Rider Profile Keng Yong

Keng Yong in a good mood!

Smiling even when he has a puncture

Aero mode with the Brompton

Throw ball at camera man during LCSG Treasure hunt..haha

•Tell me about yourself
Hi everyone,My name is Keng Yong.  I work in IT operations but talking about my work will probably bore you to bits. I stayed in the east side of Singapore most of my life until I moved to Punggol in 2008. My block overlooks a popular gathering place for cyclists – Popeyes so if you need a weather outlook, just send me a PM in Facebook and I’ll try to respond to you if I’m home.

•How did you started cycling?
I learnt cycling when I was in P6 from my cousins, and remembered the 3 of us riding around their block in Bedok South on just 1 BMX. My elder cousin paddling, me on thetoptube and younger cousin standing on the sides of the rear wheel hub. It was not until Sec 1 that I got my own bike from ang pow money. The first day that I rode to school, someoneprobably tried to steal it and had instant karmic retribution. I remembered that I saw blood all over the lock cable and the rubber housing had cut marks after school. The thief must have snipped his own fingers while trying to cut the chain. After that I found a safer spot to park in school. I stopped cycling after secondary school, and it was not until early 2000s that I got another bike. It was mostly a white elephant at home though. I only started riding again more often in 2010 when I got a foldable bike and now I’m doing it more and more.

•Why do you like cycling?
I like the feel of the wind against the face, skin and hair. It conveys a sense of freedom and has a relaxing effect, especially after a bad day. One can also take in the sights, sounds and smells while in the open.

•When u met LCSG - how was it like and how u meet us
It was late 2011 (I think it was Christmas eve). I woke up early and decided to look in LCSG facebook group (just joined), and lo and behold, there was a ride and meeting place was at Popeyes. I looked out the window and saw that the group was starting to gather so Idecided to ride over to introduce myself. Although I didn’t join in that morning with LCSG, I met Taiwoon, Mary, David Ng and even a secondary school friend, Kelvin Lau! It’s quite a delight to meet people that you haven’t seen for a long time in chance meetings like this and find out that you share a common interest. Just the other day, I met Gracie Koh at the void deck of my block on the way to a ride. We’ve seen each other during Sunday rides but didn’t realize that we live in the same block!

Time flies, and it was not until end of May 2012 that I started joining LCSG Sundayrides. My only regret was not to have done so earlier. If you are like me thinking that thereare no kakis to go with on LCSG rides, my advice is just dive in. Say hi to someone and you have a new kaki.

•Your steel horses- names and more details.
1st Bike: Black bmx (grew old and rusty; thrown away)
2nd Bike: Kona Kula (sold)
3rd Bike: KHS F-20R. Super nice ride, a bit on the heavy side and can’t fold well; soldit when I got my Tikit.
4th Bike: Orange Bike Friday Express Tikit. Riding it always puts a smile on my face.
5th Bike: Cobalt blue Brompton M6R. I use this to commute to work but not often enough.
6th Bike: Yellow Carryme. It is fun. I test rode at least 10 rounds in the carpark at thebikeshop and didn’t want to get off.

Technically I ONLY have 3 bikes now…

•Other things to share.. Life motto etc
I think cycling is not just for recreation but also it is a viable form of transport in our small island. I think pedestrians, cyclists and road users must have respect for each other to share the PCNs, pathways and roads.

•Who else to feature/arrow for rider profile?
 How come I don’t see profiles of regulars like Uncle KC, Encik George? (TW: actually have.. check out Rider profile page)

Rider Profile - Dean Tan

L-R Rick and Dean 

Dean Tan is the Leader of Punggol Night Rider and is also creating a cool cycling community that is built on the same Lovecyclingsg values - E.R.P  He and his team are really fun and cool folks and if you are unable to make it for the LCSG Sunday morning rides and more of an "night owl" person... , pls do consider joining PNR! Read more on how it all started... 

Team PNR at LCSG Treasure hunt 2012

Can't sleep.. can go riding! With the PNR team!

How We started? Punggol Night Rider (PNR)
Due to my work and family schedule, I cannot regularly do the LCSG but still wanted to cycle. … So I sent out a simple post on Love Cycling Singapore (LCSG) Facebook (9th March 2012) checking for cyclists of the same interest staying around Punggol area and it developed into a regular night cycling event. Cyclists of common interest in this estate came together and rode together. This group grew immediately within two weeks.
It has become a regular group of riders of counting more than twenty cyclists setting off regularly from Punggol Popeye fast food restaurant. To manage this better, create da dedicated facebook page to track the events and postings for this group of riders. The facebook became a common platform to shared biking knowledge and news within the group. One of the cyclists, Melvin Chua named this group “Punggol Night Rider” on 16th March 2012 naturally.
This group of riders consists of folks from all areas of life in Singapore, guys, gals, fathers, mothers and etc. Many are fathers who will settle their kids and family in the early night before coming out for a joyful night ride. Many also joined the group knowing that it is scheduled on Friday night for a good healthy workout and winding off after a week of hard day work. Rides are scheduled regularly on Friday nights at 2230hrs.
We have been faithfully overseeing each ride and also contributed in many ways, either giving useful tips on riding or technical advice on bikes. Many riders have also contributed generously on the facebook page on biking experiences, advices and bike accessories. We also brought along the LCSG spirit, which is to take many nice pictures, have great makan and visit cool and interesting places by bicycles. J
I want to comment my buddy... Christopher Lee, a kind and thoughtful photographer who often brought along his camera and captured countless beautiful group photos for the PNRs before, during and after each ride.
For almost every night ride, a recce will be done before the ride is conducted. A group of dedicated regular riders contributed selflessly and mindfully into planning each route and surveying each and every detail on the PCNs and roads before each Friday night ride is executed. As the group is huge, composing of experience, amateur and non-confident riders, we will normally split the assembly up into smaller groups with safety riders to safe guide and watch over the group along the way. I often will be at the sweeping end overseeing the whole ride, making sure that everybody in the journey is safe.
All this rides can only happen because of a a team of dedicated volunteers, namely Hardy, Kevin Fong, Eric Ng, Christopher Lee, Calvin Siow, Rick Wong, Grace Chew (Dean’s Wife), Desmond Teo, Lee Oon Teng, William Tan, Alvin Lim, Stanley Lim, Jeffery Ong, Thomas Heng, Gray Boo, Freddie Soh, Ronald Wong, Edmund Wong, Melvin Chua, Wan Tiger, Khairul Rahim, Sean Charlton Xavier, and many more to join, has come together to assist me in any way possible to make each ride joyful and successful. It has become a very well protected and guided ride with safety riders alerting one another of the ride situation on their walkie-talkies. Many new riders felt safe riding with the group and join the ride regularly.
Friendships were built up after each ride and the group grows stronger each week. Motto of PNR : RIDE SAFE AND HOME SAFE. 
Till we meet again next Friday at Punggol Popeye 2230hr. Join us when you are free, no strings attached. :D See you soon. Cheers.