The perfect bicycle bag...is there one?

Flamingo fully loaded

Blinker on helmet 

Topeak rack and bag

Riding a bicycle is an enjoyable experience. I get to feel the wind in my face, riding slowly and observing all the surroundings.  As simple as riding ... there are stuff we will carry... I am curious to understand what do we all bring on a day ride... My "weapon of choice" is usually the Flamingo. I will use the Topeak beam rack with a Topeak MTX trunk bag loaded with all this stuff listed below

1)Wallet, coins (buy food and drinks.. and stuff in bike shop)
2)Cellphone/ Iphone (always miss called as I cant access it quickly)
3)Sunblock (no ugly tan lines)
4) Mini Tool/patch kit/tyre levers (Just in case when I get a flat)
5) point and shoot Digital Camera  or  DSLR  (Captures the ride, places and people)
6) Small face towel (I sweat buckets...so it helps to make me dry)
7) Small snacks like Museli bar 
8) First Aid kit (When sh@#@ happens... this is really very useful)
9) Small note pad and pen (jot down good ideas, inspiration)
10) Tripod (very good for group shot) --- sometimes
11) Cable lock
12) copies of map of riding routes 

Mounted on bike
1) Hand Pump 
2) Water bottle
3) Front and rear Blinkers

Others stuff
1)Helmet

Usually all the stuff goes inside my top peak pannier bag....and a friend remarked "u like machiam going on mission...so heavy..."   So, tell me what do u carry on a sunday ride?

Punggol to Changi village 10th April 2011

lovecycling crew at the newly completed Punggol PCN    (photo credit Francis)

David helping Mary to pump up her tyres, after seeing how long it took...

Punggol heading to PCN

Lovecycling group visited Punggol this time. Yes!!... no need to wake up so early as I am staying just 2 blocks away from the meeting place. But that was not the point....punggol is really very beautiful and I am glad I can share this with my friends.. We got a few new riders joining for the rides like George, Kimi, Adrian and Elynn. After the usual safety briefing, we rode along my morning cycling route which was nice and quiet, rolling to Punggol PCN

The route we took... thanks TC! 

Nice girder bridge to Lorong harlus

This is Singapore! 

      It was then a short ride crossing the girder bridge that links Punggol to Lorong Harlus.  Riding in the morning was really nice feeling, esp. when u feel the cool air and the serene waters... very hard to imagine that not too long ago, this area was a dumping ground. Well done PUB and Nparks for the sensitive landscaping and using natural methods to reduce the swellage at Lorong Harlus. It is really working!

Derek on his trusty brompton..rolling along and smiling

motivation to ride... food!

The ride pace was unusually fast this time and we zipped like a horde of deer passing pasir ris park and in no time reached Changi Village around 930am for breakfast. I like Changi village as it is kind of the cycling hub... and  we brought another cool mix to cycling. I think our motley group of folding bikes, MTB, road bike drew some envious glances from the roadies. Riding just because we enjoy it..... just ride... :)

More photos here and Lovecycling.net 

Support Japan charity ride by HP Alumni folks

HP alumni and many others - "Japan,we are with u!"

With a last minute "approval" from my CEO, I attended the Support Japan Charity ride organised by HP alumni. Talking to the main guy who made it happen - Mr Han JK, who share his thoughts. "It all started by a friend talking about the Japan earthquake and we just wanted to do our part. Then someone started big donation and said let's try to raise some money for our friends in Japan... " Well, judging from the ride response... I was very impressed and touched by their efforts. Playing the role of the photographer, I roamed and took photos of the riders and action. Overall a meaningful and fun ride. Well done HP alumni and all the friends who participated. More photos here  
shadow photos

Terence, Paul, Daniel, Gibson and Thomas(CEO)

pushoff!

 Jok Kwang, the main guy making it all happen...well done!

riding and raising funds for Japan...nice!

 

Introducing Russ and Laura of http://pathlesspedaled.com... inspiring!

Photo credits by Pathlesspedaled.com

I never met Russ and Laura but I wished I did. I have followed them on cyberspace, reading their adventures on bicycles. And today they shared on their feelings why they embarked on the "redefining road trip".  http://pathlesspedaled.com/2011/04/sometimes-the-cause-finds-you/   Yes, I know it is abit lengthy... read it... it is really good! As u should know by now I am also a bike advocate and their story is very inspiring for me. To talk about it is one thing, to do it is another. Uproot urself from the daily grind, with no real income coming in....This is real commitment and passion we are talking about. I guess it is also a dream to me and many others. Now u can live ur dreams thru them by supporting them on the roadtrips.. here http://www.indiegogo.com/big-adventure-small-wheels 
Or just send a message to them at http://pathlesspedaled.com/connect/  

Rock on Russ and Laura! If u happen to be in SG, I would love to share with u my hometown...on a bicycle of course! 

TR bikes turns 4!

Just spreading the word around on this small shop with big heart. TR is 4!!! and of course in SG...we got a good store discount! And in case u are thinking....nope, I am not paid to say that. :)  

Sunday ride and Demo bike servicing 3rd April 2011

Ride like the wind!

Dempsey road to ourselves!

We are with u, Japan! 

Steve sharing how he services his brakes

KC showing how to massage tyre...

Steve telling all the bolts and nuts of servicing...

48 riders met at Botanical gardens for our regular Sunday lovecycling ride. Bromptons, Dahons, Xtoor folding bicycles, MTB, fixies and roadies... brands didn't matter, all united by the love of cycling... meeting new friends and reaffirming old ones... The plan was to roam around Dempsey area, shoot the "support Japan Video", ride slowly to Margaret drive and then to the newly opened Alexandra PCN to Asian Civilization museum, lastly to lifecycle for the Demo.
Riding at Dempsey road was a nice experience as there was hardly any cars around and we had the places just for ourselves. We stopped by the parrots to say hello and then found a nice and quiet place for the video. I hope this message reaches our Japanese friends. We are thinking of u!
From Dempsey road, we made our way leisurely towards Margaret drive market. It was already closed for redevelopment and took the last look/photos of the place. From there, it was just rolling alond Alexandra PCN, stopping for late breakfast at Zion road. Having our bellies topped up with fishball noodles and stuff, we snaked along Singapore river and to Lifecycle for the Servicing Demo. Steve shared on the fine  details of brake servicing and shifter, deraileur adjustment. KC did a very smooth tyre change demo, no doubt trained under very harsh conditions.. :) And he very kindly shared on the process of removing the tyre and patching the hole. Guess we will have plenty of people ready to help on the group rides... :) Lastly, I also shared my personal way of cleaning the drive train. Taking out the chain and putting into a gatorade can filled with some degreaser. The result was a gleaming chain...and dirty hands. Later over wanton noodles, I got feedback from the riders that they really enjoyed the session. I promise I will try to cater more sharing session. Thanks David, Matt, Francis, Simon, Clarence, Stanley, KC, Steve for contributing in this ride/servicing demo!

Another great ride with friends!  What do u think we can do better the next time round? 

more photos here and blog account...

http://lovecycling.net/2011/04/03/dempsey-rd-queens-town-service-demo-lifecycle/

What makes u smile?

Was at Mybikeshop afew days ago as my friend Darren wanted to buy the flamingo London. Steven also happened to be there too and  as we were chatting away.. I saw a small sign on the side of his bike... and it made me smile.. Ride on Steven! So what makes u smile?

Wise words that Steven go by

Darren's foldie

I know riding makes me happy.  When we ride, barriers are opened up and people talk like people do. Therefore, I am glad that we are starting a "mini-revolution" at my office, changing people perception to bikes....esp  folding bikes.  Darren who recently joined the company finally decided that he wanted to ride to work. He tried the Dahon, Flamingo, Brompton, Carrymes folding bicycles and what have u not... 
After a week of thinking ... he went ahead and bought one....His choice of ride is the Flamingo London. Yes, the controversial Brompton-ish Flamingo model. Priced very attractively.... It features 7 speed IGH,griptwist shifter and together with Doc air seat makes for a very comfortable ride. No it is not a brompton... and does it matter?  What do u think he should have got? Anyway, it is going to be interesting at lunch time... we can now ride to many other places! 

Darren's Flamingo at office parking... :) 

3 is a crowd....not!

cushy Doc aire seat...