Lovecyclingsg and Gentle Heroes ride 10th May 2015

Words by Stanley Lim, LCSG Angel who attended this ride today @ Bishan park

This Sunday ride was created for the Gentle Heroes (4 mothers and 4 autistic youths) who have been making bicycle charms to raise funds for the riders who ride for the charities and GH themselves. This ride is to create autism awareness and it is suitable for all family. This morning, we rode with them around the beautiful Bishan Park 1 & 2. 
After the ride, we had potluck with variety of food contributed by the families and riders. We also cake cutting celebrating for all wonderful mothers who are pillars of love to their kids. Awesome!

More photos @ this link 

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

Bishan park with Lovecyclingsg 1st April 2012

LCSG at the Bio filtration pond, Bishan park 

This time the location of interest is Bishan Park which was recently launched with big fan fare from our Singapore PM Mr Lee Hsieng Leong on 17th March 2012. 

A river runs through it.. 

Tobias and LCSG team at the start of Bishan PCN... ready to roll

Official Ra Ra aside, I knew it would be alot more meaningful for the LCSG crew as coming for the ride was Tobias Baur, who designed and worked on the new Bishan Park. He shared on that Bishan Park was designed using natural-like methods - for example meandering river paths to help create a nice place for people to use the river.  It is not just a nice place but functionally the new design helps provide a more control of water flow to the water catchment area- Marina Barrage.  He added with a windy and uneven riverbed helps to slow the water speed and it creates a nice biodiversity which more fishes, plants can grow. 

Tobias sharing more details of the Bishan park design

This project was part of the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme of the Public Utilities board. What is ABC waters? More information here.
I also found this timelapse shared by Tobias of how the old Bishan canal turned into the new and natural river. 

Pretty amazing change to me as I remembered Bishan park and the canal simply flows straight pass which was nothing interesting. Complete with metal railing that is purely functional.. no one care to have a second look. I was very happy to note that the new Bishan park feels so much more natural and fun. Not designed but feel very comfortable. I could see many people walking down to the river bed and exploring the place. Even more impressive is the "untidiness" of the place. Tobias explained the rough slabs of concrete were recycled from the old canal and reused to help form the new park.  More than just the river, the design of Bishan park involved the design of eating places and also playground. We talked about the playground design and it was more edgy and innovative.  And most importantly, sand was a medium for parts of the playground. In the name of safety, many of the playground have took out the sand. But I still think sand should always be used...why? So that children can play with it! 

New playground stress tested by LCSG

Jasmine caught in the net

Carryme also want to explore the playground

I am very proud of the fact that this natural approach on design was used in the new Bishan park and the fact it was engineered with a more human approach to involve people to use the park for exercise, just relax around, play and have fun on the water. 
After the informative tour of Bishan park, we headed to another SG gem, the old thomson road to have our breakfast followed by a nice relaxed ride on the old thomson road stretch and turn back to Bishan Mrt. Cycling distance was short but we returned with a better understanding on the new Bishan park design. 

Roti Prata...

Breakfast... finally!

Mass Tai Chi

Dont feed the monkeys... which one? 

More photos here and here 

1st April 2012 Bishan PCN ride and Roti prata @ Casaurina drive

Bishan park has undergone many changes and was recently opened. From the media photos, it looks very good and this coming sunday we will visit it. Do you know a German consultancy was involved in the design and planning of Bishan park? More cool information here  if you like to read more.
For food spot, it will be at the Casuarina drive roti prata which is very popular with cyclists around the area. Later on we will ride the nice and windy old Thomson road and ride around Ang Mo kio. Route is as below.  Meet/End point will be at Bishan Mrt Station, near Taxi stand. Again, we will start 0730am, expected to end by early 1130am.
Pls sign up at Lovecyclingsg forum, thanks!