Kranji ride with friends - 17th Oct 2010

Riding is fun, I get to meet different friends. This time man... was there many friends! 20 riders came! Hello! I have problems remembering all but it was a great pleasure to meet and ride alongside u!  Lets see if I got it correct..... Francis, Wai Thong, Gim yeow, Mac, Mr Teo, GL, Matt, Clarence, Daniel, Badul, Zul, Hamid, Eric, Tommy, Eddie, Wife, Marcus and Kenneth and of course Zul!  Special mention:  Marcus is in Pri 4 and Kenneth in Pri3 and they rode very well and took on the slopes with nary a sweat... and mummy needs more training.. still, we all made it! Well done!

To the heros who braved the rain together, well done!

Ok, write-up proper..
Meeting location was at Kranji MRT. This ride should be special, I felt...as I was driving around the locality.. and it was! As we approached the start off time, one by one came... then to make it more interesting, the heaven thundered and roar. Black skies.. oh oh.. no good.. and then it came.. first drizzle and then it poured..lots of it. As the rain slowed down some what, we left the station and headed to towards the Kranji war memorial.  The place was sombre, yet dignified.  I could feel the quiet presence and also the sadness.

Me and Chris wrote our personal comments in the visitor log. With the rain pelting down, I tried to feel how it was like under trying conditions with bullets and nasty things coming towards u. For the country, our country. Thank you all for your sacrifice, you will not be forgotten!

Kranji War memorial

Eddy, Sandy, Marcus(blue) and Kenneth - Riding as a family, in the rain! Thumbsup!

Pouring rain... I could literally take a shower..

Oh..when will it stop.. 

Next stop was the Kranji dam, by then rain stopped somewhat and it was really nice and cooling. The traffic at the Kranji junction was abit busy and please be careful if u do decide to visit this area.  Rolling pass an old army camp, it brought back memories. This was the place where we all got our uniforms and boots. Now the place has been partially torn, awaiting to be rebuilt to some fancy condo or shopping centers. A shame I cant stop and visit due to the traffic and the place being locked up...

Old Army barracks at Kranji road

Kranji road.. waiting for red light.. checkout  rider lines

Stopping by Kranji dam car park, we stopped for a break and snapped away. It was quite a scene, 20+ riders talking and taking pics of themselves, their friends, their friends bikes. Trying out other bicycles and chatting. This is nice... that's how riding should be, not by brands or what model of bike you ride, but just ride because you like it and because you do! 

taking shots, sharing thoughts

The route to Bollywood veggies was abit hilly but we got their eventually. Ivy was really gracious when she saw our group of "cham par lan" bicycles trying to find parking at the front.  Holding her coffee, she ushered us in and chatted. She even took us personally around her fabulous farm, explaining the plants and type. More interestly, was that she talked about her family, her past and made the visit very engaging. I was also very touched when I saw she was giving many of the lesser privileged folks a place to work and show their stuff.  I bought a book from Shery Oh Siew May at the stall. The first page reads like this.. "love can bring light to darkness and create a miracle." indeed, that is so! Siew May even signed my copy for me. That's very nice of u. Siew May, Rock on! 

For those who want to know about the cool Bollywood and the wonderful pple, details are here.. and pls tell Ivy I sent you!

http://www.bollywoodveggies.com/

The Author herself!

No problems for our bicycles... 

water pond at Bollywood

real good herbs!

This is baluku... 

enuff said...now fill in yours 

Nasi lemak at Bollywood veggies, nice

Ivy Singh, an inspirational lady!

Riding towards Lim chu kang jetty

Hay daries followed which some how lost its initial soul..can't describe it.. perhaps it is because u can't pet the goat or that it felt too "factory like" 

Last stop was to be a special jetty at end of Lim Chu Kang. Zul who works around there, showed the way...and it was beautiful. Further proof, there is beauty everywhere. If u look hard enough. That's all folks and have a nice day!  

More pics here... http://www.flickr.com/photos/taiwoon/sets/72157625181417874/

Not your Fair weather friends

Riding builds character... I mean what drives people to ride in the pouring rain? When they can be at home, have a nice cup of tea and watching telecast of tour de france. 

Try riding in the rain for once.. it is fun and liberating... feel like a child once again ! 

Young and Naive, thats just what the world needs! 

Raining Cats and dogs--  photos by Papa Mike 

crazy but fun ---Photos by Papa Mike

And they say bike locks are boring... :)

More from this talented designer here!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lunchbreath/

We going Ulu Kranji!

Kranji Dam sun rise taken by Oooooze76, Clubsnap

Kranji War Memorial with storm clouds

The Kranji route we riding...

Yes, it is out of the beaten path and to somewhere ulu this coming weekend. No shopping centres, no Starbucks, Mac donalds...  just the fresh crisp air of sleepy ulu Kranji!
We will meet at Kranji MRT at 0730. Place of interest are Kranji war memorial, Railway tracks, Kranji Dam where u can see JB, nice BBC radio tower, Bollywood veggies, maybe Hay dairies if our legs can cope... oh of course there will be lots of greenery and maybe mossies too!  I would strongly suggest u bring more water as I have no clue where I can find water points along the way:)
No lah.. there will be food/drinks stop... at Bollywood. :) Again, no discrimination to wheel size, gear and brands.. all are welcome. All I ask is that u come with an open mind, ride as a group and plenty of smiles.... It should all end by 11ish... if i don't get lost :)

Interested to join us for a ride?  sms me, Taiwoon at 96204559 or email at twwoon@singnet.com.sg

Mr Teo and his Customized bike rack on lorry

Now, This is what I call a Super example of commitment! Mr Teo rides and loves riding... so much so that he willingly Tong Pang(fetches) folks around his area to go riding. And to top it off.. he customised his lorry to fit bike racks.. I am not talking Saris bones here.. but custom fabricated in Stainless steel! Mr Teo, u are amazing and thanks for riding along side with us!

Photo by Boo of Mr Teo special rig for bikes 

it works great!

Rolling

Mr Teo, smiling as always, every ready to lend a hand

special ingredient to riding longer 

check out the detail on the disc

Mr cool dude!

Bottle tree to Mandai/Thomson road area ride

Early morning, I woke up around 4ish and couldn't sleep. Guess it must be the milk tea I had at Hongkong style cafe the nite before.  Looking out of the window, I could see storm clouds in the horizon with an occasional lighting. Oh dear, today is going to be a wet ride... so it might be a no show for many...Well, I reasoned, if I am awake, I might as well ride... and maybe take my new tripod to see how I can use it.  Strapped on the tripod to NOb(new old bike) I took the Jalan Bilrat as a shortcut... there was no one except for me.. nice and slow.. enjoying the breeze. I should do this more!

At Bottletree,  The regulars - Francis, Sharon, Wai Tong, Boo, Andy and Mr Teo.... We also have 2 new and very youthful addition of Brandon and Jimm, both riding fixies... Seems like this is the new Skateboard! Chris also showed up in a super duper fierce blood red Ferrari Felt roadbike, all decked up with Aero bars.  He also rode all the way from East coast to join us for the ride. Way to go!

The ride was really relaxing and simple. Follow the PCN to the Zoo and we also did a small detour to see upper seletar reservoir. Then it was to the famous Yishun Ampang niang toufoo to feed our empty fuel tanks. A nice surprising end, Jimm led us to a special shortcut along the canal.. took us to Bottle tree in half the time!  Then it was each his own to walk around the booths or head back for a nice cool beer and shower.  Till the next ride! 

More photos hi-res here..

NOB at Jalan Bilrat - 550am 

Seletar Dam 0620am

Bottle tree entrance from PCN

small road to reach Mandai

Sit lah.. I know want to..

L-R Brandon, Jimm, Boo, Wai tong, Sharon, Francis, TW, Mr Teo, Andy and Chris Lim

Jimm

Brandon and Jimm with their fixies

Boo rode all the way from Bedok!

Bagus!!

Famous Yishun  Ampang Yang Tou Foo

Trying to camo

Bottle tree Guppies Killing fields - pay 10 dollars.. and u go catch the poor fellas...:(

u are mine!!

Stalls doing eco stuff

Bintan ride - My first bicycle touring journal

Riding brings people together... I mean how likely can u find 3 Doctors, 1 Tennis Coach, 1 Pastor and 1 Product designer together? Well that is exactly what we did, because we all lover to ride our bicycles. Simple as that. 

Meeting at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, we took a ferry to Bintan Bandan Bentan Telani. For all u people reading, this is me, Steven and Joshua virgin touring ride. All not knowing if we will make it to the resort alive... only 70 clicks...which from the youtube video...seem really fun....... right... 

Wonderful Bintan sky

Wonderful Sea and sand

Rolling start

Bintan showed hand early in the form of hills.. we dropped to our lowest gearing cranking up the hills. When it was too much, we walked.. tongue sticking out and dripping with sweat. I also learnt lots from the old birds like Al(love the fold) and Kelvin who taught me to Zig Zag up the hill and look just ahead one step at a time. The rain came down and was a nice respite from the heat. Slowly and surely we made it to the Ocean Bay Resort.  What a lovely place! Kampong style, creaky planks, clean and eco friendly rooms .No air cons, just a mosquito net and good old fan. This is not 5 star accommodation but I really like the undecorated and very honest feel to the whole place.  The food that was served up was fabulous, Crabs, fish, Sotong...etc, cooked simply and to perfection. The staff are friendly and helpful.  I know one thing for sure... I am bringing my little girl and wife to experience this again!



After dinner, we simply sat along the planks chatting, looking at our bikes, our friends bikes, the sea, the sky which changes colors so wonderfully. Simple pleasures of life.. and just 1 hour away from Busy Crazy Singapore.  One of the hight light of the evening was Kelvin pre-occupation with the ipad. He was playing international chess and raving on how cool the Ipad was... to the extent he taught us how to read the stars. I finally saw Scorpio for the first time.. very cool!


Pushing up the hills.... and putting on a brave front:)

Brother AL of love the fold pumping it up!

What goes up must come down.. push on!

Steamed flower crab with lots of garlic..bbbaaaggggus!

Papa Mike showing true grit and spirit! 

The next morning, it was riding to Tanjong Pinang. Roads were ok and what I like most is that the friendliness of the people. Cars, bikes, lorries hooted nicely as they passed, smiling and waving. The villagers waved and thumbs up... we waved back and smiled too...even though our behinds are quite sore...  but must act cool... :) 

Nearer to the city, traffic was brisk and wasn't as fun. We stopped midpoint for Otak otak and drinks and visited a fish market. The sea food sold was electic.. Sting ray and shark.. I mean very big shark... also If u fancy shark fin, this it the place to visit.  Reaching our objective at Ramayama - Tanjong Pinang "Takashimaya", we found the restaurant - Bundo Kanduang  which was fantastic... 17 dishes in all and we finished it!  Some of the group went for massage and Joshua, Kelvin and myself chose to roam around the place and drink coffee.





Otak Otak, small but very nice...we ate tons 

Shark lovers will not be pleased... found at the fish market

That's what i call a balanced meal

Magical sunset moment

Joshua at Ocean Bay Resort, we actually rode to our rooms!

Time passes so fast when u having fun...soon it was time to leave. We chose the coastal route this time which was flatter and nicer to ride. We passed by some fishing village and snapped more shots.. and even bought wild honey to bring home. 

The sun was up already and getting really hot. Still we pressed on, stopping several times to cool off have some drinks. On one steep down slope, I was bombing down the steep slope along side Alvin and at the bottom it was loosed gravel. I could feel my bike sliding side ways and it was an "oh oh" moment. Somehow, we both rolled passed safely... but it was close.  

One take away from this it that don't take things for granted and always wear helmet and gloves and look ahead. 

Soon we reached the ferry terminal. Yeah! I survived the Bintan ride and met some really cool friends. I guess I will be doing touring more often now....live to ride, ride to eat! 

In the mood to sleep...zzz

 Star gazing lesson from Kevin using Ipad