Not giving up yet, until Rowie met his coach who saw latent ability in him, reassuring him that he has the potential to become competent. Since then, his routines include evening training in the jungle trails after his classes end at 1pm, which his training has been scheduled to be 5 days in a week.
Sometimes, it turns into brutal to him. Rowie’s coach will be driving a car behind him, while he pushes himself harder at a certain speed to make it to the peak. It is a phrase of mountain biking, that an amazing opportunity for him to know better about his strength, continue on and achieve more than he can ever imagine.
“I guess, that is the joy of climbing a hill, and overcoming big rocks. It is more than being just a physical struggle, however, you will battle with your mind and find a way to work with it.” While Rowie enlightened us how the way he trains for his races. “And that is why climbing is my forte.” Rowie added.
To a 15-year-old, Rowie does not have any particular philosophy on being a junior cyclist, but his principle other than his passion for mountain biking, is that every time he keeps his impetus pushing to the highest. One step at a time. That was soon after followed by never-ending races not only in the district, but throughout the state.
“My most memorable moment was a ride in Kota Belud Jamboree back in 2015. When the results were being announced, organizers were left open-mounted upon knowing that I achieved second place in Junior Category.” Rowie acquired a new record in his age group for the fastest speed cycling for 38km in one hour, he did it to show the cycling community that a person of his age can still get on a bicycle and go off-road.
After being around mountain bike enthusiasts, Rowie decided that he would make it the benchmark of his life change. After the first try in making the race possible, there is this fire inside him that says: “Your journey is not at its end. Keep this going.”
BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER
Working hard and not giving up are definitely the rewards for Rowie, after taking part in more than 30 MTB races in three years.
What does not kill you makes you stronger. There are many reasons that keep Rowie motivated. Cycling builds core strength, balance and coordination. It is a great way to catch up with friends and get fit at the same time. It is also an integral part of training for his other passion, basketball which altogether comes in a way feeling happier, healthier and more energized.
To him, cycling is beyond the health. Outcomes are into the future. There may be the worst day on the bike for him, but the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction overwhelm all other feelings of dread and despair and where he faces his own fear, eventually he pushes on to the top.
Working hard and not giving up are definitely the rewards for Rowie, after taking part in more than 30 MTB races in three years. Of course, Rowie has encountered countless injuries before climbing up to his results, but there is always one note that keeps him reminded: fall seven times stand up eight.
In this coming August, Rowie will be participating in the Asia Mountain Bike Series + UCI Junior XCO Series which will be held in Tambunan, Sabah, and in hope of bringing a trophy back home.
“Today, I will say it to myself. I have defeated the odds and criticisms, made it to the UCI sanctioned Asia Mountain Bike Series. Now, I can’t wait for my next milestone.” It is not how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get back up.
