Dummy @ Peruvian Andes

If you think Dummy / xtracycles (longbike concept) is just a family bicycle.. think again.. this is Jacob Thomson riding through some really rough terrain... amazing. More here 

Riding the Spine in the Peruvian Andes from Jacob Thompson on Vimeo.

Dragon Kiln ride in Paul's memory 1st May 2011

Prayers for our Friend,  fellow rider Paul Lim - photo credits Francis Chu

Lovecyclingsg at Thong Kwang Kiln

Happy Birthday Tiger!

The show must go on. Despite the sad news of our fellow rider Paul Lim passing on Sat, I know he would want us to continue the ride.  This time, we met at Lakeside MRT at 0730. A total of 36 riders came and dedicated this ride to Paul. The weather was excellent... it drizzled slightly as we started the ride around Jurong lake. We had a stop near Jurong point Mac donald's and then it was off  towards the highlight of the ride - The Thow Kwang dragon Kiln off lorong Tawas. We travelled about 500 meters offroad, muddy and slippery...and found this beautiful place, hidden from public view.

This is what u will see... when u reached the place

Mr Tan, 2nd Gen owner of the Dragon Kiln explaining the details

Steven,  resident Artist doing a demo... 

Mr Tan who was the 2nd generation owner, shared with the group on the layout of the Kiln and how it was operated. Sadly we missed the Kiln firing and apparently they only do this 2 times a year. This is due to the fact that they have to fill up the kiln with pottery and it cost alot to do the firing.  We were allowed to go near to the kiln, inside the kiln to appreciate the beauty and rawness of the whole setup. Also saw some really nice pottery which was recently fired, right here in Singapore. Steven, the resident artist also demoed for the group on the clay wheel and how clay can be made into beautiful objects... using just hands. Simple to look but definitely alot of skill there.

Hammer time! Zack looking worried

Francis and Andrew  digging themselves out of trouble   photo credit Francis Chu

Mr Tan and Mdm Tia with a recently fired creation. Look at the lovely glaze!

Another lovely suprise is meeting Mdm Tia and her friend Carolyn there. Mdm Tia is a avid potter and also does beautiful hand sketches and is also one of the leaders in Urban sketchers . If anyone wants to find her, she will be at the Dragon Kiln on the weekends... drop by, see, admire and say hello. And please do visit this place... because according to Mr Tan, the owner of the Thow kwang Dragon kiln - the whole area is facing relocation. This means many of the serene surroundings and stuff will be gone in the end of the year...  go visit it quick!

We conquered the NTU slopes!

After the Dragon Kiln and saying good by to the fine people, we headed to NTU to try out the fabled slopes. Huffing and puffing, the whole team made their way across the hilly terrain. We then retraced our route back to Lakeside MRT. Talking to Liak's Dad as the ride ended, I could see he enjoyed it alot like many others. This is great, we will do this soon again! Keep on spinning!
More photos here 

off old holland road with Carry me

Life is like that... I was driving to attend a meeting and almost reaching the place, I received a call that it was cancelled as someone cannot make it. Duunhhh... what to do now? I was "stranded" near Buona vista area and then I thought maybe I go check out a route that Brother Alvin mentioned before. - read here >> http://lovethefold.blogspot.com/2010/09/riding-green.html 
I drove my red van along Ghim moh to holland road and found a place to park at old holland road to begin my recce. The carry me is now a permanent fixture in my van and it helps me explore areas quicker. I rolled along the shaded old holland road, passing by expensive landed property and cars which cost more then my home.... It was a down slope which was nice.. "wait till the ride back up I suddenly thought of... never mind. And I think I found it..Brother Al is this the place? And in case u wonder ....yes, I had to struggle with the upslope to reach my van... :)

my red carry me ready for deployment

nice shady old holland road

Rail way tracks

gravel road... not too good for carryme

overcast day

Wonderful Woodlands ride....

Fall in at Woodsland Mac

Joining us for the amazing ride, Mr Teo, Andy, Mac, Thomas, Francis, Sharon, Sitoh, Boo,GL, Rodney(early breakfast) and myself. The star of the ride must be Mr Teo Pugsley... this is a bike with hummgous tyres like 4WD that can roll over any thing... Everyone wanted to try it.. I did...it felt like a Sherman tank and surprising rolls very well.

Sitoh and Pugsley

Boo and Pugsley

Pssst... sianz

Murphy also struck early this time... we had breakfast at Mac's and we about to roll off... then Rodney Fixie had a flat. 3 guys whipped out portable pumps and offer to him.. we tried all..but it stlll psst.... leaked air... after 5 guys took turn to try and check, take out the tyre tube.. it was a leak.. All had a pump but no inner tube/patch kit... Only Mr Teo had it and he gamely offered it to Rodney... Then it was happily pumping up... yay!! Well, then.. pssst.. it leaked again. The patch kit needed time to set and we were all too anxious... and after trying another time.. the problem was due to the rim design and hole location(too near to valve stem) and very hard to patch... what a shame... Rodney had to go back and get it fixed. I learned a important lesson today.. get a pump, get a patch kit with levers.. it can save ur ride. Pictures of the heroics...

lets fixit!

Rodney..trying his best not to scratch his lovely camo rims...

GL, our Woodlands top tour guide!

Once that was done, GL led us to a nice leisurely ride along the PCN, thru Admiralty park.

Mr Teo and his Tank Pugsley

Steady Andy

Some gravel roads which made the MTb folks, Mr teo very happy.. but Sitoh with his road tyres, Francis and Sharon in the foldie-single speed pressed on gamely. Soon we reached Woodland broadwalk which overlooks JB. It was really nice and some time spent snapping photos. Like I was saying getting out of our comfort zone... paid off handsomely. I never knew Woodlands has such nice views! We rolled along toward Sembawang where we snaked into some residential areas with nice old houses. It was lovely and Boo commented that "wah.. doesnt feel like SG..more like bali ubud..."



It is really amazing what u can see with a bicycle...get out ur comfort zone... and slow down and smell the roses!

Mac and his Giant

Andy covering our rear and sporting a cool rear rack

big or small...all the same..just ride!

Thomas at Woodsland jetty, showing monkeys how to wheelie

mummy and baby monkey checking us out at Woodlands pier

photo time!

trying to be funny

From left, Andy, TC, Taiwoon, Boo, Thomas... this is Singapore!

old houses at Sembawang stretch

Thomas providing entertainment

Mr Teo and Puglesy riding on the sand...

Me and thomas even had a quick dip at Sembawang beach to cool off and test his camera.. hopefully it still works :) Wrapping up the ride, we had some makan at a location reccomended by GL and we split off at the MRT station. Woodlands, I think I will be back to say hello to you again!



More pics my flickr account - http://www.flickr.com/photos/taiwoon/sets/72157624913600969/

Swimming at Sembawang waters..

Riding pass old neighbour hood

Thomas riding on Mr Teo ten footer..taken by Boo sitting shotgun. Thanks Mr Teo!

Pungol PCN in progress...

Thought about the PCN around my neighbourhood and how lovely it would be to ride along the river line. So decided to pop by to see how it was... Actually it was turning out very well.. I think it will be completed very soon. Best of all they have built a bridge to connect pungol to tampines! This means cyclists, joggers alike can travel to changi from pungol direct! Here are the pics.

thats when u wish for MTB wheels

Lor halus.. this used to be a dumping site.. 12 stories high 

bridge linking to Lor harlus which leads to Tampines

swimming 

pavilion, maybe with Cafe? 

waterline of serangoon river

planking for the waterline plattform, I think

head gear for work