Saturday, November 18, 2017

Dan and Vickie from US with a tandem riding round Singapore


Left to right Vickie, Dan, Mr Tandem Lim and wife @ CarfreeSunday event

I was pleasantly surprised afew weeks ago that a couple from US Colorado took all this effort to bring their Tandem bicycle to Singapore.  They met Mr Lim at Carfreesunday who introduced them to LCSG.  This are some of the posting they shared at LCSG FB and I am so happy they are enjoying our sunny island on tandem bicycle. https://www.facebook.com/groups/lovecyclingsg/search/?query=Dan%20Reagin
If you see them cycling around, pls wave them and say hello! 
This is also a good encouragement for our hardworking folks at Nparks, LTA and URA who are doing their part to make SG a better place to live and ride. Folks.... check what he got to say...
"Several people told us it did not make any sense to bring our bicycle, let alone our TANDEM bicycle, to Singapore for our one month stay. Upon arrival we fell in love with Singapore straight away. We love the Island and the city. We love cycling here and are very happy that we decided to bring our tandem with us. I guess we just love cycling no matter where we are. Special thanks to Tandem Lim and Karin for taking us under their wing during our first ride in SG and showing us the ropes. We have found the cycling community in SG to be world class. We ❤️ Singapore "
Dan from US with his Tandem bicycle! 

I know it's not perfect and we got lots to do...  Let's keep on rolling!





Saturday, October 21, 2017

Passing it forward, momo old strawberry bike

Momo has out grown her strawberry bike and we decided to pass it on. to another kid who might need it.  So we posted the give away bike and her small red helmet at Lovecyclingsg Facebook and Mr Koh helped to collect for her friend's 4 year old daughter. 
I think it fits her perfectly! Happy cycling Shirley! 

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Cycling Profile - Bernard Tan

My name is Bernard Tan and I work as a business consultant for Amadeus Hospitality.
I like to share my cycling story.
My first memory of cycling is when I was a primary school kid. I vaguely remembered that I have learnt how to ride a bicycle during my primary school days, however, I have never own a bike. From then till late teen, I only ride a bicycle very occasionally and have never been on a bike when I start working in the early mid 80’s.

I started cycling again back in 2012. The people who triggered the interest are Derrick Yeow and Gracie Koh. Derrick was my ex-colleague from my work at a hotel and Gracie is his wife. I have knew both of them for a long time but wasn’t in contact. Both of them bought a Dahon foldable bike each and start “jioing” me to buy a bike and join their rides. I wasn’t really interested in cycling but after a while, I gave in to their persistent persuasion. When I was ready to buy a bicycle, I told him that my budget was maximum of $500 only. I remembered vividly we went to Lifecycle @ Gemmil lane. I saw some Dahon and Tern…. And I left with a Tern that cost $1200. 
Totally busted my budget and tightened my belt for quite a while. I remembered in the initial days after I bought my bike, I used to take the MRT to Punggol to ride with Derrick & Gracie around Punggol Waterway. But not too long, just a few months later, I was riding my Tern round island, and almost every weekend, I am doing a round island. I even packed it  for some of my overseas work trips.  The poor Tern was really used a lot and after 2 years, I decided to sell it off.  
My Tern looking at the ocean
I just used the Tern box to bring it overseas. Its not glam but it works 
I was looking for a new folding bike and the one brand name that I heard the most is Brompton and many of my friends had it. More importantly, it seems like it was really easy to fold and easy to pack for traveling.   The thing I was really concerned was the price, 2k+ for a folding bike. But after some consideration and ‘poison’ by fellow cyclists, I decided to go for it. And yes, I got myself a Brompton in June 2014 and it has since become my ‘workhorse’! 
I am not your usual Brompton rider. I don't “zng” my bike for looks. I just change out the parts which makes the ride more comfortable. Like the Ergon grips, MKS pedals, saddle etc. The rest of my bike is totally stocked. The bike is like a tank and it just keeps going, even after much ‘abused’

I have ridden to many places like a loop around Taiwan, parts of Japan and Europe with a super duper skater Adrian Oh.  I like riding long distances alone or with a buddy as it helps me do personal reflection and it’s quite meditative.  Sometimes, I will also join LCSG ride as it is good to catch up with kakis and chat up.  But mostly I am still a loner who likes a lot of “me time”. 
My kakis for the Ride for Ration 1K ride
Rolling with my team for a good deed
Most recently, I have done the Ride for Rations 1K ride. This is a fund raising event and the main cycling event is Malacca to Singapore in 2 days, a total of 240km. However, I have joined a group of 6 fellow cyclists to cycle a total of 1000km in 9 days, including the main event from Malacca to Singapore. It was a good experience for me as I have never cycle with a group in a constant rolling speed of 20-25kph. Besides the fun-filled 9 days of cycling, we also raised money for Sunlove Home, which Ride for Rations supported.
Bike to work
I don’t really cycle to work in my previous offices as there is no shower facility in the buildings. However, our office moved last December to a brand new building in Tanjong Pagar with shower room in each floor. This is how it looks... and yes I really feel very lucky!
My brompton tucked away in a office corner
This is my office shower. 
I have started to bike to work more frequently this year and about 3 – 4 times each week. 
I live in Woodlands and the total commute each way to my office is approximately 30km. I ride on the road for the entire commute from Woodlands – Yishun – Sembawang – Upper Thomson – Thomson – Balestier – Rangoon – North Bridge Road – South Bridge Road – Tanjong Pagar. I agreed that the some motorists can be quite intimidating on Singapore road. But I think it is the same in every country, cyclists on the road just need to exercises extra caution and be focus to be safe. I started riding when the sky is still dark, thus it is important to have both front and rear lights on while riding. I also wear high-viz T shirt while riding to work. 
I really enjoy cycling now as it is my only form of exercise and I get to cycle to every corner of Singapore and also in foreign land. As for cycling to work, I don’t have to get squeezed in the train, not have to worry about train breaking down, and best of all, I save a few bucks every day! Hope this can inspire u to cycle and perhaps cycle commute! 

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Cycling to Taekwondo class

If you follow my blog, you would realise that the entries have slowed down somewhat. Its because of work, family commitments  which also changes my weekend routine.  The Sunday schedule is 0900 at Jiang Lao Shi(chinese class), followed by Concept maths at 1300 and then Taekwondo(TKD) at 4pm for my girl. Yah I know what u thinking... damn kia Su right....Thats SG for u.  
The good thing for our busy weekends is we use the MRT/uber/ and I get to chat with her during travelling transitions.... 
TKD is at Punggol Safra and its about 2 km from our home.  It's just a easy ride and one that I enjoy with Momo.  I also feel very lucky as there's a short cut to Punggol Safra using the Punggol  waterway PCN. The path is also some what widened and its easier to ride for newbies, children. Frankly, it's nothing epic but its quite a nice ride which I treasure. A short but precious time with my little(maybe not too little now) one. 
Here's some photos of the journey from home to Punggol Safra.  What about you and have integrated some form of cycling into ur lives?  
Ready to ride! 

Can we go now? 

TKD finally over and on our way home

Momo roll up the right trousers so that it will not be caught in the chain ring 

Selfie when we ride....  I think next time we use the RE camera instead. 

Momo very comfortable on a bike 

Approaching the junction, the speed strips informs you to slow down. 

Good advice.  Lets look out before crossing. 

Reached home in no time 

I need a cold drink.. its so hot today!

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Cycling commuters in Singapore

We see more cycling commute to work and they are familiar faces at LCSG. They are the Woo sisters, George Kee, Kee Tiong and Bernard all sharing their route and real life experiences. 
It's good that they are being featured in the media and helps to give more awareness to cycling commuting. Hope this can inspire more to try it. Digital link here 
If you are a cycling commuter in singapore, pls drop me a note below. I want to collect ur route and story so that we can share it out to more folks... 
 

Monday, April 3, 2017

old bike new life as a market bike!

I had this foldie while I was working at HongKong around 2002 and as with stuff, we normally just chuck it aside and get a newer one. Me included. The old bird is now relegated to market duties and occasional trips to MRT. It still works fine and I decided to equip it with more basket so that its even easier to buy food and groceries. Its not ur rivendale cool cargo but it will do its job. I love it.  
To end it off, have you had a bike which is just rusting away.... forgotten? Why not give it a bit TLC and get it running again?





Monday, March 20, 2017

Cycling to explore the playgrounds by Daniel Seah and her princess

Saw this posting by Daniel at Lovecyclingsg Facebook some days back. Daniel daughter was trying ride but she doesn't want to do PCN anymore. Unless its a LCSG ride.. (wahhh I feel so happy!) So Daddy Daniel had to think quickly on his feet and suggested to go explore the neighbourhood in search of all the playground. 
Cycling makes easy work of the distance and not so tiring. From the photos, it must be really a good time and they even did a map to show how each play ground looks!  Wonderful sharing Daniel! This is how memories are made! 
Photo credits - Daniel Seah 




Now thats a happy look!

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Sustainable sunday @ Serangoon Gardens 5th March 2017

Chilling at the carpark at Chomp Chomp
This is a ground up event by a person living at Serangoon Gardens. He wanted to make a difference in his back yard and cycling is part of that effort... .so Lovecyclingsg went to support. Francis set up the Fafafa circuit for people to learn how to ride slowly, safely. 
There were also art and quirky stuff on display. Check out the photos by Joeel of this very cool event!
https://www.facebook.com/events/272918723147374/