Bad weather in Desaru, so stuck in Spore and pining for some hill training? Fret not, there's a route I just tried today that will rev up your HR, leave you gasping for breath and reward you with sexy, well-toned thighs (yah, i wish! haha).
Having heard about the "Kampongkaki Circuit" several times from Linden, I decided to give it a go today, as a form of BSKL training for the coming Camerons Trip :p
We met at West Coast Macs, 8.30am and did our warm up along the windy stretch of South Buona Vista. That already had me panting and cast a foreboding shadow over what was to come...
Our next destination was Pepy's Hill, leading to Bukit Chandu. Wah, siong man (this was to be my most uttered word for the entire ride :p). I tried to take it easy, switched to lightest gear and spin up. Dex, doing a long slow ride in prep for IMNZ 08, overtook me with ease while Linden, resplendent in his Team CSC outfit and riding his gleaming soloist carbon pulled further and further away... this scenario repeated itself ad nauseam for all the climbs and err... flats thereafter!
Next was abit of a respite as we did one loop around Old Gillman Heights Camp along Ayer Rajah Road. This one was thankfully less steep.
Labrador Park was next and fwah, the panting resumes in full force. Descending needs some care with hands on brakes cos of pedestrains sharing the same narrow road.
I was hungry by then (started riding from home at 6.30am) and we stopped at the SPC petrol kiosk for a drink refuel and pee break for me, while the 2 guys talked shop and compared bike components (Dex's bling gold chain hmmm...)
With a tummy sloshing with soya bean drink, I followed the guys up Telok Blangah Hill Park, where we spotted Safra running club's fastest female runner doing secret training. Walau, I was grinding up so slowly that my cycling speed and her running pace was the same :p Dex again took home the polka dotted jersey :D
The next two were the biggies. First was up Mt Faber by Morse Road (less steep side), which was manageable cos I took it real real slow to prevent HR from shooting through the roof. Descending is always tricky cos of the windy path and tourist buses hogging the narrow route.
We saved the best for the last. This was the grand finale, the prized dish on the hill training menu. Up Mt Faber by Kampong Bahru Road. Advice is pace yourself, do not cheong... you will know why once you hit the first steep slope up. I'd done this once before early this year and believe me, the second time round does not make it any easier. In between my hard gasps for breath, I was thinking, ok, is this what it feels like to have a heart attack? It was a huge sigh of relief to reach the summit at last but the descent was horrid, as I trailed behind a taxi who was in-turn blocked by a tourist bus moving at slug's pace.
At the foot of Mt Faber, by unanimous agreement, we abdandoned our inital plan to do 2 loops of the circuit and headed straight back to West Coast Macs as our tummies were pleading for nourishment :)
I ordered a grilled chicken wrap (without the mayo) + medium milo ping. This is one of the few instances where I actually eat real food after a ride haha! Hmm... hill training does seem to whip up an appetite :) Either that or I've crossed over to the Dark side, under the influence of my training-and-buffet-loving buddies hehe...
Highlight of the brunch stop was seeing this HUGE St Bernard going for walkies with his owner in West Coast Park, attracting curious looks and adoring pets from complete strangers. The doggy's head alone was bigger than mine and I reckon he probably weighs about the same, if not more than me!
After the makan, I did a leisurely ride back to ECP. Total mileage for me: 95km
Excellent workout and route, I'm game for 2 loops next time!
Ratings for the hills:
Pepy's Hill - !!
Old Gillman Heights Camp - !
Labrador Park - !!!
Telok Blangah Hill Park - !!!
Mt Faber by Morse Rd - !!!
Mt Faber by Kampong Bahru Rd - !!!!
P/S to avoid the heavy traffic along Keppel, it is recommanded to start this ride no later than about 6am. Takes about 1.50 (slow pace) to complete 1 loop (30km)
, Photo Viewing 
, "health screening" 
, Partyyyy 
at:
+ coke 
