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!

Family trip to Penang...with a brompton in a bag

For the SG jubilee week, we took a relaxed trip to Penang. Naturally I had to bring my foldie along.  Not for the campaign for a lane event but basically as a effective way to get around to see the sights. This was how I did it using the bag by Vincita. Deflate abit of air from the tyres.. put the brompton in. Zip up and go. 

packing my Brompton in the Vincita Bag 

hand pump, cage and multitool kit

Cayla and Momo posing with SG favorite food - Chicken rice @ Changi airport 

It took us 1 hr flight time from Singapore to Penang. Flying via budget air was uneventful but pleasant. Landed in Penang and we went searching for a late lunch. 

Desmond and Cayla leading the way

Penang street has lots of art that shares with u the information of the street in a art/fun way

This was our 2nd visit to Penang. What I like about it was the street food and also the electic art murals that are spread around the old historical area. Old and grity but it somehow draws me closer to it. Anyway, here's some photos of the street food.

a typical roadside stall @ Penang

Food tastes best with company dont u think?

Char kway tiao - sorry for the blur photo ... I was shaking with excitment

so lovely kway tiao soup. 

Needless to say, we stuffed ourselves silly with CKT, wanton noodle and many many goodies. Reflecting on the food, I felt the one that was most memorable was actually the simple Kway tiao soup at Bangkok Lane.
It's really hard to have a simple dish that can stand out among so many good food. I felt it did because it was simple, honest cooking. We asked the lady what was the "magic". She told us, they had to put the pig bones, and whole duck to make the soup base. It will take several hours and later on, shred the duck meat. The fish ball was also manually made. Not bought off the super market."Alot of work but ok lah.... " The lady said. 

Look out for this stall at Bangkok lane

shy owners when we gave them a thumbs up for the super noodle soup. They were smiling ear to ear!

There is really a lot of pride in what they do. And this is sadly not the case in Singapore local street food. I think our reputation for having best street food paradise in Asia have been overtaken by cities like Penang. Really.
Coming back to cycling bit in Penang. 
When you go on family trip, one of the way you can get some cycling is to wake up early. Do an hour or so and by the time you come back, it's just nice for breakfast. Easy and relaxing. 

The early morning light also gives the town a nice tone

Stay lighted on the rear

beautiful art that complements the gritty rundown environment. 

trishaw for carry goods. Eco and cheap.

Best of all if you want to earn more brownie points for your next bicycle or bike adventure, offer to pick up all the stuff your missus wants and carry it back via the bicycle. Its really effective!

uncle painting over the old coffee tins

Local kopi brand

carrying coffee orders for the missus - photo credit Desmond

Looking at the town, I also noted that there were more and more hipster cafe sprouting up like wild mushrooms.... like this one. 

cafes like this can be found all over Penang....

Frankly, I am not sure if this is a good thing. I feel that alot of the original Penang lifestyle is being hollowed up, making way for yet another hotel or cafe. As I admired the creativity of the art mural
pieces and nice fancy cafes, I could see many elderly sitting in a corner, looking dazed and empty. They must be wondering...."what the hell is happening to my community"  
The irony of me writing this is that I am also guilty of intruding to their space and lifestyle. :(

old uncle trying to get by collecting cardboard and drink cans. 

What would be a good balance of keeping the old and introducing the new? I hope the people of Penang would be wise enough not to milk the golden goose too much. And this is something we should also reflect on for our sunny island. Are we also going to fast too soon? What are your thoughts? I love to hear from you.
My photos link of the nice experience here 

Super duper compilation of Brompton how to dos... by Alvin and team!

Ever wanted to service your Brompton but don't know how? Well, now thanks to Alvin, you can learn it too!

Travel luggage for Brompton

A friend asked me for advice on what luggage to get to travel with a Brompton. My answer was either a cardboard box, stuff all ur clothes inside. Or get the Lojel.

And I realized I did not post a photo of it before. So here's the communal consolidation with the help of Lovecyclingsg folks.
It seems like a tossup between Lojel and Vincita. Difference is Lojel is a hardcase which weights more but provides more protection. While Vincita is a soft padded case which is lighter but perhaps less protected(but I think is really ok)
Diane very nice review of the Vincita soft case here 

Diana with her Vincita soft bag

Brompton Personal Review for Touring

My trusty Brompton with me and friends on a nice Mekong ride

Now I am not a bicycle guru and this will surely piss the true blue Bromptonites ("how dare you... it must be the best bike in the world!!!")  For Brompton Zealots... Please kindly tune off as this will not be your cup of tea.

Sorry mate... But I am of the opinion that there are many good bikes in the world. One of them also happen to be the Brompton. And I will share my own personal opinion after riding it for 2.5 years and with several overseas journey with the iconic bicycle.

This is what I have done over the years
Japan - Business trip and extended to explore more of the place (2 times)
Terrain is City flatish, with train rides (folded brompton)
Distance cover roughly 30 km
Transport by DIYed Carton box. 

Exploring ulu area has it challenges.. like no escalator... gulp

Mekong area, Thailand - Self supported cycling trip
Terrain is mixed of tarmac, mud tracks which became quite gooey. Lots of slope and downhills.  Rain big time.
Distance covered roughly - 200km
Time: around 1 week
Transport by Lojel luggage case. The Luggage lock portion broke because of rough handling.

Some where near Chang Khan, Thailand

Manning the rear with my M bar Raw Lac 6 Speed

Taiwan - Supported cycling trip with family and van support.
Terrain is good tarmac with hill elevations of around 300m (mount Faber is 100m). Strong head winds
Distance covered roughly - 150km
Transport by Original Brompton Box

I got another Brompton for my wife.. haha.. buy in Taiwan and ride directly

Cranking it @ Taiwan. It's a P bar which give more position to reduce frontal drag. It works!

Brompton Pros/Plus

• The legendary fold is neat, strong and good for packing. Excels in mixed multi transport mode(Bus, Train, Van, Taxi) 
• The frame and ride geometry is stable and good for riding around. With the rear supported by rubber suspension(Got soft and firm- get the firm one if u are doing more touring and heavier loaded) and adding a brooks B17. The Brompton is one comfortable ride.
• Front Mount Touring (aka T) bag is roomy enough put my clothes, and all other stuff. It is also supplied with a flour-yello waterproof cover... which I tested in a full day rain ride in Mekong. 
• When you ride and get tired. You can fold and take a taxi. Or hop into the support van or flag a horse cart in ulu conditions. 
• The small wheel run true and spin well. Over all the bike keeps going and going.. slowly is how it likes it.
• The Clunky SA hub just keep going and going. Best in wet conditions as it is protected from the elements. 

Brompton Cons/Minus

• I really hate the SA hub wide gearing. In a City environment, it is ok. But when u are in a constant hilly terrain. The wide gear spacing really gets to you. It is either too light or too heavy.. to compensate, you need to adjust your cycling Cadence to accommodate. 
• Shifting of the gears are quite your English quirkiness.  The plastic casing of the shifter look flimsy by over 3 years.. they shake but still shift fine. It just don't look robust and refined. This is year 2012.. Brompton company pls consider something simpler and more intuitive. 
• Rear tyre change is more troublesome. You need to have 2 spanner size - 8, 15 to loosen the brake clamp, wheel axle. Also need to unscrew the Internal hub gearing key link. I resolved this by buying the most puncture proof tyre. Yes I do lose some speed but in return, I get more "puncture insurance".  I don't fancy changing tube in the middle of the blazing sun at the side of the road... with no shade. 

This is Encik George Lim. Don't be fooled by his pink bike. He is V8 on Steroids.  We nearly died trying to catch up with him haha. 

Overall findings

Brompton is best suited for the city landscape. This is where it thrives. Fold it, take a train to the near by location, unfold, ride. It is unbeatable.. or the gold standard. 

For touring.. it is a mixed bag. The small wheels are not too good for bad potholed mud paths and the wide space SA hub reduces cycling efficiency by around 20 percent at least. Get the Tbag if u are intending to tour unsupported. It carry suff easily and makes the bike handle well. It is big and placed in the front of the bike.. your aerodynamics will suffer. But if u go slow and smell the roses..it is fine. 

Would I take the Brompton on a tour? 

It depends on the location and terrain elevation. If City like- I will confirm bring it or the Carryme.
If it is slopely slopes galore... I will bring my Alex Mouton TSR with triple crank to spin up any hill. Hope this gives you more insights of the wonderful bike called Brompton. Any questions still in your mind.. just ask. 

LCSG Southern Taiwan day 1_8 Dec 2012

Steve and Bernice with their Dahon packed and ready for Taiwan!!

Fav uncle George for the 3 princess 

We arrived 6am in the morning, all looking bleary eyed but in very high spirits. The weather was not too good. Light drizzle (all the way) but nice cooling weather at Sun Moon Lake. 
We visited Puli Wine factory, learn abit about wine making and lots of wine relate products. This is also an evolving business where it is now more Wine education and local culture than full on wine production

Rice wine factory rear side... from the car park

mobile drink stall

Kimi trying out how heavy the rice is

Beer bottle in another use

Drizzle drizzle... 

Makan stop @ Pu li

Later as we reached our hotel - Sun Moon lake Teacher hostel... There was a light drizzle and very foggy.
The Bromptons and KHS came early part of the afternoon and we were like kids assembling them. Jack was very nice to bring all the bikes to our hotel. This saves us alot of effort to pack and transport. Not an easy task if u factor the children and all the stuff we bring.  
But not much riding.... Sunset early by 5ish... we had dinner at the town and headed back..

My 2nd Brompton, for my wife haha

Jack helping aunty Audrey on her Tikit

Marcus and Jack... so happy that didnt have to lug the bike to SML 

Steve and Bernice KO with flu and still not well... their dinner was just plain white rice under doctor order. But the rice really tastes good!
Rain became heavier and foggy.. not possible to walk... and the Giant shop at SML was closed for the day. Let's hope tomorrow will be better weather and our Dahon couple can recover by the rest tonite...
Full photos of the day action here 

Rider profile Derrick Tan

Derrick, Taking on Wulin. Day 2!

Ponchek but smiling. Awesome!!

Shackked out but holding on

Derrick with his Buddy Nick Wong at 7-11 stop!

• Tell me about yourself Hello everyone. I am Derrick. My day job involves in improving business processes. My night job then involves solving my 'little taukeh's boredom :) The remaining time spend will be on cycling. 
• How did you started cycling? The initial intention was to do cycling with my son but ended up buying the bicycle and engaging the activity myself as he is not ready. 
• Why do you like cycling Form of exercise, having some time to yourself, get to know more people from all walks of life, ride and smell the roses, and getting to places that we don't normally go. 
• When u met LCSG - how was it like and how u meet us ? None of my family members know how to cycle. After buying my Dahon, i was looking for friends or people who has cycling interest. With the help of google, LCSG had a ride at sentosa and the distance is manageable, so i decided to give it a try. If i was unable to catch up, the most i ride home :p • Your favorite cycling kakis No specific kakis. Mostly folks from LCSG. 
• Your favorite cycling route and LCSG ride I enjoy every place that LCSG organises. Afew of name are follow pengarang, Kukup and Taiwan. But I guess it's the company that counts :)  
• Your role at LCSG Helping out in whatever way I can. Traffic or even swipe. Not very good with directions..haha 
• Your feelings after and during organising LCSG rides Personally, the reason why LCSG is successful is because it's non political, focus on cycling and not bothered by the background of the person. People are friendly and there is no restriction on bike types. You have a bike, let's ride together! 
• Tips to share with fellow riders.
 Being a fairly new rider, don't really have many tips to share. Most important is being comfortable with your ride, knowing what it is capable of. This will reduce accidents. Of cos personal awareness of the surrounding is also important. 
• Your steel horses- names and more details. 
1) Vitesse D7 - used for few months, currently in the storeroom since 2nd bike arrived. 
2) Brompton M6R - My SUV. Very versatile and compact bike. Good for marketing @ Chinatown :) 
3) AM-TSR 20 - latest addition to the family. More for long distance, comfort and efficient bike. 
Others(highlight of my short cycling journey) New to riding, so dun have much riding experience to share. Most memorable ride got to be wulin with my trusty brompton M6R, with a group of fun folks. 
Why is this ride so special? It's the hardest 2 days i worked my heart...haha no joking. End of day 1, I was so tired, after late lunch/dinner, i went to straight to bed. 
Day 2 even tougher. Steep curve slope to start the day. End of the day 2, cosy restaurant, a piece of steak in front of me, but I dun have the energy to eat it. Heart beating away, feeling tired, better go ask papa mike for some magic pill as I wanted to ride down the hill. 
Day 3, woke up feeling ok. Ready to enjoy the 5hr downhill. Once in awhile will have a crazy thought of driving up and riding down genting highland :) So if you add 2 days of hill, 1 day of downhill, with a group of friends, you have an unique and memorable experience. 
Why brompton? In preparation for the trip, thoughts were, one trip, dun hv to buy another bike for it. Limited space at home, bike visa hard to come by...haha So my mind is set on brompton. Even after watching all the YouTube posted by George, some showing brompton going up. So proven bike can go up, its the rider that needs more training. At the back of my mind, I knew the gear ratio is not ideal, so changed my 50T crank to 44T. Met a friend, he suggested some simple exercise to strengthen leg muscle. That's the lease I can do, and i follow through the routine. The disadvantage of brompton gear ratio motivated me to stick to the exercise. After that, it's "Just Do It. At least I tried". 
Moulton- poisoning.... Having watched YouTube posted by kevin, I was very impressed by his in-depth knowledge and passion for moulton and focus on efficiency, which is something i wanted for the next ride. Sometime before leaving for Taiwan, I was presented with the opportunity of getting a moulton frame by kevin. Thanks to George for the lobang. That's how my moulton TSR came about. After it was fixed up locally, initial impression is, it will be a comfortable ride since it has 2 suspension, which is true. After I took it for a 128km. Knowing my own fitness, i know that the next few days will be aching here and there. But surprising i didn't feel any fatigue. That's where I realised, the drop bar, and the 2 suspension has done it's job. Kudos to kevin's handicraft.