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

Powerman Asia Championships Malaysia 2016

Been training hard for this event to ensure I finish in decent timing as the challenge really is with yourself. This is the Powerman Asia Championships 2016 held in the beautiful scenic ride of Putrajaya, Malaysia on 5th March 2016. A Duathlon event of running 5km, cycling 60km and then running 5km.

It was a really hot day at Putrajaya that time of the year. Well, it was hot every day of the year. But being a Duathlon event, you'll end up with the last leg of the run close to midday out in the vicinity of Putrajaya.

Manage to complete with an overall time of 4:24:03 with a split of 1:01:16 (run); 3:59 (T1); 1:55:53 (bike); and 1:19:49 (run). Not bad being my first longer distance duathlon. This would set up the stage for the half distance triathlon later this year in Nusajaya (now called Challenge Iskandar Puteri).

Here are some pictures (all pictures doesn't belong to me. Credit to the photographers of the respective pictures).