Sunday, June 28, 2009

I'm a JoyRider! http://www.joyriders.sg

Got my personal road bike on 2 May 2008 & was searching online for a cycling groups that rides in the East. Chance upon the Joyrider website on Thurs night and decided to drop them an email enquiring about their Saturday morning newbie ride. They were extremely prompt & friendly in their reply and I joined them on Sat (15 May) and never looked back since.

Saturday morning 48KM newbie ride starts at 6.40am @ ECP, Carl Jr carpark. Group leader Alvin is super nice & friendly. Never fails to take care of the newbies. Was surprise to find out from Facebook that Alvin was actually a triathlete (Aviva Ironman!).
Have been riding with Joyrider almost every Saturday morning since then. Made some good friends along the way. Dr WaiJia (a super sweet young doctor-to-be), Eric (super helpful & happening uncle), and many many super onz cyclists.

Had my first HUGE fall on my 3rd Saturday ride with JR. Was riding along Changi Coast Road when my front wheel hit the back wheel of Eric who was riding in front of me. They call it "Wheel rub", common with group riding. I was inexperience and fell big time while the more experienced riders escaped unscathed. Ended with HUGE cuts on the right knee, elbow & arm. The experienced riders says "It's ok, now you are baptised!". I must admit it was pretty dangerous when there's a crash. Could have ended up in the hospital if not for the helmet!

Officially became in Joyrider when Waijia helped me get the JR Jersey. Amazing thing is Joyriders are so friendly, helpful & onzz. Group leader Joyce & Alvin takes pictures for every ride & upload them on Picasa soooooo promptly with personalised comments.
Now the Saturday group is growning soooo big.
Went a notch up when I "upgraded" to Cleats on 23 June! Thanks to a great master, it was easier & less painful than expected. About 1 hour of practice with a handful of minor falls, now I'm confident to ride with cleats and it certainly helped to bring the speed up.
Joined the Longhouse group for the Western route through Kranji, West Coast, Bouna Vista, Holland Rd & Botanical Garden on 28 June (Sun). It was a hard workout with lotsa of slopes throughout the approx 65KM ride. The group was also much faster than the East Coast Sat ride.
New challenges brings good satisfaction. =)

More pictures available here ==> http://picasaweb.google.com/Joyriders09A

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