Bike Botique

I met up with Grace for lunch today. She's my ex-schoolmate from Form 6. Haven't met her for quite a while. She has since moved to Melbourne and is working in the city, so made an appointment to meet near her workplace. We met in front of Myers, Bourke St and we went to this Japanese Cuisine Restaurant. I didn't take photos of the place, but while browsing thru the menu, name which sounds familiar suddenly popped up. Chow Hor Fun, etc. Thought, this was supposed to be a Japanese Restaurant?! Grace told me it was opened by a Malaysian. She says, "pian ang moh only". Haha.

After lunch, walked her back to her office nearby and off I went to walk around the city. Got into a couple of bike shop around town but bikes are not cheap at all. Then I remembered Den told me that there's a track at Melbourne University which was only walking distance from the apartment. So I went to check it out. Indeed, there there was a 6 lane synthetic track. However, it says on the sign, only for members. Mmh, I might just try my luck in getting in there someday.

In the evening, me and Andrew went to Bike Boutique Melbourne. Yes, the same Bike Boutique bike store we have in KL or Singapore. It's their opening night tonight, so we went to check the store out. It's located at:

Shop 2, 16 Liverpool St,
Melbourne, Victoria 3000

Mmh, seems like I am promoting them. eh, can I get a commission for this?

Going there, we walked thru Melbourne's very own Chinatown (pic below). Mostly are restaurants and since it's Fri night, the place is quite crowded.




Bike Boutique images....

Check out the blue sign next to Bike Boutique

Bike fitting area

Lockers and to shower room

This is a beauty TT bike (photo below). The guy at the store who just finished servicing the bike was saying it costs around AUD20k. Not sure whether he is just joking.

Just had to take this photo again - Little Malaysia

My cousins are going for a bike ride tomorrow at 8am, not too sure how long but they say it's a fairly quick ride. Don't know if I can handle their pace in the this cold weather. Couldn't keep up with Den's pace first time out. They catching up with a group to ride together. I might just follow if the weather's not too cold tomorrow.

Malaysian Food and My First Long Run in Melbourne

Had brunch with my aunt at a small Malaysian restaurant. It's called the Coconut House. Serves pretty much the local food you can get in KL, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Nasi Lemak, Pan Mee, Curry Laksa, etc.











Didn't do much after lunch. Went back and rested. The weather today was pretty good and sunny, so decided I head out for my run across Yarra River to Tan Track. I wanted to find out where this place is, it seems near in the map. Anyway, I mapped out the run (link) and looks ok to run there.



Each lap of the tan track is around 3.8km. There's a marker each 250m. It's track are mainly smooth gravel and it goes around the scenic Royal Botanic Gardens.





A brief description I got of the tan track can be found on wikipedia and also this link 1 & 2.

"The Tan
There is a 3.8 km running track parallel to the perimeter fence of the Botanic Gardens. Officially termed The Tan Track as it has a surface of tan-coloured stone aggregate, it is more commonly and affectionately known as The Tan.

The Tan originally served as a horse track for Melbourne's well-heeled, and is now one of Melbourne's most frequented locations for joggers. Locals, visitors and famous alike now share the space as its international reputation has grown. The Tan is often used in training by professional athletes, such as AFL footballers, particularly during pre-season time-trials.

Running greats such as Hicham El Guerrouj, Steve Ovett, Cathy Freeman, and Sonia O'Sullivan have all rubbed shoulders with the general public on The Tan.

The quickest lap of the Tan has been held by such notable Australian runners as Robert de Castella and Steve Moneghetti (10:41, 2003). The current record is 10 minutes and 12 seconds, run by Craig Mottram in 2004. On the 21st of December, 2006, Craig Mottram unofficially broke his personal best time around the tan, running a scorching 10 minutes and 8 seconds while running with the Richmond Football Club during their pre-season training. He gave the footballers a two-and-a-half minute head start and still managed to beat them comprehensively."

Well my fastest lap time today was 17 minutes 12 seconds, a full 7 minutes behind Chris. I ran twice clockwise around the track and was wondering why most people are running clockwise. I figured that they are just in for the challenge of a small climb up Anderson St. So lap 3 & 4, I ran clockwise. My GPS wasn't working well today so didnt get a good reading of the distance I've covered. But judging by the map, I guess I've covered around 21km today. I wasn't actually planning for a 21km, more of 15km maybe but since it was so cold, I could go longer. At the end of the 4th lap, I had cramps on my left calf. Then on the way back, nearing the apartment Im staying, I sped and the right calf cramped, so I just jog slowly back. Now I am worried whether this is due to the cold weather or is it just me being unfit. Have not train much since SCKLM.

Anyways, I am glad that I did 21km, at least I got my training started.

Sarawak Laksa Meal Far Away from Home!

Well, who says you can't get laksa here. If you have an auntie who comes all the way from Malaysia, that's possible. I'm glad my aunt was here, she was here for more than a week already but this is the first night I met her and she's leaving tomorrow. The laksa tasted so good, you just have to have another round of it. There were fried rice and homemade cupcakes too. Most of cousins were there and also Andrew and Den's parents. Will be meeting all the cousins again for dinner tomorrow and my uncle & aunt who are flying over from Kuching tomorrow.

I went for a walk down to Flinders Street and towards Melbourne Park. Melbourne Park is where the Australian Open tennis is held each year.

The famous Rod Laver Arena

The Flinders Station


Some of the bulidings in Federation Square - right opposite Flinders Station

Visitor Centre - Federation Square

Sites from Yarra River Bank

Shot Tower Square - Melbourne Central

Captain Matthew Flinders statue - outside St Paul's Cathedral

Luckily I got back before this started - with strong wind some more....

Cold, Wet, Windy Day in Melbourne

Started the day by going out for a ride with Dennison. I thought it would be good to get my system working again. What time we started? 5.30am! Glad that I brought all my front and tail lights with me for this trip. I had to wear a shirt inside, then a long sleeve jersey I borrowed from Den and another water proof to go with it. I thought I was well suit up but once I stepped outside, I could feel the cold and windy condition. Still, I went on with it. We started riding out of the main streets, had to stop couple of times for traffic lights before hitting the beach road. Even before reaching the beach, my hands were already freezing and my ears hurt. We could easily got up to a speed of 40km/h catching a tailwind but hitting on a headwind a struggle. Coming back, I was struggling to keep up with Den. Couldn't see the sunrise, only overcast sky. The whole trip was about 46.9km, took us around 1:41.






We stopped by a cafe for some coffee which was recommended by Den. When I walked in, was kind of amazed at the place. It looks like a run down place, an old warehouse, but they did an ID work which turns out nicely. More amazingly, you have bicycle racks inside to park your bikes. This place is called Seven Seeds. It's just a walkaway from their apartment.








I had French toast with apricot and some other stuff (I forgot to take pic lah!!) and latte (pic below).



It didn't rain throughout our ride, which was forcasted in the news but it started drizzling when we came out from the cafe. Makes it even colder. When Den and Andrew went for work, I took a hot shower and took a nap, cos the cold weather really got to me. Had some leftover pasta from last night and bread for lunch. Thought of going out but with the cold wind, I thought I best stay indoor. After a while, I got a little bored so went out for a walk but the weather don't look good. Soon enough, the rain started, so I walked back to the apartment. Luckily I wasn't far from it.

These are some photos of Dennison and Andrew's bikes. Each have one road bike, Den owns the Pinarello FP2 and Andrew's Trek . Both have track bikes, 3 of it to be exact.









The sky got dark by 6pm (pic below).



Andrew got home first and started cooking. Amazing how he is handling his daily activities. Work full time, study part time, trains on bike and gyms, then cook. He cooked porridge for all of us tonight with chicken/ginger/soya sauce and also mixed veges (broccoli and carrots). He is a real good cook. Den was cooking carbonara spaghetti for tomorrow. These two eat a lot and pretty health-conscious.

Touchdown Melbourne!

I was pretty excited in my trip to Melbourne. I wasn't too sure what I need to pack for a 3 months holiday and wasn't sure if I had enough warm clothing with me. I almost forgotten about my warm jacket in the doby shop the night before my flight. Only remembered when I was packing some stuff in the bag around 9pm. I quickly called the doby shop hoping it is still open. Lady luck smiled on me, a lady answered the call and told me the shop is still open.

In the morning of my departure date, I went for breakfast with Mien Yee and Han. I was a little worried about the weight of my baggage including my bike. Luckily both are within the baggage limit, only just. My bag weighs in at 19.1kg while my bike weighs in at 13.9kg. I had to pay only RM60 for sporting equipment fee (up to 15kg), while I bought a 20kg baggage allowance online earlier.

Checked in early, as I've got nothing much to do in the airport. Flight was delayed for about 20 mins while we were inside the plane due to somebody checking in their lugguage, not too sure of details though. I've been hearing lots of bad experience in Air Asia X seatings or food. However, turns out to be ok. Except for the recliner seats that don't work at all. That means you have to sit upright the whole trip. There was a lady sitting next to me, wearing a mask. There quite a few passangers wearing masks. But she moved when her friend told her that there are seats upfront. The plane wasn't at full capacity. It's a 3 + 3 + 3 seat arrangement. I had the whole 3 seats for myself when she moved.

Air Asia X seats with a LCD screen in each seat (pic below). Of course, you have to pay RM30 to use it. So the only thing free on the LCD are travel information, journey guide and maybe previews of some movies shown.

I tried to skeep but it's hard when you had to sit up straight. Even leaving on the wall of the plane and stretched my legs out slightly covering the 3 seats, but not working. Only managed to rest for a while. Food was served and since I've paid it online, I got my nasi lemak. Was it good? Well when you are hungry, anything taste good.

Photo of passengers' cabin (photo below)


Heavy rain just before take off (Took off 2pm - Malaysian time)

Flying pass one of the mountain in Indonesia (Not sure which one. I think we flew pass Java. any idea anyone?)

Entering Land Down Under (pic below)

I ticked "Goods costing more than AUD900 in the declaration form which were handed to passengers in the plane. The lady at the custom asked whether it was a new bike, told her it is 2 year old. She said that's fine, so she let me thru. I was the last in line waiting for my bicycle box. I waited for quite a while before a lady was asking me whether I was waiting for a bicycle box. I said Yes and she pointed to my box which was just a few metres walk away. Then I saw the sign "Oversize baggage, collect here". Aiyo...pai seh man. Anyway, went through the custom and I was shown the way to the red line I think. Australian customs are super strict. Anyways, I had to open up my box to show my bike to customs. Even had to open up my bag to take out my cycling shoe to show it to her.

A quiet Melbourne Airport



Hilton Hotel in front of the airport



Quiet Mebourne road at midnight

The apartment (pic below) I am staying in. My cousins - Dennison and Andrew's place.

I didn't do much today. Both my cousin went for a ride. I haven't got my bike set up yet so didnt join them. I walked around nearby for a while, to Queen Victoria Market which was just 5 mins away. Weather was so damm cold with the strong wind. I had to hold on to my cap at some point.

Queen Victoria Market

Lots of meats on sale here in the market!

Melbourne's own version of Petaling St.

Music performance at Queen Victoria Market

I had my bike set up after coming back from my short walk. I thought I rather stay inside then being out there in the cold windy day. Took me a while to set it up as this is the first time my bike got dismantled. It wasn't that complicated but I think I am going to have a tough time to dismantled it when I pack it back in the box. I am having a thought of leaving it here and sell it. Mmh, should I? AUD800 - AUD1000 seems a good price.

Then went for a walk with Andrew to get myself a prepaid hp number. He was doing his grocery shopping as well. He showed me around some places nearby and even visited a bicycle shop nearby. Things inside are not cheap if converted to RM. Much more cheaper to get it in KL.

State Library of Victoria (pic below)

Check out this electornic gear shifters (pic below) which has a whopping AUD4,700 price tag! It's the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2.

Brooks Racer ST 3

I've been going around town searching for a lightweight trainer/racer which is within my budget. I wanted to get another shoe as I don't think my current racer will last both training and racing. Got to take care of my legs lah. Looking for anything that is RM200 & below. I've been to New Balance, Studio R and some other shops, but mostly are at least RM240 above. I found 2 New Balance shoes which are value buy but they do not have any more of my size on the models. It would have been a good buy.

I was about to give up hope till I went to Brooks @ The Curve and found what I wanted. It's a Brooks Racer ST 3. Costs me RM199! There was a new model, Brooks Racer ST 4, but they do not have my size. There were some other 'featherweight' racers but I thought it was too light or less cushioning for a marathon race.

Well hope this shoe will help me get across the finishing line in one piece!