77.25km Round-about on 26th May 2007

~~~~GOCC~~~~

Numbers dont mean a thing, until you spend more time on a bicycle than sleeping. Thats roughly how long we sat ourselves pedaling all through the night. A humble invitation was upon us, from a local gym whom were organising a cycling trip around Singapore for their members. So the word and works was pass around by one of the guys, and surpursingly it was a good turn out.

Being not from the gym, we were acting as road marshalls and would guide the main group along because we were deemed the more "experienced" rider. Even without proper preparation, it was just like any road ride we had but just with alot more "friends",alot more "mileage", alot more "saddle" too. The group was at least 30-40 strong mainly guys at an age group of 24-50s, mostly on rental bicycles, that was advertly well used, but in all good working conditions.

~~~~GOCC n Rigs~~~~

The usual starting frenzy and coordinating everyone to get ready was indeed bumpy, but soon after we were hitting the roads and fighting for lanes along traffic. With such numbers, different speeds were claiming groups and without choice many had broke from the main group. Formulation of rest stops were the only way to keep everyone together, and that helped many stretch out to ease crampy situations. One of the nicer spots we stop, was at Yishun Dam which was the longest break time we had, and good for some breading snacks to keep energy levels up.

~~~~Feed me!!~~~~

The route started from JTC at Jurong near the German Centre at 9-10pm and it ended at East Coast Park at about 7am-8am the next morning. We went through Old Woodlands road, Mandai, Old Tampines road, Changi village, the coastal road all the way to end at ECP. All 77.25km of tar crunchy smoothness, with no major accidents or even a flat tyre, that i can recall. Unfortunately, not everyone made it through, the will wasn't there for some, but for many it was a good achievement, at least 80% made it through the night. And what got us there, LEGS!!!!

~~~~Legs_Go!!!~~~~

Pengarang Sunburnt

Pengarang says it all, 55km of onroad and offroad madness was upon us. The annoucement was made, a trip lead by some seasoned bikers at a local forum caught my eye. It's the biking trip, that i have been eyeing to go, for sometime. Because it was said to be average in difficulty, it was overseas (although not very far) and it was a good test to see where we stand, amoung a mass of season riders. But that wasn't much of a worry, the sun was more the enemy of the state. Due to course, only 2 GOCC riders were able to make it, but that wasn't gonna dampen the trip at all.

~~~~Dirt on wheels~~~~

The meeting time was brought forward to 9am, due to the over response of people wanting to attend. From 24 riders, it balloon to 34 riders, and so 3 changi ferry boats, much like the ones we took to Ubin, had to be chartered. A good 40 mins ferry ride with our beloved bikes, on fairly calm seas but only to have the calm before the storm. Off through the Malaysian customs, and somewhat, the sun feels so much stronger on their side. As on a small tar road, we ventured forward to the trails, and soon we were digging dirt up with our tyres. The pace got alittle faster, and the trails was dry, the way i like it. Only 20-30 mins into it, i felt a sudden drag, and soon later, my rear had a pinch flat. And boy does that suck, to start a long day of riding and having a flat so early, really disappoints the use of having a spare tube. Gladly, a few bikers stop and lend a couple of hands, even a good pump that made a whole lot of difference. Tube changed, and psi up to count, i was back on my bike, to the awaiting riders up ahead. Whew!

~~~~Sun Shine break~~~~

The mostly flat trail, finally lead us to a nice steep but short climb, but it was a scenic climb. As on the top we could view the palm plantation, and it was a very nice breather. The sun was really draining our strengths and wearing us down fast. Our camelbaks was the only watery salvation to our throats, but we took little sips to regulate it through the journey. The trail was begining to bite back, as being on a rigid bike, i had to absorb everything my front end took, but it was manageable. As we turn off, there it was, the steep hill, and steep it is so! But we had a choice, a shaded hilly trail through a forest but a longer route, or up the steepest one with the shorter route. I figured, i came all the way here, i might as well take the steepest, even if it meant pushing up it. Dang! it's not as steep as one would view it from the bottom, unfortunately the climb was way too long to push on, and to "save" some legs, pushing it up at the top was more logical than conquering it. But the fruits was the downhill, it was slightly long and rough, but it was worth the climb, because downhills trails are rare to come by, and it was superb!

~~~~100 Plus Degrees~~~~

~~~~Refilled + Rebuild~~~~

Soon later, we were told that town is nearing and all we had to do was to make it to lunch. 100 Plus with ice was endlessly flowing down our throats, finally something to cool down with. A few more pedals to the main town, we reached an overcrowded restuarant, with no patience to join the queue, we hop right on to another less vacant one. The fried rice was paradise, can't say much for the rest of the dishes, but what's important is we rested and we ate. The journey back awaits, camelbaks filled up, with ice some more! Full to the belly, we hop on our bikes for the long journey back to the jetty. This time it was a coastal route back, that tar road seems so straight and endless. But the unthinkable happened again, a flat on my rear, again! Just as in the begining with my first flat, a few riders lend a hand and that trusty pump was put into action. Way ahead, the rest have already put some KMs infront, i was soon trying to catch a glimpse of them, but there wasn't any. The road really didn't want to end, it didn't want where we wanted to go, it was just endless simple minded pedalling on the hot tar road. Finally, we could see the turn off, where the small Malaysia struture of a custom office laid. We made it! Sun burnt, almost too full, but not dehydrated. We got back into the boats the same way we got there, but exhausted and spent! No sooner, the offroad trails were memories, the onroad was still blazing with that image of shimmering tar. It only sank it on the boat ride back, the trip is over, and it was one hell of a ride!

~~~~Ready + Readied~~~~

~~~~SunBurnt Smile~~~~

Bike 2 Work !!!!

~~~Full Riding Gear~~~

It's been awhile since i pen down an entry, and what better way to start the "new year" by Biking 2 Work!!! Yes, i have left my car at home, and my ezlink card with minimum value to decay. No more finding car parks, no more waiting on buses with the torrential commuters. No doubt, i had been tacit with the idea for as long as my company's office moved to Bukit Merah, but the only hurdle was a hot shower. Alas, news came to me that the 4th level toilets had showers, even better a constant stream of bad ass hot water makes a hot difference in the morning!

So the weekend before work week after CNY's holidays, i got around buying my first helmet and Camelbak. Something almost all riders need, biking essentials. In my head, i planned my route, to the obvious avoiding all hills or climbs. 30mins was all it took, the same or faster than stoning on a bus, what better than the solemnness of pedal power. I was getting myself to work on my own power, my own sweat, and it does wonders to starting your day. The first day, was thought to be a tough one to get through, but after having a nice meal at lunch, i did not feel sleepy or lethargic, like i would usually do, biking has made a difference.

~~~Me in da Lift~~~

As the week past, i got more familar with the best route and my timing got better, give or take 20-25mins. Along the way, to and fro, i am able to notice what i normally been missing. Roads that i normally wouldn't travelled, places for breakfast that wouldn't be conceivable, but the Mee Siam this morning was damn good ah!