October 12, 2003

• Sat 11 Oct

  
  

  Travel Day
  Late.  I was busy trying to change tires, after deciding last min that I will switch to the new tires I bought (greatly discounted, but that are purely for racing - wears off too fast).  Managed to get the first tire off with a bit of problem, and the new ones in with a bit of difficulty.  The tires were folded and not shaped to fit nicely into the rim.  After that, had to make sure the tube fits in nicely so that there is no pinch.  Then I had the problem of getting the final part in which is the trickiest part... just wouldn't go in.  I used a towel and by some miracle, it went in!  Tried to do the same with the second wheel, running out of time fast!  Late already in going out.  At the last part again I couldn't get it in, even using towel.  Thumbs were red already.  Oh well, I called a cab (it was raining too and I was late) and hastily packed whatever was left.

  
  

  Reached on time as the last few bikes were being packed up.  Still had problems getting the tires in, and Joyce somehow with her charm managed to get Andrew Hirst to help me.  He got the tire in without problems.  Ookay.  Anyway we headed out to KL without much other problems.  Well, not exactly.  I lowered my seat just by a notch and the pain in the shoulder blade started feeling really bad.  I barely slept.  Took the seat up, and bent forward which felt a lot better.  Will definitely need to see a doctor when I get back but what will I do with the race the next day.

  
  

  Joyce brought along the scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, to pass to her old cycling club as she was in charge of collecting the articles and they wanted to use it.  Definitely an eye opener.  I did not know that Joyce was actually a marathon runner before she turned cyclist.  The newspaper articles were numerous, and she was in the limelight for most of them, especially with regards to cycling.  Found out a lot of history, the period between 1983 and 1985, between the period when she was marathon runner and how she switched to cycling to help build muscles.  Funky hairdo - wouldn't have known it was her because she looked so different then.  More ah-soh, typical of young chinese lady of Malaysia then.  Joyce now looks soooo hip and young and prettier.  Like young chinese Singaporean, punky hair (except it suits her better).

  
  

  Once at Hotel Armada, we got to our rooms - I was with Andrew Hirst - and he apparently was the busy man in the absence of Bob, being in charge of everything.  He was not exactly the friendliest guy around but okay otherwise.  Sleeps with earplugs and expects me to wake him up at 5.30am.  He tosses a bit in his sleep, which doesn't disturb me, but my shoulder does, even with the extra pillow under my head.  Still, I managed to get to sleep, waking up twice.  I didn't bother much about snoring since he was on earplugs which was good.  Only thing I really minded was him not bathing but it was okay after he took off his clothes (he sleeps semi-naked).  Phoo!  He didn't bathe the next morning either, only after the race.

  
  

  I got up earlier and by the time I was done with the bathroom at 5.25am Andrew was up already too.  My stuffs almost packed, I was prepared to go down early for breakfast but he was done by the time I was ready so I waited a while more before going down at 5.40am.  Put the stuffs in the bus and went for some bread (although I had eaten my own bread already).

  • 8:47 pm
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