Port Dickson International Triathlon 2016

Back to back triathlon weekend was something I've never done. And it turned out to be a good Port Dickson International Triathlon 2016 even after my first half distance triathlon the week before.

This is the 3rd year I'm taking part in this Olympic distance triathlon of 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run. PD tri was my first triathlon 3 years ago, so got a bit sentimental value la, haha.. and it was Facebook pictures of friends doing PD triathlon that got me moving from just pure cycling races to triathlon.

Race morning was chill (lol!) and cold. Started at the front row of the swim but on the 3rd wave start. Was a clear water swim but only got crowded when I caught up with the back markers of the earlier wave. Waters were calm unlike what I heard about the waves the day before on the sprint triathlon event where a fellow triathlete drown. Rest in peace.

The cycle was rolling short hills, same route as the years before. Very fast pace and managed to work together with a few friends on this draft legal race. It poured heavily towards the last 3km and was a little scary braking on the 3T Cycling Orbis II carbon wheels but it still managed to stop well enough with minimal drama in the heavy rain. Was impressed. Read more about my review on the wheels here.

The run was cooling and wet with flooded sections on the road... read: steeplechase! And it's Malaysia, it had to flood after a heavy rain one. With the soggy shoes in steady pace under such gloomy and cold weather, I didn't have to zip down to show my cleavage. All good till the end.

Completed with a personal best of 2:43! All 3 swim, bike, run was improved with a total of 15 mins from last year's event (albeit slightly different run routes).

Thanks to all for the great fun and laughter at these events. This is the best part of it all.

*photo edited from the great work of photographers at the event. Pics credits and all rights reserved by the respective owners of the photos.

Fueling strategy this race:
  Breakfast - 1 coffee, 2 granola bars and 1/2 Clif Bar
  Before Swim - 1/2 Clif Bar
  Bike - 1 gel, 1 Clif Bar
  Run - 1 gel

Unique Penang International Triathlon and Duathlon 2016

The special thing about the Penang International Triathlon is that you have an extra 3km run leg and the many hills to cycle and climb for a triathlon with an Olympic distance plus. Plus because of the extra long run UPHILL run!


The event on April 17th, 2016 starts from the beach at Teluk Bahang with a 2 laps swim. It was indeed nice to see the famous Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng, flag off the race.

The first lap was full of punching and kicking and some fool even pulled my legs. I can tolerate the hitting of each other as that is accidental. But pulling?! 2nd lap was much clearer after I got past most of the Men's open guys which started 3 minutes ahead. Came out 20th in my age group out of 163.

Then you go into a transition and run 3km up the steep Teluk Bahang dam to the transition area right on top of the dam. The run and transition saw me lose 7 spots. Oh well, wasn't too disappointed as I sort of expected it.

Off on the bike I went. It was climb madness really got my thighs burning over time. And then the fast downhills and flats into town and a quick u-turn and back to a climb. The scenery was beautiful though and that was the best part of the ride. By the time I got done, I dropped to 39th spot.


Made 2 spots in the transition and off I ran. Tired but I ran. Back to that steep downhill into the Teluk Bahang town, with a loop and back up that same (OMG!) steep hill to the finishing line, crossing it at 4:05:26 with 59th place and 156th overall (total 434 participants).

Not too shabby as I was close to the 4 hour mark I was targeting, wish I was happy. Wonder if I should come back for this again next year to improve on my time and placing? It feels like one of those events whereby you been there, done that. But the rewards of the after race Penang food sure makes you want to come back for more!

*I did not take any of these pictures. All rights to the photos posted here belong to the rightful owner and photographers.

Rolling in the 3T Orbis II Wheels

It has been 5 months since I was on the all new 3T Cycling Orbis II C50 wheels and had plenty of amazing rides with it. As a 3T ambassador, being one of the first few in Malaysia to get to test this wheels, I was totally excited. First go was to test it on the TT bike, the BMC TM02, before moving it to the road bike BMC SL01.

The roll on these wheels are amazing thanks to the 3T technology design behind it. It maintains the aero momentum well enough to thank my hard work by rewarding it with a continuous smooth spin. The expected aero help came in at about 30kph and was well rewarded there. And at 25mm wide, the wheels handles really well when paired with some Continental Ultra Sport 2 tyres.

And when it comes to climbing, I did not feel the lag that everyone talks about with high profile wheels. The C50 was light and stiff enough to make the high gradient climbs needed. Took it over to the steeps climbs of Genting Sempah from Gombak town without much of a problem and in fact, PB my best times too.

Coming downhill was a little hesitant on the stopping. Nonetheless, when the confidence built up, it actually could stop really well. Added to that, I paired it with some thinner (due to the limited space in the integrated rear brakes) SwissStop Black Prince brake pads which essentially made the braking so much better and confident from the already confident braking of the 3T pads.

What's more. They look stealthy and fantastic too!! Certainly a set of wheels to consider. I got them direct from 3T mailorder but you could get them at store near you.

Specifications of the 3T Orbis II C50 Team:

Rim Size: ETRTO 622 x 17C, (28”/700c), 25 mm wide, 50 mm deep
Rim Spec: clincher, full carbon, high temperature braking surface, double angle drilling
Spokes: straight pull, stainless steel, black finish, double butted aero, Pillar 1425, 20F/24R
Nipples: light alloy, inverted, spherical washer
Hubs: light alloy hub bodies, spindles and freewheel body – black anodized
Rear Hub Compatibility:10/11s Shimano/SRAM type cassette*
Quick Release:alloy lever and nut, steel rod
Weight:1591g**





Some pics of the wheels (Taken with my trusty Samsung Note 3).

The subtle stickers on the OrbisII. Doesn't make it too colorful.



All that you need (except tyres of course) came with the wheels - Skewer, rim tape, brake pads, adapter for tube valve, adapter rings for 10sp.



How the wheels look like on the bike. Looks pretty are there on the BMC TimeMachine?

Would love to hear what you think of the wheels at the comments below.

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Update 20160501:  Had a chance to ride the wheels in the wet over a heavy downpour. In a 1km steep downhill stretch of Balik Pulau, Penang, it braked well and sufficiently enough. My confidence on the wheels was certainly there and no hairy moments. Pass!

#3Tcycling #3TorbisII #3Teverywhere #yourbikedeserves3T

New Ride: BMC TM02 TimeMachine 105

Yes, so I have I indulged in a triathlon bicycle @ tri bike after training with a few friends who themselves have triathlon bikes - BMC, Trek, Cervelo etc. It was the right thing to do after taking part in a couple of tri events and being poison by the group of friends. Haha!

The BMC TM02 (known as the TimeMachine) was the weapon of choice. This is the 2015 model, which is pretty much the same as the previous years (and the 2016 model) with only cosmetic paintjob differences and some other minor stuff.

Comes with the Shimano 105 11 speed groupset, which is only slightly heavier than the Ultegra by a little bit and a whole lot cheaper. The BMC TM02 was chosen from my previous experience that I had with a 2013 BMC SL01 Tiagra. The brand and the performance is what drove me to get another BMC.

Specs:
Frame: p2pxSubA full carbon construction, Frame weight: 1360 g, DTi cable routing, compatible with mechanical and electronic groupsets, Integrated rear brake
Fork: Aero fork, SubA full carbon construction – 1-1/8" steerer tube
Front Derailleur: Shimano 105 FD-5800
Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105 RD-5800
Number of Gears: 22
Shifters: Shimano Dura Ace Barend SL-BSR1
Chainset/Crankset: Shimano 105 FC-5800
Chainrings: 53/39T
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB30
Cassette: Shimano 105 CS-5800, 11-28t
Chain: Shimano 105 CN-HG600
Brakeset: Integrated TT design®, Shimano BR-R5800 (F)
Brake Levers: Profile Design
Handlebars: Profile Design T2 Wing w/ T2 extensions
Stem: BMC RST 3
Wheelset: Shimano WH-RS010
Front Tyre: Continental Ultra Sport 2, 700 × 25C, Folding
Rear Tyre: Continental Ultra Sport 2, 700 × 25C, Folding
Saddle: Fizik Ardea Tri manganese
Seatpost: Aero post, carbon, with p2p and subA

The detailed specifications on this bike can be found at the BMC Switzerland, fastest bike on earth.

The BMC Timetrial/Triathlon bikes has pretty good reviews everywhere you look. For example this review by 220 Triathlon and TriRadar which gives it a very good rating. Having almost the functions of the more mature (pro-use) TM01, but in a more practical packaging.

After a couple of rides (approximately 200km in total) on the BMC, the first noticeable difference is the standard crank of 53-39. The climbs really gets to you. But the bike in general is absolutely fast especially on the flats and downhill. Stiff bodywork yet comfortable, handles well and a very good fit with a lot of adjustments on the seat position as well as the Profile Design aerobars.

Only to note, the rear brakes are quite difficult to adjust as you would need to remove the crank to get the brakes adjusted. That is normal for most integrated brakes. Would be a problem especially with wider wheels.

And that leads me to the next posts on a new set of wheels in the stable, by 3T Cycling. Stay tuned for the test and reviews after putting sufficient kilometers in them as well as a race ahead. (Updated: review here)

And yes, I'm ready for the 2016 season!

TM01のDNAを受け継ぐエントリーモデル。