Rider Profile Chong Wee Seng and his cycling to work routes

Hello everyone, 

My name is Wee Seng and I am 51, working in the media industry. 
Here's my contribution to the Singapore cycling profile! 

Its good to be riding

1) Can u also share about how u got started cycling?
Started when I was at a young age. My father taught me to ride.

2) Your first bike if u remember and what are u riding now?
My first bike is a chopper. This is not mine.... but looks something like this. 

Photo Credits : http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/product-news/raleigh-chopper-bicycle-classic-135412

Now I'm riding one of these:
Foldie
MTB
Hybrid bike

My brompton

The other foldie

Wife's bike

3) Your most memorable ride
East Coast Park. Beautiful view and cooling even in mid day.
Pulau Ubin, kampong feel.

4) Does ur family ride and if so, where usually to?
Occasionally, Punggol PCN, Loyang PCN, Pulau Ubin.

Me and my wife riding a relax ride with LCSG 

5) Some advice to folks who are thinking to cycle commute.

• Plan your route.
• Stay alert.
• Wear helmet, install good front and back light.
• Use common sense.
• Learn to give way.
• Know the traffic rules and hand signal

6) Life motto
Be happy. Nothing is forever.

I live simple, nothing much to ask for. Just want to be happy.

7) How cycling have helped you in any way?
I have lost weight and stayed a bit more fitter. I love to meet up with other cyclist via cycling group (LCSG)

This is my Cycle commute details

I stay around Tampines while my work place is at Lorong Chuan. There are some routes which I like to share with fellow riders how I get to work. 

Office building 

Sadly there are no secure bike parking and shower room facility. 
So no bike to work for me. I drive down my bike to office when I will be biking to home the next day.

Route 1 – appox 17km

Transport mode - Public transport

Walk – Mrt – walk, traveling time 1hr 15mins

Route 2 – 23km cycle

Transport mode: Bicycle

Office to home, road and pcn, traveling time 1.5hrs

 Route taken

Lor Chuan – Serangoon Garden – AMK Ave3 – AMK Ind Park 2 – AMK Ave 5 – YCK – Punggol PCN – Pasir Ris Farmway – Tampines Ave 10 – Tampines Ave 9 – Home

Most of the traveling is good except Lor Chuan to Serangoon Garden. Pavement is too small, road is heavy during rush hour.

Issue

·       Heavy traffic during rush hour, not advisable for novice rider and rider not comfortable on the road with such traffic. Pavement from Lorong Chuan to Serangoon Garden is too small to ride on.

·  Most of the traveling is good except Lor Chuan to Serangoon Garden. Pavement is too small, road is heavy during rush hour.

Route 3 – 20km Cycle

Transport mode: Bicycle

Office to home, road and pcn, traveling time 1hrs 28mins

Route taken

Lor Chuan – Serangoon Garden – AMK Ave3 – AMK Ind Park 2 – AMK Ave 5 – YCK – Buangkok Green – Serangoon PCN – Sungei Serangoon PCN – Pungool Promenade Riverside walk PCN - Pasir Ris Farmway – Tampines Ave 10 – Tampines Ave 9 – Home

Issue

Same as route 2

Similar to route 2 with slight variations

Route 4 – 13km Cycle

Transport mode: Bicycle

Home to office or office to home, fully on the road, traveling time 45mins depending of traffic condition. This is the shortest route to office, can only be done safely

Route taken

Lor Chuan – Serangoon Ave 3 - Serangoon Ave 2 - Serangoon Central - Serangoon Ave 1 – Bartly Road – Upper Paya Lebar Road – Ubi Ave 4– Ubi Ave 2 - Kaki Bukit Ave 2 - Kaki Bukit Road 3 - Kaki Bukit Ave 1 – Bedok Reservoir Road – Tampines Ave 10 – Tampines Ave 9 – Home

Issue

Same as route 2

Rider Profile Stanley Lim

Me and my crew!

1)  Tell me about your day job and age Hi! I am Stanley! I am 38 years old this year. I am current a Communication cluster chief on board a frigate in Republic of Singapore Navy.

Cycling makes me happy and relaxed

2) What you feel about cycling? Cycling is one activity which makes me feel happy and relaxed after a day of hectic schedule and work. Personally, I will classified cycling into 2 category. First is leisure and social. I always look forward to Sunday LCSG where I can meet new friends and explore Singapore in a whole new manner. 2nd is fitness. I am a person who dislike physical activities. From the day I picked up this hobby, it has improved my health and fitness level. Not only did I managed to clear all my FFI and IPPT in a single attempt, I felt happier. (Maybe it is because of the adrenaline released)

3)  What was the first memory of u cycling? I was first exposed to cycling at the age of 6. On my birthday, my dad bought me a BMX (red). I was left in the basketball court to pick up the skill of cycling on my own. Within a day I managed to cycle around my neighbourhood. Knowing it's effective, I applied the same technique on my kids while I relaxed in a corner and surfed the net. True enough, the kids picked up cycling within 2 hours.

During my primary school days, my friend Weiqi and I will save our pocket money to rent a bike at Bishan park. Cost about $4 for 3 hours at that point of time. We will cycle as far as the bicycle can take us.

On 17 Apr 2012, I saw a newspaper article on a promotion for AEON foldable bike at $390. Managed to convinced my wife to take up this sport together and we went to "My Bike Shop" in the west to check it out. I got her a last piece of green AEON but didn't manage to get one for my own. As most of the economic bike were all out of stock, I got myself a Dahon D7. (In my personal opinion bike exceeding $200 are on the high end side compare to those in giant and Carrefour). The bike was upgraded (for efficiency) over time and is current passed on to my boy.

4)When you met LCSG – How was it like and how you meet us? - After I gotten my bike, I actively searched on Facebook for a group to join. I first came across PNR (just about 2months old) on Facebook. I decided to give it a try as its near my place. It was a joke that day. Saw one rider(Hardy) with a foldie at the traffic light and went forward to ask him. "Are you going for a group ride?" He answered" yes I am. You are a new rider? Come join me." I followed him to Popeye and gosh! There were so many groups gathering at Popeye. Without asking much as I am unsure, we rode with a group all the way to Jalan Kayu. I had a hard time playing catch up as they were travelling at at a speed of 20kmph. After sitting down chatting, I realised I joined the wrong group. Chelsea and Alan welcome me to their ride and join the group LCSG. At the moment of time i was like.... what the hell am I doing? They recommended me to LCSG page and that’s how I was exposed to this group. The first event I went with my friend Pyron was LCSG 2nd year Round island. All groups were formed however i went ahead to try, not knowing what i am up for and this word gate crash. Despite gate crashing, Taiwoon welcomed both of us with open arms. He advised us to join group 4 at speed 20kmph. That's one of the worst nightmare and toughest activity of my life. Despite the distance and heat, we managed to complete the round island (105km) with encouragement from the team mates. Andy did the most job. Poor Andy. That was the time, I started to join weekly LCSG ride and made lots of friends there. 

Doing the Epic ride

As time goes by, my passion for cycling grew. On 10 Oct 2013, I got myself a road bike (Lynskey R340) after multiple poison arrows from my kakis Pei Sze and gang. I started to do longer distance ride and events. The 2 major event I took part since then are EPIC 2014 and 2016. In this event we are required to ride 1000km (4 days) to raise funds for the kidney dialysis patient. Although it's tough, but for charity, why not. With this trusty titanium bike, we also start to ride further overseas and conquer mountains organised by our group (EGBC- Encik George bike club) led by Encik George Lim

With my friends cycling up Wulin!

After 2 years to road bike, I realised cycling is not about speed and distance. I decided to fall back to the root on where I first began. As I have passed on my Dahon to my son, I went to MIGHTY VELO to get myself a Brompton. The passion of cycling flows in again. Whenever I am sick and tired of the profile of a roadie, I will fall back on my Brompton taking life slow.

After 2 years of road biking, I decided to contribute back to LCSG. (This group made me love cycling). I requested from Taiwoon to host LCSG Friday weekly Round island for those interested to ride long distance. The focus will be for those who just took up road biking. It's a tiring task and I hope I can hold on and help as far as I can go till someone step up.

5. Your steel horses – names and more details The bikes I still have with me till date

BLUE STREAK- Dahon D7 born in 17 Apr 2012. Bike have been passed on to son.

FALCON1 – Lynskey R340 Titanium road bike born in 10 Oct 2013

DORAEMON– Brompton 6 speed born in 01 Apr 2014. - I always call my bike by name as I feel more closely knitted with them. Before I buy the bike the project name come first. The bike I choose have to be close to the project name I chose.

6. My favourite cycling kakis - Simply cycling friends, Mike, Peggy, Edwin are my usual kakis and of cos many of the LCSG regulars whom I had a chance to ride, chit chat and la kopi with.

My kakis  Clay, Edwin, Peggy and Mike

7. What I’ve learnt since Day 1 joining LCSG - LCSG is like a family to me. I gain lots of knowledge on bike skills, maintenance and history of Singapore better. I also learn to take care, lead and coach new cyclist to love cycling.

8) Where is your favorite stretch to ride? My favourite stretch to ride are Punngol park, MBS, Boat Quay and Orchard area regardless day or night.

9) Do u cycle-commute to work? If so can you share the route I only tried cycling to work twice. The route which I took is as follows: Punggol - Pasir Ris farmway- pasir Ris drive 3- loyang Ave - changi coastal road- tanah merah coast road - changi naval Base.

10) Would you want to cycle to work? Yes i would. The reason I hesitated to bike to work is because there are too many heavy vehicle on the one lane traffic at Tanah Merah coast road. Maybe will try again in the near future as I see that Npark have pathed a stretch of PCN all the way to Changi yatch club.

11) Do you cycle with your family and loved ones. Where do you ride? Yes. My kids always look out for new and fun rides in LCSG. When my boy and girl reach the age of 6, I brought them to a mini round island (80km). During the days where they have no tuition, I will bring them to ride with LCSG. The most recent ride with LCSG is riding to Vivo City from Punggol and then to Sentosa. They love it. Too bad my spouse do not like riding.

12) Any advice for folks just starting out?For those who just take up cycling, try to find a group of friends who share the same interest. This group of friends can jio you for makan or leisure rides. They are also motivators in your cycling journey. It's easier to hold this passion of yours with a group of friends sharing the same interest. Poison and cycling tips will flow in thereafter.

Rider Profile Dennis Ng

"Hi Tai Woon,

As promised, I will share my journey into regular cycling with you and hopefully it will inspire more people to take up cycling as a way of commuting as well as staying fit and healthy. I will be 65 in a few months. I have learnt to cycle since 5 years old. 

Rocking it with a cool sunshade!

My first “long” ride was from Braddell road to JB with a friend in 1965. Without my parents’ knowledge of course. During those days, there were not much cars on the road. However, did not cycle much thereafter.

Before cycling, my regular exercise was running. As age catches up, my leg muscles also got weaker and my running distance was getting shorter and slower. So I decided to give cycling a shot as it is a low impact activity. 

Through cycling, I discovered that I was seeing a lot more places that I would not have visited. My regular cycling started in 2014 when my elder brother, Steven Ng, added me to LCSG. 

Thats how I looked in 2014. With my belly abit round. :) 

My first ride with LCSG was to Sembawang Park on 19 May 2014. During those rides with LCSG, I met Jimmy Kam. After the LCSG ride from Punggol to Marina Bay East to watch our 2014 NDP fireworks, he introduced me to a group of seniors that ride regularly. He also brought me to many places and PCNs that I have never been before and that’s what made me wants to explore and discover more interesting places.

My ride kakis 

Most of the regular riders in the group are retirees in their 60s and 70s except a couple of them in their late 40s. Usually about 6 to 8 riders in each ride. Our rides are usually quite relaxed. Old engine cannot be stressed too much lah. However will “qiong” when we are at a long straight stretch like the Changi Coast Road PCN.

Always hunting for C&G (cheap and good) food. (i.e. $2.00 for mixed veg rice with 2 vegs and 1 meat). It’s like winning a trophy each time we find a cheap meal. It’s a simple joy.

This group of old folks prefer to ride on PCN and pavement. We will only ride on the road when there is not much traffic. We are mindful that our reaction and eyesight is not at its best.

Our favourite RI route is from Halus to Punggol Waterway, Yishun, Admiralty, Woodlands Road, Sungei Kadut, Pang Sua PCN, B. Batok, Ulu Pandan PCN, Alexander PCN, Promenade, MBS, ECP, CV and home sweet home. I think our favourite part is along Ulu Pandan PCN until Ghim Moh. Total distance of this RI route is about 100 km. Sometimes we do it clock wise. When we reach Admiralty West, everyone will complain about those slopes as it was at the tail end of our ride when everyone was tired. Other than our long ride occasionally, we are usually quite relaxed. Stop whenever we need to, continue chatting when the subject is interesting. I guess that’s what makes the group clicked.

Riding three times a weeks and each ride covering above 50km, we ran out of idea quickly. So re-visiting places is quite normal. We will ride the same route with a little tweak like going through HDB estate and a little detour here and there and surprisingly not many riders can remember the route. And this is also part of the fun.

We also like places like those black and white bungalows near Sembawang Park, Canada Road and also Wessex Estate. Our most visited place, I think, it’s the Bay area. We never got tired of it. Its so beautiful and Singaporean should be proud of it. In short, we go everywhere in Singapore.

My furthest venture with the group was to Paken Nanas in JB.

Cycling keeps mine mind focus and alert. Always looking out for obstacles, uneven roads, pedestrians, motor vehicles etc. As we do not plan our route, we change our route according to the calling of our stomach and time constrain and usually there is no objection from the group.

It is a joy to ride with those buddies. We joke, we laugh and make fun of each other without any hard feeling. A group of very nice uncles.

I am not a strong rider but very happy with the achievement within 2 years. Important thing is to stay mobile and healthy for as long as possible so that I don’t have to burden my children. Please feel free to ask if you need any more input." 
Dennis Ng 

Taiwoon: That's so inspiring Dennis! I love the fact you found a group of kakis whom u can meet up regularly, cycle and find the "C and G". Keep on rolling and thank you so much for sharing your story!

Rider profile Matthew Koh and Max

Matthew and Max are inseparable. It's really nice to see such a wonderful friendship between them. Matthew will always bring Max out with his specially modified rack mounted on his fat bike. 

Matthew and Max 

This is Max 

Concept by Matt

Today, Mathew totally outdid himself. He designed and made using off the shelf parts this!!! Its looks great and amazing! Who said DIY culture is dead in SG should see this!

Check this out!!

Rider profile - Uncle Lim and his cycling story

This is Uncle Lim, 76 years old. His nickname is called uncle Magnet. Will leave you to ask him why so. 
He cycles 30km daily on week days and 50-70 km on weekends. Uncle Lim has done up to 120km in one go! 

Have bike, can go anywhere!

I am a smart cyclist! If too far, too tired. I take MRT. Reach my destination, unfold the bike... rock and roll! 

Some really "Gilat" riders 

Cycling makes you young!  

Uncle Lim's favorite routes are in Yishun, Seletar, Punggol, changi village, east coast, kallang, marina barage, mounbaten, fort road.

Uncle Lim has been cycling actively since 2010. He enjoys cycling because it allows him.to keep fit as well as to meet new likeminded cyclists.

What an inspiring senior and pls wave, chat with him when u see him on a ride! 

Give me wings!

Titanium MTB!

Rider profile Wong Wei Kiong and rides with LCSG

Hi all,
I am Wei Kiong, 45 and working as a technical manager. I've returned to cycling after 25yrs. Back then I cycled to my camp on a rigid fork mountain bike during my NS days. Can't really remember the made or model of that bicycle, knows little about bicycle back then, only knows it's got 2 wheels & got me to my destination.
25 yrs on, I'm rekindled to bicycle again through some friends in a bid to do some exercise for health sake.
My health was showing reds after years of hectic, stressful & sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits. I have tried jogging, swimming & other sports but none works. It's either too boring or difficult to work a regular schedule. Cycling I found is easier to start and the speed that it bring gives a cooling breeze and covers more distance to keep things interesting at a more comfortable effort without impact on the joints and strains on the muscles.
I begin to cycle more, from once a week, to twice to 3 times a week. Every time I look forward to meeting friends, discover new places and the breeze on the face.

On a loooong ride with my kakis!

Long long way! 

After 6 months, my fitness have improved even though I don't particularly keeps track of it. I lost some weight too. That makes me realize regular exercises is the key to fitness and motivates me to continue.
Now I have gone in cycle commuting and cycle touring. Everyday I'll cycle 18km each way to and from work. This my commuting route  for your reference and sometime I meet Eugene Wee (a fellow rider) to ride to work! 

My route to work

Some pictures over the last 3 years and how I have slimmed down with regular cycling. 

Lastly, food selection is another important factor. Cutting out on sugar and high carb food has a major contribution to my weight maintenance and overall health. The typical food I take now are high on vegetable and some eggs, butter, coconut, plain yoghurt and meat. I mostly avoid food with sugar and flour.
I find I have more energy than 20 years ago.

On family.... 

Cycling have help me regain my health and I thought, hey, why not get my family to cycle as well. We can explore places together, to share those experience being engaged through a simple activity Cycling.
So I bought each a foldie and started cycling around the neighborhood and PCN. In search of family friendly cycling Kakis I stumbled upon Lovecyclingsg and we began to join their Sunday rides. The children particularly enjoyed the company and the variety of activities that LCSG organizes.
It has become a weekly activity and our fitness has improve. On top of that, there is a common activity and experience we all shares as a family.
Thank you for reading my story and hope this can inspire you to try cycling, cycling to work(if possible) and have fun cycling as a family! 

Me and family exploring with LCSG on the mural ride

Rambling with my kids 

With the nice folks of LCSG

Taiwoon cycling profile by Huay Leng

I am very honored to  have Huay Leng  profile me on Wanpau. I keeping it here so you can read  abit about me and why I do Loveyclingsg. 
I know I sound like selling "snake oil" but its really very special thing we are doing. Come  and experience it.  
The digital link is here if you like to read. 

Chinese version from Wan Pau

云大云在一家电脑公司工作，负责打印机的设计。到了周末，他就摇身一变，成为带领骑车人士穿街走巷认识新加坡的脚踏车达人。他在2006年左右，和友人发起一个松散的组织，相约一起骑车，然后在部落格上记录骑车的经验，包括贴文和照片。这个组织后来发展成“新加坡爱骑车队伍”，参与者越来越多，除了部落格，骑车队在面簿上大约有一万个面友，大家发布有关骑车的信息。 云大云在部落格这么写道：“骑车好玩，如果和志同道合，一心喜欢骑车的朋友一起，那就更好玩。它无关脚踏车，无关那些新奇昂贵的齿轮。只要骑着车，感受扑面凉风，那就是人生乐事了。啊，而且还会让你食欲大增呢。”
本报总编辑日前专访今年40岁的云大云，听他谈这个骑车队的由来，为什么他愿意花时间组织志同道合者骑车，他在脚踏车上看到的人生风景，以及谈骑车与他设计电脑产品的关系。

组骑车队  由吃开始 很典型的新加坡人。云大云的“新加坡爱骑车队伍”（LoveCyclingSg）是从吃开始的。大概在2006、2007年，云大云仍在飞利浦工作时，和一起做产品设计的同事中午时分，就会到公司附近觅食。从同事邀他去吃鱼丸面开始，午餐到工厂附近的觅食与畅谈让他对这个过程上瘾。有同事骑脚踏车上班，他则把脚踏车带来办公室，专门在午餐时间出游。 后来，云大云离开飞利浦到另一家公司，特别怀念午餐之约，回去找老同事一起，改而在周末骑车。因为云大云十分健谈，朋友后来鼓励他把自己的想法写下来，当时流行部落格上写东西，云大云在这个平台上记录了骑车的风景、认识的同路人，也上载一些与脚踏车相关的常识等等。

记录所见　寻访老味道 他说，他没有想到这些记录引起不少人的共鸣，到后来，几乎每个周末到来前，就会在面簿上发出关于那个周末骑车的行程。LoveCyclingSg日渐壮大，有爱骑车的人士研究好路线，在某个地点让大家聚集后出发，有人开路，有人沿途照应，有人殿后。 他们走的是“感情路线”，有时是去发掘大家所不认识的新加坡，到一些比较冷门的地方。2010年9月，加冷国家体育场开始拆除，他们一起到加冷一带吃早餐，然后骑车到国家体育场，后来记录了眼前所见：“大部分东西都已经不见踪影了，但是记忆还在，柱子、墙壁和精工牌大钟牵动着这些记忆。在体育场内，瞭望足球场，木凳都已被拆下，有序地摆放在地上（本来的跑道）。眼睁睁看着这个伟大的足球场被拆毁真是让人悲伤。没办法，我想什么都会变化，时间到了，得拆的就得拆。再见了国家体育场，谢谢所有的记忆。我会记得你的。” 他们也骑车去丹戎巴葛火车站、到马里士他路一带闻老式面包店做出面包的味道。云大云还带大家从大巴窑骑车到波东巴西，看前老牌反对党议员詹时中过去在该区接见选民时，组屋楼下摆放的桌子。这些对他来说，是新加坡记忆的一部分。他在所经营的部落格上，挂了许多这些骑车“寻幽探秘”的照片。

不一样的眼捕捉小历史 骑车是一双不一样的眼睛。他说：“你走路时，半径大约是2至3公里，骑车的圆周则可能是10公里，范围更大。当然，你可以开车，但是很多时候我们开车经过许多道路，往往视而不见。骑车不同，慢慢地骑，你会闻到周围的气味，看到沿途的风景。” 育有一个八岁的女儿，云大云对新加坡环境的迅速变化特别有感触。他说：“我跟其他人说，我们不必去想很宏大的东西，就做点点滴滴的记录，看到什么就捕捉那个时刻的画面。现在我们拍照时，可能觉得淡然无味，但是就像酿酒一样，慢慢地会有味道。这些照片和记录，假以时日，会形成一把声音。 在新加坡经济迅速发展中成长，属于对新加坡在世界许多基础设施排名中名列前茅“习以为常”的一代，云大云对旧的生活方式、对自己童年无限缅怀。他回去寻访在大巴窑上小学时经过的游乐场，找回小时在游乐场看到的动物塑像。

‘要走得快，还是走得远？’ 他说：“其实回到一个老问题，那就是我们得问自己，是要走得快，还是要走得远？我不知道。不过，我们同龄的朋友现在对新加坡的这些成就，感情上有点抽离。一位建筑师告诉我，他已经停止捐钱给母校了，因为捐给母校的钱，是推动自己原来的母校建筑消失。”  
云大云除了感伤，更希望通过骑车寻访记忆的另类方式，得到慰藉。这是较积极与快乐的方式。他说：“新加坡得要经历的改变，那些属于大历史。但我想我们也应该保留小历史。我要书写的就是小历史，捕捉那一刹那。这是我们的家，是我们认同和维护的地方，我们得去捕捉这些小小的镜头，这一点一滴。”

‘骑车让我更了解人’ 云大云目前在美国电脑公司Dell工作，负责打印机的产品设计。听起来他的工作与技术和工程有关，但是如果你以为他是个只谈电脑技术的人，那就大错特错了。云大云很清楚，产品的使用，最终都是要回归到人——用户身上，因此做产品设计不是懂得技术的问题，而是了解人的性情、需要和习惯。 他说：“我现在做的和在学校学的是两回事。我们在学校学产品设计，是要把东西做得美美的。把东西做得漂亮固然重要，但是更重要的是让产品有存在的意义，让人觉得适用。谈意义不是有形的，其实会更加困难，因为得想怎么赋予产品意义，怎么通过产品把人联系起来？” 而这些和他的兴趣，和他周末骑车是否相关？有什么关系？

设计是为了人而做 云大云解释：“虽然骑车并不直接相关，但是骑车教了我很多东西。每个星期天，当我和一起骑车的朋友们接触——许多不相识的朋友，其实这个过程帮助我了解人的不同。不仅他们的背景不同，每个人其实也有自己不同的一面。你现在是个记者，但这只是你的一面。而做产品设计时，设计师得照顾到营销者的便利。为了其他种种的便利，设计者可能就得去寻求统一需求的方式，设计出单一和简单的作品，而无法照顾个别的特质，毕竟商业产品得考虑的往往是盈利。” 他说：“做设计这一行，我们有很多人常聚在一起谈设计，谈论的就是得奖作品。但这也是个问题，设计者只能就设计论设计，很容易忽略掉设计的主体是人，是为了人而做的。” 每个星期天组织骑车，让云大云有机会接触到来自四面八方的人，有的是退休人士，有的是老板，有的是学生，他说，接触不同背景的人，让他更懂得谦卑。问他是否有具体如何应用骑车的例子，转化到他的产品上。他没有直接的答案。

“我的工作是与打印机的设计有关。打印机正经历很大的变化，十几二十年前，人们开始谈论以后会进入无纸张时代，不再需要打印机了，但是纸张到今天还存在，人们还在打印。不过，现在我们在设法了解的是移动的技术，用移动电话、平板电脑，关键不在人们不需要打印，而是怎么在需要的时候打印。 因此，了解人们行为上的改变很重要。如果我们看脚踏车这个类别，它过去纯粹是一种交通工具，人们选择它，因为它相对便宜。但是脚踏车也有不同的用途了，现在脚踏车对一些人来说，有消闲用途，它的意义也更为多层。因此，你如果问我，我的工作和我骑车有什么关系，它可能没有直接关系，但是它帮助我了解人。”

小时成绩并不优异

现在的云大云有思考，有行动，不过他读书时候不是那种成绩优异的学生。在大巴窑长大，小学就读于大巴窑六巷的公立培群学校，学业成绩并不理想，但是他对学校、老校长陈经源却心存感激。他说，当时双亲都在工作，而大概是男生迟发育，对于读书他不是太在意。他对打乒乓比较有兴趣，是校队队员，结果得参加老校长陈经源每天早晨6点半为成绩不好的学生开办的数学补习班。云大云的华文也不好，他说，老师的教学方式显然不吸引他。小六会考放榜，云大云选择中学，被分配到他的第三志愿——中华中学。但是云大云还是感恩于培群学校，他说，学校的环境很传统，因此现在他还是把女儿送回母校就读。

至于自己，到了中华中学之后，他并不因为这是第三志愿而垂头丧气，自暴自弃。因为很清楚自己喜欢设计和安装东西，在中华中学时，云大云发愤图强。老师们对他特别好，照顾他的兴趣所在。他后来考到好成绩，再到淡马锡理工学院修读设计与科技。这个班只录取30人，云大云考上了。理工学院毕业后，他到澳洲墨尔本皇家理工大学修读产品设计。设计的兴趣维持下来，兴趣成为他的工作，而他的生活不受工作的局限。

English version kindly translated by Boo  See the best while cycling - Interviewing Woon Taiwoon

Woon Taiwoon works in an IT company as a designer. When weekends comes along, he transforms into the best guide to show you around Singapore on a bicycle.
Around 2006, some friends and him started a cycling group to explore the joys of riding on his blog. This group soon became LoveCyclingSG (LCSG) which grew into a big group.
He blogged:" Cycling is fun but it will be even more exciting when you ride with friends. It has nothing to do with the bicycle or the expensive bike parts but it is the experience that counts. Cycling also increases your appetite!"
Wanbao is interviewing Taiwoon to find out why he is willing to spend his time to organize rides, his life views and work experiences.
LCSG started between 2006 to 2007 because then he was working at Philips and he wanted to look for a good meal near the office during lunch time. Some colleagues that he lunched with rode a bike to work but he rode his bike to lunch instead. Then when he left the company, he met up with his ex-colleagues during the weekends instead. He was encouraged to blog about his experiences and about the people he met.
Taiwoon did not expect that these articles that he wrote to be very well received. As he blogged more about his riding routes every weekend, more people joined him and it became a group effort with some folks leading, taking photos and some just enjoying the ride.

In September 2010, the old Kallang Stadium was being demolished. They decided to visit it one last time and recorded what was left of it.

"Everything was almost gone but the memories were still around. The signs, the walls and the art tugged at our heartstrings. The wooden benches were almost all gone. Seeing all these made us really sad. But oh well, to make way for the future, what needs to be gone has to be gone. Goodbye Stadium and thank you for the memories. I'll remember you forever."
The group also visited the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and also the old bakeries around Balestier. Taiwoon also brought the folks to Potong Pasir where the old desk of Mr. Chiam See Tong is.
To him, these are part of Singapore's memories. In his blog, there are many photographs which document all these memories.
He thinks that by riding a bicycle, it is a vastly different experience. This is because your riding area could be a radius of 10km while if you walk, you probably only explore 2 to 3 km. Of course if you drive a car, you can go further but you see different things. Riding is different as you can slowly absorb the surroundings and sights.

Taiwoon said :" We want to record the details and capture the moment. When we look back at the photos that we have taken, we will appreciate them like a fine wine."

As Singapore grows at a very fast rate, and with the current generation putting priority on being first in everything, Taiwoon misses his childhood days and finds comfort in going back to his old playground at Toa Payoh.
He said: " To ask ourselves, do we want to go fast or go far? I don't know. However, friends around my age are a little disappointed and emotionally detached with Singapore's current achievements. An architect once told me that he had already stop donating money to his alma mater because it is the money that pushed for the destruction of the old school buidings."
Taiwoon wants to use his cycling memories in a more positive way. "Singapore has to go through big changes and this is her history. However, we should keep our little memories of the history which I am writing about. By capturing that tiny moment in time, we get to keep our home and what we treasure." said Taiwoon.
Currently, Taiwoon is working in Dell and in charge of designing printing products. If you think he only talks about the technical aspects, you are wrong. He is very clear that the user of a product is still human. Hence the product designer needs to understand the user's habits and wants. "What I am doing now and what I have learnt in school is totally different. During school, we learnt how to make things perfect. Although that is very important, I feel that the product should have a meaning afterall. The product should make people very comfortable to use it and somehow I need to link the product and user." said Taiwoon.
So how is his work related to cycling?
He explained, "Although it is not directly related, but cycling taught me alot. Every Sunday when I get in touch with the cyclists from all walks of life, it helped me to understand different people. Everyone is unique with their own backgrounds. For example, you are a reporter but this is just what you do. It is like you are a product designer and you need to take care of how the product can bring in profits. However, the designer also need to seek out a solution and come out with a design that can be both beautiful and profitable."
In the design world, we gather and talk about winning products. This is, however, a problem as the designer can only talk about the design and easily forgets what was his original idea which was to create something for the people."
The Sunday rides allowed Taiwoon to get in touch with so many kinds of people which included retiress, business owners, students and this made him very humble.
"My job is related to the design of printers. This product has undergone many big changes since 20 years ago. People no long need a printer which just prints on paper but the humble paper still exist till now. Now, we are trying to undestand how the mobile world works as the people needs to print on the go. Hence the most important thing is to find out the behavior of the users. If we use this as an example on the bicycles, you will see that the bicycle used to be just a cheap form of transport. However, it has many other uses as well. To some folks, it is now a hobby. So if you ask me, the bicycle helped me to understand the relationship between people." said Taiwoon.
Taiwoon grew up in Toa Payoh and attended Pei Chun Public School and was not the top student. However, he is very grateful to the school and the principal. He mentioned that he used to be more interested in playing table tennis than in studying. Being in the school team but as he did not have a fantastic result, he had to attend extra classes at 6.30am which was conducted by the principal. He finds that the school has a really traditional culture and hence he has sent his daughter to the school as well.
He did not make it to his first choice of secondary school but this did not stop him from working harder. Taiwoon was well taken care of by the teachers and made it to Temasek Polytechnic for a design course. After that, he went on to take up a product design course in RMIT in Melbourne.
As Taiwoon's interest grew in design, it became part of his work. His life is now filled with both his passion for design and cycling.