Saw this posting by Daniel at Lovecyclingsg Facebook some days back. Daniel daughter was trying ride but she doesn't want to do PCN anymore. Unless its a LCSG ride.. (wahhh I feel so happy!) So Daddy Daniel had to think quickly on his feet and suggested to go explore the neighbourhood in search of all the playground. Cycling makes easy work of the distance and not so tiring. From the photos, it must be really a good time and they even did a map to show how each play ground looks! Wonderful sharing Daniel! This is how memories are made! Photo credits - Daniel Seah
Visit them with friends... capture it in memories ... they will be gone...very very soon
Sorry for not writing as regularly as I would like. I have been thinking on more interesting rides and events for lovecyclingsg. And now I got one I like to share. Playgrounds!Yes, you heard me. Playgrounds. Not just the Toa Payoh one but the all of them...
We go explore all the Old Style Playgrounds around Singapore. Why? Because they are slowly being phased out, replaced by more plasticky and "safer" one. No sand but rubber matt.. No more Dragon heads not Dinosaurs. Just plastic and very neutral looking playground.
The challenge was how and where do I find them.... oh lalala... Simple, just search and type... I love the internet! Stay tuned around April ... http://www.explorers.asia/2010/08/forgotten-playgrounds_12.html
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!
45 friends met at Potong Pasir MRT early Sunday. Many came with their princes and princess using trailers or children rack. In a typical LCSG style, it was noisy, funny and full of laughter. We had also a few more new friends joining us - Grace Wee, TJ, Claudia, Andrias, Han Boon and Yvette. Steven Tang even "conducted" a LCSG pose training before the ride which was hilarious. Papa mike princess needs more training though.
LCSG pose training for the newbies..by Steven Tang... lol...
Bay and family showing how it is done
Desmond Chia and her princess
After the safety briefing, we rode very slowly to Bidarri park. I have never been there before and simply drove past in many times. So glad to be there. The air was good and all it now remains are the grass patches and old gravelly tarmac of the cemetery. I would suggest that u visit this place soon because this is prime land and will not be looking that this for too long.
Nice and quiet...
Zack leading the way photo credits Francis Chu
Papa mike and her princess
George giving up his energy boosting jelly beans
Block 108 Void Deck, Mr Chiam's office of 20 over years.
The next stop was Potong Pasir and to Block 108. The place of Mr Chiam office(table). I was not too sure if it was there still and very grateful that it was. Left on the table was just a simple thank you note to Mr Chiam from a lady. The long procession of cyclists created quite a buzz along the PCN. Some asked if there was a event or are we doing TV program filming haha... We just said... "we doing our Sunday ride. Every Sunday 0730.. join us leh"
Wheels of all sizes, all welcome
Old book shop at Kim keat
At Block 1 where my old playground was located. We spend some time there for people to take photos, soak into the ambience. I was really glad that many brought their children and play with my old friends. Looking at them, it reminded myself of the good times and when I was young. And happy to have given them nice memories and fun. By then we were abit hungry and pitstop at Kim Keat hawker centre. Having breakfast with friends is indeed a nice...even more nice when the topic involves wheels... haha .
Cycling kakis becoming friends!
Here are some of the photos taken by myself, Francis, Steven Tang and more. Overall and nice ride on a Sunday with friends!
Lovecycling @ Potong Pasir and a salute to Mr Chiam!
Telling my story before we start. Thanks Joeel! Photo Credits Joeel lee
my animal playground at Toa Payoh...that's my horse!
Some background, I grew up at Toa Payoh lor 8, where I walked to school myself. ... and had some nice memories at the old old play ground. Mum showed me a old photo a year ago of me with the "horse"....and it was stuck on my mind ever since. This playground for some reason was retained and not demolished... at least not for the moment....
So this sunday ride, to make it extra extra special, we met at Potong Pasir MRT to have a look around, see Mr Chiam humble MPS(meet the people Session) and then retraced my child hood route.. passing by my ah gu place, snaked around the estate to the "animal playground". Later makan at Kim keat hawker centre, Shuang lin shi temple, Dragon play ground and then to Toa payoh gardens and then back to Potong Pasir MRT.
Riders looking at the messages at Mr Chiam MPS "office" of 27 years...
simple handwritten note.... Respect!
Blk 108, nothing special looking.... this is where Mr Chiam have the Meet the people session
Why start at Potong Pasir? This is an amazing place where we saw the Singaporeans lining up the streets to wave in support to Mr Chiam, who spent a total of 27 years as their MP. Being the 2 of the opposition, the odds were always stacked against him... and he persevered. Not even 2 strokes could put off this great man. It was moving to see him bent over at Bishan stadium, talking softly to the crowd... and many people felt his heart... I did... I am not a politician but I know he touched my heart. more information here..Wikipedia of Potong pasir and Mr Chiam . Also please read this too. When we rode to Block 108 and I showed Mr Chiam "office"... many were shocked at the sparseness.... and shocked turned into respect... when I told them he was here doing meet the people for 27 years! I was glad many brought their children to share about this historical place and the term "service to the people". ... here is a moving farewell movie...
Lovely quiet PCN that links Potong Pasir to Toa Payoh Lorong 8
Eehaa! Horsing around... feeling young!
Steven sharing the history of the place... and good eats... like the curry sissors rice..
Kudos also to the new MP, Mr Sitoh for not clearing this iconic desk.. hmmm, maybe as I speak it will be gone also.... but at least I have shared with 40 folks and told the Potong Pasir and my playground story! Many thanks to the regular riders (Clarence, Andrew, Zack, Andy, Steven, Adriane and many more) for helping out in the ride. Appreciate it!
Now that I shared mine... what is your childhood story? I like to hear about it.. maybe we can go retrace it too...
Wonderful ride visiting Potong pasir and my child hood friends with super sporting friends.. Detail write up soon! More photos here.. if u can't wait..
Dun know if i am getting old. But recently i found myself thinking of old times. in particular, the playground at Toa payoh.
I used to walk pass this playground as a schoolboy and it was very ordinary... But somehow the mental picture remains stuck in my mind. So on my van servicing, I took Flamingo and rode from Sin ming to Toapayoh.... just to find the playground... and hopefully it still exist... You know in SG, in the name of progress, nothing stays the same.
Here are some photos I took and while the sand is gone and the animals are painted in crazy colors.. it was still the playground animals behind all the paint... and they look abit smaller than I remembered..
