OCBC Cafe Bike Crawl 18th April 2015

Hi-res photos of the event here 
We got invited by the nice folks from OCBC to attend the first BikeCafeCrawl. The general idea is to visit some cafe and learn about coffee, bike fit and bike history.  

Julian giving a safety briefing before the ride.

Actually for the ride, we were not told of the location. In a way its a mystery ride of sorts. Together with me were the nice LCSG angels George Kee and Brenda. 

LCSG angels, Berenda and George Kee

Rolling slowly towards first point of interest. 

Slow and steady we ride as a group

We met at East Coast park Carpark C4. There were about 20 people for this ride. All not the usual pro riders but just normal folks who might like to do some riding. Ok, the lead rider, Julian was looking abit too pro with the aero bar and helmet. Amazingly he kept the pace at a leisurely 18km per hr max! Thats some feat! 

Slight technical problem with the crank arm. Lucky we had tools but we chose to walk to Coast cycles to get it fixed as it was quite near

Crossing the bridge

We first visited Coast cycles where we had a short demonstration on getting a proper seat height and bike fit. It wasn't a full on lesson but sharing how a proper fitted bike can reduce fatigue and tiredness. They also shared a bit on how they started and it being a lifestyle cafe and bikeshop. The breakfast was really quite nice and coffee great!

Coffee and bikes 

Mark and Tony sharing about the optimal seat height through a demonstration

Have a break, a chat, with team Nparks!

Yum!

Next stop was Shimano cycling world via the new "fort road bridge PCN". We had ice cream which was much appreciated in the hot weather. After cooling off, we attended the Shimano cycling world presentation on the bicycle history and also how they aim to make it a gathering place for cyclist. The thing to note is that Shimano will have some event of sorts every end of the month. Their bicycle workshop is very popular with the local riders. So watch their FB page closely! https://www.facebook.com/shimanosingapore?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

Terry of Shimano sharing the concept and details of Shimano Cycling World

Lovely co-branding

Keeping fit and performance using tech. Terry explains what the machine can measure to help increase rider performance

A very rare 3Rensho track bike... shaft drive

short break to gather the riders 

Its not a toy shop. Its a good cafe!

3rd place was from Sports hub to Loysel Toy. This is a small designer cafe at a kallang river. We were given a presentation on coffee. 

Listen har... later got exam!

Now I know this kind of coffee is called "3rd wave". 1st being the local kopi tiam, 2nd being the star bucks and third is the what we call "atas" kopi. 

What is 3rd Wave coffee?

Summary. To be "qualified" as "3rd wave", the shop will need to identify and share information on where its grown, the farm and when the coffee is harvested and roasted. It supposedly improves quality. Some coffee of different types were provided to let us sample. So floral and some nutty.... I am a bit embarrassed as I am not a coffee gourmet.  I still like my First wave "Kopitiam kopi". But I enjoyed the presentation very much. 
All in all, I think the ride format is pretty creative and pleasant. It took us from 8am to 3pm to complete the journey and all the eating. What I like was that they did not try to sell any bikes, nor stuff. It was simply to introduce the cafe to folks who would normally not go there.
Also very nice thing is that we got to chat with many of the folks from the media. Straits Times, Mediacorp, many online media on the cycling culture in Singapore. Many are interested and want to join Loveyclingsg sunday ride as well.

all kinds of bike rolling together

We talked as we cycled on many things. One was how we can work together and help shift cycling mindsets. From a confrontational approach to a more emcompassing and inclusive one. Also sharing stories about the man on the street and how cycling can open ur eyes to the small, beautiful things in life.
Thank you OCBC for a nice ride!
For more details and if u like to do this, there are 2 more session. Go check out this link from OCBC.
http://ocbccycle.com/About/cafe-bike-crawl/

Kudos to Shimano Cycling World. Steady lah!!!

Thumbsup!!!

This made me smile yesterday. Its great to see companies having a community spirit and paying it forward.
What I am referring to is this. Shimano Cycling World announced that they will be doing 2 sessions of Basic Bike Maintenance  and  it was booked out in a day!!!  Fantastic!! This is exactly the kind of  stuff we need to help make Singapore a cycling friendly environment and encourage more to take up cycling! 


For Lovecyclingsg, we have over the years done several Bike maintenance workshop and its no easy task. That's why I am so delighted that Shimano is taking lead on this.
Now what about bike safety and handling workshop the next round?  If you need additional help, perhaps we can collaborate and have LCSG Angels come in to assist. :)
Rock on Shimano!

Shimano Cycling World will have bike rack and lock

Scanned Straits Time Newspaper clipping. It's an offical clarification by Shimano Cycling World. They will have bike rack and locks for cyclists during their operation hours.
Please take note of the timing 10am - 8pm Weekdays and 10am - 9pm Weekends 

Well done Shimano for all the consideration for cyclists. Yes, we will visit Shimano Cycling World soon! 

Finally some progress on Shimano Cycling World. You can now ride to location!

Hell Yes! Finally something sensible for cyclists after several exchanges! Folks, you can now bike to Shimano Cycle World!

Shimano Singapore also replied!   screen grab from ShimanoSG FB 

Shimano Cycling World @ Sports Hub.....park at the Stadium MRT. Really?

Edited note on 31th Aug 2014:
The parking issue have been clarified and yes there will be bike parking at the Shimano Cycling  World. 
I am happy and very excited to see that Shimano will have their Shimano Cycling World at Sports Hub and this was the press release that was mass-sent out......

With the Sports hub bike parking fiasco fresh in my mind, I asked for a clarification on the issue of bike parking. After all, this is THE Cycling experiential shop isn't it?  
Many of the bike shops in Singapore do offer bike parking. Thats the norm. This is one of my favourite bike shop(C2C).... look at the parking consideration for the riders. Nothing glam but it works. Most importantly... the bikes are within sight. 

outside C2C 

And this is the reply I got from Mileage communications....  :( 
Yikes... I guess they probably don't ride and don't get it (cyclists perspective). Guys I tried...... 
So please keep your nice bicycles at home when you go visit the Shimano Cycling world. Or if you have the courage and confidence in the Singapore system... park at MRT station(REALLY??). 

"Hi Taiwoon

Thank you for your email and concerns regarding the absence of bike racks for parking bikes at the Sports Hub.  We have checked and found that there are bike racks at the MRT station exit towards OCBC Square.  Bikers can use the racks when they visit Shimano Cycling World.

We look forward to welcoming you and the cycling community to Shimano Cycling World when it is opened."

Kind Regards       

Denise Luo

Account Executive

Mileage Communications Pte Ltd

Mileage House 52B Club Street

Singapore 069429

T:  (65) 6222 1678

F:  (65) 6222 5378

Added on 29th Aug 7.40am. Email to Mileage Communications

"Hi Denise,

Thank you for the reply and I am sadden that you do not understand the cyclists perspective. There is no way the cycling folks will be using the bike rack at MRT due to the security issues. 

I have shared this out to the community so that they will know not to bring their bikes and the alternative bike parking location(@ MRT) as you have pointed out. 

http://smallwheelsbigsmile.blogspot.sg/2014/08/shimano-cycling-world-sports-hubpark-at.html

Lastly, I want to express how disappointed I am on the lack of bike racks/parking at the Shimano Cycling world which is supposed to be the meeting point for cyclists and sharing of experiences….

But there is no place for their bicycles. That’s really a big shame.  

I will also feedback directly to Shimano Singapore on my concerns and disappointment on this small but very critical consideration. 

regards

Taiwoon "