Last Saturday I rode the MEX Highway for the first time, although a short leg from Putrajaya to Bukit Jalil and back. Originally we had planned to ride just around Putrajaya circuit, Saturday being the same day for the Putrajaya Night Marathon.
May Senn and I departed from our home in Presint 16 at 0645 hours, to arrive at our RV in Presint 6 at 0700 hours. Already arrived at the Pusat Recreasi Air were Ishal, Yit Ting and Ezer. Managed to take some pictures with my iphone, although there wasn’t enough sunlight yet.
We then discussed the route for the day and Ezer who would run the Night Marathon needed a longer warm up. He suggested the MEX and a loop around Putrajaya. We all agreed to do the MEX up to Bukit Jalil which was about 35 km return and later to finish with the loop.
The MEX highway is a nice and moderately easy ride, undulating like a roller coaster. The climbs were not too steep though, steep enough to drain you out, but not bonking. I am especially vulnerable to any climb. My heart rate would max out easily within a minute.
It was early in the morning with minimum traffic. Nice and tranquil until a dashing RED Ferrari zoomed past us close to its maximum revs, just like my max heart beats. It’s sesy exhaust pipe done up to produce several decibels up. Heh I thought. I should be behind those set of four wheels instead of my two wheels and struggling with my gearshifts. It is nice to daydream once awhile. Right ? The Red Ferrari flashed past us twice along the highway. He was obviously warming up the engines. The driver was alone and without a nice looking co-passenger. I did not drool as I was more than satisfied with my RED Giant, two wheels notwithstanding.
We rode past several packs of other ridersin their colourful gears from the opposite direction, Bukit Jalil – Putrajaya. All dressed up to the nines, but riding slower then their Lance Armstrong sporting looks. We arrived Bukit Jalil under an hour and stopped briefly at the BP petrol station in Seri Petaling. We refreshed ourselves and returned to the highway. The ramp going up to the highway was the steepest S slope I have ever seen. Did not realize its maximum cambering curves while driving in a car. Luckily we just had a pit stop at the petrol station. Just managed to make climb, without bonking out.
The return ride on the highway was easier on me as I feel the slopes were more gradual than the ride out. I was as usual Tail End Charlie all the way. Everybody waited for me to arrive at the Putrajaya toll. May Senn and I said that we would break ranks upon entering Putrajaya. We would return home from Presint 9 as we would not join Ezer to ride the loop around Putrajaya.
May Senn and I turned off in Presint 9 and rode to Presint 2 via present 8. We had to stop at the traffic lights on crossing the main Boulevard. When the lights turned green and I pushed the pedals forward only to hear a dreadful snap. My chain ring broke. Luckily we were only about two kilometers from my house. May Senn rode on home to bring my car to rescue me.
All was well that ended well. Yes I would like to ride the MEX Highway again. I would recommend to anyone who has not yet rode this highway to experience it. But one should ride as early in the morning as possible as it can be very hot later in the day.
