LCSG in Straits time life cover!

We were very honoured to be featured at the 26th Feb Straits time life cover. The happy faces of the riders says is all. This is in support of Singapore first Car free day. Digital link here 

Being Elmo

This is not cycling related but very inspiring. One phrase that made a deep impression to me... "if u only concentrate on making what makes you happy..."  It also shows you the person behind Elmo!

This makes me happy!

This art installation makes me happy...  remember the first time u rode on a bicycle,  felt the rush of speed and wind blowing on your face? 

Photo credit: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeTownFest

Happy old folks

It is not about bicycles but really happy and timely reminder for me on keeping things simple and being happy. This video is going viral on youtube while not the hollywood sharp record...exudes the happiness and simplicity in buckets!

And after that.. check out this beautiful and moving piece too

Perfect bliss

This is Lyten of TR bikes with his kids at East Coast Park, near Jumbo Restaurant. No more words needed. You can feel the joy! 

Photo credit by Ross Velantine Errol

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!

"Soon they will be big and u will miss them...."

Daddy as pillow  -19th April 2009 @ Pasir Ris park

Ting Ting with Momo @ Beach practising dance moves..haha 19th June 2010...see the change! 

"Soon they will be big and u will miss them", this are words of wisdom from many of my senior friends. And I am truly grateful and know how precious spending time with my little one and wife of course!
Today, after celebrating Kim birthday with the favorite Prawn noodle, later evening had super old style steam boat at Golden mile... and scolding Momo for making a mess of the table...
I found another gem of an article which is about the same topic. This gentleman recounts on his time with his boy and girl... and how they dont want to ride with him anymore. The boy is 10... so if I should have another 5 more years before Momo will also dun want to ride with his old man too.
This is ah mo learning to ride...

Momo strawberry bike - August 2011

Momo loves to draw and she know Daddy like bicycle... that her master piece! - 22nd August 2011 

Momo with first bike and LCSG pose - 25th August, her 4th Birthday

This makes me think on memories. How do I give my girl a wonderful childhood...  going to the beach(tick), riding together(tick), learning to ride(tick), riding with mummy and her(going to do), enjoying a sunset( hmmm! idea) and watching a sun rise(oh... this gonna be hard for mummy and momo)...  We will try... 

Treasure the time, they grow up real quick.  Best of all, get on a bike together and just roll along ur neighbourhood. Just you and your little one. This will be your best memories ever!

Uncle Happy

Uncle Happy Tan

Things happen. Sometimes, they just happen. Today was a bloody hot day. After dropping off my little girl for her Sat Violin class, I went in search of old shop recommended by Chris Wee which might have the extinct 1" ultra short ahead threadless stem I was looking for. Reaching the shop, I met an elderly figure by the name of Mr Tan. He listened patiently to my needs and went fumbling around his shop. The place is a treasure trove of old parts and bits of history every where. Surprisingly, he came up with a few close alternatives but nothing caught my fancy. If this was another shop, I think I would be given the ..."wah lau..what u want..."  look but he was just cool about it. Gave me his number and told me to call him in a couple of days to check if he can find a closer match. Wahh... I was so touched. I just looking for a cheapo stem ... now that's called service!

quietly toiling along.. 

Something from Italy

no flashy tools ... it just works

I true wheels. That's what I do. 

Chatting with him, it turns out Mr Tan has been in operation for 30 over years. .  His motto is "just be happy, u happy, I am happy"  In a quiet dusty corner, I spotted a faded photo frame of a short european with Mr Tan in his younger days. And he just quietly smiled.. "oh that's Mr Colnago himself... I used to sell lots of colagno and he came to my shop lah...."  Talking to him was like taking a lesson on life. Be happy and be nice to others and nice to urself.  I know I am in the presence of a Giant in the SG bicycle biz... a gentle giant who is big enough to be nice to all.
Thank you Uncle Happy Tan for the wonderful chat and I will be back for my funny stem soon!
More photos on Uncle Happy Tan shop here