kawanbike

Camping with kids

2011-12-28T20:23:00.042+08:00

Nothing brings family & friends closer together than a fun vacation, especially one in the outdoors enjoying nature away from home. Unlike camping back in those (before children) years, camping with kids is a totally new experience. All it takes is a little extra planning, preparation & patience. Camping with children as young as 3 years old can be fun & produce lots of memories that we'll cherish for a lifetime.

We are all kids at heart when it's time to go camping...

Iwen (ages 3) & Wien (ages 5) on their first camping trip. Camping introduces kids to nature & gives them a feeling of freedom as they safely explore the campsite.

The kids get hungry faster because we're always busy with something, swimming... wild foods collecting... shrimp trapping... bushcrafting... & there is no doubt about it, food just tastes better outdoors.

No iPhone or other electronic toys... Just family & friends hanging out around the campfire until the next meal ready to savour. Good food, great company, good time!

Kayuh Lasak 2011 "KAW RIDE"

2011-12-05T16:04:00.009+08:00

"Kaw - Tim"...

with 1,487 participants, only a little over 300 riders got through all nine checkpoints. Some people said this is probably the toughest MTB challenge in Malaysia.

Pre Kayuh Lasak 2011

2011-12-03T16:53:00.003+08:00

I'm ready... See you dare!

Survival Kit?

2011-11-10T21:48:00.038+08:00

...or a "Recreation Kit" as i would preferred to call it.

In theory, this kit is a must for those who spend any time away from civilization which contains tools & supplies for some basic survival needs such as fire, water & shelter in a survival situation (with knowledge & skills of course)

But how often do we travel to remote places that far away from any mobile phone signal? A survival kit may sound too serious & it seems irrelevant, but somehow i find it quite amusing for another reason...

Starting a fire without matches or lighter (In this case, with Doan magnesium block from the kit) on a wet day is quite tricky. The only dry materials i found was a 3 feet long 2"x3" with nails on it & some fibers from a coconut tree as tinder...

Bon appetit! Nothing beats hot dogs on improvised bamboo skewers over an open fire. With a kit, skills like these can be practiced/used to better appreciate nature & for recreation, not just survival.

S240 Bikepacking... Old Crag Hotel (Penang’s Hidden Heritage)

2011-11-02T09:55:00.019+08:00

Initially, it was supposed to be a simple Sub 24-hour overnight bike trip (S240) to experiment a rackless setup by using dry bag as a seat bag. But we ended up doing something really crazy that i could not possibly imagine especially with two newbies (Chen & Polo) joining the madness, riding one of the toughest trail in Penang on a bikepacking setup.

The plan is simple,
Day 1 : Hye Keat trail - Penang Hill - Old Crag Hotel (Camp)
Day 2 : Tiger Hill - back to where we started

Crag Hotel? Where?
A hidden deserted old hotel...on top of Penang Hill...off the beaten track...coupled with a fascinating history. That’s all i know, i needed to know & i do know, less information = more adventure.

With good company & a place we’ve never been to explore. We rode, we trekked & we joked all the way till the next morning comes & back to where we started 24 hours ago.

Stay tuned, more photos coming soon...

DIY Shrimp Trap

2011-10-27T11:02:00.026+08:00

It's been a long time since i "play waterfall". As usual, my waterfall outing is more than just a dip in the cool running water & a picnic. It's an opportunity to practice some wilderness skills or Bushcraft.

Penang (Malaysia) is truly blessed with so many natural attractions. Waterfall remains among my all-time favorites. Sadly, the number of waterfalls in the island is falling fast due to the quest to become a "Developed country". It's almost impossible to find a good waterfall spot without the presence of trash. Plastic water bottle is one of them.

As the saying goes, one man's trash is another man's treasure! So i decided to DIY shrimp trap & give it a try.

A shrimp trap can be easily built with a plastic bottle. All i need is a knife, some wire/string & some bread for bait and i'm good to go. The traps were set for less than an hour & here are the results.

A plastic bottle can also be used to keep the catch. At the end of the day, i decided to keep those bottles & release the catch back into the water.

Campaign For A Lane 2011

2011-09-14T14:08:00.009+08:00

Anyone who rode on that day will tell you... the rain is the best part of the ride that brings back the memories of younger days playing in the rain. Oh ya! Not forgetting the cool looking medal makes the perfect souvenir of this memorable day too.

More Photos Here:
Baikbike.com

Bye Bye Training Wheels

2011-07-27T14:57:00.012+08:00

Do you remember when is your first time riding a bike without training wheels? Wien did it at four & a half of age.

It's all started with a push on a tricycle 3 years ago... Now my little kawanbike has achieved a major milestone in its development by riding a bicycle without training wheels. Way to go buddy!

Classic Brooks saddle

2011-07-14T12:46:00.023+08:00

Just like a pair of Levis 501 Shrink-to-Fit button fly jeans i have worn in those (smaller beer belly) days. It is great fun "breaking" them in and seeing how they "mold" to my body & getting more comfortable over time.

Wien, Iwen & Brooks as at 13 July 2011, before i get the

saddle molded with my butt or vise versa

Trail Gator Wee Ride

2011-06-22T16:50:00.021+08:00

"Daddy look!...baa..nanah...on tree"

That was the first thing that captured my little boy's (Iwen) attention as we roll our way into the beautiful wide open landscape. Countless questions about everything whizzed by thereafter... the birds, the cows, the sheeps, the makcik-makcik (Aunties) who fish along the water channel & many many others. The word 'Why?' will be there in almost all the sentences. Fell asleep on a ride has become a thing of the past. Boy oh boy, they grow up so quickly, don't they?

A photograph cannot stop time, but it can freeze it, capturing a beautiful moment in a child’s development which would otherwise be lost forever.

Priceless... A sweet 18km evening ride on our faithful mountain bike in full 'Child mode' captured in a beautiful moment.

DIY Pick-up truck bike rack... in action

2011-05-23T11:17:00.019+08:00

1.2..3...Here we go!

Practicality proven! All-PVC construction is surprisingly strong, yet it is lightweight for easy put on/off the truck bed. (Photos taken last Sunday after Gunung Jerai ride)

Trail-Gator Child Bike Tow Bar

2011-05-17T20:57:00.018+08:00

The smart way to cycle with children?
After taking a couple of rides...I totally agree!

The Trail-Gator Bicycle Tow Bar converts an ordinary child's bike into a safe, towable trailer bike, whenever desired. To ride attached, simply unclip the tow bar from the stored position on the adult bike, extend it, and connect it to the receiver, which is mounted on the child's bike. When the child's bike is connected, the front wheel is lifted off the ground and a stabilizing bar prevents the handlebars from turning, leaving the adult in control of steering. Children can choose to coast or pedal while they are being towed, making the ride much easier for them.

For independent riding, the Trail-Gator Bicycle Tow Bar telescopes together and folds down safely and compactly to the side of the adult bike and is securely held in place by a storage bracket. The tow bar stores discretely out of the way on the adult bike and is always there if needed. This option gives children a chance to ride on their own, and further their bicycling skills.

Attachment and detachment can be done at any time and only takes seconds. No tools are necessary and no parts need to be removed from either bike. The tow bar weights just 5 pounds and the high-strength steel construction make it virtually indestructible. The Trail-Gator Bicycle Tow Bar gives adults and children the option of riding together or separately for a fun, safe, and enjoyable bike ride. Whichever option you choose, the Trail-Gator makes it possible for you to enjoy the benefits of bicycling with your child.

DIY-Pickup truck bike rack

2011-04-30T11:42:00.024+08:00

DIY-ing stuff has always been my favorite past time. What could be more fun than making something useful and save ca$h at the same time.

As far as mountain biking is concerned, we all agree that the best way to enjoy riding is with a group. But most of the time, we have to drive (boringly) quite a distance in separate vehicles, wasting hard earned ca$h on toll and fuel just to get to the trail head. In this case, a bike rack that holds at least 3 bikes for CS's pickup truck is the best solution... because we know, getting there together is more fun!

Another DIY masterpiece which
cost only RM62 (parts & cutter).
All you need is kawan-kawanbike,
4 hours of laughter & of course a
brilliant idea by Sombeech
to made it happen.

* Will post more pictures of the rack
in action soon! Stay tuned...

Pure & Simple

2011-04-07T16:21:00.023+08:00

This is one of the coolest thing I've ever seen in our local cycling scene.

A humble biker with warm smile, cool attitude, creative mind & deep passion for cycling.
Indeed, this man has the soul of what a bike purist should have.

Joy

2011-04-01T11:50:00.018+08:00

Every time i see a kid on a bicycle,
i feel the kid in me once again.

Iwen doing what he does best. Weaving around, chasing alley cats &
having great joy of cycling.

Pegaga - Crop of the day

2011-03-13T14:10:00.010+08:00

Pegaga (Centella asiatica)
As juice, ulam (salad) or natural health supplements, this "Miracle Hero of the Rainforest" has become one of my favorite herbal plant. They look good & taste even better if you plant it yourself. Believe it!

Our little Herbs Garden

2011-03-07T13:55:00.029+08:00

Finally a very much needed rain has come after few weeks of dry spell (33°C during the day).
Beside riding, one of my favorite things to do after the rain is taking a little walk around our little garden... and there is one nice green little corner is what make the garden so special. Why?

Because they spiced up my day...

refreshing my tired body...

making the food taste better...

& healthier too...

That's why.

春节 Spring Cleaning

2011-01-28T10:55:00.015+08:00

It's a traditional affair before the big day (Chinese New Year) arrive & it's time to put the bikes into hibernate mode...

After few busy cycle-less days, we turned the house into a home. It's hard work, but well worth it.

Took a few shots of my favorite corners before the kids trash it again.

Happy Chinese New Year to all!

Kayuh Lasak 2010 - Basah...Rosak...Tolak...Gelak

2010-12-13T13:31:00.010+08:00

Pre Kayuh Lasak 2010

2010-12-11T15:57:00.005+08:00

To all fellow riders, looks like it's gonna be a wet day tomorrow. Ride knobby if possible and...
~ Ride Hard, Ride Smart ~

A bad ride?

2010-11-27T13:08:00.027+08:00

Even though this is not the first time I embarked on an aerial flight on a job assignment, taking a flight on a helicopter is totally different from a small (Cessna) aircraft. Those sweeps & swings of the helicopter nearly caused me to throw up my breakfast on the cockpit.

Nevertheless, a bad ride in the sky is better than a good day at the office.

My little gentleman

2010-11-17T21:59:00.009+08:00

A proud parent moment worth posting. Bravo!

Life's A Cycle

2010-10-17T14:41:00.026+08:00

Since kids outgrow their bikes, giving/receiving hand-me-downs can be a good way to $ave the earth. This little green 16" has been lying around collecting dust before i got it from my nephew. With 2 sand papers, 2 cans of spray paint & some help from 2 little busy bodies, we recycled the life cycle of a bicycle.

You'll be amazed at how excited the kids are when working on a project like this & felling proud of what they've done. Click here to check out our 14" hand-me-down bike project last year.

Evening with the kids

2010-10-06T11:20:00.017+08:00

Monday 4 Oct 2010
Endless gravel country road to nowhere is where we're heading.
Simple, spontaneous & freedom at its best.

The Land Down Under - The Ride

2010-09-18T14:22:00.009+08:00

Just a quick note to say a big thanks for the mountain bike that Richard lent me during our stay in Rosewood. Well, getting on a bike in an unfamiliar land makes me feel like a child again. There are so much to explore in this part of the world. Besides the usual farm horses & alpacas, sightings of wild animals like kangaroos...hares...ducks are surprisingly fascinating. The vast scenic hilly landscape with cool winter breeze makes the ride even sweeter.

Oops! I swear i didn't drink & ride.

Just in case i wandered off into wonderland,
this toy will definitely come in handy.

The Land Down Under - The Sea

2010-09-08T11:55:00.023+08:00

See it for yourself... up close and personal! See the magnificent Humpback Whale breach. Hear their great tail slap the water... but that's not all, we were entertained by a school of dolphins & a giant sea turtle before we spotted our first whale of the day. Whale watching is something you shouldn't miss if you had a chance to visit Gold Coast during the whale season.

~ Humpback Whale are the fifth largest animal on the planet, growing up to 18 metres in length and weighing as much as 45,000kg (99,000lbs) - equivalent to 11 elephants or 500 people!

Can't get enough of sea but starting to get seasick?? No worries, Sea World is not far away. We can still see dolphins (show) & other marine life here but ironically the world's largest land carnivore stole the show. Australia's only Polar bears in their home at Sea World.

Another awesome experience... A huge playful 'white' bear swimming gracefully underwater viewed through large underwater viewing window.

The Land Down Under Adventure

2010-08-20T14:19:00.013+08:00

It's been ten days now, just a quick update before back to mother land in a week's time...see ya!

33°C Sunday

2010-07-18T16:46:00.015+08:00

Just another great Sunday afternoon spent with the kids doing some follow-up bike cleaning after a muddy ride on Thursday evening. As usual, the kids will imitate everything i do... but their little bike cleaning activity just managed to keep them occupied for a while before the splash battle rages on.

Mountain Bike Action?

2010-07-07T13:14:00.008+08:00

This is interesting... to have a humble family photo of riding on asphalt
featured in Mountain Bike Action and Dirt Rag
may sound like a contradiction, but it did happen.

SurPrize!!!

2010-06-26T13:34:00.022+08:00

Kona Shoot the Ride Photo Contest – The Third Edit

Got an email this morning from Kona Bicycle Company about the winning,
much to my surprise, i got the first place...wow!

Iwen & mommy looking cool on the page aren't they.

Check out the top five winners here.

Cranky Father's Day

2010-06-19T14:16:00.058+08:00

Tired of cleaning the house all day just so the kids can mess it up again?

Plan A: Grab the kids, get on the bikes and get out there...

...If the kids still giving you a headache,

Plan B: Follow the directions on the aspirin bottle, especially the part that says
"keep away from children."

HeeheeHee...Good luck!

Family on the go

2010-06-03T13:44:00.021+08:00

It was a fantastic 20km hilly ride up to Titi Kerawang Waterfall. Cool & cloudy after rain, the air smells so fresh and the kids just love to be out in the open. What a ride!

Solo...but not alone

2010-05-28T16:03:00.011+08:00

Riding alone once in a blue moon is exhilarating. Whether i’m getting a quick MTB fix in familiar territory or on a solo wilderness adventure, going alone is a great way to get in touch with both myself and the nature.

Over the years, one interesting thing I have noticed is that whenever i ride alone, i often encounter more wild animals. Besides monkeys & squirrels, the cobra is topping my “creature of the day” list. From a foot long baby cobra to 3 meters giant king cobra (trust me, it’s not from a snake show at Penang Hill), cobra sightings really spiced up my solo riding experience and luckily, none of those events was considered life-threatening.
:> Hissss..sss..

Bittersweet Penang National Park

2010-05-03T13:47:00.042+08:00

It was a fun friends & family day out at the beach, and what's more, beautiful weather coupled with BBQ & endless supply of cold beers. Everything was so perfect until a dead sea turtle was found floating a few hundred meters off Muka Head beach while we're on our way back to Teluk Bahang harbour. This was my third sea turtle encounter in this area. Unfortunately, this one was not so lucky.What a bittersweet way to call it a day.

Penang National Park is one of the few natural forested areas left on the island. It is also currently the world's smallest national park with a combination of the forest and sea. Rich in biodiversity and wildlife, a fun day at the park/beach can turn into an opportunity to teach the kids about marine life and how we need to protect our seas or mother nature in general.

- Below is a video footage with Pak Atan (boatman), CS and company retrieving the poor turtle from the sea before sending it to the Turtle Conservation Centre at Pantai Kerachut.

Hello...Halo headband

2010-04-24T11:58:00.031+08:00

Got this for RM50 (Halo 1 - tie version) from LBS yesterday. Not sure if this piece of hi-tech fabric will work as it's claimed to. But one thing's for sure, it's 'One size fits all'.

Ultralight DIY Stove - Model ABC

2010-04-07T16:33:00.037+08:00

Here's another DIY alcohol stove to add to my collection. This is a non-pressurized model with adjustable flame control & no priming required.

Wow! A cool looking stove with controllable flame that lights easily sounds good right? So how do i do it??

First of all, don't let the complicated look scare you, in fact, this could be the easiest DIY stove to make that you can ever imagine, all you need to do is:

A) Get yourself a spinning ashtray,
B) poke some holes around the lid &
C) cram in some fiberglass insulation...

Tadaa!! Here you go, as simple as ABC :)

My cool ABC stove snugged perfectly in the pot stand/windshield. The rock-solid pot stand/windshield combo was crafted from a 500g Nestle cereal tin & finished with Three 51mm binder clips.

Pilgrimage Ride

2010-03-24T14:26:00.065+08:00

Riding the sacred trail, Vivekavana has become my weekly ritual. It almost feels like i'm going on a pilgrimage, getting closer to nature, fulfilling emotional & physical needs & searching for the ultimate sense of achievement one can get from topping a hill non-stop. Thanks to the 2km long god forsaken climb to haven.

A hidden jewel... Vivekava is a Theravadian monastery located up the hill of Bukit Mertajam.

By far, this is the most beautiful trail i've ever ridden & still think it's very beautiful
even i've ridden the trail so many times.

Sacrifice

2010-03-01T15:59:00.033+08:00

Fresh jungle breeze...sweet cicada buzz... & cool jungle trail seems further & further away from her ever since the arrival of our 2 lovely little monsters (Wien & Iwen).

It's been almost 8 months since her last MTB ride up a hill. Even though we had our family ride regularly (around the neighborhood, most of the time), the love of riding in the great outdoors can never get enough. She miss the mother nature so much & even missed all the excitement that i was fortunate enough to have by sacrificing herself taking care of the family while i'm hitting the trail.

Well, i guess that's the nature of a great mother... a wonderful wife.
Thanks for the sacrifice...Thanks for everything!

Even though indoor workout is not really her cup of tea, keeping fit is vital in order to keep up with the kids...
or perhaps for the next MTB outing in near future.

Happy Chinese New Year to all

2010-02-08T14:27:00.037+08:00

May the year of the tiger bring you a Relaxed Mind... a Peaceful Soul...
a Joyful Spirit...a Healthy Body & 步步高升!

'Bu Bu Gao Sheng' (步步高升), which literally means "step by step ~~ride~~ rise higher".
'Bu Bu Gao Sheng' also means promotion at work or increase in business profits.

Kuih Kapit

2010-01-25T14:43:00.037+08:00

" Gong xi...Gong xi..Gong xi ni ya! ...Gong xi...Gong xi..Gong xi ni...Heyyy!"

Wow! Those tunes really heats up our 'Kuih Kapit' fast & gets everybody into the Chinese New Year mood.

Making 'Kuih Kapit' for Chinese New Year is a traditional family affair. Usually, this fun filled activity takes place in the front/backyard of the house.

While the elders sweat and strain over a charcoal fire, the younger ones wait eagerly to gobble it all up.

~ Kuih kapit (traditional festive cookie) also known as love letters is a thin, crisp cookie emblazoned with auspicious words and symbols.

2010

2010-01-14T10:50:00.019+08:00

Let's welcome the new year with a smile :)

:) Smile to other cyclists even if they don't smile back...
because to give is better than receive.

:) Smile as you struggle to ride a straight line on a steep hill...
because a smile is a curve that sets everything straight.

Ever wonder why children are happy all the time?
Because they smile on the average 400 times/day.

So let's ride more, smile more & happy more :)

To all kawanbike

2009-12-29T17:10:00.018+08:00

Ring! Ring! Ring!
Another jolly good ride up to Penang Hill during X'mas holiday.

Penang Hill

2009-12-14T21:19:00.050+08:00

Breathtaking! No matter how many times you been up there, it feels like a new experience every time. Penang Hill, also known as Bukit Bendera or Flagstaff Hill, is 833 m (2,723 ft) above sea level and stands out prominently from the lowlands as a hilly and forested area.

A hill with elevation of about 833 m (2723 ft) has proved that it is one of the toughest for local mountain bikers, but ironically, this make people come back for more. For those who not bike or hike but wish to experience this wonderful hill, obviously taking a ride on this charming Swiss made funicular train is the best way to get up there.

.

Riding The See Saw

2009-12-09T12:35:00.028+08:00

Riding with children from the earliest possible age is the best way to introduce them to cycling and the great outdoors. As avid bike pedallers, It's never been so easy to take the kids cycling.

Besides bike seats and helmets for safety, all we need is just a little patience (for those short and slow rides that's full of stops for snacks... playgrounds... animals... wee wees... poo poos... Zzzzs... and the list goes on and on, and on)

Oooooh boy, a little patience goes a long way. Because we know that in years to come we’ll have the best of all riding partners. A 'Kawanbike' of our own flesh and blood to share all those great experiences that cycling can give.

This is it

2009-11-26T14:21:00.025+08:00

The time is ripe. This is the moment we've waited for. There is no reason
why anybody needs to be left at home now. Everyone is going, Yeah!!

At 11 month old, baby Iwen is ready for some off-road adventure.

Merely 6 km , this was one of the best ride of our life.

Newbie

2009-11-16T15:11:00.031+08:00

Like mushrooms after the rain, mountain biking phenomenon in Penang is growing in popularity. It wasn't all that long ago when we heard someone say something like "What?? 3000 Ringgit for a bicycle??? Better buy a motorbike-lah...". Now you see mountain bikers on flashy mountain bikes everywhere. MTB has become tremendously popular, and it's too hot even an avid badminton player like CHONG (old buddy) who isn't really an outdoor person couldn't wait to jump on the two-wheel bandwagon.

Yeeah!! CHONG (second from left) survived his virgin MTB ride.
(30km hilly ride from Teluk Bahang - Pantai Aceh - Teluk Bahang)

No mushroom seen, though there are beautiful waterfalls along the ride.

Here goes another Kawanbike gesture.

Ultralight DIY Stove

2009-10-23T13:01:00.044+08:00

Outdoor cooking is one of my favorite activities. Be it a 3 day bikepacking epic or a half day fishing trip, i always carry a stove (Camping Gaz Turbo 270) with me. I've owned this little stove for over 10 years and it still performed like a champ. However, nothing’s perfect, the price for a 220g canister has hiked up almost 150% since then and its quite difficult to get one too especially here in Penang. Thus, the idea of having a backup stove came in.

While doing some research for a alternative stove online the other day, i stumble across a very funky DIY can stove that is fun to make and use. Without a second thought, i decided to give it a try.

A pot stand/windshield combo (my own design) was crafted from a 500g Nestle cereal tin & finished with Three 51mm binder clips to complement the stove. The tin lid work as a nice priming pan.

This simple pot stand/windshield provides a extremely stable base for my 14cm pot & fits perfectly inside together with the stove & fuel bottle.

So how does it work anyway? Check this out!

Keeping the tradition alive

2009-10-08T17:11:00.019+08:00

A few days prior to the Lantern Festival taking place, i took my boys to lantern shopping. As expected, its quite tricky to pick one as there are so many beautiful lanterns in all shapes and sizes, not to mention those battery operated plastic lantern with noisy monotone music which is a hit for kids nowadays. For some reason, i still prefer to have something basic for a traditional festival like this.

Imagine having 10 children + 10 plastic lanterns + 10 different tunes playing at the same time while you & your family enjoying the moon cake under the bright full moon. Phew!!

But kids are kids, they are more attracted by those noisy plastic stuff. On the other hand, i am swear by those handmade/candle light lanterns. However, with a little persuasion & negotiation, Wien ended up with a traditional fish lantern made of glass paper that look exactly like i used to have when i was a kid. :)

~ The mid-autumn festival aka lantern festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Lunar calendar. On this day, children will light beautiful lanterns in all shapes, sizes and colour and place it around their house. It is also a time for families to gather and enjoy the moon cake, a special sweet delicacy while gazing at the bright full moon.

Bikepacking

2009-09-24T13:38:00.040+08:00

Sun, sea, surf & Kawanbike...buuuuurp!

Selamat Hari Raya in advance...

2009-09-19T00:10:00.010+08:00

...to all my Muslim kawanbike
as i'll be out of the city for Hari Raya holidays.

Cheers!

2009-09-06T22:34:00.008+08:00

to a lovely wife, a super mom & of course a kawanbike

A trip down memory lane

2009-09-03T13:32:00.028+08:00

Oh boy! Wish we could jump into the time machine to go back to our wonderful fun filled childhood living in kampung. As children, we would ride with our parents on bicycles or motorcycles for 2 or 3... We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house & yelled for them... We go to jungle to catch spiders without worries of Aedes mosquitoes...We drank water straight from the tap & not from a bottle... We catch guppy & fighting fish in drains or canals & when it rain we swim there...We would leave home in the morning & play all day till street lights came on... No one was able to reach us all day & we don't have handphones to bug us & still we're ok & safe...We had... We... the list goes on... Hmm... Needless to say, those were the happiest time of our life.

Little Iwen enjoying the ride on a classic bicycle child seat made of rattan.

Those are the remaining few kampung houses that still survived
from land-hungry developers.

Kawanbike at work

2009-08-27T15:45:00.020+08:00

It's time to get those muscles working again after so many 'cycless' days due
to heavy downpours. Armed with an axe, a parang & a pruning saw,
we hit the trail & had lots of fun doing the trail work.

Taboos

2009-08-20T13:11:00.029+08:00

No late outing...No mountain/jungle biking...No camping...No fishing...Oh No!!!

It's that time of the year again, the 7th month of the lunar calendar or better known as 'Ghost Month', in which ghosts and spirit come out from the hell & wander the earth. It's also regarded as the most ill-fated time of the year. During this bad time most people suspend all important activities & decisions.

Sounds scary isn't it? As a matter of fact, 'Ghost Month' also known as 'Hungry Ghost Festival'. Just as Halloween is for Americans, the 'Hungry Ghost Festival' is for the Chinese in Penang. For those who have never heard of this festival, Click this!

Those nasty scars on CS's calf served as a reminder to me that i should either

ride with extremely cautious or just observe the 'Ghost Month' taboos.

Old & Young Kawanbike

2009-08-15T16:47:00.015+08:00

31 weeks old Iwen, 31 months old Wien &

a 20 years old bicycle.

Penang Char Koay Teow

2009-08-03T16:03:00.015+08:00

On 14th February 2009, this popular Penang hawker dish has been declared as a traditional delicacy among other 172 items under the National Heritage listing.

To me, Char Koay Teow is more than just a famous hawker dish in penang. It's the culture, history & memories that make this simple delicacy so special. I've been a great fan of CKT for as long as i can remember. I still remember those days when my buddy & me have to cycle through dark, scary & dogs infested kampung (village) roads just to get to our favorite CKT stall for supper.

Today, i don't have to go through those ordeal for CKT anymore. I can drive or even ride a motorbike, but i guess i still prefer the old way to get my Char koay Teow.

A used Bridgestone Subnade, fully imported from Japan that cost me RM120 only.

Bloody Monday

2009-07-28T12:44:00.007+08:00

We all like to push the limits sometimes, the faster we go,
the more fun we have. But there is a fine line between
pushing the limits safely and pushing them recklessly.
~ Ride Hard, Ride Smart ~

A slightly off-concentration when going downhill at a speed of 42km/hour can spell disaster.

Zoo

2009-07-18T16:18:00.006+08:00

... a ticket to get closer to nature, family & friends.

Durian

2009-07-14T13:45:00.010+08:00

A large spiky fruit often weighing up to three kilograms.
When the fruit begins to ripen it falls daily and almost hourly.
Taking a blow from a falling durian from the top of a
30 meter-tall tree is not fun & definitely not something
that we wish for while on the trail.

CS & a fresh fallen durian right on the trail.
Another good reason for wearing a helmet :)

Recycling is fun

2009-07-07T14:29:00.013+08:00

Time flies.

It's been a year since my little buddy got his first tricycle.
Today, Wien is ready for the next stage. That's right, a bicycle.
From training wheels sourcing to bolts tightening,
it's really fun to get Wien to work on a hand-me-down bicycle.
What a perfect way to introduce kids to recycling as something
that is 'fun' to do rather than something they 'have' to do.

A smile that make our day

2009-06-30T13:58:00.006+08:00

Priceless family moment with o' O' the Mini Pinscher

Golden hour that last forever

2009-06-26T12:55:00.025+08:00

Finally...the air is fresh again after yesterdays rain.

A beautiful day like this don't come everyday.
What are you waiting for? Grab the camera,
get on your bike and get out there.

Left: Wien with his favorite toy gun & a MP3 strapped over his neck.

Right: A golden moment seized.

Fire in Sumatera...Haze in Penang

2009-06-22T13:47:00.014+08:00

Obviously...pollution is a global issue.
Can we still afford to turn a blind eye to this?

18 June 2009
Missus pushing on the final section before reaching the peak.
Visibility reported to be at between 4 & 5 kilometers on that day.

A typical Dam view at the peak on a clear day.
Date picture taken: 7 June 2009

More trees to combat climate change

2009-06-18T15:09:00.030+08:00

Bucida Molineti
also known as Dwarf Geometry Tree/Spiny Black Olive.

One of our favorite plants just planted in our garden. They're simply beautiful & we can't get enough of it.

"Cool shade anyone??

A wonderful Kawanbike weekend

2009-06-09T15:40:00.011+08:00

Saturday, 6 June 09
A stroll in the city park (Youth Park) with my 2 little Kawanbike

Sunday, 7 June 09
With technical singletrack, awesome scenery & very less traffic,

this is one of the best XC trail for busy young father like me.

Mind our own business

2009-06-01T18:29:00.010+08:00

Sunday, May 31 2009. Polling day for Penanti by-election.
Instead of voting, 3 busybodies biked up to Bukit Langkap &
left a small gesture of Kawanbike at the peak.

Memoir of a "Kampung boy"

2009-05-27T01:09:00.026+08:00

One of the most memorable scenes that greeted me during a ride to Penaga was
that of charming kampung boys, green padi fields and rustic kampung houses.
While some may take the setting for granted, to city slickers such as myself,
it reawakened a time when air was fresh, space was in abundance
and everything was right with the world.

Red Sunday

2009-05-20T15:42:00.012+08:00

Somewhere between Penang & Kedah state border.
It's been almost 9 years since i did my solo exploration ride in this area.
Today, i came here with kawanbike (CS & O2). Our plan today is simple,
roam as far as possible & come back in one piece.

When the going gets tough,

2009-05-10T15:28:00.008+08:00

A good reason to have new tyres

2009-05-07T17:27:00.011+08:00

Road trip to Koh Samui

2009-05-01T13:08:00.006+08:00

Traveling with children can be a wonderful experience.

With a little planning, imagination and a lot of patience,
we drove all the way from Penang (Malaysia) to this beautiful Samui island.

Homemade Pizza

2009-04-28T16:08:00.007+08:00

...from a few random ingredients in my fridge.
Yummi..

Small Gestures of Kawanbike

2009-04-17T14:47:00.009+08:00

It’s the little things we do, day in and day out. It doesn’t have to take a lot of our time.
It doesn’t have to take any of our money. Simple. Small. Love in action.

Iwen is now rolling over!

2009-04-16T14:06:00.010+08:00

Witnessing baby Iwen rolling over for the first time is
just excited as witnessing baby Wien did 2 years ago.
Way to go!!!

Bukit Gambir Sunday

2009-04-13T12:59:00.019+08:00

Cool morning breeze + unobstructed Penang Hill
view at the peak. What more can we ask for?

New Bike Jinx

2009-04-10T00:58:00.013+08:00

How could this be possible??
We had flat tyre 2 days in a row on
Mr.O2's new bike break in ride.

Tanjung Bungah Beach

2009-04-07T12:53:00.017+08:00

Sunday afternoon’s picnic at the beach. It was hot and very windy, alternating sun, shade then storm.

Iwen doing what he does best...
Zzz..zZz...

Sweet Child O' Mine

2009-03-31T17:29:00.001+08:00

Taking the road less traveled

2009-03-23T11:57:00.010+08:00

Arguably, the best way to enjoy biking is with a group on the road
less traveled, and there's no better group than your own family!

Wien & dad during Wee-Wee break

Melaka

2009-03-20T13:12:00.003+08:00

SONshine ride

2009-03-11T15:30:00.001+08:00

Little kawanbike ride

2009-03-06T01:37:00.005+08:00

Old idea...New project

2009-03-03T21:49:00.005+08:00

2 March 2009, 8.53pm
The night before Wien's first MTB ride with mum & dad

Mommy back on track...

2009-02-27T16:39:00.001+08:00

Burglar

2009-02-13T13:55:00.010+08:00

This happen to my in-law's house. This guy broke into the home office & took away lots of cash & valuables even when there are people in the house.

Boy o boy...

2009-01-20T14:49:00.009+08:00

Iwen

2008-12-28T17:51:00.025+08:00

Here at last!
Proudly introducing my new little Kawanbike "Iwen".
Iwen was born (20 December) just a day after Wien celebrating his 2nd birthday.

Baby Bump!

2008-07-22T16:29:00.015+08:00

New little kawanbike in the making...

Monkey Beach, here we come again, 4 - 5 July 2008

2008-07-09T14:39:00.013+08:00

Bluish sky.
Palm tree breeze.
Full of ants.
We Don't care.

Pans are hot.
Beers are cold.
Spaghetti for lunch.
Rice for dinner.

Swimming's fun.
Until sunset.
Caught a crab.
Some shellfish too .

Candle at night.
Stars are bright.
Sleeping out is great.
We're all right.

Poets_Can5, Hwa, O2 & CS

BraVo!!! Penang - New Unesco World Heritage Site

2008-07-09T12:14:00.027+08:00

LOVE LANE, PENANG
This lane leads into the heart of Georgetown and is filled with incense sticks from roadside shrines, children going to and from school and men drinking in the cafes or repairing bikes.

The oldest temple in Penang
The Kuan Yin Temple, situated on Pitt Street (now Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling) was constructed in the early 1800s by Chinese migrants, on land given by the East India Company.

In the foreground, is a trishaw, an eco-friendly mode of transportation that are fast gaining popularity among tourist.

Sungai LOST Ara-h Actions, 28 June 2008

2008-06-30T15:02:00.004+08:00

Hwa's debut Mtb'ing, 25 June 2008

2008-06-26T16:45:00.023+08:00

ride + seafood + plenty of beeerrrs...bUrrp!!..zzZz...zz

Monkey Beach, 22 June 2008

2008-06-24T14:53:00.006+08:00

Happy Father's Day, 15 June 2008

2008-06-16T21:04:00.017+08:00

2:27pm, floaties??? not again...mumble...MUMBLE...mumble...

6:23pm, Wien fell asleep quickly while watching Barney

BlackFriday ride, 13 June 2008

2008-06-13T12:59:00.019+08:00

my silent companion, 6:48pm

the last sunbeam, 7:26pm

when darkness reigns, 7:47pm

Wien's first bike, 20th May 2008

2008-06-07T12:43:00.001+08:00

Price daddy paid: RM65

Bike setup: 3 wheels with no fancy disc brake & without state-of-the-art fork

Pros :) i love it

Cons :( can't mount it on daddy's car roof

"O2 aaah!! it was easy than u thought...right??"

2008-06-05T21:16:00.001+08:00