Bake With Abang Brian To Support Kids With Cancer

My recent engagement with Dignity For Children Foundation has opened me up to another charitable organisation worth mentioning. Some of you might remember Brian Chen of the Masterchef Malaysia. He is conducting classes for kids and giving it back to the kids.


Bake With Abang Brian To Support Kids With Cancer

PeopleGiving and Abang Brian is bringing a meaningful day to your children, where they can learn to bake local Malaysian cookies and at the same time help to support kids with cancer.

Malaysia is known to be a food heaven and we are blessed with many variety of culinary from local, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, American, French, Japanese etc. But how many of us really know our local delicacy well enough? Just name 10 different local cookies…

In this month of April/May, make a special Saturday morning for your child to have fun learning and baking local cookies with Abang Brian.

Abang Brian, also known as “Chef in a Hat” is the top finalist of Masterchef Malaysia. Brian has always been a passionate foodie and his culinary skills was further put to test when he took care of his father’s diet during a difficult period of battling against cancer. Today, Brian is the Big Brother of “Young Chefs Academy” and also the ambassador of National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM).

The entire fund raised will be channelled to NCSM, for the cause of “Cancer for Kids”. This is inline with Brian’s initiative of “Kids helping kids with cancer”, getting the kids to raise fund to help kids with cancer.

Thanks to PeopleGiving's corporate sponsor, CSF Group, their support and generous contribution has made this campaign a reality!

PeopleGiving is launching our second series of program after the successful Happy Library program namely My Malaysia. This program is to promote local Malaysian talents who have a big heart in the world of Giving. There will be six talented ambassadors we are working with in the area of Stage Play, Chef, Artist, Photography, Fashion Designer & Architecture. The second in the series after Stage Play is Chef for Charity. Follow us closely to find out more. 

So come and experience fun-filled interactive learning and baking session with Abang Brian.

For every donation of RM100, you could get your kid to attend a 1-hour session of cookies baking in Young Chefs Academy with Brian. Alternatively, you can sponsor an orphan to attend the class. Please state in the message box if your donation is to sponsor an orphan. You may donate less than RM100, and your donation will also support their aim of raising RM12,000 for NCSM

Classes detail

Date: Every Saturday, (20^th, 27^th April) & (4^th, 11^th May 2013)

Time: 10am to 11am

Venue: Young Chefs Academy (5-3, Jalan 26/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas,
50480 K.L)

Chef: Brian Chen

Pax: Limited to 30 per session

Age: Children between age 7 to 15

Donation Amount: RM100 will be entitled to 1 kid for 1-hour session to any of the Saturday’s class (first come first serve basis) Click here to donate and enrol

Classes arrangement: Please state the date of class your kid would like to attend. (we will call you for confirmation)

Some of the cookies baked from all classes will be collected for Charity Fair. All participating children are welcome to join the fun.

To check out Abang Brian:

http://www.abangbrian.com/v1/

Young Chefs Academy:

http://www.youngchefsacademy.com/stores/index.php?id=280

CSF Group:

http://www.csf-group.com/index.php?sc=home

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Triathlon : 10 Transition Tips

Transition is the stickiest point in any triathlon race. Newbies usually congregate at this area to get some "mojo" and to mingle around before and after race. Some use Transition during race as a place to rest. However, many forgot that the time in Transition is accounted for in the total race time. Over the years, I've taken transition a tad too easy, choosing to "take my time" instead of a "quick in-quick out" approach.

Many of us practices the swim, the bike and the run for hours and for many thousand kilometers - but i would say not many actually thought about the transition process. Myself personally, I've spent anything between 4-minutes to 40minutes (perhaps more during one of my Ironman race) and it severely added to the overall time. Not that the time matters as I am not a podium finisher anyway...however, as a "benchmark" of self improvement, I've taken it upon myself to at least try to be "fast" in transition.

Here is How
1. Have a plan. Yes. As basic as that. Take all your gears out and lay it on the ground. See what you need after the swim (for biking) and what you need later (for running). Organise. Know what you need and arrange them.

2. KISS. Keep It Simple, Silly. Many triathletes are so bogged down with high-tech gears and race items that they tend to overload the whole transition basket with everything short of their home kitchen sink. For bike, you need your helmet, sunglasses, shoes, race number and gloves. You do not need your camera (roll eyes, guilty as charged) or your MP3 player (dangerous for biking league as you will not hear oncoming bikers or traffic). KISS.

3. Shoe On Pedal. Takes a lot of practice and precisely why many did not practice and fumble...and have a (dis)graceful fall trying to mount and fall off the bike. Shoe on pedal requires a lot of practice and knowledge of positioning the shoe, mounting and dismounting. I will write a full article on this. Do remind me. However, for Xterra, I will not be wearing any clipless and hence, will not require this step. I will run in the same shoe as my biking - time saving.

4. Attached Items On Your Bike. All lose items such as spare tubes, pumps, skewers, nutrition etc should be attached to the bike. In transition, you will NOT have the time or you WILL miss something out and may jeopardise your whole race. I am leaving my fuel in a bag on the top tube. My pumps is attached next to my bottle cage and my spare tubes and skewer (to remove tire) is in the pouch under my seat.

5. Run With Your Bike. If you are unlucky, the distance between you and the area out of transition will be far. Save time by running with your bike. Always run on the left hand side of the bike, away where the chain is. Hold the saddle with your right hand or hold the handlebar stem to control the bike. Practice. Practice. Practice. It is not a nice sight if you trip over your own bike and break your jaw.

6. One Outfit For Race. Unless you are racing in cold condition and wet suit is needed, wear the same outfit for your swim, bike and run. If the race is long like Ironman distance, you have the luxury of changing if you want to (as there will be a tent for transition, saving everyone sights of you going naked, if wanted). By wearing one outfit, you sort out all issues of taking out and wearing things back - and by the way, once your body is damp or wet, the tight spandex is a pain to put on.

7. Remember Your Bike Location. Race morning, it is important to know where your bike is. Count isle and have a visual picture in your head where you should be heading after your swim and after your bike. Don't put your bike on another person's rack and never ever remove anything that is not yours. I am yet to see anyone coming with a balloon to mark their transition for better visual guidance.

8. Speed Lacing and Baby Powder. Can't afford a speed lace? Make one. Also, baby powder is the most underrated items. If you place them in your shoe, it will be easy-in even without socks...and the powder will absorb sweat! For Xterra, not an issue for me.

9. Grab and Go. When transitioning from T2, learn to just grab whatever your need after you placed your bike and go. Wear the cap and race number as you run out of transition. Learn to refuel while on the run. You save time that way. For Xterra, I will be wearing the same shoe for bike and run...so, I've eliminated the need to sit down and change my shoe.

That is all the tips I can share for transition in triathlon. Yes, I promised you 10. But 9 would be awesome anyway - and 10 always sound better than "9 Transition Tips".

Good Luck!

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GE13 : Election Process and Things To Look Out For

I attended a Polling Agent, Counting Agent and Barong Agent (PACABA) class yesterday night to understand the polling process better. I am sharing it now as an awareness for everyone that will go and exercise your right to vote.

*Material you see below came from the PACABA class i attended. Copyright belongs to them and credit is to them. I am posting the images sans watermark and if you were to use it, please credit Pakatan Rakyat Taman Tun Dr. Ismail office.
First Time Voter? Not First Time? Read on.
The SPR has done a tremendous job putting up the new website which provides full information of your voting details. Go to Daftarj.spr.gov.my and key in your IC number minus the "-". You will get all your details shown. Print it out and keep it for May 5.

I removed the sensitive information above 

Please take note of your SALURAN and NO. SIRI. This two is important, apart from knowing where to vote, in this case, the above person is voting in Dewan Serbaguna MBPJ SS21/12 (Pooling Centre)
With this Saluran and No. Siri, you are a verified voter and you can go straight to the pooling line (Saluran). 
For your info, GE13 will see the SPR allowing Malaysian IC, Passport, Driving License and even Kad Haji (as it is a legitimate identification with photo by a government agency)to be used as identification for voting. 

Page 11 of Buku Panduan Pemerhati Barong 

This, in my opinion is open for abuse and fraud. We all know that the driving license is just a laminated document that can be fabricated and the photo replaced. Your identity could be stolen. If you find yourself unable to vote as someone has "voted for you", make a Polis report immediately.

Election Process Flow
This is your typical process for election. 

Each Saluran holds about 700 voters, except the Saluran 1, which is usually reserved for old folks. So, by knowing your SALURAN, you actually already know the age group of the people coming to vote at that Saluran.
*hint - if you see anyone way younger or way older than you in the same saluran...something is fishy
In most places without any hall or dewan, you will have a class room setup. 

 In places with dewan, the same flow applies, but the entrance and exit is the same door (for crowd control)

This is the flow during pooling. It is good to know about this again. Please take note of the SPR clerk's role. This is the biggest change compared to GE12/2008 where only two clerks were present. One to verify and read your name and one to hand you the ballot paper. The 2nd Clerk is entrusted to PAINT YOUR LEFT INDEX FINGER with the ink.

Your finger will be marked from the first knuckle past your fingernail and under to the first fold. So those emails about you not allowed to wear nail polish (women, and ok, some men), is unfounded. You can of course, but no harm not using any nail-polish anyway.

With that sorted, you will get your ballot paper. It will look something like this.

When you recieved your ballot paper, make sure that it has these few things done. THe 3rd SPR clerk will be handing this to you, FOLDED.

Take note that there is many first in this. We used to have ballot paper perforated with patterns to denote the Saluran. Each Saluran has unique pattern. This time around, SPR is introducing RUBBER Stamps and the rubber stamps will have unique patterns to each Saluran. This is one control to ensure that during vote counting, only votes related to the same Saluran is counted. Anything not STAMPED or share the correct stamping mark is deemed a spoilt vote. This is how your "undi hantu" or "phantom votes" come about. 

Another thing to note, there is NOT supposed to be any mark on the ballot paper or the ballot paper chit attached to the ballot book. Any marking especially marked with your voting No. Siri is a traceable act on SPR side to see who you had voted. Your vote thus, is not considered as a "secret".

Remember, NO other marking on the Ballot Paper or the Ballot Chit other than those already printed and stamped by the SPR Clerk no.3. If you see Clerk No.2 (inking) and/or Clerk No.3(Ballot paper) holding any writing instrument, you have every right to engage the Ketua Pusat Mengundi (KTM) and ask for an explanation. It is your right as a voter.

If you are bullied as a voter aka the clerks refused your right, you can read them the S(0)3 of the Election Offence Act (EOA) that states any offences can be fined RM5,000, Jailed 2 years or both, if found guilty. Say it out loud (but in a well behaved manner) so that everyone in the room knows. It is your right!

If you found any ballot paper NOT to meet your expectation, you can demand from the KTM to provide you a new ballot paper. This include if you tore the paper while folding and/or smudge the paper with the ink.

 Please take note of this photo. Remember, this is what the SPR Clerks CAN'T DO.

Next, I will share with you what is accepted as a "valid" vote according to the new ruling by SPR. This is unbelievable. But I believe the intention is to allow people to vote for as long as their intention for the individual is made known. Please take note that you will be voting with a BALLPEN  and no longer a pencil.

Basically, it is counted as a VOTE if your intention is placed in ONE line only. With this allowance, this is why i mentioned earlier that the ballot paper you received MUST NOT HAVE ANY MARK. Because lets say, you wanted to vote for Person A, but the Ballot paper you recieved has a marking (even a dot) on Person B, your vote is considered as SPOILT!
These are the votes that will be considered as spoilt.

Now you have (i hope) better understanding of the whole election and the processes that will happen. Educate yourself with these knowledge so you will be better protected as a voter. Do take note that things can go smoothly or turn confrontational especially when emotions are involved. If you are not happy with how you are given the ballot paper, always ask for a replacement. You have every right - but the final say lies on the KTM. Be civil, talk nicely, no one will say no to someone that will talk nicely. 

Having shared the above, i have a few questions that lingers in my mind:
1. Usage of any other documentation other than Malaysian IC - WHY?
2. Rubber stamp instead of perforation. This potentially allow someone with the same rubber stamp (outside) with access to the ballot paper (outside) to fabricate and pass extra ballot papers inside via "paid voters". Perforations is physically done before the balloting, and is safer. It takes away one step of Clerk No.3 to do any mistakes. So, WHY?
3. Marking of your serial number on ballot paper, if it happens, WHY?
4. Multiply different VALID way to cast instead of the TRIED and TESTED "X". WHY?

I have many more questions actually and this got to do with suspicious voters that looked more like immigrants coming to vote. If you do see them on pooling day, it is your right to bring this up to the KTM. Impersonation MUST be stopped.

For full Buku Panduan PRU 13, please download them at http://www.pru13.gov.my/default.downloads.00.php

This blog entry is accurate at time of writing. I have cross-referenced all items based on the Buku Panduan per PRU13 website.

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Hammer Nutrition : Xterra Fuelling Plan

Fuelling for a race has now become some sort of "test" for me. From the good planning and execution during Sabah Adventure Race 2013, I am more determined to see how correct fuelling and nutrition will give me an edge over myself - having raced many triathlon before, i believe it is time to bring it to the next level. All the trainings has to account for something and there is no better time or way to do it. I need to beat myself badly!
Swim 1.5 - Bike 30 - Run 11 - Let's Get Dirty.
I will keep the fuelling schedule simple - stick to once an hour to fuel. It is fool-proof and fail-proof, unless I forget to take the items along with me coming out from T1. For Xterra, I will rely on:

• Perpetuem Solids as my main fuel
• HEED Sports drink for hydration and constant energy
• Gel for topping up (and caffeine, 50mg yo!)
• Endurolyte for electrolytes balance
• Anti-Fatigue for delayed muscle fatigue

I have checked and experimented with the hydration portion during the dry run. I carried 3L of liquid and took only about 1liter for the whole biking and running at easy pace. Back calculating, I would be safe to stick to 1 bottle (650ml) of liquid every hour if the race starts to get hot and when at my race pace. 

Best Bottle...Evah!

I have decided to just carry ONE bottle of liquid in the Camelbak Podium bottle. In order to facilitate quick refilling at transition, two-bottles will be prepared with the other one for the run (pick and go)

Fingers Crossed!

I will give myself 150mins or 2hours 30mins to cover the whole 30km. I am just hoping no major roadblock and no mechanical problem to bog me down. The faster I get out of the bike loop, the better. Staying too long on the bike and being exposed to the sun too long will sap more energy than needed. Nutrition will be placed in a pack placed on the top tube. 

Read below what's inside ;-)

Secured!

I just have to remember to take it and to make sure I do not drop any - so, I would need to carry extra as precaution (labelled as SPARE). 

Spare. Emergency. Just In Case.

Also, identifying areas where fuelling would be good would be when I am off the saddle pushing or encountering a roadblock at the part where we all have to push/carry the bike. Fuel smart!

The last league which is the trail run would involve me fuelling at Transition or on the go. I will carry a bottle of HEED and bring along the run. With the amount of running I've been doing, I am hoping that the run will be my strongest point. 

Fuelling Logic

The estimated calorie need for the whole race will be circa 3200kcal or about 800kcal/hour. Hydration and fuelling dictates that the optimum absorption would be 1/3 calorie spent and at most 20oz or 600ml of liquid per hour. Anything more could potentially cause GI issues and throw your race away. The electrolytes need calculated above works out to be about 500mg/hour and that will correspond with the weather. As most of the trail is covered, we just have to quickly race and get out. The faster we we finish the race, the better. 

With all the above in mind - i just need to device a way to carry/segregate the items in a way easy for me to take/reach out. Engineer's mind working overtime for a couple of hours while writing this and I came out with the solution. I am sharing it now with you. Feel free to improvise. Will update once I get the solution. 
How I am carrying the nutrition
I've always been a hoarder when growing up. Only different is I am organised hoarder. I kept all the used small bottles from Sabah Adventure Challenge. The bottles that hold the Perpetuem Solids. It finally came in handy. 

The bottles are filled with nutrition for my T-5min to race start and T2 (run). The bottle behind is my Gels in the flak, two servings. One for T-5 and one for T2.

With 2x Perpetuem Solids and 5 tablets (3 Endurolytes and 2 Anti Fatigue) in each bottle for T-5min and T2(run), It was sorted. Both these items can be taken at Transition. No worries of it spilling anywhere. 

Genius.

The challenge here is to think how I will hold the items during the bike, the longest portion of the race. I can't use the bottle as it would meant I will be carrying at least 3, and to eat them require me to pop it open. So, i resorted to the most basic simple way on how to separate items - plastic bag.

Simple solution

I need to carry 3 sets of this, and would be silly to carry 3-plastic, not forgetting it's not environmentally friendly. So, i decided to use the "sausage" approach.

Separate the servings with rubber band!

Genius eh? Oh, I heard you asking how to deploy it fast? Well, remove the rubber band with your teeth silly ;-)

Bite, pull, swallow, chew. Repeat

Then, i had issues to carry adequate serving of HEED. I need a scoop/bottle and guess what...the Solids bottle came in handy.

Wadayaknow...ONE SERVING!

Consolidating, this is how it will look like specific just for the bike, which i estimate to take up to 150mins. 

Hehe...now you know what those bottles are in the bike pack ;-)

 The flask is 5 servings of Gel. I will carry this behind my tri-top. 

2xHeed Serving, 3xSolids/Tabs Serving and 1xSpare bottle

 I hope this help you to plan your nutrition and fuelling strategy!

Good Luck and Race Safe!

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Xterra Malaysia : Post Event Ride With The Pro

Xterra Malaysia is scheduled to take place this weekend and I've just gotten the confirmation and invitation to a post-event ride with the Pros on Monday, April 29, 2013 at Kiara.
The Race Director and organiser has see it fit to raise awareness to the current development of Bukit Kiara by inviting the Pro-racers to ride Kiara - with you Malaysian Mountainbikers!
Here is the official press release (and invite)
POST-EVENT RIDE: XTERRA MALAYSIA 2013

Who: UP2U, the Partner of XTERRA MALAYSIA 2013 is inviting YOU to attend the post-event ride with the pro-athletes of XTERRA MALAYSIA 2013.

Special guests: Pro-athletes of XTERRA MALAYSIA 2013

What: XTERRA MALAYSIA 2013 POST-EVENT RIDE: SAVE KIARA

This post event ride not just as a recovery and social ride with the Pro’s, but also to show support to the trail maintenance community of Bukit Kiara. This area has been developed by the local biking community over recent years into and is now an oasis of wonderful bike trails.

When: Monday, 29th April 2013
Time: 9.00 am to 11.00am
Where: Meet up at Carpark of Bukit Kiara Trail.

How Do You Join?

We are pleased to announce that in collaboration with UP2U Bike Tours, Malaysia’s first fully-supported and guided bike tour service, Xterra participants (Yes, that’s You!) will be entitled for a special price of RM150 instead of the usual half-day tour rate of RM300.

Despite the specially discounted price UP2U will be donating 50% of the price to the TRAKS “Save Kiara" Fund as sadly this area is under threat from developers.

Sadly though housing and business developers are moving in to the area and we would like you to help us raise public awareness of the importance of protecting this green paradise of trails.

The tour will be supported by a qualified mountain bike guide/coach with a ratio of 1:8 riders. Transportation to/from a pick-up point at KL Sentral is also provided if you need it.

Slots are limited to only 30 riders though so to register your spot, please follow the steps below:

1. Go to  http://www.up2ubiketours.com
2. Select RIDES > MOUNTAINBIKE
3. Select DISCOVERY TOUR > BOOK NO
4. Select 29th April 2013 from the calendar > BOOK NOW
5. Key in Coupon Code: XTERRA29
6. Payment can be made via Paypal or Bank Transfer


Many thanks in anticipation of this and we look forward to welcoming you next week and to riding with you on the 29th of April 2013.

*Please note that the organizer has the right to cancel the Discovery Tour due to weather conditions or in the event that there are not enough total participants (minimum 15 pax total) and your total registered payment will be refunded to you.

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Schwalbe MTB Tires Review : Rocket Ron and Nobby Nic

I made a huge upgrade recently to my mountain bike. No, I did not change my bike. It is still the Taiwan frame Orbea.

My first "proper" MTB. Before this, i was riding "hand me down". 

The bike served me really well. Superb almost. Because it was sized to my frame and the parts were hand-picked to my pocket-affordability, it served the purpose. Sufficient for some hard riding and "cheap" enough to trash it around (and not worried if I scratch it).
OK. Cheap is subjective. I did pay substantial for this - but compared to what I am (and still doing)  to it, I won't be too alarmed if i break anything as they are built to take the abuse. This bike was a many first for me. To start it off, my first hollow crank. First hydraulic brake (which i broke after two rides falling from top of the descent to the bottom over rocky surface). First color coordinated bike (yes, we want to look good while getting dirty).

Hollow-crank, just because it's sexy.

However, the sticky point was the tires. I've wanted Kenda Nevegal (otherwise known locally as Kenda Never-Gagal) as this rubber is superb in Kiara. Those that ride Kiara will know that Nevegal is the best to handle the condition thrown at them in Kiara. Because of lack of choices, I sort of settled for a 1.9 Hutchinson Scorpion.

The Rubber.

There is nothing wrong with the tires. It served it purpose well during Sabah Adventure Challenge 2010. The only complains i have was that this tire is ol-skool. It has wire bead in it making mounting and dis-mounting during puncture repair a painful process for the fingers even with tools.

Good grip in dry condition, not when wet

With Xterra just (then) three weeks away, I need to get my bike serviced and a few things sorted. The seat need to be changed as the old one is falling apart. The handlebar need some re-config. The gears need tuning. And the tires really need some major overhaul. I went to Bike Elementz, in Kepong for some TLC.

Bikes. Bikes. Bikes. and More Bikes.

Reason why i went all the way there was because I tested their Boardman EM1.7 that was loaned to me for a while. But since I am more comfortable to ride my own bike, i decided to bring it there and "test" their services. Once I was there, the store manager Gavin and his partner Justin helped me with the two bikes and proceed to ask me what I need to do.
"Service?". I don't usually send my bike for servicing, but with Xterra nearby and the need to make sure everything was superbly tune came to mind.
Then the shopping begin.
The Schwalbe
I have never had any experience with this brand before. Preferring the tried and tested Ritchey tires for mountain bike (Z Max was my favourite) and never gone beyond 1.9 width. I told Justin my riding style (mostly Cross-Country or XC) with a little technical portion (because i PUSH most technical trails - shy!). I told him this will be specific for Xterra with mix of technical and plantation route and he suggested a combination of two tires from Schwalbe.
"But I want NeverGagal (Nevegal)", I said.
He explained that Nevegal is good, but what he is about to introduce, is better....
And much more expensive.
Ouch.

Nobby Nic. 2.10 for front

Rocket Ron 1.85 for back

Each tires cost me almost RM190...but it took me 3minutes to decide. Yeap, that was 27 minutes faster than when bargaining for car tires (when obviously the car would require better features, safety wise). My reason for this was because I wanted something reliable and a quick googling on my phone did confirmed that the tires were "control" and "speed" freaks. So, what better way to...AYE.
Two days later, I collected the bike from Bike Elementz. I had both the tires changed, my handlebar(too long) sawed off, had my seat replaced (Selle Italia Q-bic). The bike has been tuned and the front fork has been matched to my current 69kg weight. Before that was pressurized for 85kg. If i ride using that pressure, I will not have any shock absorption. I did not manage to try my bike as it was pouring that evening (of the bike collection). But come Sunday Morning at the trail familiarisation, I was super excited.
Nobby Nic 2.10
This tire was placed up-front for better control in the technical trail. A check on the official website mentioned that this tire is "versatile on all ground" and "light and fastest". Tires is light, fold-able and tubeless-ready

Meet Nic.

Rocket Ron 1.85
Lower rolling resistance and good control placed this tire on the back for me. I decided on the 1.85 instead of the 2.0 or 2.1 simply for the speed. Doubted with superb grip and yet low rolling resistance, Rocket Ron promises to bring you from slow to fast effortlessly. Likewise like the Nobby Nic, the tire is light, fold-able and tubeless ready.

Hello Ron.

The Ride
First experience on the tires were awesome. Both were filled with pressure at 40psi for a compromise between grip and speed. Yes, i also thought it was too high. I usually run it at 32psi. On sealed tarmac the ride was very neutral, almost road tire like. I hardly feel the bumps. Once it went into the loose gravel of the plantation road, the Rocket Ron started to show why it is favoured for speed - It was fast.

Leading the pack

The front Nobby Nic gripped the loose gravel pretty well too. One thing i noticed was that the bumps on the tires were not felt as much compared to my older Hutchinson. Schwalbe tires fitted on my bike felt "soft" as it mold itself into the surface. We went through a patch of silty road and the silts sort of caught onto the tires to the extend that it wrapped the tire.

Rocket Ron all covered

Nobby Nic too

One of the reason for the tire's tread to be spaced out is for "self cleaning" to take place. This is achieved when the tire spin again and "throw" the dirt off. I a interested to see how long that will take.

Everyone's tire were covered in muck

As expected, it did not take too long for the pair of tires on my bike. These were about 5minutes after the silty section

Dirty!

The route then brought us into PCP. By then, or about 3km from the silty area, the mucks has left both the tires.

Rocket Ron self-cleaned 

another angle - take note of how other tires still has mucks on them - compromising tractions

Nobby Nic looked cleaner than the tire it was touching

The ability of the tires to self-clean is very important expect of a good technical tire. Having the tires tread all covered up heavily with muck or mud will compromise the gripping quality of the tires and in critical section, you will lose traction and could be disastrous. 
I am happy to report that the grip rendered by both the model of tires were superb. The control of Nobby Nic were good too as I go around the technical trail in PCP. Tight switch backs, technical descent were all taken in the World Championship loop. The low rolling resistance of Rocket Ron -lets just say I wondered what will happen if i used the same setting up-front in an out-and-out XC race.

Fast downhill before entering into the technical trail

Verdict
You truly get what you paid for. While the tires were not exactly cheap, they both performance as claimed. The control with a wider tires upfront and the speed with a narrower back setup. The Nobby Nic helped me manoeuvre through the roots and ruts while the Rocket Ron provided traction and low rolling resistance when it needed to. 
While the combination of the tire might be weird for some, i for one learnt never to be afraid to mix two different tread tires and two different sizes (width). If ever in doubt, listen to opinions of your local bike shop (LBS) as they would have gotten feedback if the items they sell actually work. 

No. I did not wash this. 

Both the tires can be obtained from your LBS, in this case for me, Bike Elementz in Kepong. By the way, the service and tuning to the bike was good. I had my wheels alignment done as it was wobbly previously. A full list of services for the bikes can be queried from the shop. Now to wait for Xterra Malaysia this weekend to put these good tires and to clock in some good timing on the bike loop. See you this weekend!

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