Thursday 23 February 2012
Wednesday 22 February 2012
A dinner fit for kings, plus a few surprises
Last night we were treated to a Malaysian home cooked dinner/ feast. We were invited back to the owner of Naza group's family home.
Arriving at the families Mansion, the view was enough to make me drool... There were Mercedes, Maseratis, Ferraris, Ducatis, Aprilias and Harley Davidsons to name a few.
If that wasnt enough, the array of food presented in front of us amazing! Although most included one common taste.. Spice! and there were a few that knocked the socks off all of us.
It is safe to say the Malay's know how to add flavour to food, as there was not one dish that i did not enjoy!
After we we stuffed with dinner we were introduced to some friends of the family, most of the boys were game enough to get up and close and personal with the friends.
I was not so brave and there were very few safety measure taken, although we were assured we wouldnt get bitten. But after one of the brothers told me the other brother was bitten the other day, i was fairly quick to stand out of this activity. I did give them a touch but holding one was not for me. Big ups to the other boys for doing it, but i would far rather jump from a plane!
Today we have the opening of the new Avanti store here in KL.
Tuesday 21 February 2012
Nasa Goup
So last night we went out with our hosts for dinner here in KL.
They are opening an Avanti shop here in Malaysia with the grand opening tomorrow.
It is safe to say they know a thing or two about business as our host here has been given a knighthood by the king of Malaysia for his efforts in Naza Group.
For more on what they do wikipedia Naza or click on their website link-http://www.naza.com.my/home/our-business
The night started by being picked up in Brabus tuned Mercedes and driven into the city centre. Arriving at the restaurant there was no trying to find a park as it was valet parking at the door. It was an amazing night at what was a very high quality restaurant in a very expensive part of the city. No stone was left unturned, we were celebrities for a night. To put things in perspective, these guys throw parties for the likes of Valentino Rossi when the motoGP is in town and Felipe massa and the Ferrari boys when the F1 team is here!
After dinner we were taken for a quick tour of the city and shown the companies latest property developments.
We arrived home near midnight all still shattered from what has been a busy few days here in KL. It is hard to believe we have only been here 3 days!
Tonight we are having dinner at the home of the Naza owners. We are promised a traditional Thai feast. I am sure we will be again treated like royalty!
..Agh its a tough life.. i could get used to this, Or will i soon wake up from what seems like a dream.
They are opening an Avanti shop here in Malaysia with the grand opening tomorrow.
It is safe to say they know a thing or two about business as our host here has been given a knighthood by the king of Malaysia for his efforts in Naza Group.
For more on what they do wikipedia Naza or click on their website link-http://www.naza.com.my/home/our-business
The night started by being picked up in Brabus tuned Mercedes and driven into the city centre. Arriving at the restaurant there was no trying to find a park as it was valet parking at the door. It was an amazing night at what was a very high quality restaurant in a very expensive part of the city. No stone was left unturned, we were celebrities for a night. To put things in perspective, these guys throw parties for the likes of Valentino Rossi when the motoGP is in town and Felipe massa and the Ferrari boys when the F1 team is here!
After dinner we were taken for a quick tour of the city and shown the companies latest property developments.
We arrived home near midnight all still shattered from what has been a busy few days here in KL. It is hard to believe we have only been here 3 days!
Tonight we are having dinner at the home of the Naza owners. We are promised a traditional Thai feast. I am sure we will be again treated like royalty!
..Agh its a tough life.. i could get used to this, Or will i soon wake up from what seems like a dream.
Monday 20 February 2012
Training ride in KL
Today was our first proper ride since arriving in Malaysia.
Our day started with a ride to a local cafe (Malaysian style- which attempts coffee and has the odd western food but from what i have experienced the Malaysian food is the far better choice on the menu). I had what was a very spicy breakfast. We then headed out to battle with the traffic and if it wasn't for a local guy who took us on the ride i think we would still be stuck out in the chaos that is KL!
Our ride was a wet one. it rained solidly for the first 1.5hours and the roads were a mess. We were covered in shit within 5 minutes of leaving the hotel. There was oil all over the road and it was very chaotic... but it was awesome. We did 100km and came across everything from Monkeys to cows and Muslim prayers being belted out over loud speakers.
On return we headed out for lunch i got an insanely delicious Curry Laksa soup. Its now back to the comfort of the air conditioning of our hotel for some R n R, much needed as im still adjusting to the time zone. Tonight we are being taken out by a local who is opening an Avanti store up here in KL... he seems to have done well in life as his 20 year old son owns and drive around in a very nice mercedes, and his brother has a 1000hp GTR Nissan skyline. Could be a fun night... will keep you updated.
Our day started with a ride to a local cafe (Malaysian style- which attempts coffee and has the odd western food but from what i have experienced the Malaysian food is the far better choice on the menu). I had what was a very spicy breakfast. We then headed out to battle with the traffic and if it wasn't for a local guy who took us on the ride i think we would still be stuck out in the chaos that is KL!
Our ride was a wet one. it rained solidly for the first 1.5hours and the roads were a mess. We were covered in shit within 5 minutes of leaving the hotel. There was oil all over the road and it was very chaotic... but it was awesome. We did 100km and came across everything from Monkeys to cows and Muslim prayers being belted out over loud speakers.
On return we headed out for lunch i got an insanely delicious Curry Laksa soup. Its now back to the comfort of the air conditioning of our hotel for some R n R, much needed as im still adjusting to the time zone. Tonight we are being taken out by a local who is opening an Avanti store up here in KL... he seems to have done well in life as his 20 year old son owns and drive around in a very nice mercedes, and his brother has a 1000hp GTR Nissan skyline. Could be a fun night... will keep you updated.
Sunday 19 February 2012
First race Sepang Formula one race car track
Just one day after stepping off the plane it was straight into racing.
It was a hot humid day where we had to do a lot of hanging around due to our actual lack of knowledge for the race and sponsorship commitments.
It was an enjoyable day, and although we had no idea what was going on. people watching seemed to fill in the day quite nicely.
There was all sorts of racing from 10 year old kids, to folding bikes, to fixed wheel bikes and it was run very slickly.
Our race started at 3pm. The heat of the day and it took its toll on us. The race was only just over 60km but by the end we were all very taxed.
The team for the race was James Williamson, Roman Van Uden, Daniel Barry and I.
Like all asian races i have encountered, aggressive racing was the order of the day. Something we at PBR enjoy alot!
All of the boys were remarkably strong for having just stepped off the plane and after relentless attacks Roman, Dan and I got in the break that stuck, leaving Jimmy to cover the break.
I tried to attack the break on the last lap but a few digs my with 600m to go it was obvious a sprint was on the cards. Things didn't go our way and we learnt a lot from the situation we were placed in.
Dan sprinted to third. Our top result for the day. James also managed to ride away solo from the other riders and finished between us and the second group. All four in the top ten! not a bad way to start but we learnt asians can be fast. VERY fast!
Along with prize money Dan won tickets to the Formula one race in a months time!
Next up for me is the OCBC criterium on the 2nd of March. I got 5th last year so im looking forward to another great weekend in Singapore!
Highlight for the day was watching an R35 GT-R Nissan Skyline go around the race track afterwards though!
Saturday 18 February 2012
South East Asia!..... first up Kuala Lumpar.
Arrived in Kuala Lumpar today. Spent the day trying to organise things and getting accustomed to life over here. After all we are going to be here for 3months!
We have sampled a bit of the Malaysian food across the road from the hotel at a market and stopped for a coconut juice part way through our ride of 5 laps of a 4km block.
Tomorrow we have a criterium here in Kuala Lumpar on the F1 track and some tickets to the Malaysian Grand Prix are up for grabs.
Will try to get in some updates soon. about to go to dinner. Am super tired from jet lag!
Cant wait for bed!
We have sampled a bit of the Malaysian food across the road from the hotel at a market and stopped for a coconut juice part way through our ride of 5 laps of a 4km block.
Tomorrow we have a criterium here in Kuala Lumpar on the F1 track and some tickets to the Malaysian Grand Prix are up for grabs.
Will try to get in some updates soon. about to go to dinner. Am super tired from jet lag!
Cant wait for bed!
Monday 6 February 2012
PBR... is back!!
With the PBR, BikeNZ and Avanti partnership announcement i am going to have another year in black.
I am looking forward to the races that have been included in our race program and excited about it including a lot of racing in Asia. While it isn't Europe, Asia will still provide quality racing against many of the best European riders. Additionally it'll be nice to experience more of the Asian racing scene as i have enjoyed my previous race there.
With new found hope I have been busy training at home in Cambridge with the hope i can race the tour of Langkawi in Malaysia later this month.
I have been enjoying the beauty of summer in the Waikato with a bit of time in raglan over the recent long weekends with my mate Joe Sullivan. We hit up the waves hiring a couple of surfboards for a few hours. It was good times and a lot of laughs. It turns out i havnt been surfing for far too long, and it showed with my excessively white stomach and lack of surfing skills!
My next race will be my biggest home town race and i cant wait as its been a long time between drinks!Its the REV 120 in Cambridge, I entered today!
Recently I have ramped up the intensity of my training after a lot of lower intensity riding over the Christmas period. I hope the work i have done will give me what i need to get up onto the podium in the next couple of weeks. The increased intensity has included a bit of work on the erg and behind the motorbike. I want to get back some of the power i had riding the track and use it to my advantage on the road after gaining a good road base last year.
The link to the PBR return article.
http://www.pureblackracing.com/2012/02/pureblack-racing-avanti-and-bike-nz-partner-to-help-grow-nz-cycling-talent/
Photo from Southland.... squeeeeeky chain was starting to frustrate me... or was it just my tired legs? Im not sure
I am looking forward to the races that have been included in our race program and excited about it including a lot of racing in Asia. While it isn't Europe, Asia will still provide quality racing against many of the best European riders. Additionally it'll be nice to experience more of the Asian racing scene as i have enjoyed my previous race there.
With new found hope I have been busy training at home in Cambridge with the hope i can race the tour of Langkawi in Malaysia later this month.
I have been enjoying the beauty of summer in the Waikato with a bit of time in raglan over the recent long weekends with my mate Joe Sullivan. We hit up the waves hiring a couple of surfboards for a few hours. It was good times and a lot of laughs. It turns out i havnt been surfing for far too long, and it showed with my excessively white stomach and lack of surfing skills!
My next race will be my biggest home town race and i cant wait as its been a long time between drinks!Its the REV 120 in Cambridge, I entered today!
Recently I have ramped up the intensity of my training after a lot of lower intensity riding over the Christmas period. I hope the work i have done will give me what i need to get up onto the podium in the next couple of weeks. The increased intensity has included a bit of work on the erg and behind the motorbike. I want to get back some of the power i had riding the track and use it to my advantage on the road after gaining a good road base last year.
The link to the PBR return article.
http://www.pureblackracing.com/2012/02/pureblack-racing-avanti-and-bike-nz-partner-to-help-grow-nz-cycling-talent/
Photo from Southland.... squeeeeeky chain was starting to frustrate me... or was it just my tired legs? Im not sure
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