New Stopping Power

Saturday, 29 December 2007, I replaced my brake set (Hayes HFX9) with the 2008 Shimano XT brake set.


The new 2008 Shimano XT brake set has the features that I really like:

1. No tool adjustment for the position of brake level for reach adjustment,

2. Simple adjustment for free stroke

I installed them myself, and it was easy. The only dissapoinment (compare to Hayes HFX9) is that the Shimano did not come with flip-flop design for mounting on either side of handlebar.

Udang Galah (Fresh Water Blue Prawn)

I love udang galah, especially when you fried them. They are delicacy in Malaysia, the taste is exquisite and better than lobster.

During my wedding reception in Teluk Intan, my parents served us the udang galah... yummy.. they were delicious !!!

How to catch them? So, I bought my self a couple of fishing rod and reel sets, and a rod and reel set for my eldest daughter. Suprisingly, the reels were made from Shimano, even the name has XT series added to it.

My first set is Shakespeare Sigma Titanium rod and Shimano Aernos XT 2500. This set will be used to catch the blue udang galah and other fishes (I like the baung fish).








I will try to use this lure bait(from Strike Pro, model JL119, suspended) to get the baung fish.



My second set, especially for reeling up the blue udang galah, consists of the affordable Exori Belida rod and Shimano Slade FB 1000.






Now, catching the famous blue udang galah is another matter.

20 December 2007 : Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha (Eid Qurban)

Assalammualaikum or Be peace upon you...

20 December 2007.. its Hari Raya Aidil Adha, and where the Muslims who are fortunate enough to perform the Haj ritual in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

For those Muslims whose unable to perform their Haj this year, try another year until you succeed. Additionally, a Qurban or animal sacrifice is highly recommended. The calculation is simple, either a goat or 1/7 of a cow.

The meat will be distributed to the needy Muslims (only Muslims) around the world.

Be peace upon you.

Big Lenses, Small Sensor : The Canon EOS 400D

Photography has always been my other hobby, but it was superseded by various adhoc things that happened in my life. Now, its back... capturing every moments of life (well... almost!)

Lets start with some brief history of my SLR equipment:

1988
Yashica film camera.
Konica 35-70mm F4-5.6 lens.
No external flash.
My school bag was my camera bag.

1995
Canon EOS 50E film camera.
Canon EF 28-80mm F4-5.6 USM II lens.
Canon EF 70-300mm F3.5-6.3 USM II lens.
Still no external flash.
CCS shoulder bag.

2007
Canon EOS 400D digital camera.
Canon EF-S 18-55 F3.5-5.6 lens - comes with the camera, crap lens.
Tamron 17-50mm XR DiII F2.8 lens - replace the crap lens for wide area coverage.
Canon EF 28-135mm F3.5-5.6 Image Stabiliser USM lens - my walk around lens.
Canon 430EX flash - finally.
Tamrac 5E shoulder bag.
Lowepro Topload Zoom 1 bag.
Lowepro Lens Case 2S.
Lowepro Lens Case 2.
Lowepro small belt.

I still can use my old Canon EF 28-80mm F4-5.6 USM II and Canon EF 70-300mm F3.5-6.3 USM II lenses.

More coming... with pictures as well.

Trail Maintenance 25 November 2007: 4K

We walked along Tony's new and still secret bypass trail along the 4K trail. Short but interesting...

We armoured (with lots of rocks) one of the dangerous 4K descent.

[The hardworking crew]

[The rocky downhill - before]

[The rocky downhill - after (smooth but still rocky)]

[Me.. taking the photo, Asri and Razali]

[Pat, Tony and The Rock]

Trail Maintenance 21 October 2007: Janie's Addiction

We covered about 1.5km of Janie's Addiction trail today.

Quote from Patawi @ Fakawi Tribe Tribal Talk:

"Cast, in order of appearance: Patawi, Rebecca, Derold, Tee, Umar, Yish, Yian Lei, The Entire Stapo Family, Mus, Phil. Thanks so much to all of you for your help.

It wouldn't have been half as much fun without you, and it would have taken me weeks to do the same amount of work (if I ever managed to do it at all).

Total input:
50 hours of labour, 30 litres of water, 1 liter of chainsaw fuel.

Total output: 1 km of Janie's Addiction buffed to a high sheen. Trimmed, raked, deadfall cleared, roots covered, erosion control added, original route restored. You can't get a better wax job on the beach at Ipanema."

Interbike 2007

I wish I'm visiting the USA now. The first destination would be riding the trails in either Maob or Sedona, Arizona.

The second destination would be attending the Interbike show. For 2007, it is between 24 September 2007 till 28 September 2007.

Bukit Kiara Clean Up Day - 16 September 2007

Bukit Kiara Clean Up Day is organised by TRAKS.

More on this later...

Ramadhan 2007

It fasting month (Ramadhan) again for the Muslim. You cannot consume food or drink, or do extreme sinful things from dawn to dusk.

At the end of the month, there will be a big celebration... we call it Hari Raya Aidil Fitri or in some western country it is known as Eid Mubarak.

As far as mountain biking is concern for me, there not much riding I can do during the day time. I could cycle without food, but definitely not water. It's just demanding on the hydration.

However, this is the month that I actually tried to gain some stamina and lose weight. I will do interval trainings at my local gym at night, two or three times a week. Each session will be divided into 5 periods.

Period 1: Warm up - 10 minutes.
Period 2: Cycling at 1 minutes fast pace, with 1 minute rest. Ten times.
Period 3: Brisk walking - 10 minutes.
Period 4: Cycling at 1 minutes of 9 degrees climbing medium pace, with 1 minute rest. Ten times.
Period 5: Walking - 5 minutes and stretching - 5 minutes.

I usually vary the duration and the pace accordingly to avoid boredom.