14th July 2013 LCSG slow slow ride to Bidadari park

I pass this ground daily while driving along Serangoon road on my way work.  Bidadari Cemetery used to be  functional but closed for "operation during 1972". BTW do u know Bidadari means "fairy" in Sanskrit!  I didn't know that... but with Wikipedia, I now know :) 
As with many places in Singapore, it will be giving way to the  more housing projects.  For now it is a patch green with a nice winding path. More photos of the ride here 

LCSG @ Bidadari

So this set the theme for the sunday ride and it was simple route from Bishan park Mac's to Bidadari park. One of the highlight was the obstacle course that took the form of a overhead bridge @ Bradell road. Nice to see folks helping folks and a swamp of cyclists walking up. I thought to myself, if the authorities can make it more accessible to cross, I am sure this route would be more popular. Anyway.....  that has been shared to them countless of times.

Eugene with his trailer bike, helped by Desmond

Pierre and Chole (baby)

Daddy rules!

As we reached Bidadari, we went a couple of loops slowly. This is also to allow us to have a feel of how big the place it.  Mr tandem Lim also pointed out the haunted tree which a girl used to sit under. That day we didn't see and I am cool with that.

Encik rolling and rumbling around

Young Tiger following closely on Encik heels. He is fast!

We gathered under a big tree for the group shot. Then I sprung the surprise we have been planning for sometime. For a big hearted man by the name of Andy Yap. Helped by the kind Joeel and esther.
What I said to the group was this. "I have something to say. Many think LCSG activities just happen. Its fun and it just happen, week after week.  But it couldn't have happened if not for the tirelessly efforts of some folks. They are the angels who cover our backs and worked silently to make things happen. One of them has been doing this for a long time, week after week. Month after month, year after year. That guy is Andy Yap. He is our super man and we just want to say a big big thank you to him. And present to him this hand drawn sketch to him"
The group cheered for Andy and he broke into a smile. Thank you for everything, Andy :)

A big cheer for our super man, Andy Yap!

Fantastic work by Joeel Lee for Andy

A slight rain came down and we retraced our route back. But first we had to find a makan spot and this time we visited Toa Payoh Lor 8 hawker centre. Our steel horses drew many onlookers. Many shared their bikes, if they could fold and what not. I was already quite hungry and on the Woo sister recommendation, had the yong tau foo. It was good!  After the makan, we cycled back to Bishan park and dispersed from there.

Steven Tang with his kungfu fart.... haha

Ride down orchard with LCSG

LCSG at Orchard ION... not a sight u can see every day!  Photo credits Roland aka GV Sealion

The original idea was that we go take MRT from home and meet at Orchard Road. For foldies that is. While the rest of the full-sized bikes will ride and meet us simultaneously at Ion Orchard. I was told this is called Flash Mob. A quick google search and I saw a lot of funny interesting flash mob done locally in Singapore.  I think it is a very nice respite and good outlet for destressing and debunking the notion Singapore is a boring place.  My advice to our crew was, "cool! lets go! Be careful, it is bike promotion not  provocation"  To ensure that the ride went on smoothly, Steven Tang, Joeel, Diane did a recce and rode the whole route. After the recce, due to the ground conditions and heavy traffic, we changed it to simply a ride down orchard road - stopping at Orchard ION, Outside Istana and SAM.  Personally I was very excited on the ride as I have not ridden at Orchard road before. My impression was that there was just too many cars, pediastrians. ...can we really ride thru it?

Bidarri park

Mr AM at the Skate park

Riding from Punggol @ 630 am, the air was cool and crisp. Stopping by Bidarri park to take some photos and look at the open fields.  This is a luxury in Singapore with every possible land being turned into mega housing projects or shopping centre. As I looked at the nice fields, I wonder how long will we get to enjoy this beautiful fields? It took me about 45 min of relaxed riding to reach Bras Besah MRT. At 745 am, the area is nice and quiet with very light traffic.  I rolled towards Scape, my first time there. Nice to see good skate facilities for the youth.  No one in sight, I guess too early to be skating.

Steven Tang briefing the riders

George and Cindy 

how to fold??? 

Audrey Chong with a new friend

The main party formed up at Minden road off Dempsey where Steven briefed on the route and what we will be doing at Orchard road.  It was nice to see all in red, united and smiling. Bikes of all brands and sizes riding as one. Reaching ION Orchard, we gathered and waited for the whistle beep. Luckily or unlucky the place was relatively quiet and we had the place to our selves. Whistle beep, the crew who had foldies, folded their bikes in a jiffy while those with full sized bike just stood around looking cool. Beep again and we all did the pose.
Cameras clicked and videographers captured the memories. Not too often can u have 50 people, dressed in red doing a superman pose and still smiling! Beep once more and we unfolded the bikes and rolled slowly towards somerset MRT to Scape. Everyone was on the best behaviour and it was easy! I sweated abit at the Istana gate as I saw the police man shuffling nervously and talking quickly into the walkie talkie, but nothing happen!

Just outside Istana... the red van is coming anytime now... sweating inside   Photo credits Roland

Brompton BMX

what a smile! 

Next stop was the Singapore Art Museum and then to the nice Wanton noodle(San dou) and Laksa at Syed Alwi road. Overall a nice and fun ride to a place which I would have never ridden. Now thinking how would it be like if it was mass peak hour at Orchard road....   More photos here 
Kudos to the recce team, GL, Steven Tang, Joeel, Diane, Francis and many more for making this a cool and fund ride!