Simple mods that makes the ride more enjoyable

Its almost invisible

 Sorry, I have not been updating my blog regularly. Yes, I still have my bikes and they are a joy to ride... but maybe too many bikes...that one will leave for another posting haha. 
I have still been cycling around my neighbourhood PCN almost daily. With my creaky knees, cycling helps me get the much needed 45 min exercise and clear my mind. 
The route is about 14km around Punggol waterway loop and after many months, it can be abit boring. 

So I recently been playing some music as I ride. Initially, I used mainly my Apple EarPods and they were great. I keep them relatively low volume so I can still be aware of the overall environment. But it can get abit clammy with sweat as u ride. So I tried portable BT spk approach. The problem is that the position u place ur speakers on the bike matters.  Either u turn the volume up very high, which can be abit irritating to other park users. Or u need to find a location that points the speaker generally to ur face/ ear direction. This way u can listen to ur tunes and not blast it like ghetto town. 

Heres how I do it with a longer bamboo branch, 2 Zip ties and abit of velcro. Find a position on ur handle bar, connect and play. I used it and it works great. Its a simple mod, that will make ur ride so much more enjoyable. Photos explains more details than I can ever eleborate. Try it and see it also works for u! 

BT speakers angled towards ur face/ ears

front angle 

Zipties, they saved MRT and they can do miracles!

notice the bamboo stick acts as a platform for the velcro to wrap neatly to the handle bar. This way u can transfer to any bike quickly 

not as pretty but 100 percent eco!

Visit to my old friend and old school 9th June 2019

Momo is now Primary 6 and very soon she will leave Pei Chun school. I wanted to do a ride to show her Toa Payoh and enjoy this special moment.  About 40 pax met at Bishan Mac and we rolled slowly towards Toa Payoh. 

Blur me, didn't check that it was still in construction and luckily I had Joanna Peck who help guide me expertly pass the road block to Toa Payoh. I led them in circles trying to find a ping pong table and so glad no one minded. After some time, we found my child hood toy horse and did the usual photography.  Also the dragon playground and toa payoh garden. 

To share with the folks, I also brought them to Philips Singapore. That was when we first started to ride in 2007. Because I like to find nice food....ask me more when we ride together.

Here's some nice photo for memories!  More photos here

Nparks Floating island collab with LCSG - 18th May 2019

Catch-Up and documenting a nice event with Nparks on 18th May. Yes, work have been overwhelming busy and I am really late on my blog entries.  
So here goes... I brought Momo along as I wanted her to experience how something discarded could be put into another use.  We gathered at the hill of Kent ridge park. After a over view of the program, Nparks team led us to the pond. Along the way, they shared more history and also lots of interesting plants that was around the area. 

Reaching the pond, we split into 3 groups and got to work. It was hot and sweaty but no one complained. Everyone helped out and after about an hour, the platforms were done.  Heres some of the nice photos of this memorable event and looking for more in the future!

LCSG supports Nparks Rower Cove ride. 30th March 2019

The location was abit off the beaten path, esp if u are coming via public transport. But it did not deter the folks of LCSG coming from all different places to support the event. Here's the Straits time article on the event.  
The ride was actually a very short route from the Seletar Heritage trees to Rower cove. I was very appreciative that riders understood why we came here and didn't really mind the short distance. Thanks guys!

The importance of today event is to mark the location as the node for the on going Round island Route by Nparks. Rower cove is located at the Seletar End of the Yishun Dam road. From Rowers cove, Minister Wong shared today that cyclists, joggers can go directly to the City.  The route, covering about 60 km will be completed by 2020 and for the western sector of Singapore, it will be addressed and completed in due time. Also today was the launch of the C2C app which is more a trail walking app that allows user to find their way and learn more fauna/flora as they walk.  It spans from Punggol Coney island to Jurong lake district and when u take photos on the designated spots, there will be points to collect and redeem - I will share more seperately on the C2C app. 
Here's some of the nice photos by uncle KC and other riders.
Link here and here .

Eugene from URA and Henry from Nparks. Very very good people who have done so much. Thank you. 

This are all the efforts of folks like LCSG and many others. Come and make a difference! 

Showing how all pcn can be linked up for the Round island route. By 2020, can ride from Rower cove to city!
Thats a big yeahhh! 

URA on cycling to work video

This is a big deal as these are all real cycle commuters in Singapore. Not models and not "experts" who don't really ride spouting advice. This is the real deal.  Here's their story and how they cycle to work! After that, pls also click the LTA masterplan 2040 survey and contribute ur thoughts. Yes, its not going to benifit us but more for our children. 

Cycling profile Edmund Chew (Bukit Batok to Tanjong Kling)

I am Edmund Chew, 43 years old and I work as a HR Executive. Cycling makes me feel more refreshed. It gives me more stamina and energy. 

Sometimes it rains but its still fun.

Do u cycle commute and how did you start?

Yes. I started bike to work in 1 Feb 2017. I work at Tanjong Kling area and I stay at Bukit Batok. During that time, i was taking part in the Togo Parts Challenge and so, bike to work can help me to clock some mileage. Win win! 

I always like to explore new places and new routes to different places.  

Ever gone to the western tip to the no.1 lamp post? I have... and its farrrrrrrr

As my office is in the industrial area where a lot of big trucks and heavy vehicles travelling on the roads.

So going on road is not an option for me.  After a few weeks of trying out different routes to my office, going via the various pcns seems to be the better and safest options.

Rain will not stop me.

So now my regular routes are something like this.

Bukit Batok St 24 - Bukit Batok East Ave 6 (BB Park Connector) - Bukit Batok Ave 1 - Jurong East Central (Jurong Park Connector) - Chinese Garden (Boon Lay Way) - Lakeside (MRT) - Jurong Central Park - Jurong Park Connector - Jln Ahmad Ibrahim (Pavement) - Pioneer Road (Pavement) - Tanjong Kling Road (On Road)

There isn't a proper PCN from Pioneer road to Tanjong Kling road so have to ride on pavement.

Strava Link.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1905576414

This route is relatively safe except for the traffic light crossing at Jln Ahmad Ibrahim toward Pioneer Road where alot of cars will dash through red lights.  To play safe, i will wait for all cars to stop before cycling across.  I have experience a few occasion where cars did not stop at red light.Its always a relax ride to work where the PCNS are nicely done and the ride is smooth.

Bromptonworldtravellers- tell me more about the group and where do u ride? 

I first join them to ride in Singapore. They will ride to interesting places like hunt for murals (wall paintings) around Singapore. 

My first oversea cycling trip with BWT is to Thailand. The trip is very well planned. Price is very reasonable and hotel and meals arrangement are awesome.

 Most important is that the organizers really took good care of us. All help each other like loading of bikes into cars and coaches, getting the luggage at the belt in the airport. 

Cycling also makes u hungry! 

In Singapore, we will plan ride to see interesting places or events in SG. 

Example, Singapore iLight festival, car free day, NDP ride and the coming one is Halloween Ride.

Added note : Edmund is one of the leaders of Bromptonworldtravellers. (He just pai say to say haha) . 

First memories of cycling

My first cycling experience was in primary school where my dad will bring me to ecp to rent a 4 wheeler for me to cycle. 

Something like this (taken from Carosel) 

Only when I'm in sec 3 then I learned how to cycle on 2 wheels.  My first own bike was a GT stunt bike.

Back then was very popular in the 80s. After sec days, I stopped cycling and soon was into NS. Then I start to ride MTB with a few of my ex school mates. After my NS, I stop again due to work. 

Lol.  Then in 2015 dec. I wanted to buy an e-scooter but my wife encourage me to buy a bicycle instead as it's more safe and healthy. So I bought my first polygon MTB. In 2016 Feb I decide to try small wheel folding bike and so we bought two terns on Valentine's day. After a few months of cycling, I decide to change bike, and I bought a term X20. 

From there on, I start to take up Togo challenge and clocking more distance on my foldie. Now I have a Tyrell fsx and a Brompton.