Showing posts with label cycling with families. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cycling with families. Show all posts

Monday, February 22, 2016

Rider profile Wong Wei Kiong and rides with LCSG


Hi all,
I am Wei Kiong, 45 and working as a technical manager. I've returned to cycling after 25yrs. Back then I cycled to my camp on a rigid fork mountain bike during my NS days. Can't really remember the made or model of that bicycle, knows little about bicycle back then, only knows it's got 2 wheels & got me to my destination.
25 yrs on, I'm rekindled to bicycle again through some friends in a bid to do some exercise for health sake.
My health was showing reds after years of hectic, stressful & sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits. I have tried jogging, swimming & other sports but none works. It's either too boring or difficult to work a regular schedule. Cycling I found is easier to start and the speed that it bring gives a cooling breeze and covers more distance to keep things interesting at a more comfortable effort without impact on the joints and strains on the muscles.
I begin to cycle more, from once a week, to twice to 3 times a week. Every time I look forward to meeting friends, discover new places and the breeze on the face.

On a loooong ride with my kakis!
Long long way! 
After 6 months, my fitness have improved even though I don't particularly keeps track of it. I lost some weight too. That makes me realize regular exercises is the key to fitness and motivates me to continue.
Now I have gone in cycle commuting and cycle touring. Everyday I'll cycle 18km each way to and from work. This my commuting route  for your reference and sometime I meet Eugene Wee (a fellow rider) to ride to work! 
My route to work
Some pictures over the last 3 years and how I have slimmed down with regular cycling. 

Lastly, food selection is another important factor. Cutting out on sugar and high carb food has a major contribution to my weight maintenance and overall health. The typical food I take now are high on vegetable and some eggs, butter, coconut, plain yoghurt and meat. I mostly avoid food with sugar and flour.
I find I have more energy than 20 years ago.

On family.... 
Cycling have help me regain my health and I thought, hey, why not get my family to cycle as well. We can explore places together, to share those experience being engaged through a simple activity Cycling.
So I bought each a foldie and started cycling around the neighborhood and PCN. In search of family friendly cycling Kakis I stumbled upon Lovecyclingsg and we began to join their Sunday rides. The children particularly enjoyed the company and the variety of activities that LCSG organizes.
It has become a weekly activity and our fitness has improve. On top of that, there is a common activity and experience we all shares as a family.
Thank you for reading my story and hope this can inspire you to try cycling, cycling to work(if possible) and have fun cycling as a family! 
Me and family exploring with LCSG on the mural ride

Rambling with my kids 

With the nice folks of LCSG

Monday, April 1, 2013

LCSG family ride at Garden by the bay 31st March 2013

Family and friends under Benjamin Sheares Bridge
Young Champ leading the way
Young and old. All welcome!
Over looking these!! so nice and it's free! 
This is a special event ride for family and kids. The idea – come together; meet at a nice place to have a picnic.  And yes, also to ride abit, with the kids. No agenda, no fund raising, no “Lelong” day. Just a simple picnic with friends and family. That’s what we did on 31st March 2013
Desmond(big guy) with Tyrone(little policeman), Cayla, Momo and Kimi
Thanks to Desmond Chia who kindly stepped up to organize the event, we have a chance for family, friends, kids to mingle over some breakfast and just have a relaxed day out.  Desmond led the group from Kallang Mac Donald’s and followed the PCN towards Tangjong Rhu. A relatively short ride for adults but it must be quite an adventure for the little ones.  
Wives sharing and chatting over food
so much to eat... 
Wong family
Vincent and family
Father and Son
Reaching the Benjamin Sheares Bridge, they met up with the mummies and smaller kids who were waiting for their arrival.  It wasn’t as windy but pleasant enough to have a nice picnic.  
We also brought the kids around Garden by the bay and rode close to the Marina Barrrage.  The place was quite suitable for children.  It was really good to see them having fun. They zipped around , without a care in the world, shouting laughing happily.  Exactly how children should be. Parents sitting down, have a bite and chatting among themselves while Daddies would be looking at the bicycles talking about the latest mod.. .”poisoning” each other. Nice!
Paper airplane contest!
Bubbles! 
Muffins for u sir? 
Desmond and Shelby even prepared additional stuff for kids so that they can have even more fun. "Bubbles solution" bottles and paper airplanes. Simple stuff but it made the kids have so much fun.
My personal Dummy was also “pressed” into service by giving big and small kids joy rides. Judging by the smiles, I think they have a better understanding of the long bike and what fun it is to be just having ride.
Momo and kimi enjoying the breeze
Tian mi mi
Tang circus in action

Ah mo "summon" to Tyrone aka little police man :) 
Meeting after 20 years!! 
Uncle KC also met his long lost friend over 20 years ago from PSA! It was pretty amazing to see them reminisced over good old time. Mr Wong came today as his Son, Roy was in LCSG and asked him along. Here's a nice pic of Uncle KC and Mr Wong.
Looking at the event, I am glad to be a part of Lovecyclingsg. 
It is not about how far or hard we ride, nor about bicycles. But treasuring the simple friendship and family ties…. All made possible with the love of the humble bicycle! Lovely isn’t it?

* Photo Credits from Steven Tang, Uncle Roland(GV Sea Lion) and myself.  

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Another cool Dad with his kids. This is KT!

KT and his kids  Photo credit KT
Saw this on facebook and it made me smile. This is KT and his kids going to school! More on this bicycle here http://www.circecycles.com/helios.php

Monday, March 18, 2013

Bay's awesome rig

The most happy and inspiring photo I saw yesterday! Awesome Dad!
Bay with his family! 

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Surly Dummy, My Family Limo!


“长尾巴”脚踏车---我家的幸福号
我家有一辆“长尾巴”脚踏车,它的车身大约有2米长,是普通脚踏车长度的1.5倍。为什么会出现“长尾巴” 脚踏车呢?90年代初期,有一个名叫罗斯·埃文斯(Ross Evans)的年轻人,美国斯坦福大学毕业后,跑到南美洲旅游开拓视野,当时,他就发现在最偏远的地区和村庄,人们都普遍使用脚踏车运送货物。他灵机一动,成立了Xtracycles公司并设计了一款脚踏车附件,它就像一截尾巴可以衔接在任何脚踏车的后面,这样一来,脚踏车的承载量就大大加强了。这脚踏车附件被称为“自由基” (Free Radical),寓意可以自由配搭成为“长尾巴”脚踏车。为了推广“长尾巴”脚踏车的概念与使用,罗斯还特意将附件的设计图公开,让任何有兴趣的人或公司可以免费参考仿造。http://www.xtracycle.com/
后来,有一间美国小众品牌脚踏车公司Surly决定大胆采纳罗斯的设计概念,并制造出世界第一辆真正的“长尾巴”脚踏车,还给它取了个怪趣的名字:Dummy (充气假人)。我就是在本地的脚踏车店TR Bike 相中了它。那一天,我刚好到脚踏车店淘宝,发现老板C私家载货的脚踏车体型非一般的庞大,一时技痒想试一试,四岁的女儿嚷着:我也要坐!我把小人儿轻放在“长尾巴”上然后父女两人就随意绕着兜风。女儿在我身后发出快乐的呼叫,我的背向着她却可以想象她稚嫩的小脸蛋儿笑得像一朵花,那一刻的感觉真奇妙!我决定拥有自己的幸福号。
http://surlybikes.com/bikes/big_dummy
我一向好享受骑脚踏车悠哉闲哉的感觉,遗憾的是老婆的脚踏车骑术差强人意,女儿则年幼体力不济,无法一家大小在周末同游。有了“长尾巴”脚踏车, 我就可以载着她们到住家附近的榜鵝公园骑道溜达, 共享一小段美好的家庭时光。另外,“长尾巴”脚踏车也可以作为“支援车”,当我女儿骑得累时,她随时可以跳上“后座”, 我可以把她的脚踏车收纳在“长尾巴”脚踏车的侧袋里。一辆“长尾巴”脚踏车可以乘载大约180公斤的重量。常有人问,单凭一个人的力量同时载着一大一小,不会很辛苦吗? 其实不然,只要巧妙运用脚踏车的变速器就可以了,无需使用蛮力。真正棘手的问题是如何在路途中与多位乘客配合以保持平衡。我提点老婆,要把自己想象成一大袋沉甸甸的马铃薯由骑士驮着,沉稳就是秘诀。我女儿现在已经是“长尾巴”脚踏车的贵宾,她跳上跳下后座的姿态活脱像个身经百战的牛仔,英姿焕发。Dummy有点笨重,跑不快又不炫,可是我们一家大小都爱上它,期待繁忙规律生活中每一次小小的出走,幸福号出发咯!
Translated by my dear wife Jin Feng!
English Transcript....Dummy, my family limo 
The long tail bicycle story 
This was kick started by Ross Evans who went to South America after his degree at Stanford in the early 90s. Even in the most remote of regions and villages, he noted that people are using bicycles to transport goods. From this experience, he started a company by the name of Xtracycles and also built an attachment which can be retro-fitted into almost any bicycle. This allowed more load/ pillion space to be carried by an individual. It was called the FreeRadical. To popularize the long tail concept, he made the design “open source” which people, companies can follow and fabricate for free. http://www.xtracycle.com/  
Surly Dummy
Surly, a specialist but small bicycle company took up the idea and fabricated the world’s first purpose built long tail. Which is what I bought at TR bike, a Singapore based bicycle shop.  Actually it was quite a funny first “meeting”, I just popped by the shop to look see, not really thinking of buying. There was a bikeshop “lorryish” long bike there which Chris said it was ok to try riding…  And my daughter shouted.. “I also want to sit..”. We propped her at the back and gently went for a spin. I could her squeals of joy and laughter… and we came back smiling like an idiot. We were in love….and  looking at our face.. Wifey said ok..let’s buy it!  
Why did I get the Dummy?
I enjoy cycling alot and one of my biggest regret is that I can't bring my wife and girl along for the sunday rides. With the Surly Dummy, I can spend some nice family time with them, riding along the PCNs.  I live around Punggol and it is a very nice place to be riding. 
It also serves as a “support vehicle” for my girl, just in case when she cycles and becomes tired. She can simply hop on to the “rear seat”. The side panel pocket is able to hold her bicycle, my wife and her. Many asked me if it is very tough to ride. Actually it is not so due to the gearing. Simply reduce and use the "easy gear", spin rather then mash. The tricky part is the starting off and balancing the 2 other passengers. A trick I tell my wifey is to feel like "a sack of potatoes". My little girl is already used to Dummy and she can hop and get on the bike like a season cowboy.
Last Sunday, we did the Punggol Water water ride, slow and steady pace so that the kids can also have fun. Many came, laughed and enjoyed the wonderful place. Me and my family did too... with a Surly Dummy!
Feelings with the Surly Dummy
It is a fun family bicycle and we really enjoyed it lots. I can ride for fun and also do some grocery shopping easily with it.  While it is not the fastest nor the glam-est bike to be seen with. I think it is a great family bonding”” bike….  Which will create priceless memories for my family. That point alone is really something worth the bike value. Let’s go ride a bicycle…weeeee!!!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Why the Surly Dummy?

With the Surly Dummy.... we can!                     Photo by Diane Flaviano
Rolling along with LCSG crew..                        Photo Credits Diane Flaviano
Ah mo is busy with the camera                          Photo credits Diane Flaviano
Sunday is always a happy day with Lovecyclingsg team! This is at Punggol water way ---- Photo by Diane Flaviano

I enjoy cycling and one of my biggest regret is that I can't bring my wife and girl along for the sunday rides. Not anymore! With the Surly Dummy, I can! It serves as a support vehicle for my girl, in case when she cycles and becomes tired. She can just hop on to the rear seat. The side panel pocket is able to hold her bicycle, my wife and her. Many asked me  if it is very tough to ride. Actually it is not so due to the gearing. Simply reduce and use the "easy gear", spin rather then mash. The tricky part is the starting off and balancing the 2 other passengers. A trick I tell my wifey is to feel like "a sack of potatoes". My little girl is already used to Dummy and she can hop and get on the bike like a season cowboy.
Last Sunday, we did the Punggol Water water ride, slow and steady pace so that the kids can also have fun. Many came, laughed and enjoyed the wonderful place. Me and my family did too... with a Surly Dummy!
Ps: photos are from Diane of Unfold and Cycle, please do go and visit her blog for really nice articles on the folding bicycles too! Thank you Diane!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

More Dummy mods for children and Dessert Storm style

This gentleman bought the Dummy frame and built up the bike himself. Check out the rear rack he build from electrical cable steel conduit. I love the children footrest he did for his 2 grandchildren.

This is a guy who asked a bag maker to custom make bags for Dummy. Pretty Dessert Storm material if u ask me!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Grocery shopping with Dummy - intial ride feedback

It is true, a cargo bike is fun.. is useful and will change ur perception of cycling and how u use bicycles. Think of it as a SUV to carry any and everything. Today I had my wife and momo riding with me to the nearby market.  It was about 3 km away, short by cycling standards but walking there will take a while.  
We tested ride with 2 behind around the void deck, learning to lean together on the turns. Momo the co-pilot was reassuring mummy" relax, mummy... and dont move...is very fun" 
Peekaboo
Momo waiting patiently for Mummy to buy veggies and breakfast
You can see Ah mo is very comfortable with Dummy seating position
Lots of room for barang barang! 
I want to shout!!! Solid lah!!! but shhssssh... not so loud...

Spurned on by Momo sunshine attitude... mummy settled in abit and we went and rolled merrily towards Punggol Plaza. Riding with additional load on the Surly Dummy means that I have to use the middle crank ring, with the rear on the bigger sprocket. The trick is to spin and not to grind on the pedals also expect that the handling will be heavier and slower. Initial feeling is that it will depend alot on the passenger, if they are relaxed and "neutral", the handling will be good. As it a motorbike, if the passenger fidgets... u will know.   
The plus point is that for the first time, we rode as a family... on one bike!!!! This is amazing and I am not by any way a strong rider. Ah mo was chirpy and singing tunes and mummy trying very hard to keep cool and not panic(she never rode on Dummy before). A short while later, we reach Punggol plaza and Kim went to buy the grocery while me and momo stood around Dummy. The grocery was a non-issue as Dummy have super deluxe load carry capabilities. unclip, place stuff. Sit on the plank, we are off. Woohoo!  The return leg was better as mummy was more relaxed and we sang as we rolled...even detoured abit to check out the neighbourhood.  I can see more family time on bikes! Yes, thats why I like Dummy so much!  Try it some day!