Mail Bag

received 16 nov.99

*** BICYCLE PLANET ANNOUNCEMENT ***   Persatuan Basikal Kembara Melaka (Melaka MTB Assoc.) i.e. nothing to do with MNCF, have appointed Bicycle Planet to stage the first ever MTB POLARIS in Malaysia.   What is an MTB Polaris? This is basically an MTB orienteering event where teams comprising of 2 riders acquire points by navigating to and locating various checkpoints. There is no fixed course and no dumb riddles to solve. Just locate the checkpoints and return to base. The team that acquires the most points in the shortest time wins. Easy, eh?   How is it different from a race? In a Polaris, strategy, planning and navigating skill is more important than pure muscle power alone. It focuses more on developing teamwork and camaraderie. It is probably the best way to build relationships with fellow MTBers. It is also the best platform to meet other MTBers without having to worry about how high our lactate threshold or V02max level is! Sounds like fun, doesn't it?   How does it work? Get a friend and form a 2-rider team. Upon being flagged-off, work your way to the 20 or so checkpoints. We will provide a rough sketch map, general directions and descriptions. We may even give you the GPS readings. You work out your own routes!   Once you locate a checkpoint, retrieve the Checkpoint Password and record it in your Score Sheet. You can visit any checkpoint, in any order you wish. You may even omit visiting some checkpoints. Not all checkpoints carry the same number of points. Obviously, the more difficult a checkpoint is to reach, the more points it will carry. So, you must decide on a strategy!   Expect to do about 30km or so of riding.   Event Details Date: Sunday, 5th December 1999 Venue: Paradise Malacca Village Resort (PMVR) Registration: Latest by Saturday 4th December 1999 (at PMVR) Entry Fee: RM25 for every team (2-riders); less RM5 per team for Bicycle Planet or Millennium Pro Cycle members Accommodation: Paradise Malacca Village Resort - RM100/night twin-sharing basis (that's only RM50 per rider)  plus 2 breakfast. Not bad, eh? Contact: Sofian - Bicycle Planet (018-8681543); Priscilla - PMVR (06-2323600)   There is only a limited number of places so PRE-REGISTER if you can to avoid disappointment!   Together, let's make history. Let's be part of the first MTB Polaris to be held in Malaysia (or maybe even the region)! Think of this as the "Thinking Man's MTB race".   We will keep you updated.   Cheers!
Sofian "hardtail" Abdul-Rahman



received 11Nov 99

*** BICYCLE PLANET ANNOUCEMENT ***
The following is the latest info and amendments we have about the Kajang Open
 
Prizes
                        First    Second    Third    Fourth      Fifth
Mens Elite Pro XC        RM800    RM500    RM300    Accessories    Accessories
Mens Elite Sport XC     RM500    RM300    RM200   Accessories    Accessories    
Men's Veteran XC        RM300    RM100    RM100    Accessories    Accessories
Fun Class XC                RM200    RM150    RM100    Accessories    
Accessories
Men Junior XC            RM350    RM250    RM150    Accessories    Accessories
Men Open DH              RM400    RM300    RM200    Accessories    Accessories
Men Junior DH            RM300    RM200    RM100    Accessories    Accessories
 
Categories
Men Elite Pro        - National, state or ranked riders aged 20 to 36
Men Elite Sport    - riders aged 20 to 36
Fun Class              - waistline >35in or body weight >159lbs or age >45 years
Men Veteran         - riders age 37 to 44 years
Men Junior           - riders age <20
 
Registration
Venue        Metro Inn, Kajang
Date          19 Nov 1999, Friday
Time          14:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs
(It is advisable to register earlier at KSH Bicycle Care; 03-7175173 (Alan)
 
Entry Fees
Millennium Pro Cycle members    RM20 per discipline
Bicycle Planet members              RM25 per discipline
General Public                           RM30 per discipline
 
This set of latest info applies and supersedes any earlier info that is 
inconsistent with it.
 
Ok people, let's make this the one they talk about for a long time to come!
 
Cheers!
Sofian "hardtail" Abdul-Rahman

received 25/10/99
*** BICYCLE PLANET UPDATE ***  

We have met the organisers and this is the new info we have gathered  
CATEGORIES
1. Men's Seniors (20 to 37 yrs)    
a. Pro Class - national, state, selected ranked riders or anyone else interested    
b. Sports Class - everyone else in the age band
2. Men's Juniors (19 yrs and below)
3. Men's Masters (38 to 46 yrs)
4. Fun Class (anyone aged over 46 or with a waistline over of 38 inches - I am serious!)  
PRIZES
1. Men's Open Pro Class - RM1,000; RM700; RM 400
2. Men's Open Sport Class - RM250; RM200; RM150; RM100; RM50
3. Men's Junior - RM250; RM200; RM150; RM100; RM50
4. Men's Masters - RM250; RM200; RM150; RM100; RM50
5. Fun Class - RM250; RM200; RM150; RM100; RM50
6. Various "in-kind" prizes for the rest of the field (cyclocomputers and the like)  
SPECIAL PRIZES
The organiser MAY, depending on circumstances, give away the following bikes to those who qualify within the time stipulated
1. GT XCR LE i-drive - cross country SPECIAL GIVEAWAY
2. Rocky Mountain RM Six - downhill SPECIAL GIVEAWAY
I have personally seen these bikes. They (the organisers) have hinted that this will be the case if participation exceeds a certain number. Let's keep our fingers crossed! However, this is not yet contractual.  
DISCIPLINES
1. Downhill (20 November 1999) - 2km (actual); technical
2. Cross Country(21 November 1999) - 6km (actual per loop); technical  
Entry Fee
1. Bicycle Planet members - RM25 per discipline (please produce you membership ID)
2. non-Bicycle Planet members - RM30 per discipline  
LICENSING MNCF will enforce licence inspection. Those without MNCF licence may purchase a 2-day licence at the race for RM5. This fee will belong to MNCF.  
TRAINED AND COMPETENT MARSHALLING
1. All race marshals will be trained, instructed and vetted by Bicycle Planet in the techniques of mountain bike marshalling. No marshals will be caught sleeping or otherwise playing silly buggers as they normally do at other races.
2. All marshals will also be trained in C.P.R. and First Aid by Kumpulan Perubatan Penawar (Johor). You can rest assured you will be in safe and competent hands.  
CONTACT THE ORGANISERS
Allan Tan of KSH Bicycle Sales (Chief Event Director) - 03-7175173; 012-3291977
Hanafi Yassin of Millennium Pro Cycle (Event Director) - 013-3807996
Sofian Abdul Rahman of Bicycle Planet (Race Director) - 018-8681543

  This is a race event not to be missed. Riding the specially constructed courses alone will be worth your trip. Hey, not everybody will win prizes; that's a fact in ANY race. It will be a sad day in MTBing if everybody came only for the prizes. But we can still all win by being there, making new friends and riding the fabulous course.  

Cheers!Sofian "Hardtail" Abdul-Rahman
 
received 13/6/99

This is just Bicycle Planet putting out some feelers, OK? How would you people feel if we did a full-fledged 24-hours team relay race? We think it might be fun. Would people come? We'd hate to be all dressed up and have no one come to our party.   Basically, what we have planned is something fun; not too serious, you see. Team members will take turns around a 15km course. The team that does most laps in the 24 hours wins! Easy, eh?   But of course, the race will be the excuse for all us MTBers to get together all night long. We tend to see it as the Woodstock of mountain biking (for those of us old enough to remember Woodstock).   If you have any views, comments or anything of that nature on this subject (or even any other subject) please drop me a line. Bicycle Planet always eager to here from fellow MTBers.   Cheers!
Sofian "Hardtail" Abdul-Rahman

Basic Concept : Bicycle Planet’s 24-hour MTB Team Relay

Concept The team that does the most laps within a 24-hour time frame wins. This is a relay; each team’s rider takes turns at riding the course.
Philosophy The cash prize should be seen as only a minor incentive. The pay-off is the chance to get together with other mountain bikers and jam all night long. Also important is to be able to say that you participated in the region’s first 24-hours race. Make history, man! Think Woodstock…think Woodstock!
Venue Any ideas?
Race Dates Any ideas?
Classes
  1. 4-person Men’s Teams – all male teams
  2. 4-person Mixed Teams – at least 1 female riding member
Categories There will be 2 categories for each class based on total combined ages of the 4 designated riders. Categories are as follows :
  1. 80 to 140 (total combined ages)
  2. greater than 140 (total combined ages)
Course distance About 15 kilometers per lap
Things to bring
  1. Maximum of two 3-man tents per team (rentals will be available)
  2. Flashing rear light
  3. Bike lights (halogen preferred) rated at 4 Watts and spares/back-up
  4. Sufficient amount of batteries (please over estimate generously)
  5. Normal racing compliments
  6. "Security" blankets, "Bantal Busuk", Teddies etc
Participation Bicycle Planet is looking at a minimum of 30 teams; 40 teams being the max. Get all your friends to marshal up and enter other teams. Less than 30 teams, the race will look pretty bare!
Fees (anticipated)
  1. Men’s Teams – RM500 (non-MBRN) ; RM420 (MBRN members)
  2. Mixed Teams – RM450 (non-MBRN) ; RM370 (MBRN members)
Notes
  1. Each team can comprise of up to 7 members but only 4 will be the designated riders
  2. Each team will be asked to nominate a volunteer who shall donate 4 hours of his/her time to help with the logistics of the race
  3. Bicycle Planet will try to supply drinking/mineral water but Teams are advised to compliment this by bringing their own as well
  4. To qualify for the MBRN members’ prices, all of the team’s 4 riders must be members of the Mountain Bike Resource Network (MBRN)
  5. Stalls will be set-up where food/drinks can be purchased
  6. The course will be less severe than the normal cross country courses and will incorporate paved sections
  7. There will also be a prize for the team sporting the best PYJAMAS!
Enquiry Bicycle Planet (Zul Hisham/Sofian)

Telephone : 606-2275530

Fax : 606-2275529 / 606-2831559

Email : hardtail@tm.net.my