Cycling to Taekwondo class

If you follow my blog, you would realise that the entries have slowed down somewhat. Its because of work, family commitments  which also changes my weekend routine.  The Sunday schedule is 0900 at Jiang Lao Shi(chinese class), followed by Concept maths at 1300 and then Taekwondo(TKD) at 4pm for my girl. Yah I know what u thinking... damn kia Su right....Thats SG for u.  

The good thing for our busy weekends is we use the MRT/uber/ and I get to chat with her during travelling transitions.... 

TKD is at Punggol Safra and its about 2 km from our home.  It's just a easy ride and one that I enjoy with Momo.  I also feel very lucky as there's a short cut to Punggol Safra using the Punggol  waterway PCN. The path is also some what widened and its easier to ride for newbies, children. Frankly, it's nothing epic but its quite a nice ride which I treasure. A short but precious time with my little(maybe not too little now) one. 

Here's some photos of the journey from home to Punggol Safra.  What about you and have integrated some form of cycling into ur lives?  

Ready to ride! 

Can we go now? 

TKD finally over and on our way home

Momo roll up the right trousers so that it will not be caught in the chain ring 

Selfie when we ride....  I think next time we use the RE camera instead. 

Momo very comfortable on a bike 

Approaching the junction, the speed strips informs you to slow down. 

Good advice.  Lets look out before crossing. 

Reached home in no time 

I need a cold drink.. its so hot today!

My favorite PCN ride and why I do LCSG

Very nice that Nparks did a feature on cycling on their Nparks booklet. I shared my favorite PCN and why I ride.  
You can download Nparks booklet and this article is on page 48. 

Simple life simple pleasures

I had a nice morning with my little girl, Momo. She asked if we could have Mac Donald's for Breakfast. Yes sir, they are not exactly the breakfast of champions nor the most healthy choice. But when I see her doey eyes, the answer was clear. We will have Mac Donalds! 

Welfie using the HTC RE camera 

Check out the wide pavement @ Punggol. This is prime potential for a cycling path! 

It was about 3 km away and we took the bicycle. The morning air was cooling and nice for a ride.  On a sat morning, there was also less frantic traffic which was good for riding. 

Rolling slowly and feeling a cool breeze brushing on my face

Momo says Yummy!!!

The journey was 95% on Pavement and we took special care to slow down when pedestrians were near by. No fuss no funny look. Just plenty of smile when they see my little gal with her Mega smile and pink bike. 

Let's go explore a different path home.... 

We found a nice playground! 

Let's pump it up 

Life is simple. Lets not complicate things. The best things in life are just around you. Treasure them, Love them. 

Momo: "Daddy, i like it very much.. can we do it again?" Me:"  hahah of course!"  

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

Learning to ride Article for Zao Bao

Last Article for Zao Bao, thank you to my dear wife for the awesome translation!

Found this online which is a Gyro wheel that supposely makes it easier for children to learn cycling. You can even modulate the gyro forces so that the child can slowly "wean" off the aid.... http://www.gyrobike-europe.com/ Hmmm .Well I think it just might work! But frankly it is more than the products that will make ur child cycle...Equipment aside, the most important element is love and patience. I know as Daddies, we like to get the little one as quickly up to speed to cycle as possible.  So much so that we sometimes give so much advice and pressure... it can put them off.  I was guilty of that too :)

But kids will always be kids and they learn in their own way. That's thru play and if u make every ride fun... they will come back for more.  A little trick I do with my daughter momo, is that I get on my Carry me and we play "Catch" that is to ride around, near to their speed and "chase each" other... sounds stupid but she loves it.. esp if she is the leader and she will bring me around the blocks and pillars.

Enjoy the moment, even if the learning process is abit slow. And when the magical moment happens... you will be super happy!  Happy cycling!

Quick tips to teach ur child

   1)   Get a bicycle, take out the training wheels and pedals.

   2)   Get safety helmet and gloves. Your child might fall but that’s part of the learning process. Dun stress.. .it happens. Stay cool. 

   3)   Make sure the seat is low enough so that when he/she straddle the bicycle. Both the feet is nicely planted on the floor. This give him more confidence

   4)   Find a open space with no traffic. A void deck open area is fine. Get him to “run” with the “bike’ – sans pedals and training wheels. Play catch with him, get him to chase u and follow you

   5)   Keep on doing the session to about half an hour. Give him lots of encouragements and make it fun. Repeat for at least 4 weekend. 

   6)   When u see he gets better with “running” with the bike.. ask him to lift his legs when in motion. This teaches him balance… but he doesn’t know it..

   7)   When he can balance with 2 legs up..  ask if he like to put the pedals back. Don’t press it too hard if he doesn’t. Keep it fun and keep the positive vibes on. Very soon ur child will ask to put the pedals back

   8)   Once the pedals are back on.. Keep the seat low so both feet it planted on the ground. Practise straddle and when the bicycle is moving, position feet on the pedal and crank. Dad can be at the rear, help stabilize the bike while he find the pedals.. and let him go.  It will wobble but he should be able to crank afew time. Big applaush and high fives…  your child would be smiling.

   9)   Ok, now keep practicing.  And now learn how to stop. Learn by riding in a straight line and apply both brakes gently. Slowly increase the distance and duration. Lots of encouragments will help lots. 

Family ride at Garden by the bay

Momo just "graduated" to a 16" bicycle yesterday. We rode yesterday night immediately after buying and today morning, she asked that we go riding... so we did. Today was abit different as we went to Tanjong Rhu rather then Punggol Waterway.  Here is some photos of the action and momo new bicycle.

Brompton for mummy, Rudge 16" pinkie for Momo and I took the carryme... to fit into my van

Matching pink helmet

Matching Ringer

Pink gloves... looking for this for a long time!

Load up on Wanton Mee near TR bike before we start riding

hot day..drink up.. small tip.. put some fizzy drink dilute with water so little one will drink lots

We did it... almost to Garden by the bay!!

getting hot... 

Bicycle charm transferred to new pinkie bike...

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!

Momo and daddy featured in PCN newsletter

Sharing a nice surprise of me and my daughter at punggol water way on a bicycle.

Momo on skate scooter

Perfect form haha

momo on skate scooter, a set on Flickr.

This is my little momo riding the YBike Glider. She is reaching 5 years old soon and getting good at this scooter thing.
The smooth bearings and bigger PU wheels makes this a great scooter to zip around. It rained today so we couldn't really have fun at the playground. Never mind, skating around the void deck is fine too. This is one fast scooter and if u are intending to get one for your child, make sure you start them at a safe flat area. Learn how to stop and turn safety. Overall, it is a great scooter and Momo loves it. Your child will have lots of fun too!