You know if you're hooked in racing when....:
you'd rather go for sale items for your clothing.
you no longer scout for sneakers but you scout for boots.
you don't care how your bike look but you care how it performs.
you put leathers at least once a week.
you eat skip dinner to save up for a spare part.
when you cut down on one dish daily so that you can train once a week.
you forgo that rad sneakers to pay for annual racing license.
you read about viscosity of motor oil and compounds of tyres.
you dream you're popping wheelies after a race.
you don't care bout how dirty your hands get.
you search youtube videos for tips and techniques in racing.
you can't be bothered about anything else pissing you off.
the mechanic becomes your friend.
half of your friends are your race buddies.
one album in your friendster profile is dedicated to racing.
you wake up 630am just to go to the track(which is about 30km away) before your afternoon shift.
your aws is totally spent on spare parts, licenses, oil, etc bike-related.
to be continued....
U know if....
More race photos
chasing the pack
one down, one more to go
3 fast riders, 3 slow riders..LoLTuesday updates
#311 battling on wet tarmac. Heat2 chasing rider number 12.
It's been quite awhile since I updated. Has been busy with stuffs, the race and all.
Last week was filled with Ain....LoL.... we managed to clear up on things and gosh it feels great to get some things off the chest. :) We came to an understanding and so yeah, that's about it.
My First Race Experience:
So came the day, the waiting for 14th December was dreadful especially when it's your first race! Anxiety filled me, I slept rather late the day before and was awoken by the cool breeze. I got more anxious when rain started to pour in the morning and the weather forecast didn't look promising with rain over the next 12hours. However there's always a first time to everything but to race in the rain and wet tarmac certainly needs a transplant of steel testicles.
I packed my suit and all and head to Tuas in a raincoat. When I was there, there were supermotos everywhere, ktms, huskys, xrs and of course the drzs. The sight of seasoned racers and race teams certainly made me a nervous wreck. I was greeted with some familiar faces, my cuzzen was there too getting ready for the race as well.
Cut the story short, the announcement came for qualifying round. My heart was pumping pretty fast and rain was pouring but I knew I must go, I couldn't turn back for the love of the sport I have to overcome this fear of riding in rain. First few laps was getting used to the slippery tarmac around the corners but after that I was zooming in the rain, sliding occassionally and having near falls only to blast and kick out to safety. I got 10th place, I was pretty surprised that I got 10th out of the 18 participants of the super-novice category.
The horn sounded and they announced that it's time for heat one. I was on grid 10 and then they shifted me to 11th cos apparently one of the participants did not have his transponder(a sensor thingy). Ok fine, no complaints so they put him before me, so what, 1 grid doesn't matter much. I never race before and I lost out at the starting point as many just blasted at the start without worrying of their front wheels popping up....MY VISOR FOGGED! I LEARNT A VALUABLE LESSON AND I WILL CERTAINLY GET AN ANTI-FOG VISOR APPLICATION. So I was racing in 50% vision. I got 13th place out of 17th(cos one of them low-slided and fractured his wrist) So that makes me as good as last 5 riders....LoL. AT LEAST IM NOT LAST! PHEWWW...Wasn't that satisfied with that heat cos partly of the visor thingy, I knew I could've done better.
The second heat came and I was at grid number 13. This time round, I started off very good with the boys in front but they loose me at the corner where proven that they have bigger balls than me to have blasted thru that sharp bend. Vision was better as the rain subsided and temperature wasn't as cold and my visor didn't fog much. and before I knew it, I lapped a rider oredi....and then I got trouble overtaking the next one as he efficiently blocked my lines(path). Then came the gear mis-shifts which costed me a few seconds and one position. My cousin fell, if not he would've maintained his 3rd position. I continued chasing the guy infront and finally managed to overtake him. I finished 11th. Not bad but not good either....cos I knew I could've pushed further...
Next time, next time....LoL
It was hell of an experience and I certainly satisfied my childhood dreams of racing. That pat on the back as we were leaving the pits for the tarmac certainly felt good and finishing the race felt even better, especially under the horrid condition for a race.
All I know is I will continue racing...if Angelo(he taught me a little bout racing supermotos) at the age of 51 can still race and get 2nd place. Why should I stop and be unactive and probably be a couch potato?
Supermoto aside, other interests seemed to be pouring in as well, ever since I moved. I have a running buddy, Ain and gosh I ran more nowadays and exercise, I'm hoping to be fitter and join Ain and her friends in future 'friendly' marathons that they usually participate. I was tempted to sign up for one in March actually except I feel that I've not run nuff, although its only 10km which we do rather regularly in army. But I guess you'd see me soon, just running in events for the feel and fun of it. Winnings not everything and to win, you need to finish first! So actually finishing is first. LoL
Another thing has got me hooked is floorball, thanks Fathih, Hairul, Ross and Taibah. I got hooked! We'll have more floorball kay? It sure is much hella fun than soccer, sorry soccer fans but this is what a no-sports kinda guy feels....LoL...
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Life in general:
Tonight's the 2nd night, 1st night duty went well, tommorow's my sleeping day, looking forward to fixing my bike and all...i'm gonna learn more bout my bike so I can DIY more and save on moolah's paying mechanics.
Ok gotta go guys....:) Love ya all for bringing me where I am. Btw, not being selfish, I just hope my cousin's granparents changes her mind bout moving in to his vacant flat, cos I like being alone. LoL
3days
about 3days more to race day and ive yet to develop my style, leg out or knee down. thats the flexibility of supermoto...
for me, i dont have the yarbles to knee down certainly and i don't see a need to leg out unless im going to kick myself back up....i tried hanging to knee down but it never did touch the ground.
i guess, i will make a comeback next year but not in the stock-challenge but probably the novice category cos i would've probably souped up my suzee with goodies like a bigger carb, jets and 3x3 mods.
look out for race number 311 in next years series....:) the podium is a second issue, finishing the race is first.
inspirational video and nope i cant ride that mad....LoL
Mood
Not in the best of mood....feeling a little down, nervous, confused all in one. All due to the happenings around.
Nervous particularly bout Sunday's race, it's my first race, wonder how I will fare....
Mons(ter)oon
The weather has not been kind but I'm a changed person, I don't fret over stuffs no more or at least I minimize it. I view things not in favor as a blessing in disguise. For example the rainy monsoon period meant I lost hours of practice and training but it could also mean I have time to put in for other stuffs like my research.
Yesterday the weather was not kind to us too. We were suppose to catch 'Muallaf' at 1715hrs at Cathay-The Picturehouse but then it rained on and off(literally) that got us wasting and ended up a little late for the show but I doubt we missed much. The rain was indeed a blessing cos the theater has biased parking space where motorcycles are not allowed to use their parking lots. Do they have the idea that motorcyclist can't afford a decent box office or is it the concrete carparks are too posh for 2-wheelers? Whatever it is, they are really biased, motorcycles occupies less space and thus there'll be more capacity for more bikes if say they remove a couple of car lots. Charge us, we don't mind paying for convenience morons.
'Muallaf' was good, made me wanna be closer to my religion to rediscover behind the arabic scriptures that we read or cite daily. I hope my interest in reading will develop more and thus causing me to pick up a couple of books on the religion I believe in.
Yest was when I discovered I am alot more patient, alot more calm, less temperamental with little or no signs of sudden outburst of anger. It could probably because I am having a much peaceful life and not having a moronic figure that's waiting for opportunities to provoke me. You know who I am referring to.
I spoke to my colleague, Zulkifli who I regard as an elder brother at work. The conversation took off some weight off my chest.
I'm hooked on ice-cream, it's became like my staple food, there's always a tub of B&Js in my freezer. Even yest after the movie we had ice-cream at mingles. Ouh they have ice-cream buffet everyday till 6pm at $14 per person...cool right?
Ok guys, cya ard...
supermoto hooligan
I'm spending quite alot of dough this month and I have yet to start my practicals with Uncle Peh.
14days.....scary....anxious, excited.
My minds rumbling for ideas for decals.....
Week Roundup
The week started with track practice with E.T and Rhea....Got a couple of tips from them, it's good to have ppl watching you practice, they can see your mistakes, I pushed hard, I crashed but not bad....I think I shaved off a couple of seconds off my timing. Tried 15laps, to test my stamina for the race day which probably would have 3rounds of 15 laps if do get to the final round, else its only 2 rounds of 15laps.
Then midweek there's meetings and all of the work stuff...being in 3project groups ain't easy and it's pressurizing to have your superiors having set expectations that you should perform. However it's healthy for my future.
Friday was the most tiring of all, we played floorball. Fathi hosted a floorball night for the usual, Hairul, Ross, Mot, Taibah, Ain and myself. Was fun, I got the hang of it quick and was really enjoying it, sweated alot and till today, my butt's still sore...LoL
Saturday was supposed to be guitar heroes day but the thought of traveling from one end of Singapore to the other just to play computer games kinda pulled me back, somemore after a days work and having the sores from Friday's floorball riding a thumper all the way to NTI was so undesirable....LoL
I forgo guitar heroes and asked Ain for a movie marathon, rented 3 videos and watched it all in 5hours over pastries, chips and ice-cream. We'd definitely have more video nights. :)
14days to race day....I wonder how I'd fare, If I get the top 5 or 10 position, I bet ya I'll be back.....if I'm one of the last few, track days will definitely be just leisure for me...:) I still haven't work on my graphics and all, it's a great opportunity to show off my DIY decals and hopefully get ppl requesting me to do for them and thus, extra income for me. I hope Hairul's free to help me print next week.
And on this beautiful lazy Sunday, the psychiatric nurse have to go to work to tend to his patients, how depressing is that? However I'm aiming for that 9-5 in a couple of years, maybe 5? I'm aiming to be a C.I. at least. It'll be good for social and family life.
Lazy Bug
Lay low, arrogance and ego not needed here.
The lazy bug sets in, lazy to move a muscle....anyways, my eyes, I need to do something bout it....it gets tired easily....
I'm anxious bout 14th December, I wonder if I am able to at least get a placement somewhere in the middle, at least that would justify for me to participate in the next race and probably in the novice category if I have added goodies to my Suzie.
If I get enough bonus, I'm going to buy myself some more track stuffs and probably do new decals as a treat for myself.
I'm now contemplating, to buy a pair of good running shoes or just go to e-mart and get those army issued one. The last pair died on me during the last run last week.
Hi-Octane
Octane's in my blood....I still haven't perfected my lines, my yarbles still have not been upgraded to stainless steel....my stamina in that scorching sun...sigh...but at least I gain a little more confidence being with the fast boys....and at least im not the last....LoL just need that balls of steel and stamina...
Gonna condition myself to the scorching sun, gonna run in the late afternoon rather than the cool morning.....
Gotta go to work....Ain's right, it's becoming an obsession, I am a Supermoto Junkie.
56secs
My cousin timed my lap, my average was 56secs.....not good enough....Aliyun's timing was 46sec, my cousin Alif also around there.....I'm like 10sec slow....
I need balls upgrade....to steel yarbles.
I'm waiting for Rhea to upload the photos...
I'm set on participating.....I know probably it'll cost my bonus but what the heck, for the experience, and I'm not going for a holiday or anything, this is just a way of rewarding myself...
Right now, I'm determined to loose more weight for the race and to loose that 10secs, so that at least I can achieve the average timing....
breathe sumo
My concern now, bike in condition to race and not to finish last on December 14th. If I finish not last at least, I'll participate in next year's series.
My 2nd concern is getting confirmed and getting recognized for my involvement in 2 research projects.
My 3rd concern, will I be still staying alone or will my cousin's grandparents shift in? Which I do not want the latter to happen.
My 4th concern, will I finally decide to settle down? LoL
Come support #166 on 14th December at Tuas Circuit.
Jens Lekman Live 1st December
I am pretty sure this live performance will not be canceled unlike 'Wings'. Anyways, the refund will go to this ticket.
im loving the sea breeze
We decided to run today, I woke up a little late but we still ran. It was nice running by the beach, the sea breeze and all. Surprisingly I was still able to run, probably cos I had company and the beach and the breeze and the environment and the many runners around. I can foresee more mornings of runs. Targeting to go further next week and probably up to the optimal heart rate or a minimal of 45minutes, whichever is earlier. :)
I need to loose a couple of kgs for the race if I want to participate, if not I'm already loosing some time due to my weight, cos more weight=more power needed, less pick up, slower time.
I'm gonna get my track buddies to time me my next track day. I wouldn't wanna participate if I'm going to finish last. I'll be wasting my 100bucks only.
#166
#166. Yeah thats wats going to be my race number. Ain suggested 33 but that was taken. i'll HOPEFULLY be competing in the stock bikes race in December whereby all the bikes do not have any modifications made to the engines. I think it's great opportunity to discover my potential and to gain confidence in future competitions.
But it will only be possible if #1 I get leave or off that day. #2 If my lap time is at least satisfactory, I don't wanna be finishing last, 2nd last is ok but not last.....LoL
Today Uncle Raptor(Angelo) became my track guru...he thought me lines. Lines are path that you line before you in order for a smooth run thru the circuit and today I was alot smoother...and I managed to lap 2 newbies....isn't that great!!! Woots...I am improving though a little minor mishap as I became complacent, and panicked. I can be there'd be more track days for me. Woots!
Do come and give me support should everything fall in place deeming it possible for me to compete on 14th December in the 'Stockie SM race' at Tuas Circuit.
the fragmented series
i cant have everything.....i cant do everything, im only one with 4 limbs, a pair brain, pair of eyes, 2 ears....etc...
i think at the rate i am going, ill be a pretty active retiree when the time comes....unless nature forbids me so.
yeay....i gained weight a couple of weeks post raya, now im losing it again bit by bit
52bucks made my bike smoother, 2 bottle of elf 4t plus oil filter.
im not meeting ain today, she have to work late. 2moro it is, dvd night. i think im beginning to feel something, i think.
i need to give myself a kick on the butt, work is not very fun but i have been lucky that god has decide to lay a comfortable path ahead of me. im only 3 months young in imh and i've already been nominated into 2 research groups, i hope the hard work will be fruitful and i still hope that advance dip will come true in 2009. dr prema make it happen yeah!
friday track day....vroom...build up confidence, develop race lines. yes I WANT TO BE IN next year and i hope i qualify. i dun care so much bout car now, since i met someone who doesn't see a need either, i will when i have a family...:) but i will get that class 3. i know i will.
i love my life now, i dare not look at the past although i cant help it at times...but looking forward is the in thing now! hahaha.....cos there's no reverse gear in life....just like supermotos...
