OCBC Cycle Singapore seeks your feedback on a better experience

OCBC cycle event - Taken from OCBC cycle website

Helping Spread the word for OCBC ride event. They like to know from cyclists how better improve the OCBC event, particularly to the riding experience. It will be via a discussion and focus group format. Here's from the OCBC folks themselves.
"The objective for the Focus Group discussion is to discuss on how we can improve cyclist's cycling experience in the OCBC Cycle Singapore!
You can give your feedback at one of three focus group discussions on June 6, 13 and 20 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
Because of limited slots at each session, kindly provide me with the following information if you would be available to attend:
Subject Header: CS13 Focus Group
Name:
Contact Number & Email:
Years of Cycling:
Type of Cyclist:
a. Cycles every week or more frequently
b. Cycles once a month
c. Cycles only a few times during the year
d. Participated in OCBC Cycle Singapore: Yes / No
As a token of appreciation for attendance, you would be given a Goodie Bag and light snack would also be provided.
You will be contacted by June 3 on the group that you will be joining. If you don’t hear from us, we are sorry that it means that slots are no longer available. But please feel free to email us anytime with your feedback.
Thank you for your support and I hope to hear from you soon.
Team OCBC Cycle Singapore"

Pls message them @ https://www.facebook.com/OCBCCycleSG/about

LTA speaks on road safety and "Black spot Scheme"

Taken from LTA FB page

Taken from LTA Facebook communications on 5th May. 
"LTA takes proactive measures to keep our roads safe. Our road safety engineers conduct regular safety audits, where they comb through our roads, day and night, walking and driving, to identify short-comings. We also have schemes like the Black Spot Programme, which systematically identifies and treats accident-prone locations through the implementation of road engineering solutions at targeted locations. 
Other notable schemes to improve road safety include the installation of Your-Speed-Signs, traffic calming measures, crash cushions, curve alignment markers, advance warning lights and bus stop bollards. 
As the agency responsible for the development and management of the public road network, we take our work seriously, keeping Singapore’s roads safe for all road users."

Maybe LTA team can consider looking at what we have already done as a community...  Do you think more can be done to make our roads safe? I just find it crazy that LTA can have electronic eyes setup to curb illegal parking but still moving so slowing when it come to protecting the cyclists. What do you think? 

One too many by Mr Han of Straits Time

Click here for a bigger image
This is an commentary by Mr Han which I felt had a very balanced point of view on traffic accidents and what needs to be done. Please do have a read. I just hope the Powers that can best effect changes takes up citizens feedback seriously and not treat us as "pest" and noise which is conveniently ignored.
Thank you Mr Han!

Stripe 26" Touring MTB designed by Mr Fang of the Magic Stripe Bike shop, Taiwan

That's my bike! 

I got poisoned by this MTB at Taiwan bikes shop which is a must go for foldie lovers. Previously trip, I had got my Tyrell AM-7 wheelset here too. As I understand, mini velos are slowing down and they have diversified to road bike and MTB.
I wrote this blog entry as I wanted to share this cool MTB  and thank Mr Fang for his efforts. He was really nice to work OT to pack and send it to my hotel.... at Midnight as I was catching a flight the next day. Thank you very much! I promised to ride more and blog about it sir!

Packed and ready to deliver to hotel... this is around midnight... I know cuz I was waiting at the lobby and he was not there..:) 

Mr Fang and me... after sealing the deal

While peeing at the toilet .. I saw top secret chain cleaning method of Magic Stripe... must learn from Pro

This is the address of the cool shop
Stripe Magic (魔術方塊摺疊車專賣店)
104 Taipei, Taiwan台北市中山區復興北路36巷1號1F
His online shop is here
Facebook shop 

Oh.. if u like to know more about Taiwan bikeshop.. Do read up a very extensive Steve blog entry of Taiwan bike shop here... it is good poison!

Stripe MTB with front and rear eyelets for racks, water bottle. Disk brake mount only

Columbus Spirit tubes! It is lighter than I thought!

The bike I test rode..... which was recently used for a Taiwan Round island trip

Nice mounting points for rear rack. This is a Topeak Super Tourer rack (for Disk brake)

Mr Fang personal single speed fat bike using the same frame. Check out the tyre clearance!

It doesn't look much and is simple. It is just a simple practical MTB which is built in a sensible configuration with good quality steel. I had an opportunity to test ride the bike around the neighbourhood. 
At his shop, there were 2 bikes which had just came back from a Taiwan Round island and I asked if I could try the bike. Mr Fang agreed and pumped up the tyres for me to ride. It felt strangely Surly-ish(stable and nimble) but lighter.  Rational and nothing fussy.  Thats why I like it... and bought it.

More about this. STRIPE is Mr Fang in-house brand, self designed and produced by a big manufacturer for Magic Stripe. After buying it, I googled and asked my expert friends..  it is good tube! Columbus Spirit triple butted steel! 

Technical product details by Mr Fang here 

• Italian Columbus Spirit. One of the top steel available. Light and strong . Manufactured by a Major Bike OEM from Taiwan - excellent strength!
•  Mechanical Cable Disk brake group set ..... easy maintenance and good braking in adverse condition..... Good for long-distance travel and less worrying about brake failure
• Fork frame have eyelets and mounting for easy modification(add rack, mudguards, extra bottle cage). Best for touring purposes!
• The most significant feature: accept special order!! Cater to your specific needs and requirement {customized specifications extra charge!!}
• Frame three-year global warranty
• Taiwan design / manufacturing / assembly in Taiwan goods - highly recommended!
• Promotion period - the province's Delivery free local shipping !!
• Suggested retail price: 38,000 yuan (full bike) 

Mr Fang, boss of Magic Stripe designed the bike with the intent to do unsupported (panniers) touring.  Recently, he also supported 2 girls on their dream to do a Taiwan Round island, which I thought was extremely nice of him to do so. 

Here are their facebook page  ; upon reading their FB entries, you can feel their passion and fun. We were all young once.. let's do it! 

I almost did not buy it as it was quite a hassle to bring back. I was concerned about it but my dearest wifey looked at me told me... "just buy or tomorrow I have to come back and bang Magic Stripe door...Kim really understand my pattern haha. 

Now all it remains is more leave and more riding. Yeah! 

Looking back 1 year time. Our princess and why we bring them along

Desmond Chia  posted this on Facebook. It was 2 photos of Momo and Cayla.
1 which was taken during our first Taiwan trip to Wulin- March 2012 and the other is the recent April 2013 trip.
I can't describe this feeling well enough but it feels amazing and also makes me abit emo. Similar to the feeling when I wrote this http://smallwheelsbigsmile.blogspot.sg/2011/11/soon-they-will-be-big-and-u-will-miss.htm

Kids really grow up very fast and how I wish I could "freeze" this moment in time.  Momo will be going to Primary 1 next year and I think such fun fun trips will not be possible next year due to school work. 
I am not looking forward to the crazy workload and rigid educational system (which speaking to many parents) just zaps up all the creativity and spontaneity in life. 

Kim, Desmond, Shelby and myself are just normal parents. We just want the best of our children. Which leads me to question myself constantly. What is "Best" and what are the "things" I want for Momo. 

Looking at the future. How uncertain it is and ever changing. I would say it is to concentrate on values. 

Happiness. To be happy with yourself.  Have fun. Even when things are tough and not going your way.  Mommy and Daddy will always, ALWAYS be there for you.  The slopes are the best teachers...  :)  

Courage. Courage to try new things. Courage to say. "I don't know, haven't done this before but heck, I am going to try it"  The Taiwan trip allowed Momo, Cayla to try new things. Playing in the rivers, eating strange food and doing "crazy" things. Like cheering Team LCSG Taiwan up mountains.

Teamwork.  Many of us have just one kid. This creates "the world revolves around me" mentality. Through the planning, execution of the ride/trip.  They(Momo and Cayla) participate and also understand the concept of a TEAM. No one is an island. How with common ideals, things get done well and with lots of fun.
I guess, this is really why we bring them along for this kind of trips. Also very glad, speaking to Encik George Lim- he understands why and plans it this way. Nothing world distance record breaking but memorable trips for friends and family. 
What are your thoughts? Any tips to share? 

March 2012 - 1st Taiwan trip  (Momo and Cayla) 

April 2013 - 3rd Taiwan Trip