Home,Cycle, MRT, Cycle, Office - with a Carryme!

Today I tried mixed multi commute to work. 
With the 6 month trial to allow folding bikes, PMDs into MRT in unlimited hours, I have to support and try it out. Turns out to be pretty awesome!

The route is as followed. From Punggol field, I cycled to Punggol MRT, took the train to China Town MRT, cycled Peck Seah Street.  
It took me about 45 mins including a short breakfast at Maxwell market.  

I "real time" shared my trip experience with Lovecyclingsg folks and it gathered almost 100 likes!  Not too bad for a small joker bike!

Small bike that can

The bike I used is the Pacific Carryme. It's more of a walking alternative really and while it's looking comical, the bike works.  
Best part of it is that the "footprint" is as big as both ur feet area. 
Its tiny! This is how it looks folded up. 

Pro tip: use a velcro strap to hold all the dangly bits. Colour matching is for style points

I used the Carryme as I wanted to have the most compact fold and just something I can cycle easily to the MRT without waiting for the feeder bus or the slowish LRT service.  When folded up, I could easily manuver the bike around. I took extra care to be nice and moved to the first carriage to make it pleasant for other commuters. No one seem to mind abit which was good. 

The peak hour senerio inside MRT 

lost my way around Chinatown area... but having fun nevertheless

Quick brekkie at Maxwell market

My new work place at Peck Seah Street. 

In summary, the train at peak hour(morning and evening) is really really packed. I think you need a lot of confidence and practise folding ur bike before attempting this. But it is really quite possible. Just be nice, take it slow and be super considerate.  
Overall I quite enjoyed the experience. If I would do it again. Yes! Definitely. The bicycling brought a smile to my usual boring commute. And I will also bring a small hand towel to dry my sweaty head :) ... Maybe I will do it tomorrow!

ps:  It's quite ironic as my new workplace, I have a city direct bus 666 which is a godsend.  But... I think I like cycling!

Most compact Tandem ..Carry Us!

Saw this at Tiklop society of Philippines facebook,  What a nice bike! Carry me is one conversation starter. I get asked by strangers all the time. This is my wife and girl having some fun with the Carryme. Try one someday!

Cool Tandem carryme! 

Rider Profile Poh Fude

I first met Fude at the Ewalker opening on 13th June 2011. You can read more here.  Fude is a very quiet but helpful chap. I observed that he likes to be low-key and just help get things in order. It was quite a big rumble on the opening (I hope in a good way) and he has been immensely helpful and supportive of the LCSG Carryme folks all the time. Thank you!  Shy in nature but a chap with a good heart. Read more about how he got into cycling!   

A proud moment for Fude @ Ewalker 1 year old anniversary!      Photo credits Cindy Chang

Left - Right,  Simon Siah(LifeCycle), George Lin(Pacific Cycles) and Fude(E-Walker) Opening day 13th June 2011

Ever helpful, Fude came down on Sunday to help sort out roller wheel for one of the LCSG CM rider... 

Carryme team Tee! 

LCSG @ Ewalker 1st Anniversary 

Rider Profile- Q&A
* Tell me about yourself (your day job and family)Simple man with simple life. 3 girls at home. 1 old and 2 little gems. Doing motorcycle and bicycles.
* How did you started cyclinghaha, sad to say, after I started doing bicycles business. (He is very frank:)) 
* Why do you like cycling?Slow my pace down and look around. 
* When u met LCSG - how was it like and how u meet usGet to know u guys through LCSG web page and francis. That was last June.
* Your steel horses- names and more details.not many, just 1 carryme and 1 birdy.* Tips to share with fellow ridersRide safe, please do not take the road or other road user for granted. Always remind yourself that the road user cannot, didn't and never see or know u are there. 
So that u will take extra caution when approaching them.
Trigger for starting E-walker bicycle shop Hhaha ok. the story is... haha. simple. A friend of mine show me iF mode youtube. after looking at it, i say wah, swee. than I go google more information and found Pacific cycles. I wrote George Lin an email about his iF mode and found that that is no distributor carrying these good design bicycle. So I apply to be the distributor of Pacific cycles. Heng heng, i got  it and that how Ewalker came about. All is just luck.  Really. (He is like that... very unassuming and that's as much as I pry out of him)  

Rider Profile - Tiger Wan Carry Prince

The fun and tightly knit Carryme family!

Wan helping to route mark on Sunday rides 

* Tell me about yourself
YO YO ! Hi everyone...My Name is Wan Tiger and i'm working as a Freelance Outdoor Instructor with companies like Adam Khoo. I am also a trader/broker who does Forex trading (Thats the boring part, but what to do, it pays decently...) I was an army officer and a teacher previously. i love meeting people and making them laugh and smile is my forte. I speak 5 languages. Love the outdoors and enjoys travelling to the max. Counts fishing and photography as my dearest hobbies. Yeay !! 
* How did you started cycling
I picked up cycling when i was little. (Thanks Dad for forcing me to ride on a super uncool bike with 2 small wheels at the back.) During my school days, we were more into trail bikes and mountain biking. We rode to Malaysia (e.g Kota Tinggi and Malacca) and that is truly owesome. How often will you knock into cows while riding.? Only Malaysia...Truly Asia..!  
* Why do you like cycling
Cycling gives you the freedom to go anywhere you want. Beside other health benefits, they are practical and economical too. i love speed so the feeling of adreline pumping while drafting behind faster riders during training rides gives me a great fantastic feeling and a good workout. 
* When u met LCSG - how was it like and how u meet us
On bike rides, as in life, it is often a stranger who imparts on you the most valuable pieces of wisdom. Such was the case for me! I meet strangers one morning at a lelong event in West Coast Park, who not only share their joy but also their love for cycling. 
Fast forward to today, i have not only re-ignite my love for riding, but also make good friends and are in the company of those who enjoys riding Mr Two Wheeler. Sunday mornings are usually filled with excitement in the form of meeting new friends, explore and enjoy beautiful sceneries that Singapore has to offer. Training rides are also lovely to the body as its gives you the zest to stay in shape and get fitter. Thank you LCSG for poisoning me. Now its my turn to poison other people. keke. 
* Your steel horses- names and more details.
Bike 1) MTB Muddy Fox USA (Grey Rhino)
My First ever Full sus mountain Bike that i save really hard to buy. It has been with me since i was 21 and it is still rideable till date. He's old now...so he stays home to chill most of the time. 
Bike 2) Dahon Speed P8 (White Prince)
First Foldie after kena poison by LCSG. Bought and zhg until seow. Its steel frame enhanced by a 9 speed setup, durano 1.1 tyres and wheelsports wheel set makes it a fast ride. Now looking to sell and upgrade to a BF or Taiwoon's favourite AM perhaps...hmmm...hiak hiak. 
Bike 3)Pacific Carry Me (Black Mamba)
OMG OMG...Where do i start?? ok...one day my buddy Ming Tian loaned me his carry me. i had it for 3 days and boy, was i hooked big time. Its really a great bike. I am the Biggest (in terms of size)in the Carry Me Team and i ride it effortlessly. So for those who are still thinking....Mai Tu Liao...need to test....Take mine and you will be impressed. Its a great city cruising bike. 
* Your favorite cycling kakis
LCSG...!! YEAY!! I made many good friends in LCSG cos they are just awesome. Thank you peeps for making my stay in LSCG a wonderful and welcoming one...!! Xie Xie ni men....!
MY CARRY ME TEAM - We started out from 4 and with the generous support from many others, we have really spread. A big Thank You to RO AND Ribena who made it possible after NTU 128km....Arica for her bubbly personality and make things happen and my 2 buddies Ming Tian and Eddie who as a trio, we poison many others. keke. And also many others in Carry Me who i enjoy meeting you always on rides. 


Velo Familia Team - A team made up mostly of close good friends who love the art of impromtu riding events and filling up rides with lots of wacky jokes and laughter. Ishaq, Khairul Rahim, Azri Abbas. Bicycle Spa hardy, Roslan, Juffri and many others. 
* Your role at LCSG
Me no role lah..Just doin my best to entertain people i meet and make new people feel welcome....Doing my best also to asssit in anything...be in safety, sweep, plan nonsense wacky event etc. In Carry Me, i'm known as GPS King. Just tell me where you want to go and i get you there, coupled with slopes, laughters and fun. keke. 
* Tips to share with fellow riders
Safety is your own responsibility so pls be safe guys. Other than that, a smile is the best present one can give or receive. So just smile and say hello. It always work wonders. From Strangers, we will become good friends... 
* Other things to share.. Life motto etc
My personal life motto that I hold on to dearly..My father once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition. 
On the hindsight...My personal wish for Singapore is to be a vibrant cycling city (Like Taiwan and Holland) . So for any 'Gahmen' ppl reading this, pls let's make it happen one day. To NP... pls carry on what you have been doing cos its really making an impact. 
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving ~ Albert Einstein
Ride Hard, Ride Fast and Ride safe. WAN 
Ps: But Beware – ” Who says cycling is a cheap hobby”
Want to know more and read about his cycling adventures? Pls visit Wan's Blog! http://wanonwheels.wordpress.com/
Saving the last for the best... thank you the most important person in my life, my girlfriend Germaine Lim who always allows me to go for rides, never complains when I am out with Mr Two wheels. She is not poisoned.. .yet but soon...working on it:) 

Ewalker, Ubi ride and meeting Mr George Lin!

Lovecyclesg crew @ E Walker shop

12th June 2011. Sunday. 38 riders came to experience first hand Birdy, Reach, IF, Carryme and many more models from Pacific. The idea is to ride the bike in a route so that riders can fully appreciate the performance. All this was made possible by the generosity of Ewalker and Francis( Jz88.com).  The air was full of excitement as the folks fitted the demo bikes and test rode abit around the carpark.

Steve trying the Sliver Birdy.. He tells me he loves it!!!

Boo understanding how CM folds down from Fude(Ewalker)

Audrey with the color matched Frog...

Me and my Carryme!

The route took us around Ubi >>Sims Ave >>Old airport road>> Dakota crescent>Mountbatten road>> ECP>>Kembangan>> Still road and back to Ubi. As usual we had a breakfast break at the famous old Air port road market. My observation when I looked around, the smiles and laughter.. the ominous "oh dear.. I really like it look...""  This is indeed an effective way of letting the cycling folks know your brand of bikes. Bicycles really need to be ridden to experience the performance!

Rolling herd of bicycles @ Ubi

Wilson with the IF bike

Lovecyclingsg pose... look at the guy in black, Centre.. that's how its done :)

Dakota Crescent, one of the oldest HDB in SG

Breakfast after some cycling is always nice...Andrew is upset as his food is not here yet...

Mr George Lin, President of Pacific and Carry me Designer, signing my Ferrari red CM... :)

What an honor! Mr George Lin's Signature = Micheal Jordan of bicycles !!! WOOOOHHH!       Photo credit: KC

Dun mess with me..

Nice buffet spread... thanks E-Walker!

Sharing some brotherly love

Mr Lin sharing with lovecyclingsg folks on the Pacific story

See the passion!!

On reaching Ewalker shop, there was nice buffet spread(thank you E walker!!) We also had the pleasure of meeting Mr George Lin and Karen of Pacific bikes. It was a real honor meeting the legend himself. Later on, as he gave a speech he shared on the Pacific motto, which is to innovate and not to copy others.  I was very impressed by the passion which he spoke of the brand and products. The man has been designing/manufacturing bikes for over 40 years and he still has fire in the belly so to speak, very impressive! One snippet of Carryme related by Mr Lin was that CM was actually designed for a hospital. They wanted a device/cycle which can keep up with erthe wheel chair bound person. Contrary to conventional impressions, some wheelchair folks are vy sporty. They used to ride sport bikes, run or cycle. There are some really good guys who can power their wheel chairs to speeds up to 40km?hr!  This mean that the caregiver would have to very fit too or he will have trouble keeping up. With this problem in mind, the hospital approached Pacific to design a bike that can ride slowly, doesnt take up alot of space and also ride fast(keep up with the wheelcar racer).  This was named the Pocket and following that Pacific continued to launch this as Carryme. The CM has lots of following around the world.. including Singapore. Mr Lin also shared that he loves the Carryme alot and have traveled all over the world with it. Altogether 18 Countries! Wow.... World traveller.    

Derek so happy to get the first prize..

The finale was a lucky draw kindly sponsored by E-Walker and our dear Derek Leong got the first prize while the 4 lucky guys(Badrul, David, Adriane and Peter) got 2 sets of Foss inner tubes each. Thanks again for Ewalker, Pacific bikes, JZ88 for T-loan of bikes, the buffet and nice lucky draw prizes! Looking at the faces of the riders, I think all enjoyed themselves and would be returning for a closer look at the bikes for sure!
More photos here for ur personal download.
Pls also check out here for another blog account..
 

Carryme as a walking alternative

I park my car at place about 15min walk from my office.... which now is shorten to 3 min with my Carrryme.A simple unfold, a few min of peddling and I will be at my office. Nice and comfy. Tucked discreetly under my desk, it is stealthy as a ninja. Until I unfold, ride to go home or look for good food places around my work area. Many of my co-workers will ask if it is rideable and stare....
It is a definitely  crowd pleaser if u fold and unfold.. And see them open their mouths .... "Ooohhh" and "ahhhs". Depending on my schedule, I let some of them take a short spin... and most of them are actually amazed of how well Carryme rides.
I like it a lot... It is fun, it works and brings a smile to anyone who rides it.Try one someday. It rides better than u think, really.

hidden under my desk

Carryme. increases my lunch options

Carryme in covert mode

Took the day off to station myself at little thoughts group design exhibition. Parking at the Musuem is very expensive so I decided to ride my carryme. Found a spot at a private estate, parked my van, deployed carryme... And in no time I am now sitting comfortably at plaza Singapore having coffee. To make carryme "disappear" I covered it with a black cover I bought in japan. Ha ha... I like it!

steath mode