A failed Desaru Ride

October 26 we planned to cycle to Desaru, Malaysia. From east coast park we cycle to Changi Ferry Terminal arriving around 6am, as usual Mang Jing hit 35+ kmh after we told him to take it easy! Unfortunately, the ferry is only opening at 7am. Had some light breakfast nearby and when we got back, the terminal is full of people. Ah, it's holiday in Singapore and everyone is trying to get into the boat.

After an endless wait and carb loading we arrived at Pengerang ferry terminal around 12 noon. The scorching heat is unbearable, riding condition in Malaysia is way different than Singapore. The ride started immediately; after 30km Kuya Silver had a flat tire. It's already past 1pm and there's no way we can reach Desaru then go back to Pengerang to catch the last 3pm ferry. Thus, the group decided to continue riding all the way to Desaru then Johor Bahru to Singapore. Unfortunately, just less than 30km reaching Desaru we had to stop and go back as one of our riders is having leg cramp and can't continue anymore. We decided to go back to another ferry terminal, Tanjong Belungkor which is 30km from where we stopped.

The ride was tough. It was a never ending climb. After you finish a slope another one is just meters away.

Lesson learned:
Ride early.
Bring enough water and consume it wisely.
Make sure all riders in the group almost have the same stamina, endurance and mental push. A group riding in the same speed makes the ride easier.
Pack some bread and power gel supplement. Yes, power gel. I believe in science of supplements.

Filipino Cyclist in Singapore

It's almost a month since my last entry. I've been busy trying to look for a new job. A huge change/decision was made by our employer and lots of people were considered redundant.

Anyway, as they always say - "change is always good". I'll definitely miss working with my former teammates especially my boss which is one of the most considerate team leads that I've ever worked with.

Moving on. A friend of mine recommended this cycling group on Facebook: Filipino Cyclist in Singapore. I joined the Dunearn - Mandail loop group ride; meeting point at Novena Velocity. Great, as I'm just 8 minutes cycling away from the meeting place.

The ride was epic!  There were road bikes, MTB and 3 folding bikes (including mine). When we arrived at Mandai road a guy on a road bike suggested that we change the plan; instead of taking Bukit Timah - Dunearn, it will be better to take a longer ride since a lof of construction is happening at Bikut Timah. The organizer (Mr. A. D.) asked us newbies if we're okay with it and we said --- YES!

I always wanted to see if I can push my body on a longer ride. There was a time I was pedaling really slow and Mr. A. D. advised to lower my gear so I won't easily get tired. He also recommended to focus in increasing my cadence by 80 - 90/minute. It really helped. My legs felt better.

The best part is that the road bike guys asked if we want to climb up Mt. Faber. Oh man, I was so excited. The only incline I had is at Chancery lane, ha-ha! I completed the climb using my lowest gear. Sick man! I love it! I love the burning sensation in my legs!

Lesson learned: Go join a group ride. You can learn a lot from other people by asking, advise and observing. Also, I find it safer since vehicles can easily see a long line of cyclist.

I like this group of riders, they strike me as serious riders in a way that they don't chat too much and take pictures. They just wanted to keep riding. The same rule that my jiu-jitsu coach always tell us, avoid talking much and just keep grappling.

Thanks to Mr. A. D.. The guy in blue jersey and bike that talked to me when I was pedaling very slow. Thanks to everyone that joined the epic 67 km ride :)

Mandai

Mt. Faber

67 km

ElectroLux Man

I'm gonna knock on your door. Ring on your bell. Knock on your window too.

My bike main purpose: grocery / market, going to my friend's bar and to relieve stress.

Warehouse Sale: Entro Cycles - Singapore

Warehouse Sale at Entro Cycles - Singapore

Surprise Beerhouse

Lab-lab and I celebrated her birthday at L'Entrecote. I'm not an expert on steak but I find their steak a bit dry, bland and not thick as it is already cut when they served it. I'm more of a manly protein steak where the juice and a bit of blood are dripping off my mouth. To justify, the place is marvelous and the service is 5 star quality. The oven-baked bone marrow spread-over the fresh french bread is delectable! You can also ask for a refill of fries.

Steak and Fries

Bone Marrow

J, T and I have been planning a surprise party for Lab-lab. We decided to do it at our friend’s bar Beerhouse. So after our dinner at L'Entrecote I told her that there's a mini-concert at Beerhouse and we should drop-by and have a bottle of beer. Ofcourse, that's not true.

Come and visit Beerhouse located at 28 Bali Lane, Singapore City, Singapore 189864. It's a very chill place to hangout with wide-range of beers.

Beer House.
Owned by a good friend.
Same owner of Mang Kiko Singapore

Surprise!

Oh, I'm not acting surprised here!

Happy birthday Lab-lab!

Cupcakes from J

Blow and make a wish

I'm gonna hug you and squeeze you...

Thanks J and T for making the surprise party possible.

Squats, Cycling and Cramping

Last Thursday I did some leg workout in the gym.

Barbell squat: 1x8 (60kg); 1x5 (70kg); 5x5 (80kg); 1x8(60kg)

Front barbell squat: 3x8 (60kg)

Single-leg squat: 3x8 (30kg)

Usually, my legs soreness will last for 2 days; 3 days maximum. However, my recovery seems a little bit slower this time. It’s already Monday (fourth day) and my hamstrings are still very tight and sore. It’s probably due to aging and lack of supplement such as Ensure :D

It’s Monday and it’s bike day to work. I went on with my usual preparations and gave Lab-lab a kiss and text that I’m already going-off while she's asleep. After 1 km I felt a shooting pain in my hamstring and knee. I just ignored it as I already know that it’s probably because my legs haven’t fully recovered yet. As I’m past Boon Keng/Lavender, I was having severe cramps on my hamstring and inner thighs. I stopped at a gasoline station and parked my bike in front of the convenience store to buy Vitamin-water. I was sweating profusely and my vision is a bit blur due to my body is fighting the cramps it’s going through. I sat on a box at the gasoline station and rested for 20 minutes.

I started pushing my bike after I felt better. I decided to walk my bike for a bit just to feel my legs and straighten it. Then I ride the rest of the way back home when I felt that I can pedal again lightly.

Lesson learned: listen to your body.

Morning commute with a Brompton

Around City Hall area a guy on a Brompton suddenly appear beside me on a red traffic light. I checked his ride but we did not give each other a nod. Probably too early for a fellow-folder courtesy, haha! No offense taken. Anyway, he’s wearing formal long sleeves, pants, shiny black shoes and no helmet. Once the light turned green he pedaled so fast I can’t even catch-up to him. I was like: ‘What kind of Brompton is he riding? Is Brompton supposed to be faster than my Dahon Speed P8?!’.

This happened for a couple of lights, which is the only time I can catch-up to him, then he breakaway near Cross St.

Next time I see him I'll definitely ask why he's faster than my ride. :D

Oh, it's good Scottish weather, madam

I got caught in the middle of the rain when I reached Lavender this morning. I decided to stop and take MRT station from Lavender to Raffles Place. But it’s only 8:35AM; folding bikes are only allowed starting 9AM onwards during weekday. The rain stopped lightly and I decided to continue cycling but it started pouring when I reached Bugis area. I still pursue cycling since I’m just wearing normal clothes and I still need to take a shower in the office. So why not get soaked for another 15 minutes?!

It was a great experience. Everytime I get caught in the rain I always remember Mel Gibson’s line in ‘Braveheart’ when he’s trying to convince her companion’s parents to go out even if it’s raining.

(raining, outside of Murron's house)
William: Good evening, sir.
MacClannough: Ah, young Wallace. Grand soft evening, huh?
William: Ay, is that. I was wondering if I might have a word with your daughter.
MacClannough: What do you want to have a word with her about?
William: Well, ah, Murron, would you like to come and ride with me on this
fine evening?
Mrs. MacClannough: In this? You're out of your mind.
William: Oh, it's good Scottish weather, madam. The rain is fallin' straight down, well slightly to the side like.





Also, while riding under the rain I had this confidence that I look like this:

Then I realize that people actually see me like this:

Dunearn - Mandai loop 50km

This morning I did the Dunearn - Mandai loop that I saw at Togoparts.com. Started riding at 7:16 AM and completed around 11:30AM. I got lost when I missed the turn to Mandai road and ended all the way to Sembawang & Woodlands. I managed to get back to Upper Bukit Timah but it was a long detour.

It was very tiring but definitely a great experience and an eye-opener that cycling requires different kind of fitness especially when you're climbing hills / incline road.

At Casuarina, Old Upper Thompson.
Lots of cyclist here: resting and eating at Casuarina Curry.
I sat on a curb for a 10 minute rest.

St. Michaels to Old Upper Thompson

After 10 minutes of rest at Old Upper Thompson I got back on the road again. Unfortunately, I missed turning to Mandai road and ended-up further at the end of Sembawang.

Lost!

Figured-out how to get to Upper Bukit Timah by Woodlands.

I had a hard time along Dunearn road's incline. It wasn't that steep but fatigue has gotten to me. My legs were burning at the peak of the incline that I got off the bike twice and walked for a bit.

Finish Line at Whampoa Drive.

Lunch at Loy Kee, Whampoa

Loy Kee

Char siew & roast pork rice.

Know your Bike by riding it Hard.

I did a 13 kilometer ride today on the same route with incline at Thompson road, Chancery lane, Balmoral road and Goodwill road.

This time I tried to push the pace harder but I suddenly felt that the handlebar was shaking. A slight turn will wobble the entire front of the bike. I was a bit worried and had to stop to check what's wrong. I tightened the stem bar clamp. It did eliminate the shaking but the ride is still a bit shaky everytime I pushed it hard on incline. I'm still not sure if the stem bar is really the cause or if this is a known problem/issue on folding bikes. I'll try to ask around and do some research and will update this entry if I get any good findings.

06-27-2012 Ride

Update: I've been following a guy on Instagram and he's a bike enthusiast and we both have the same Dahon Speed P8. I asked him about this problem and confirmed that he experienced the same thing. He advised to tighten the bolt on the handlebar. He even provided a picture to show which bolt to tighten. Awesome guy! It did fix the problem!

The Adobo Workout

There are tons of fad workouts flying around: Insane workout, P90X, Cross-Fit. You name it, they have it.

Well I have my own version of working out that is definitely fun and delicious. It's called 'The Adobo Workout'

I took my bike out tonight to buy some vinegar as I'm planning to cook pork adobo for dinner. Guess what? As I'm about to reach the grocery store I continued to pedal all the way to Thompson Road -> Chancery Lane -> Balmoral Road -> Stevens Rd -> Goodwill Rd.

I ended up riding for an hour with lots of uphill road at Chancery Lane, Balmoral and Goodwill. Yay! On my way home I finally bought the precious vinegar and got in some good workout at the same time.

Variety of vinegar

Pinakurat
Rice Vinegar
Chinkiang (vinegar used for dumplings)

Pork adobo

Fast pace = Attentiveness + Agility

After working-out in the gym I went back to the office to get my bicycle. My normal bike ride is 33 - 35 minutes. But this time I pushed the pace faster; I was able to hit 21 minutes. I don’t think I’ll always do this since speed requires more attentiveness and agility. It’s still better to ride at a normal speed which will allow you to enjoy the view.

Based on Endomondo I'm burning around 120 - 155 calories per ride. This is an estimated total of 300 calories per day by bike. I don't think it matters as I eat a lot. :D

Another lesson that I learned from riding for a short time is to buy a lighter helmet that allows more air-flow. My helmet is really hot and heavy which is like a skateboarder’s lid. I'm saving money for GIRO helmet. I read a lot of good reviews about this helmet from both road and off-road bike riders.

Giro Aeon

Orchard to Home

From Wheelock Place, Orchard to home. Rode to buy Garrets popcorn for my lab-lab. I miss you baby.



View Tanglin Orchard - To Home in a larger map

Pong's mini-travel: May 20, 2012

I hereby name this helmet Pong!

Singapore flyer

Fullerton Bay Hotel

Marina Bay Sands

First ride to work

It's my first ride to work. Yehey! I already planned this two days ago but when I woke-up today it was drizzling. I waited for 40 minutes and shouted "You shall stop!!! (in Gandalf voice). Ala, the rain stopped. Now, it's time to take out "my precious".

The ride was a bit slower than I hoped due to wet & slippery road. It took me 50 minutes from Boon Keng to Lau Pa Sat. My target is 30-40 minutes. I even lost control when I tried to go faster on a downhill ramp. Anyway, it was a fun ride even there's some mud all over my ass & back because Tyrion doesn't have a mud guard. Oh, and I was sweating like a hog when I reached the parking area. Haha!

Locker and shower room keys

50 minutes from Boon Keng to Asia Square

I also bought a headlight and rear light at LifeCycle Singapore. The guys there were really helpful and knowledgeable. Awesome bike store + Travel + Cafe.

Voyager 2.0 (front)
Smart Super Flash (rear)

Sabado night and locks

I just bought a u-lock for my Dahon Speed P8 at Trek @ Tanglin road. Unfortunately, I can't find a spot where to mount it in the bike frame. The mount strap is too short to wrap around the thick frame. Thus, I'll just carry the lock in my bag.

Trek U-lock by Kryptonite
SGD 65

Chain with alarm
I'm not sure if I still need to
buy this as an additional lock.
SGD 83

Sabado night with Tyrion at YSW seafood restaurant

Tyrion and my favorite chicken curry rice worth SGD 6.50

To buy list:
Ringer (red color).
Front headlight & rear light. I found a pair in Trek for SGD 95.
Strap to wrap bag.
Bike bag (optional) - I can ride with my current backpack.
Bottle cage (silver) (optional) - I can just put my water bottle inside my bag.