia entails a wait in the sweltering sun... we sit around for close to an hour waiting for the race to get into full gear. Grab a couple of pictures while waiting...
Sweating it out in the sun while waiting for the race to start. In true M'sia fashion, the race didn't start anywhere close to on time..
Us at the start of the race..
Hakim getting a massage from Jonchiton - another satisfied customer
The pack at the start of the race
Kale, John and Raymond
Danish - Mimi's son, in the race support vehicle

The race starts off with a 30km rolling start. Because our team is the reigning champion, ahem ahem, we get to be the first car in the support car convoy...

After the loooong rolling start

A crash happens pratically immediately after the official start of the race (one had happened earlier on), since it happens on a narrow country road. Rumor has it that someone road off the road, tried to get back on the road and fell, causing a domino effect. Some of the riders were caught in the crash, and Kale had the unenviable decision of choosing between riding over Uncle Richard who had fallen right in front of him, or riding over his own wheel and hub which was now on Uncle Richard's bike due to an earlier puncture. He chose the latter, and is now facing a $150 repair on the rim. ouch.

Ivy and I were pretty caught up in the excitement what with having to move the car and take the spare wheels out since we were the first car on the scene following both crashes. Note to self: pregnant women should not attempt to run in a race crash environment bearing bike wheels. Can you say "wide load approaching"?? Thankfully Ernest's wife, who was riding in the car behind, had the state of mind to take the wheels from me and run them over to Mimi! See, the power and might of the female support crew!! hah.

So yeah, Uncle Richard broke his seat off (don't ask me how) so Troy had to sit out the rest of the race and loan Uncle Richard his bike. Poor chap. More excitement ensued with locating an allen wrench to raise the seat and actually getting the allen wrench to the right person. You would think this would NOT be a hard thing to do... think again.. hmm.

Anyhow, a bunch of our guys were caught in the crash... here are some pics of them after the crash. Kale was all bummed cos after riding on his own against the wind for 2 days, he had hoped to catch some slack and ride in a pack for the race! But alas, that was not to be...
John playing catch up after the crash
Kale in a "splinter cell" (new phrase i learnt) after the crash..
"so much for sitting in a pack..."

We finally chanced upon the lead pack...
KL International Airport in the distance

Mrs Yusoff, our one and only female rider pulled in a commendable performance to beat the girl she had to beat, despite crashing and being brought to the finish by only 1 domestique - her bro-in-law Saiful. Saiful was totally smashed by the end, but heroically pushed on.. now that's heart for you..

Good news is that the team as a whole came in first again, and are again the reigning champions... Guess all the crash drama and pain were worth it, eh?
The aftermath

After the race, we rushed back to the hotel to wash up, grab a quick lunch and then we all hit the road in a convoy. Finally made it home close to 7:30pm after being stuck on the SG side of the Tuas link for an hour and a half. Bleah. We were both waaaay glad to be home.

That pretty much sums the insane weekend where Kale rode some 550+km in 3 days. Yeah. I don't think he's doing that again anytime soon! heh. *grin*

oK, back to studying before church...