My Contessa

Phew made it down the steep slope

My first medal

Syukur collected all seven stickers from all the checkpoints

Rasali is also into cycling

My life is filled with many passions. I don't do things in half measures. Ever since young I have always enjoyed indulging in some form of exercise. In school we played rounders before classes began and during recess. At home we had a nice garden and we would play badminton. However, living in the 'kawasan maktab' meant we could go on bicycle rides in a relatively safe environment.

My friends and I would ride everywhere. We would go for picnics and visit each other with our bicycles. Riding was our passion. Alas when I moved to Kuala Lumpur, we had no where to ride as the roads were too dangerous with lunatic drivers.

My hobby came back into my life when I did my PhD. I had a very simple bike but I would go everywhere with it. The hill outside Hillside was a challenge very early in the morning. I had to climb it to get to the Chemistry Department. And during weekends I would go riding in the countryside.

When I got home from my PhD the only cycling I did was on a stationary bike in the gymnasium. I would cycle for miles and get no where. After 20 years of gymnasium I decided to call it quits. All because Harith invited me to go for a jog on one Thursday night in Putrajaya by the lake. Later he insisted that I tried his road bike and I was hooked. The memories of the thrill of riding a bike came rushing back. I could feel the cool night air filling my lungs out. I was mesmerised by the beautiful lights of Putrajaya.

It was not long before I got myself a bicycle, my Contessa. I rode in Putrajaya mainly at night away from the harmful rays of the sun. I began to regain my strength and endurance.

Last Saturday I took part in my first ever Jamboree, The UKM Mini Jamboree. I puffed and skidded on the trails that was slippery with mud. My beautiful Contessa was covered in mud. At one stage my eyes was spluttered with mud. I had to stop and wash the mud out with water from my water bottle.

The off road in UKM was challenging to say the least. I had to carry my Contessa on a few steep slopes. However, I was pleasantly surprised when my coach complimented on my ability to control my bike down a rather treacherous slope. That was very sweet because most of the time he would be shouting at me to change my gears correctly! Later I could see from the photographs that many men had to carry their bike down the slope.

Finally after much huffing and puffing I was at the finishing line. The climb towards the finishing line was tough. I wanted to do it in style and kept on pedalling.

Suddenly my student was telling me that I was in the 15th position for Women. I gather she was so excited for me. Yes I managed to complete my first Jamboree. I collected all seven stickers. More surprise was in store as they gave me a medal. Biar betul!

Now I'm hooked on cycling. I look forward to more Jamborees. The thrill of going through a difficult course is so fulfilling.

I feel so alive. Thank you everyone who has helped me rediscover cycling. A special thanks to my coach@husband, Wan Azarudin Wan Mahmud for always cheering me on. At times you were very tough on me but it was worth all the shouting :)

Next Jamboree please!