Slow and steady Ride de Singapore - 3rd July 2011 Sunday

Hello Taiwoon,

Your kind and caring advice greatly appreciated and we will take note. I have driven in Singapore before and this will be my first time cycling in Singapore, although I have a little cycle touring experience in other countries.

Agreed with you that those who do not have any experience cycling on the road together with all the traffic can sometime be nerve-wracking. It will be good to have an experience buddy system accompanying any newbie if they wish to join the ride. All will like to enjoy the fun safely together.

I am sure this ride is going to be a huge success. The participants is increasing and it can be tough to manage on traffic roads. Kindly allow me to suggest appointing some "marshals" or whatever they may called .. "assistants" .. "sweepers" to assist your kind effort, safety consideration, and to prevent anyone get lost on the way.

Thank you for your very kind consideration,
Billy

twwoon wrote:

Hello Bil,

Sure thing. This ride is "commando" style - which means we ride with all the gear, snack, water and no support vehicle. Of course in Singapore, u will be able to find drinks, snacks along the way. There will be some short pitstop at 40km intervals...but the expectation is all to be self-supported. In an event u can't continue, there is always the "taxi" to bail u out.

My intention for this ride is that we all ride as a team. Supporting each rider along the way...chatting and sweating as one...
The folks are a wonderful bunch and u will see smiles plenty here. This is a long ride, so u might like to do some conditioning ride before doing this... See u for the ride de Singapour!
best,
Taiwoon, not Taiwan

[/quote][/quote][/quote]

twwoon wrote:

Adriane, We will be riding mostly on road, so I think Mike's wife might be better to sit this one out. This is for safety reason lah... still if she wants, I would suggest she start riding with some one more experience on the road...so it will not be a shock. Also, 128km is very long distance, really... suggest they ride from Fort road to CV and back in one shot to access if they want to do this. U still got 1 month to train....

adrianelee wrote:

Hi Taiwoon, helping my friend to register, Mike and wife. Dahon Speed p8 and D7. Novice riders, wife has no road experience. Mike ask if it is okay. Quote Mike : I think less than 20km/h.

Hello Billy,
I am sure most of the regulars will help out the newbies.... But the onus is still on the individual to watch out(read our ride terms and conditions). Sunday is usually very quiet and nice on the roads... but expect to see some traffic still. I would break the group in pack of 5 which is easier to manage. This is not a usual 128km where there are marshals or signage. We going "commando" style = self reliance and self help. Spare tubes and patch kit/hand pump is a very good idea.... if u dont know how/hand to use/ repair the tyres... not too late still... u got 1 month. Pls print out the map and recce the route before hand...
The tough part would be prob after the 60km...and it would be near noon time...and the weather will be hot. Good idea to have 2 bottles and have some snack on the go... Well, the nice thing is we are all in SG, so if u really can't continue. Pull out ur phone and dial a cab...

I really don't want to discourage any one from trying. But frankly, 128km is tough but doable. Put in the miles from now and gauge yourself so that u will not over exert and injure urself.

Billy wrote:

Hello Taiwoon,

Your kind and caring advice greatly appreciated and we will take note. I have driven in Singapore before and this will be my first time cycling in Singapore, although I have a little cycle touring experience in other countries.

Agreed with you that those who do not have any experience cycling on the road together with all the traffic can sometime be nerve-wracking. It will be good to have an experience buddy system accompanying any newbie if they wish to join the ride. All will like to enjoy the fun safely together.

I am sure this ride is going to be a huge success. The participants is increasing and it can be tough to manage on traffic roads. Kindly allow me to suggest appointing some "marshals" or whatever they may called .. "assistants" .. "sweepers" to assist your kind effort, safety consideration, and to prevent anyone get lost on the way.

Thank you for your very kind consideration,
Billy

twwoon wrote:

Hello Bil,

Sure thing. This ride is "commando" style - which means we ride with all the gear, snack, water and no support vehicle. Of course in Singapore, u will be able to find drinks, snacks along the way. There will be some short pitstop at 40km intervals...but the expectation is all to be self-supported. In an event u can't continue, there is always the "taxi" to bail u out.

My intention for this ride is that we all ride as a team. Supporting each rider along the way...chatting and sweating as one...
The folks are a wonderful bunch and u will see smiles plenty here. This is a long ride, so u might like to do some conditioning ride before doing this... See u for the ride de Singapour!
best,
Taiwoon, not Taiwan

[/quote][/quote]

twwoon wrote:

Adriane, We will be riding mostly on road, so I think Mike's wife might be better to sit this one out. This is for safety reason lah... still if she wants, I would suggest she start riding with some one more experience on the road...so it will not be a shock. Also, 128km is very long distance, really... suggest they ride from Fort road to CV and back in one shot to access if they want to do this. U still got 1 month to train....

adrianelee wrote:

Hi Taiwoon, helping my friend to register, Mike and wife. Dahon Speed p8 and D7. Novice riders, wife has no road experience. Mike ask if it is okay. Quote Mike : I think less than 20km/h.

[/quote]

What TW meant by 'commando style' and 'self support' :



hahha

No worries Taiwoon, I have conveyed your msg to my friend. I advised them to go join all the weekend rides from now till 3rd Jul to get a feel of the ride if they really want to come do a segment of it.

Good morning Boo. Yeah.. u get the idea... Sorry har.. "Commando" means we carry everything we need ourself. No support vehicle to bring u back to the start point and water resupply. This is the simplest of all rides. Just ride, ride ride and enjoy the journey. if u ride that thing... I am sure ur face will be on new paper!

boo wrote:

What TW meant by 'commando style' and 'self support' :



hahha

oh... share with u this thing I was dreaming when I peddled slowly like a turtle from Kluang...
http://www.togoparts.com/articles/article.php?artid=2018

In an "emergency" can drop into any 7/11 or convenient store for KY or Vaseline ... relatively cheaper and it helps, rather then to have a sore butt ..

twwoon wrote:

oh... share with u this thing I was dreaming when I peddled slowly like a turtle from Kluang...
http://www.togoparts.com/articles/article.php?artid=2018

Padded cycling tights with lots of powder if you have! (double padding if possible too!)

hi,
pls add me,
bike- Scott hybrid, av speed- 25km/hr.
no problems with the distance, but not good on directions :-) (being Australian)
james

Hi Taiwoon,

Tks for adding us. Looking forward to the fellowship and the ride.



wey

Add me, brompton S6R, can go 20-22km/h .. but 128km .. worry that my brompy will fall apart before i do!

omegaforest wrote:

My 2 cents input,

1. 128km is like going from fort road to cv and back 3 times. Min. U need to be able to ride to cv non stop at around 20km/h, take 5 and ride back to fort road non stop.

2. You need to be comfortable cycling on the road.

Other than that it's mind over body! Enjoy.

My blog account of the 128km NTU rally.Perhaps we can get more people to join us next year!
View NTU rally

Thks for the sharing

I am in! TW and Mary so humble hor? 18/hour? I haven't decided which bike to use yet. Will post later.

Steven, yes!!!! mind over matter! I know u can one!

sttennis wrote:

I am in! TW and Mary so humble hor? 18/hour? I haven't decided which bike to use yet. Will post later.

sttennis wrote:

I am in! TW and Mary so humble hor? 18/hour? I haven't decided which bike to use yet. Will post later.

I have to learn how eat my "humble pie" ... so decided... therefore I shall try my Brommy - Green Apple ha ha ha

Yes... dun play play with small wheels...

Friends, 128 is not short... so better log in the miles, prepare some musli/power bars etc.... and "butter up" -Read about my "buttered experience"...lol.. yah funny but work leh! http://smallwheelsbigsmile.blogspot.com/2011/06/century-riding-cream.html

anyone stay at Toa Payoh Bishan area want to do practise rides at night? We can do some short 1/2 to 1 hr ones. I was thinking cycle along pcn to bishan park and then back.

@Adriane, Ping Mr Steven Tang.. he stay at Bishan... and I think you should ride to Mandai zoo and back... along Bishan park abit too little leh

adrianelee wrote:

anyone stay at Toa Payoh Bishan area want to do practise rides at night? We can do some short 1/2 to 1 hr ones. I was thinking cycle along pcn to bishan park and then back.

Hello .. Twwoon,

Pardon my ignorant, may I ask, is the "Pace" 20-22 km/h an average speed for the complete routes including the pit-stops?

I am not aware of how many traffic lights, crossings, etc along the routes, as it may possibly reduce overall average speed. Please bear with me my ignorance, as your assistance will help me to streamline any of my buddies who may wish to join too.

Thank you / Billy

Billy wrote:

Hello .. Twwoon,

Pardon my ignorant, may I ask, is the "Pace" 20-22 km/h an average speed for the complete routes including the pit-stops?

I am not aware of how many traffic lights, crossings, etc along the routes, as it may possibly reduce overall average speed. Please bear with me my ignorance, as your assistance will help me to streamline any of my buddies who may wish to join too.

Thank you / Billy

Hi Billy
I ll answer on behalf of Taiwoon.

1. First, this is not an official organize event so we do not have support (car or road marshals). Thus we are not responsible for your safety.

2.It seems that the group has ballooned to 30pax so we will need to group according to speed. The fast riders on rodies can go up to 30+km/h so average their average speed will be 20+km/h. This group will stay and ride as one group.

If you fall to the 20+km/hr group. This means yr average will only be less than 20km/h. From past experience, the gap will open for this group.

3. In SG, there will be traffic light everywhere. Like Taiwoon mentioned, Sunday has relatively less traffic.
As this is a round island. You must be confident to turn at junctions, switch lanes etc. Most of the time, we are on the left lane.

4.In the event if you are lost, unable to ride or the bike is beyond repair. You can message one of us and leave the group.

5. I strongly dis-encourage novice rider.

As a guide, you sld be able to cycle without any difficulties at 25km/hr for 25km on a flat road. Take a 10min break and then cycle another 25km at 25km/h. This will take you 2hrs.

Hope this answer yr queries.

Hi Guys

--------------------------
My apologies, now the maps are made public. Pls inform me if you have difficulties viewing.
--------------------------

The ride will be in clockwise direction so that we can clear Tuas - Lim Chu Kang when all is still wide awake.
Last stretch is Coastal Road - East Coast Park, the most painful stretch. It is a straight road so you dun need to think so much especially when u are shack! If you are really shack, take the PCN, it is very safe..slow and steady!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment 1: From East Coast park (Carpark Park B2) to West Coast Park MC Donald. Distance 18km.

View Segment 1


Segment 2: From West Coast park (Mc Donald) to Kranji Dam Distance 32km.
Rest Stop at Jurong West (before City harvest Church) and Coffee Shop after Kranji Dam.
Cross with cautions: Round About at Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim Road

View Segment 2



Segment 3: From Kranji Dam to Punggol. Distance 30km.
Rest Stop at Yishun Industrial Park A and Coffee Shop @ Punggol.

View Segment 3



Segment 4: From Punggol to Changi Village. Distance 18km.
Rest Stop at Changi Village

View Segment 4



Segment 5: From Changi Village to ECP Carrpark. Distance 21km.
Final Push. For the last stretch, you can cycle via the service along ECP or on the PCN.

View Segment 5


Total approx 120km. If you clock more is a bonus!

Ladies and gentlemen, 3 weeks countdown to the "iron butt" event... Like they always say.. We train hard in "peace time" so u will "bleed" less at "war"....Sorry my heartlander quote..
now for the the nice quote by some one more "english"

It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle. ~Ernest Hemingway

Hello .. Omegaforest & Twwoon,

Thank you for all your valuable information and very kind details. We will be arming ourselves with our camera and "hungry" stomach on this fully self-supported ride ...cycle cycle; see see; snap snap; eat eat...

It is our greatest delight to be allowed to join in your ride. Our riders are mostly with some good experience but may get lost cycling in Singapore and end up "wasting time" finding our way, although I don't think one can be lost in Singapore. It looks like we may be having "breakfast"; tea-breaks; lunch and possibly extend to early dinner along the routes ... on a Slow and steady Ride de Singapore.

We hope to be able to extend our Foldie Adventure outing activities to your members when any happened to be within our area too.

Looking forward to meet up & ride with all of you and also have the opportunity to exchange ideas and experience.

Thank you / Billy

omegaforest wrote:

Total approx 120km. If you clock more is a bonus!

Thanks Matt for the route details!
Confirm will clock more than 120km because LoveCycling peeps always detour when we see nice photo opportunities and yummy makan! haha