LCSG 2nd Anniversary Gathering 29th Sept 2012

Time flies when we are having fun! Playing tourists on our backyard every Sunday and catching up with friends. It's year 2 and on 29th Sept - Sat, 70 friends came to celebrate this wonderful moment. 
All the arrangements were again led by Andy Yap, with the help of Tiger Wan, Eddie Lim( MC,DJ) , Zack and Tomorrow(Ming Tian). It was an awesome gathering and a "hidden tiger crouching tiger moment". Turns out Eddie and Tiger were Professional Event pple... even had their own sound system.  Eddie was brilliant in his Emceeing, making the evening a night to remember. 
Luckily Darren had the foresight to video the occasion, edit some of the highlights + Photos here as well.  Check out his nice video of the LCSG event! 
Lastly, I want to say I am extremely proud to be part of Lovecyclingsg and to know all the cycling kakis! Here's wishing Lovecyclingsg a happy 2nd Birthday and to more rolling good years! 

I wannnntt...  prizes for lucky draw

Pattern more than badminton.. generating laughter all round 

meeting friends and making new ones 

Playing with candles and lanterns

nice spread!

Steven Tang, George Lim and Desmond 

Andy sorting the list in his effective and quiet way

Rider profile Derrick Tan

Derrick, Taking on Wulin. Day 2!

Ponchek but smiling. Awesome!!

Shackked out but holding on

Derrick with his Buddy Nick Wong at 7-11 stop!

• Tell me about yourself Hello everyone. I am Derrick. My day job involves in improving business processes. My night job then involves solving my 'little taukeh's boredom :) The remaining time spend will be on cycling. 
• How did you started cycling? The initial intention was to do cycling with my son but ended up buying the bicycle and engaging the activity myself as he is not ready. 
• Why do you like cycling Form of exercise, having some time to yourself, get to know more people from all walks of life, ride and smell the roses, and getting to places that we don't normally go. 
• When u met LCSG - how was it like and how u meet us ? None of my family members know how to cycle. After buying my Dahon, i was looking for friends or people who has cycling interest. With the help of google, LCSG had a ride at sentosa and the distance is manageable, so i decided to give it a try. If i was unable to catch up, the most i ride home :p • Your favorite cycling kakis No specific kakis. Mostly folks from LCSG. 
• Your favorite cycling route and LCSG ride I enjoy every place that LCSG organises. Afew of name are follow pengarang, Kukup and Taiwan. But I guess it's the company that counts :)  
• Your role at LCSG Helping out in whatever way I can. Traffic or even swipe. Not very good with directions..haha 
• Your feelings after and during organising LCSG rides Personally, the reason why LCSG is successful is because it's non political, focus on cycling and not bothered by the background of the person. People are friendly and there is no restriction on bike types. You have a bike, let's ride together! 
• Tips to share with fellow riders.
 Being a fairly new rider, don't really have many tips to share. Most important is being comfortable with your ride, knowing what it is capable of. This will reduce accidents. Of cos personal awareness of the surrounding is also important. 
• Your steel horses- names and more details. 
1) Vitesse D7 - used for few months, currently in the storeroom since 2nd bike arrived. 
2) Brompton M6R - My SUV. Very versatile and compact bike. Good for marketing @ Chinatown :) 
3) AM-TSR 20 - latest addition to the family. More for long distance, comfort and efficient bike. 
Others(highlight of my short cycling journey) New to riding, so dun have much riding experience to share. Most memorable ride got to be wulin with my trusty brompton M6R, with a group of fun folks. 
Why is this ride so special? It's the hardest 2 days i worked my heart...haha no joking. End of day 1, I was so tired, after late lunch/dinner, i went to straight to bed. 
Day 2 even tougher. Steep curve slope to start the day. End of the day 2, cosy restaurant, a piece of steak in front of me, but I dun have the energy to eat it. Heart beating away, feeling tired, better go ask papa mike for some magic pill as I wanted to ride down the hill. 
Day 3, woke up feeling ok. Ready to enjoy the 5hr downhill. Once in awhile will have a crazy thought of driving up and riding down genting highland :) So if you add 2 days of hill, 1 day of downhill, with a group of friends, you have an unique and memorable experience. 
Why brompton? In preparation for the trip, thoughts were, one trip, dun hv to buy another bike for it. Limited space at home, bike visa hard to come by...haha So my mind is set on brompton. Even after watching all the YouTube posted by George, some showing brompton going up. So proven bike can go up, its the rider that needs more training. At the back of my mind, I knew the gear ratio is not ideal, so changed my 50T crank to 44T. Met a friend, he suggested some simple exercise to strengthen leg muscle. That's the lease I can do, and i follow through the routine. The disadvantage of brompton gear ratio motivated me to stick to the exercise. After that, it's "Just Do It. At least I tried". 
Moulton- poisoning.... Having watched YouTube posted by kevin, I was very impressed by his in-depth knowledge and passion for moulton and focus on efficiency, which is something i wanted for the next ride. Sometime before leaving for Taiwan, I was presented with the opportunity of getting a moulton frame by kevin. Thanks to George for the lobang. That's how my moulton TSR came about. After it was fixed up locally, initial impression is, it will be a comfortable ride since it has 2 suspension, which is true. After I took it for a 128km. Knowing my own fitness, i know that the next few days will be aching here and there. But surprising i didn't feel any fatigue. That's where I realised, the drop bar, and the 2 suspension has done it's job. Kudos to kevin's handicraft.

Thanks!

Last week, while resting around on the rides, Kimi came up to me and pass me a nice gift all the way from Thailand.... It was from Mary, Bro AL,Uncle KC, Chris, PapaMike, hong, Steven Tang, Roland, Mr Teo and Kimi... Kimi was sorry that it was a bit delayed but to me I was very touched. What a nice surprise!

As you know they went to Chiang Mai and had a super time. You can read more on their exciting adventures on Bro Al blog - Love the fold . Lots of nice food and slopes. One of the high lights was that they even met up and rode with Chiang Mai Lovecyclingsg equivalent  - aptly named Chiang Mai Sunday Cycling Club, Thailand!!!  I am not a hard core cycle to the death cyclist. I am more interested in the how cycling can connect with all levels of people and of course more opportunties to look around, photo and eat. It makes me very happy to see like minded people at Chiang mai and that thru cycling we can become friends. 

Thank you my friends for a thoughtful gift and most importantly the friendships and laughter!

3 treasures.. Momo, Chiang Mai Sunday cycling club and LCSG jersey!

The official Chiang Mai Sunday cycling club Jersey!

Rider profile - Elaine Pan

Elaine with her Raw lacquer M Brompton

Dahon @ Bukit Brown

Kranji 7-11 @ LCSG 128 route!

Team Turtle @ LCSG 128 night ride - Elaine is 3d from rear left 

Introducing Elaine Pan, who just started riding half a year ago. I remember her first ride when she was so nervous and was struggling to keep up. Recently she had completed the 128km night ride and also been a regular feature of the Sunday ride. This is her story! Very cool!  


Trigger :
1. I met a American couple in Paris last June, they cycled around Paris and so relex, comparing with me walk all days and tired. I think cycling can see more thing than walking..
2. This April, a friend of mine told me he lost few kg after cycling weekly in East Coast PCN on his Dahon Mu P8. I went to try his Dahon and decided I should ride to work and exercise.
3. I need to exercise. I plan to exercise at least two times a week. I always excuse myself because I have no time. So if I cycle to work once a week, at least I exercise two times a week. One weekday and one weekend (with LCSG)
4. Why I choose folding bike?
I started my first ride from CCK to IMM with my Dad on our "market bike" that we hardly used. We had hard time in this 9 KM journey. We wanted to give mp on our way home but we could not take taxi . We ended up with very painful butt and yet we like the ride. That is why I decided to get the folding bike. Just in case if I cannot complete my journey, I can still take public transport. 

My Ride
After I got my Dahon MUp8 in July, I was so excised. I started to ride alone on the PCN nearby CCK. I also started to look for at the forum to look for cycling mates.There are quite a few there but I have no confident to ride with them as a newbie. I recalled an article I read on the Today newspaper about love cycling SG..... so I started my first ride with LCSG on the National Day. And this is the fist time I get to know Brompton. Haha, I poisoned a friend of mine to buy his Brompton first and we started some ride from CCK to Sembawang Park, Bird Park.... and I continues with LCSG to discover many places.
I came to SG 20 years ago. I used to tell my friends that SG is a very boring place, nothing much to see. But now I have a different view. i have since discovered SG has many interesting place that I have never pay attention before, and I start to enjoy this little Island.

My favorite route:
1. The ECP PCN
2. The Alexandra PCN to MBS
3. Yishun Dam to Mandai ( I like to sloop, haha)

Tips,
I do not have much. I learn a lot from you, Steven Lim and George and many more...
e.g. 1. How to wear my helmet.
2. How to pedal 
3. How to ride uphill etc

I ready appreciate your encouragement and support. I enjoy riding with LCSG.... I hope to join for the oversea trip next year. oh BTW, I am a Brompton FANS. Even before I own one, I already "poison" my friends and my brother to buy Brompton.. Haha.

Gabriel and his AM-20 and why he rides!

Very de light... the wallet I mean haha

Romping at Bukit Brown

Zipping @ Pengarang...chasing down the lobsters..

This is Gabriel Yeap,  who joined LCSG recently.. and he is the red coool Alex Moulton 20 owner..this is how he got to know us..... Very good to meet u, Gabriel! Keep on riding! 
"Previously my Sundays were spent over languid breakfasts and kiting in the afternoon. And it’s this group of kiting kakis that helped rekindle cycling for me. Turns out, some of them have been at it for quite some time. 
 A morning ride through the lovely Punggol waterway on a friend’s bike allowed me to see how convenient it is to ride about Singapore via the PCN networks and how the Government has invested in beautifying these areas of sport and leisure.
 Several names were tossed about by my kiting kakis. I had to weigh factors like performance, portability and design. Smaller wheeled bicycles quickly drew my interest as I used to associate them with the more senior/domestic demographics. It quickly dawned on me that they could easily keep pace in terms of speed and performance with regular bikes.
 Moulton was one of the names that was suggested by my friends. My first glimpse of the gorgeous truss-like space frame left me smitten. This lovely geometry of strength and lightness appealed to me on many levels. Moulton’s heritage coupled with its industrial chic frames spoke to my sense of aesthetic.
 While scouring the Net for more information, I stumbled upon TaiWoon’s MoultonSingapore blog. There I found some links to Japanese custom shops. I have a soft spot for all things Japanese and customization options are always a plus. In no time I had saved several images of custom-made Moultons to ogle from. I also sent an email to one of these shops enquiring about the custom process, time and cost implications. Unfortunately, the waiting list was about a year. 
 Fast forward and after several test rides on different bikes and some friendly nudges in the right direction, I’m now a proud owner of a Moulton AM20. It comes stocked with parts that more than make up for my current lack of leg power. 
 The icing on the cake comes in the form of the Love Cycling SG group that my former kiting kakis introduced me to. This group of dedicated individuals invest their personal time and effort into planning and organizing these weekly rides for a huge herd of cyclists. This passion also extends to the safety and fun factor of these rides.  Cycling with my kakis and/or the LCSG group is really what makes me feel best about getting a bike. " - Gabriel Yeap

Dummy first day 14th Nov 2011

A short text message by Lynten on Sat evening... "Surprise for your girl coming in on Monday, can u make it after 4 pm?" Sure, absolutely! It followed with a flurry of FB messages and the notice of a free kopi.... George, Roland, Uncle KC, Steven Tang, Boon Yeo and Chris Wee came and witness the arrival of Surly Dummy.

Giving me support and La kopi...at the kopi tiam...

Surgeon Henry and Lynten installing mud guards....boy was it useful!

Lynten makes it look so easy

Dummy is born..with all the proud daddies!

The expert hands of Lynten and Henry make the installation look simple. I opted to put on the mud guards(super lucky, later u know)  and like a expectant father....pacing here and there..... so kan cheong. haha...  While Dummy was being built... we looked at the cool bike parts and molested the bikes....wahhhh  Sure enough...if u stay long enough...  we bought stuff. Steven and Roland got the retro Torpedo lights, and Flecsher stand. George got a 451 Primo tyres as his rear wheel is squared off. Boon got a very nice rack. Only 2 survived the posion - Chris and KC...
Around 5 pm, Lytnen rolled the bike to the front of the shop to let me try... and the same time the heavens boomed... and started to drizzle slightly... Took it for a spin around the park and it felt great! Stiff and well mannered. More like a MTB with a rear rack. It is funny cuz it looks so bulky but for some reason, the bike handles very well. Anyway, the heavens decided to make it more drama and challenging for me by upping the rain levels and lighting... Ok man, bring it on... let's go. I got mud guards..and a free trash bag by Henry. :)

Raining..use trash bag.. sure water proof!

Close up of the superior trash bag... :) 

The group split off their own ways and I rolled towards Punggol. Mountbatten -Old east coast road - Still road- PIE junction- Hougang- Punggol. As I rode on the rainy and wet roads with Dummy. I was smiling from ear to ear. Oblivious to all my troubles and frustration. Ahh so shiok.... Waiting at the junction near Still road/PIE.  I stylo miloed rested my left foot on the kerb and look cooly around... yeah...... oh oh... big puddle- I was in a BIG puddle...

Dummy pilot..underwear wet but happy like kanna Toto

Just as the thought bubbles formed... 3 cars turned and gave me the biggest wash down "blessing"ever. To make it more malu... 5 FT standing opposite direction with brollies... looked and laughed! I smiled too.. hahah what an idiot... Dummy to be exact! hahah I like!
Stopped at Hougang for makan and hot soup... rolled off quickly back home.
The challenge awaits. I look at the lift and said... I can do it. Press the button, door open. Rear brake activate, wheelie abit.. roll it in. No drama. Instant KO! Yeah! Easy peasey! Thanks to expert advice by Lynten and Eugene. For those who worry about the lifts - it is NO PROBLEM. CONFIRMED!  As I reached my home...dripping wet... I patted Dummy... good to have u mate! I think we are gong to have a good time!

Reached my door step....and relief, no issue with the lift! 

Momo just wanted to sit on Dummy...and said lets go!!! it was still drizzling...

That's not all... momo was hopping with joy and excitement... I put her on the rear deck and she said "let's go pa pi" - It was still drizzling... My CEO look at me... and I just told her "momo, daddy need to fix some more thing ok... it is raining leh..." looking nervously at CEO...   Hot shower and hot milo later.. hogging the computer.. a FB msg popped out...  It was from Chris ... I got old 120mm stem with 27.2 dia... u want? Oh yes!!!! Bolted out of the door like a speeding tikit.... drove like Lewis Hamilton to his home to pick up...  Chris laughed when he saw me.... I was happy as a guy who kanna TOTO... but this prize can move. Chris even pass me a handle bar... So nice of him!  Raced back home and noticed the rain had stopped. It was around 915 pm...."hor say liao.... I can tong pang Ah mo tonite...!!"  But when I came home... my princess was already asleep... and snoring away... "Wah lau...." But I installed the passenger stem and bar.. and wrapped up some points with inner tube to avoid scratches...

passenger stem and handle, very kindly donated by Chris. Thanks!

Nice Titec stem! Old part new life!

Momo the co-pilot @ Punggol water way

Tonite, I brought Momo for the first ride! She loves it!! Singing all the way and melting everyone in her path. :) Thanks to the welcoming party, George, Steven Tang, Roland, Uncle KC, Chris and Boon for the moral support and coming for the kopi !
Thank you the TR Bike "surgeons" - Lynten, Henry who expert hands "delivered" Dummy... And Chris who's nice friendly gesture to lend me try TR Company Extracycle.
Lastly Thanks a zillion to Chris Wee who graciously gave me his extra stem and handle bar complete with foam grip. This is a beautiful....wet day which I will remember for a long long time!

Goodbye Henry! Tribute to a fellow LCSG kaki

Henry smiling @ Desaru

Sir Henry with his very cool SEVEN MTB!!

laughing and sweating... after the cool ride!

This is a tribute to one of our cycling Kaki, Mr Henry Lam who passed away yesterday. Quiet and reserved. Henry would join our rides, all decked up in very cool gear and bikes. I remembered once we decided to "turbo" and go full out at the Changi coastal road.  I was on my moulton and Henry was directly behind drafting with his Seveb MTB. Followed closely by Clyde Teo. Huffing and puffing as one.... "Dun mind I draft u hor?" Henry hollered behind.. and we just rolled and rollde.. that was one heck of a ride! Reaching the end point, some of our MTB/roadie friends were quite shocked we actually arrived so quickly. The effort took its toll on us. Clyde simply fell off his bike and panted on the grass, wah lau... so tiring.. 
Henry and myself were gasping for air, sweat all over our faces... But big grin and smiles. Shiok arhh.. :)  That was on 26th June 2011, Road Safety workshop 
Henry, it is a pleasure to meet and ride alongside you! You will be missed by all our fellow LCSG cycling kakis!
ps: Memorial services will be held at Blk 234A Serangoon Ave 2 on 28 and 29 Oct at 8pm. Cremation on Sun Oct 30 at 345pm Mandai Hall 4. Cortege leaving 245pm"

Clyde sitting on the grass after the crazy spinning session

From Other LCSG kakis 

Andrew wan: "You shared a joke about your experience with Rodalink, on how they mixed up your enquiry for Shimano cycling shoes that turned out to be Shimano fishing shoes instead. Hope you'll find sometime to wear them in Heaven. :) RIP, my friend."
Diane:" This is Henry on the day I met him. I remember him because he helped me fix my chain. He had the deepest laugh lines, I knew at once that he was a kind soul. Rest in peace dear friend."
Kimi :Cant remember when was the last ride i had with Henry..but i remember clearly during the ROS ride, Henry was there with Julia and we were still chatting on how many bikes he had...also abt his new BF bike...he was supposed to come along with us for the pengarang as well as the Bintan ride....gosh...life is just so unpredictable & vulnerable....sighs....My deepest condolences to the family....
Mr Teo: “Bro Henry, Sad to know that we miss you for we share the same passion, we are in the mid of setting up our llama to ride with you. Mine Deepest Condolence.”
Clarence Chang:” Dear Julia, i am shock and sad but My Deepest condolences to you and ur family....Dear Henry, it is my fullest pleasure riding with u and share joke with u.....you will be missed .Rest In Peace....”
Francis Chu ‎Julia Lam, I will miss Henry's kind smile. I met him last month and had SMS exchange with him last week. He is always gentle with a sense of humor, even when he is not in his best 
physically condition. My condolences to you and your family.
Michael Khaw My condolences to you, Julia Lam and your family. Henry will be dearly missed by many...
Lim George I know Henry way back when we were riding MTB. Lost contact till we meet agains during LoveSG ride. My Deepest condolences to his family.

15th Oct 2011 - LCSG folks got heart. 128 night ride account- 爱骑车。爱友谊

Team Sleepy Gonzales

Team Panda  

Team Titanium Butt

Team Flying Turtle 

爱骑车。爱友谊 << This is from Kim, and is my biggest take away... 

80 folks met at ECP Mac to embark on a 128km loop around Singapore. This time, we did it east wards. The route is ECP Mac>> Changi Village>> Punggol>> Yishun>> Sembawang>> Woodlands>> Kranji>> Lim Chu Kang>> NTU>> Jurong West>> Pandan Loop>> West Coast road>> VivioCity>> Lau pak Sat >> ECP Mac.  And a bunch of us also continued to Tan tock Seng for the World Hospice Day.
The folks were split into 4 groups to ensure safety and better coordination.  They were as follows:
1) Sleepy Gonzales led by Sir KC and Sweeper Zack.
2)Panda group 2, led by Chief Panda Clarence Chang and Sweeper Vince Li.
3) Titanium Butt group 3, led by Titanium butt Chief Patrick Yee and Sweeper Adrianne Lee
4) Flying Turtle group 4, led by Encik George Lim and Master Sweeper Steven lim, Andy Yap and Boo.
First pack started around 8pm with 10 min intervals.We had cooling weather and no rain. The darkness however made it quite difficult for identification and we were very lucky to have Sean  and Vince Li sponsor the group, light sticks and blinking straps. To make the event even extra special, David Eng and Joeel worked hard to design and personally made the limited edition glow in the dark stickers. Only for those who rode. Not for sale.

Limited edition Sticker. Design by Joeel and hand made by David Eng

roll off!

at night... it is good to have plently of blinkers!

Andy and Kimi @ Changi village... sup sup water... 

@Kranji 7-11, tired but in good spirits:) 

Through out the ride, I could hear shouts of encouragement egging each other on. Music blarring away. Folks sharing all their candies, deep heat, chocolates, power bar. What a team! Everyone looked out for one another. Special mention and really unforgetable was meeting LCSG Angels @ 3am in the morning. They took the form of Steve and Bernice. Waving down the cycling groups and giving out cold 100plus drinks and bannanas. That was so nice of them! When most would be sleeping, they came out of their way to cheer the team.. I am touched by their gestures and I know many too on that day. Thank you Angels!

Bernice waving banananas for the riders

LCSG Angels Steve and Bernice

Don't look like much but it all comes from the heart. That is all that matters

mobile pitstop in the middle of the nite... 3am to be exact! 

With the constant chatting and cursing.... we eventually ended the ride at ECP. Thankfully no major incidents and all who completed was on a high. Elaine Pan, smiled and told me... "Backside pain... but feeling very good. I like it! yayyyh" And Joeel, who suffered from knee pain in the middle of the ride... grin and soldered  on. It was really a feat of endurance when I saw the pain written on his face. The coolest part... when he arrived... .team turtle lined up and cheered!

Dear, I love u! 

Master Sweeper with KSL and Eman

Lastly I want to give my biggest thanks to all leads and sweepers and old birds for looking out for their flock and friends.  Thank you very very much for the the excellent sweeping by Steven Lim, Andy Yap and Boo. To ensure that the slower riders could find their way. What a ride and I could hear murmings of ..."this is chicken feed... maybe we combined KODH with 128km!!!" wah lau... u all very hard core... hmm should we or shouldnt we? Tell me what u think?   More photos here