Afternoon Splash and Peddling Passion

What a hot day is was today!! I could have sworn that it felt like a hundred degrees out there. It was only 11.00 am and my two girls were cooling off in their room with the air-cond on full blast. Even the four kittens were smuggled into their room to enjoy a more refreshing atmosphere. I was in my room, also with the AC on and trying so hard to comprehend a technical write up, the homework I had brought back from the office. Half way during my read, I must have dosed off. Next thing I knew, the folder had slipped from my grip and Nissa was knocking on my door, grumbling about the heat.

It was just us girls at home today. Bibik had gone to help ABE finish his DIY project in Subang. I’m such a hopeless soul at this DIY thingy; can’t tell the nails from the nuts and bolts (and he’s got like two tool boxes full of these things, just the nails, nuts and bolts, mind you all nicely arranged according to the different shapes and sizes and don’t anyone dare mess with them!!) or the tapes for the electrical wires from the ones used for plumbing (like who cares, yah??) So Bibik was the closest aide he could get. And of course, Bibik will always accommodate her Boss lah kan.

I was practically drenched with sweat when I did my Zohor. “That’s it.” I told myself. I just needed to go cool off somewhere. Told the girls to get their swim gear, grabbed some snacks on the way out and soon we were off to the pool at Conco*d* Shah Alam for our afternoon splash.

My hectic schedule during the last two weeks has not allowed me to work out in the pool much. As we walked into the hotel, banners of the on going Le Tour De Langkawi were visible all around the premise. These publicity banners and buntings gave the place a festive look and the sight of state of the art race bicycles caught the curiosity of mommy and her girls.


As we checked out the Shimanos from the Schwinns, I disclosed to the girls that I used to ride a similar kind of bike when I was in secondary school. It required me to bend forward to reach out for the handle, just as how they’d see the bikers today. During the afternoons when I had tuition class, I’d ride the bike for a good cycling distance. The challenge wasn’t on the distance but more on the uphill stretch I had to tackle. Berpeluhhh… I rode with all the strength I had while maneuvering the gears and the brakes. Else, the bike would be extremely heavy and it’d be difficult and tiring for me to make it up the hill. If riding up was a killer, going down hill on the way home would be another scary affair. I remember the bike going down so fast, even my palms would get sweaty due to the speed. And how I pressed on the breaks, praying that I’d get home in one piece. But those days at the age of 17, fear wasn’t a factor, and I must say it was quite a thrilling time riding with the wind!!!

The bikes we saw today were obviously more sophisticated than the ones during my time. They are lighter and reels are specially designed to give that superfluous advance during the sprint. My cycling days are long over, but I do know of some friends who are so very into this sport. As ardent biking enthusiasts, some of them have spent a lot on their bikes, ensuring that they have the latest bits and pieces of parts for their two wheeler peddling passion.


After all that story telling about my adventure on the race bike, Nissa gave me a tug and told me, “Err…Mama, do you know that I can’t ride on a bike!!!”

I went like, “You can’t do what?”

“I can’t ride a normal bike yet. Basikal roda tiga boleh lah…”

Oh my God!! How could I have overlooked this? Then she told me, “Mama, actually I’m afraid to ride on a normal bike. Abang dah ajar, but I’m so afraid of falling.”

Ohh… you poor girl. Before we left Conco*d*, I assured Nissa that we’ll do this bike riding thing all over again. Next week we’ll service the three bikes at home, ensure that the wheels and brakes are in good condition, ready for her to go riding. I caught a worried look on her face, but promised her that we’ll take one thing at a time. She smiled and told me that she’ll give it her best shot. Ahhh… that’s my girl :)