Biking gives me wings =)

Been wanting to do a triathlon so biking was the logical next step after 3 years of running (from 2006) & completing my first full marathon last year (2008).

In fact, the $2K investment on my roadbike & joining JoyRiders was one of the best thing I did this year.  Never thought I'll be such a fanatic, waking up at 4am on Wed & Fri morning for a ride! Would roll off from home at 4.15am, head to Thomson Longhouse to join the group before going towards Mandai, Clementi, Amoy & home via Nicoll Highway, a total of 65KM! By the time I reach home at 7.15am, I would be very HIGH from the adrenaline rush, excitedly sharing with Gerald how fast & far the group went.
  
Best thing is, cycling people are very friendly & extremely helpful! Made plenty of good friends along the way, many of them have done multiple triathlon both locally & overseas.. so motivated!

Waijia & Alvin after the OSIM Trialthon 2009 
- WJ, a sincere & extremely kind-hearted gal who really touched my heart.  "Contentment" so much to learn from her!
- Big A, the leader of the East who really takes good care of us newbies.

Eric & Looi after a typical Saturday morning ride 
-E, my Shifu who soooo patiently taught me how to change gears, use cleats, drink on the bike, draft & pull and waited for me as I struggled to keep up with the group.  Without his help & guidance, I'll never be as good a rider now.
- L, very gentlemanly & helpful. Will always remember  my first huge fall along Coastal Road & how they stopped to help me.

Fungus & Anne during Tri Factor
- F, the number 7 never fails to bring F to my mind.  My heart goes out to him. We wanna help where possible, just to chip in & show that we care... WJ, A, K & I as Air marshall.
- A, always filled with energy & never pretentious...everyone appreciate such frank attitude.

My biggest challenge so far.. the 100KM ride to Desaru over the Hari Raya Puasa long weekend.

Really improved a lot over the last 6 months.  Still remember how I struggled during the Saturday Eastern ride. Now, Saturday rides are the most satisfying! Able to stay in the front of the front pack & if we are lucky, catch a huge group & draft! Hit my maximum speed of 51.1km/h on a flat road last Saturday... woohooo!

In fact, could feel my stamina improving.  During long runs on ECP, could almost feel the wings on my back.  Did my best timing so far of 10KM within 1 hour during the REAL Run.  4KM Trail, 0.6KM Sand, 10.4KM Taxiway/Road @ 91 mins, 29 secs
Year 2009
6 Dec 2009: 21KM - Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (TBD)
28 Oct 2007: 15KM - Real Run (1hr 31mins 29secs*) 
16 Aug 2009: 21KM - SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & AHM (2hr 25mins 55secs)
1 Aug 2009: Cycle 20KM - OSIM Corporate Triathlon (Mini Mixed Relay, 20mins 41secs)
19 Jul 2009: 10KM - Shape Run (1hr 2mins 11 secs*)
14 Jun 2009: Cycle 40KM -  Tri Factor (1hr 51mins 33secs)
24 May 2009: 15KM - Saucony Passion Run (1hr 43mins 20secs)
22 Feb 2009: Cycle 20KM - OCBC Cycling

Year 2008
7 Dec 2008: 42KM - Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (5hr 5mins 19secs*)

1 Nov 2008: Cycle 20KM - OSIM Corporate Triathlon (Sprint Mixed Relay, 1hr 12mins, 4secs)

24 Aug 2008: 21KM - SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & AHM (2hr 25mins 33secs)

20 Jul 2008: 10KM - Shape Run (1hr 12mins 26secs) 
8 Jun 2008: 15KM - Saucony Passion Run (1hr 38mins 46secs)
31 May 2008: 10.5KM - Adidas Sundown Marathon (Team Relay, 1hr 8mins 1secs)

Year 2007
28 Oct 2007: 15KM - Real Run (1hr 39mins 13secs)
21 Oct 2007: 10KM - Great Eastern Women (1hr 2mins 39secs)
3 Nov 2007: 5KM - OSIM Corporate Triathlon (Sprint Mixed Relay, Run 30mins 15secs)

Year 2006
3 Dec 2006: 10KM - Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (1hr 7mins 44secs)
27 Aug 2006: 10KM - SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & AHM

Sporting events with Gerald 

 

Bukit Timah trekking (15 Nov 2009) 

 

 

Bukit Timah trekking (1 Nov 2009)

 

 

 

Long walk & chit chat @ Bedok Reservoir (11 Oct 2009)

Relaxing ride at Safra Runway Cycling @Paya Lebar Runway on 21 Jul 2009. 

 

  

 

 

It's a cycle cum roller-blading event and hence they are many different types of bicycles as well as the pro figure skaters.

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

Caught on the Cycling Bug

Got hooked on cycling recently. It all started with the Safra Runway cycling last June where we had a good time on the super straight & flat Paya Lebar runway.

So when we were knew that OCBC was organising a cycling event on 22 Feb 2009, we promptly signed up for it. We rented the bikes from the organisers but didn't know helmets would be provided. Got this cycling helmet from Giant at only SGD $4! Looks almost like a turban.
The Start & End point was at the F1 Pit Building.
We did the 20KM community run. A huge crowd at the starting point, awaiting for the flag off. Despite the crowd, it was a very well organised event and the T-shirt looks great.
Jennifer & her friends joined us as well.
Completed the 20KM quite effortlessly and we were still looking fresh after the ride.
Subsequently Gerald & I regularly cycle from our place through the Eastern Park Connector. We'll stop for yummy Chicken chop noodle at Changi Village Food Centre before heading back which usually takes up almost the whole sunday afternoon. On several ocassions, it started raining on our way back. Cycling in the rain was great to drench the heat & bring back the childhood memories.

Recalled the first time we tried cycling this same route. Gerald was so exhausted that he had cramps on both legs and was so mad at me for the endless long distance cycling. Now, he's the one suggesting that we cycle to Changi Village for makan... haha

I organised a "Go for a Spin" session with my Colleagues on 19 Apr 2009. We started from ECP, near MacDonalds. Since some of them have not done cycling for ages, I was planning to cover 25km & U-turn along Changi Coast Road.

As pleasantly surprised that everyone was so on and we continued till Changi Beach (opposite Changi Village).

This poster was there at the junction outside Changi Airfreight Centre. Feels like it was there especially for us. A perfect photo taking opportunity. Everyone was so happy at the finishing point after cycling 32KM.


Was crazy enough to really get my personal road bike after contemplating for months. It's a Scott Speedster Contenssa 2009 model. Simply loved the colour. It's like buying an LV bag but I felt the pinch more than ever. And yes, I'll make sure it's kept safely at all times so it found residence in the Study Room.
Maiden ride.. from the Bicycle shop @ East Coast Road back home via the Siglap park connector.First weekend ride was estimated 40KM from home to Changi Village & back. Could feel the strong wind against my face as I race down the Changi Coast Road & bypassing other riders.

I need to beef up my riding skills though. Need to gain confidence to hop on & off the bike with the seat at waist high & ride on the road. *horrors* More immediate task should be to get cycling short asap! =)

Believe you can, and you will..

Completed my first 42KM marathon this morning and I'm truly happy. The weather was good, my pace & morale all the way till about 38km was great. I was on track for my 5h target with no cramp at all. I was also jogging throughout, nil walking except for walking through all the water point as recommended by experienced runners.
Most painful stretch was at the F1 pitstop which seems never ending and the sun was blazing. Jennifer & Gerald were there to share my glorious moment at the finishing line. =)
Finisher T-shirt & souvenir medal, in exchange for the sweat, blisters & lactic acid.
Feeling fresh after changing into dry clothes.