Personal Reflection

An old uncle... Maybe he is riding to work or to his regular kopi place. You will see them everywhere. They are not on facebook nor will they write in to authorities to reflect the traffic issue. 
Pls watch over them , give them just a little bit more time and consideration. 
Remember, we all grow old too.

Cycling in Khatmandu

Now, Khatmandu is not a place you associate with cycling. They are also facing a perennial city issue... traffic congestion and see what's happening there. Wow! When you have so little, you take charge.

David lose to win!

Steady lah David .. and I know other then the running part, David also is an active cyclist!
This is an interesting way by Singapore Health Promotion board to encourage a healthy living!
This is really inspiring!

David as the poster boy of Lose to win program by Singapore Health and promotion Board

@ LCSG King of the hill ride.. Mr SunKist!

David @ LCSG Round island ride..

up a steep slope.. 

Bicycles at Boon Lay MRT

Sharing a photo from Francis. This was take at Boon Lay MRT. Wow... it feels like Amsterdam!
So who said cycling in Singapore is just for recreation?
Also check out the Facebook comments 

Boon Lay MRT  photo credits Francis Chu

4th August 2013 Visit to Bukit Brown

LCSG @ Masjid Omar Salmah Mosque

This is another unique place which will be gone very soon. Partly that is. Last year we visited the place and met some really passionate folks who wanted to preserve it. They call themselves Brownies , if u like to know more, click the link.
And please go there quick... almost going be start clearing out  and it is in the Straits time too. 
The route was quite complicated as I have not really ridden there much. Luckily I have someone who do. That's our veteran LCSG old bird, Steven Tang. He even made the extra effort to recce the route and find out the history around the place. Starting from Caldecott  MRT station, it was a gentle roll toward Andrew road and then getting hopelessly lost at mount peasant area.

Steven Tang giving a briefing on the route and places of interest

First timers to LCSG  - Photo Credit Steven Tang

The turn out was huge at 80 pax and many regulars stepped up to help act as markers. That is they will ride in front and place themselves at turnoffs so that the main party can just roll along easily and not get lost. Thank you Panda, Pierre, Ben, Jasper and many others for helping make this a pleasant experience.

quiet and shady zip along Andrew road

Near the horse training area

Happy white Carry me Duo!

off the beaten track.. 

Horse "what the hell is happening... so many pple" 

Horses going for a stroll. Yes, in Singapore!

Mud added to the "garang" factor. 

Skikh guards standing by the tomb. Only @ Bukit Brown - photo credit Steven Tang

Due to a minor accident, we asked the main group to proceed while we took care of the young man. 

He apparently jammed his brakes as he approached a speed bump down a slope. Luckily, Eugene LA was there and help dress his wounds. We decided that it would be best he went home and seek medical treatment. After the drama, we went to look for the main group and the heavens opened at Mediacorp. Uncle KC shouted to me: "Call Zoe Tay and see if we can hide at her house.. haha" 

It continued raining as we approached BB and we didn't explore much. Still there were quite afew people walking and braving the rain. I guess in the forrage, Claire must be still there, sharing the BB stories.  

From Bukit Brown, we cycled to Kheem hock road towards Adam food centre. A hot coffee and yummy makan made every one feel much better.  Stomaches filled, we dispersed at Adam food market and guided the rest back to Caledcott MRT.  Thanks to Steven Tang excellent recce, I now know this place better. And I will come and ride this route again. What a nice way to spend a sunday morning!
Photo link here 

Nice makan @ Adam road market. It is good!

Finally, we eat! 

Learning from Toshi @ Aoyama - 21st July 2013

You can bring ur bike anytime, but u got to bag it

I had to travel to Japan for work (2 weeks) and while my work is confidential. I can share this wonderful time I had with Toshi Maeda at his home ground on 21st July 2013 Sun morning.
I had to take a 50min train ride from Yokohama to Tokyo but I felt it would be worth the effort.

3 years later. I am back at the same spot

Most important reason to be there was to learn how they have managed to get the cycling education going in Japan. And also have spend time with Toshi san to learn about his creative community at Aoyama.

learning to ride 

While the kids practised, they also educated the parents the importance of cycling safety

Teaching the kid how to deploy the stand

demonstrating if they don't get it... 

An honor to be standing beside the selfless legends

he is no. 50. And been doing this for over 30 years!

 It was really a humbling experience and talking to the Japanese Cycling Association (JCA) volunteers who have been tirelessly helping for many years. Toshi helped me translate my questions and shared really interesting details. The cycling program was only possible because of the Royal family(for the grounds) and Keirin racing association for sponsoring the bikes and equipment.  This has continued for at least 50 years and when I asked how did people know about this cycling program. He just shrugged and said.. “they have been doing this for a long time. Everyone knows.”

Toshi and his friend showing me around.

 

 tokyo streets

  

cycling route in Aoyama

simple instruction with no usual BS 

In a way, I could see the similarities we have done for Lovecyclingsg. Toshi san shared more how things were all linked and with the right attitudes and passion. There could be wonderful synergy with many people. Not for status, not for money. Just a simple dream to make their neighborhood a nice and homely.

 

Toshi insisted I come here... 

It looks so beautiful

Also shared with me this super hidden from view cafe called OVE. I love it.. the environment and the people. I learnt a new word over there. SenSo.... it hard to describe but Toshi san said..... “it just like Zen. Go where ur heart follow”.

slow down, have a tea

Ove is a mixed place. I can’t point a finger what it is.. . Its not a bicycle shop, nor it is design place. It’s like a place where artists, musicians, craftman can gather. Do a small exhibition, show and tell kind of place.

relaxed environment to chat 

totally vegan but very nice!

after the vegs.. coffee and ice cream

Tanada san fixing Toshi bike

super nice guy and hope can ride with him one day. Jpn or SG also can

if u like to see more... this is the location

I had a really wonderful experience to learn about Toshi‘s neighbor hood. I could tell that Aoyama is very precious and important to him. Thank you Toshi san for your time and generosity. I learnt a great deal and been very inspired.

I will see how I can use this ideas for Singapore!

More photos of a nice day here

14th July 2013 LCSG slow slow ride to Bidadari park

I pass this ground daily while driving along Serangoon road on my way work.  Bidadari Cemetery used to be  functional but closed for "operation during 1972". BTW do u know Bidadari means "fairy" in Sanskrit!  I didn't know that... but with Wikipedia, I now know :) 
As with many places in Singapore, it will be giving way to the  more housing projects.  For now it is a patch green with a nice winding path. More photos of the ride here 

LCSG @ Bidadari

So this set the theme for the sunday ride and it was simple route from Bishan park Mac's to Bidadari park. One of the highlight was the obstacle course that took the form of a overhead bridge @ Bradell road. Nice to see folks helping folks and a swamp of cyclists walking up. I thought to myself, if the authorities can make it more accessible to cross, I am sure this route would be more popular. Anyway.....  that has been shared to them countless of times.

Eugene with his trailer bike, helped by Desmond

Pierre and Chole (baby)

Daddy rules!

As we reached Bidadari, we went a couple of loops slowly. This is also to allow us to have a feel of how big the place it.  Mr tandem Lim also pointed out the haunted tree which a girl used to sit under. That day we didn't see and I am cool with that.

Encik rolling and rumbling around

Young Tiger following closely on Encik heels. He is fast!

We gathered under a big tree for the group shot. Then I sprung the surprise we have been planning for sometime. For a big hearted man by the name of Andy Yap. Helped by the kind Joeel and esther.
What I said to the group was this. "I have something to say. Many think LCSG activities just happen. Its fun and it just happen, week after week.  But it couldn't have happened if not for the tirelessly efforts of some folks. They are the angels who cover our backs and worked silently to make things happen. One of them has been doing this for a long time, week after week. Month after month, year after year. That guy is Andy Yap. He is our super man and we just want to say a big big thank you to him. And present to him this hand drawn sketch to him"
The group cheered for Andy and he broke into a smile. Thank you for everything, Andy :)

A big cheer for our super man, Andy Yap!

Fantastic work by Joeel Lee for Andy

A slight rain came down and we retraced our route back. But first we had to find a makan spot and this time we visited Toa Payoh Lor 8 hawker centre. Our steel horses drew many onlookers. Many shared their bikes, if they could fold and what not. I was already quite hungry and on the Woo sister recommendation, had the yong tau foo. It was good!  After the makan, we cycled back to Bishan park and dispersed from there.

Steven Tang with his kungfu fart.... haha