Sevens and Sixes

Old habits die hard. They die even harder when you're still stuck in the same routine with minute changes. Case in point, me moving to another room within the same building. By habit born out of the at least a thousand elevator rides, I instinctively pressed 7 instead of 6.

The irony of "downgrading" is that... I seem to have gained some better amenities. A better a/c and fridge! I wonder what the heck they were thinking when they outfitted the rooms...

A sunday morning cycling session in 10 points.

1. I woke up late.
2. I realised I forgot to bring the hand pump. But did not go back to get it.
3. I forgot to bring makan.
4. I forgot to bring iPod.
5. I brought my camera. But forgot to insert memory card.
6. I did not recheck my tyre pressure before leaving.
7. I got a puncture.
8. I got a puncture again.
9. I wasted much of the morning walking instead of cycling.
10. I learned my lesson. Don't wake up late.

Of boxes and barang

Today marks Day 1 of moving as I try to motivate myself and drag my sorry ass to put things away into boxes so I have an easier time carrying them downstairs. Sort of looking forward to it as the months slip by and I start to put the past behind. If nothing else, this would force me to once and for all pack/throw away the things that no longer belong here. The tradeoffs for a lower rental being some furniture (not that they were all that nice to begin with), one floor lower, no bathtub (not that I use it either!), and a smaller bed (which... heh. doesn't really matter now does it?)

As I look at the scattered mass of books and barang that I have accumulated over a scant 2 years... All I want to do is just crawl back under the comforter and snooze. Zzz...

Thy Rain Hath Cometh

Is that title correct in old english? Heh. Suddenly got a little nostalgic about Shakespeare and his works. Anyway, as fresh as, for lack of an easier description, clean bedsheets, rain fell upon the city of Jogja a few mornings ago. Just when I was wondering when the "winter" season would end...

It is time to start anew. :)

3/4 of the way there...

What an adventure yesterday's ride turned out to be. The first 30km or so to Samas beach proved to be no sweat as I pedaled out of the city in the early hours of the morning (at 0530 to be exact!).

How is Samas? Well.. It was one hell of a sad place compared to Parangtritis. And certainly enough to deter me from bothering to stray off the main roads to look at the other beaches on the southern coastline.

The conditions of the road were pretty nice, long straight stretches through the miles of rice fields, except for the portion where I seemed to be on an unmarked (yet tarred) road immediately after leaving Samas (you can see this portion on the map). I was in for a rude shock after cresting a small incline... the road suddenly ended and gave way to a steep downslope trail strewn with rocks of all sizes. Now, when one is on skinny road tyres that is so not the surface to be cycling on. Thankfully I did not shred the tyre or get a pinch flat as I rocketed down the slope while trying to stop and not lock up the brakes or break the bike or crash or any of the above combination.

At the huge bridge at Srandakan, I was faced with a dilemma on whether to push on or turn back, as by now the weather was becoming rather hot and I was woefully aware of a stomach that was crying out for proper food (and not fruitbars!)... If I turned back at this point and followed the same route back, I would just touch 100km. Unfortunately, I had a misplaced desire to try an achieve my first century (100miles or 160km) today.

Still not properly dialed into the bike at this point of time... the knee voiced its concerns as I passed the bridge at Glagah. Thus ending the push for the day and making a slow cycle back home. If only there is a professional here to help me fit the bike. The slow method of making an adjustment, riding, making an adjustment again, riding is surely going to end up taking a long time.

Got to be more progressive as I pile on the distance I think... century it is not, but at least I made 3/4 of it :P

Outbound Route

Homeward Route

Where has all the rain gone?

While categorically I hate rain for a variety of reasons, it is sometimes a welcomed relief. I've seen heavy dark looming clouds, rain forecasts even, but have yet to see one single drop of rain since 10 Aug. The heavens must be devoid of tears...