Ride to see Gundam and a nice art effort by social creatives - LCSG sunday ride 14th June 2015

Gundam and LCSG! 

Hi res photo link of event here.
Lovecyclingsg Sunday ride is an effort to connect with riders. New riders who just started out, who are worried to be riding in traffic and not sure if they can do it.  It been happening for 5 years and last sunday even when weather wasn't too good.  Folks still came to join the ride. 

with the drizzle... there were no one around. Thats perfect for riding

Coolest dog with his boss...  matthew

We started at Orchard MRT station, out side Ion. Matthew brought his VVIP (Max) who is a super friendly cool dog.  
We rolled slowly to Takashima to see the Gundam exhibition, but didn't roam around too long as it was drizzling. Quite a sight if love Gundam. 

glad to see Bless after along absence! 

I was told this is the baddie

The bicycle made it very easy to roam round and before we knew it, we were at Scape.

This is the place which did the first bike handling workshop with the help of Simon(lifecycle), Kenneth (Singapore bike school) and of course LCSG angels.
Then I took the folks for a roll to Dempsey road where many cafes and drinking places are located. 

This church still look the same

It didn't look like that 15 years ago. Do you know that Dempsey road used to be the place for National Service and army folks adminstration? Here's the history behind the place  .
For myself, my memories are Singapore Junior flying Club. This is the place I spend a lot of my secondary school days building balsa planes, crashing them and rebuilding them. I was actually quite good at it. And for awhile I actually taught aeromodelling to kids. Good fun but tiring. More on this link. Hmmm maybe I should return to this and teach once more :) 

making it fun for kids 

It rained quite abit... so we went to have a bite

The rain was coming down quite heavy at Dempsey and I cut short the ride and headed toward the comfort of Holland village food market. We had breakfast and then Andy led the way to Blk 8 where there was an art initiative by Social Creatives.
The idea is to bring art to the neighbourhood. Expose children and all on art and the believe that art should be everywhere. Its a very nice and noble idea and I salute their efforts.

Andy sharing abit on this art initiative

Andy looks sad.... bo jio(ask ur singapore friends what it mean) 

Andy inspired artworks 

This is why I like to attend Lovecyclingsg sunday rides. There is always a place I did not know or see. And they are all right here at our own "backyard". Waiting to be explored and appreciated. 
Combined with a folksy easy going attitude, the group continues to pull in new folks every week. Interested? Don't worry... we don't bite. Come and ride with LCSG. Its really an amazing experience! 

Rider Profile Han Jok Kwang

This is a senior whom I have the utmost respect for. He is Jok Kwang and we first met during 2011 raising funds for Japan major earthquake.  We also did this rally video for our friend in Japan
Anyway, back to Jok Kwang. I have seen him several times in LTA, URA workshops and others form of feedback sessions. 

Taking time off his busy schedule to give good, well articulated suggestions. Always very calm and collected.... but at the sametime passionate.  He also got down and dirty to help improve the PCN paths!

sweating it out

His favorite phrase is "Its more useful to engage and participate then play armchair critic."  

Thank you sir for your passion and continued advocacy in promoting cycling! Read more about him here.
Digital copy 

PM Lee rides a bicycle during his holidays in Japan

This is really nice picture of our Singapore PM, taken during his holiday in Japan. I think its awesome to see him on a bicycle! Cycling really is a nice way to get around during holidays and even just getting everywhere! 

Taken from PM Lee FB
https://www.facebook.com/leehsienloong/photos/a.344710778924968.83425.125845680811480/928377873891586/?type=1&theater

Later the day, I received a call from Lester of Mypaper asking for my opinion. I hope GC would be a place for all to enjoy. Not overly cleaned up, respecting the history and inherent unique ecosystem.  In case u like to read more, its here 

article @ Mypaper 18June2015

Cycling in Taiwan 2015

This is a marketing campaign for the launch of the Taiwan round island cycling route. I love it because its more then just cycling.
My wife summarised it very well.
放自己一个悠长的假期，以时速每小时15公里慢慢地解放自己，重新找回“我”。
Riding along slowly, and listen to your inner voice.  Rediscover yourself @ 15 km/hr. One crank at a time.

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. 

Lovecylingsg being nominated for CED leadership award 2015

I was notified this morning  by my friends of this good news. Lovecyclingsg is being nominated  for  Cycling Embassy of  Denmark's Leadership  Award  2015!!!! I rechecked and rechecked. Rubbed my eyes and its real! I looked at the nominees and  they are all the heavy hitters who made substantial changes in their country. That's awesome! 

This is a big win for our cycling community, our  LCSG angels and many supporters  who have contributed numerous time and effort  to make it what it is. We are humbled and excited what this can help bring  forth better changes for cycling  in Singapore. Thank you folks for believing in what we stand for!  

Uncle Roland, Esther, Joeel and Pernille drafted this to CED.

"Dear LCSG pals, I would like to nominate Mr. Francis Chu & Mr. Woon Taiwoon to represent LCSG to receive CED's leadership award 2015 for cycling promotion for all of us. I can see many good leadership in this cycling group, too. Let's make this happening to make Singapore one of the cycling country in the world. Wouldn't that be wonderful! ^.^

Here, Mr. Roland Lee had drafted out a letter. Come together and sign here, so I can send this letter altogether with your names. 

To: info@cycling-embassy.org
Dear Sir,
We would like to nominate Mr Woon Tai Woon and Francis Chu for the CED’s Leadership Award for Cycling Promotion 2015.
They are the founders of Love Cycling Singapore. Their FB site is at https://www.facebook.com/groups/lovecyclingsg/. New members are continuously educated through the discussion of many interesting cycling topics and the do and don’t on cycling. It has been a wonderful experience for all cyclists. Tai Woon’s blog is at http://smallwheelsbigsmile.blogspot.sg/.../cycling-in... and Francis Chu’s blog is at http://lovecycling.net/

Every week, Love Cycling will organize Sunday morning ride for all types of cyclists. Their motto is Eat, Ride and Photo (ERP). These activities are all captured in photos and videos and presented on Love Cycling Sg FB page. It shows members that cycling is fun and can provide the opportunities to socialize and visit different cycling tracks, trails and places of interest. This has motivated and inspired many to start joining the group and began their cycling journey. The group has grown from just a few members to more than ten thousand members now, just within a short span of about 4 years. Some members have even graduated as overseas cyclist travelers. 

They are successful because they and their assistants have lots of heart and are prepared to work hard. They pedal to keep all things in balance. They achieved what we locally called “Kampong Spirit” (Community Spirit). They not only organize the Sunday rides, but also conducts bike maintenance workshops and safe cycling technique classes. These activities have produced many safe and well behaved cyclists on the road.

They are also actively engaged with the relevant government agencies like Transport Authority, National Park Board, National Development Ministry and other interest groups to provide feedbacks and suggestions, many of which have been adopted in developing our country's cycling plans and networks.
We highly recommend them because they have achieved much despite not having the power of an office of influence and connection. They are just two individuals that have the heart for cyclists. They pedal hard to create a critical mass of followers to influence the decision makers in improving road design, develop infrastructures, enhance park connector safety and it's network connection. They have made great contribution to the cycling movement in Singapore. This is done by adopting the philosophy of pedaling with a heart, smell the flowers with a family of cyclists and to improve the cycling environment."

Submitted for your kind consideration.

Esther Lim
Joeel Lee
Roland Lee
Love Cycling SG
10,544 members

Here's our list of supporters so far. Keep them coming and we are gg to submit the email not later than May. Cheers! grin emoticon
1.Esther Lim Kah Hwee
2.Joeel Lee
3.Roland Lee
4.Pernille Vedersø Bussone
5.Wanda Wong
6.Imran Wahid
7.George Kee
8.K.C . Au Yeong
9.Ching Lim B
10.Eng Kian Yap
11.Alvin Wong
12.Lim George
13.Wong Wei Kiong
14.Desmond Chia
15.Shelby Kee
16.Peggy Poh
17.Leung Ki Chi
18.Cindy Khoo
19.Cha Raymond
20.Nixs Zhuo
21.Bernard Tan KT
22. Seng Tat Lim
23. Ejin ang
24. Chua Siew Ling
25. Kimi Oh
26. Sue Ang
27. Yeo Jing Wen
28. Kenny Wong
29. Christopher Lee
30. Woo Li Ling
31. Li-San Woo
32. Judith Oh
33. Lee Pei Sze
34. Eugene Wee
35. Freddie Soh
36. Kenneth Tham
37. Gracie Koh
38. Joemain Ng
39. Ho Willip
40. Jack Chua
41. Dennis Cheong
42. Eugene Jack Chua
43. Darren Siow
44. Toshi Maeda
45 Joean Zeng
45. Bob Neo
46. Danny Mikhail Chay
47. Israwi Eshak
48. Patrick Ng
49. Ped Al
50. Celia Tan
51. Alvin Sitoh
52. Marilyn Chng
53. Niranjan Devasundrarajah
54. Siek Ling
55. Ravi Raman
56. Patrick Woon
57. Joyce Tann
58. Grace Tay
59. William Khaw
60. Steven Ng
61. James Ng
62. Felipe Ong
63. Joanne Tay
64. Gary Tan
65. Siew Wan
66. Marcus Yeo
67. Amy Ng
68. Michael Khaw
69. Chen Ying Chang
70. Mary Ang
71.Sy liew
72. Kuan Yong Peng
73. Lun Cheak
74. Stacy Tan
75. Seah Boon Seng
76. Patrick Yee
77. Anna Lesniewicz
78. Audrey Cheong
79. Raymond Khoo
80. Kc Lim
81. Sharon Li
82. Lai Jingying
83. Shareen Kok
84. Boonchun Yeo
85. Vince Li
86. Elaine Tai
87. Erin Lin
88. Nigel Khoo
89. Kennis Khoo
90. Noel Tan
91. 丹尼尔
92. Terence Quick Yap
93. Chew Soo Yong
94. Yong Kang Clay
95. Gabz Ng
96. Pierre Chew Tee Kian
97. Neo Kwee Hong
98. Rudy Zheng
99. Kevin Wu
100. Gwyn Valentine
101. Teong Tiger
102. Wendy Leong
103. Derrick Yeow
104. Bay Chun How
105. Florence Kong
106. Charles Teo
107. Thomas Yang
108. Poh Huat Tan
109. Ronnie Hiang
110. Wan Tiger
111. Eddie Lim
112. Audrey Lim
113. May Lee
114. Simon Siah
115. Eugene Wang
116. Gibson Ng Ng
117. Clara Tan
118. Sandra Leong Leong
119. Kelvin Ng
120. Gideon Lim
121. Silas Lim
122. Raine Yoke Foong
123. Elisha Tan
124. Coleen Leong
125. Chris Wee
126. Jade Ng
127. Kenneth Tan
128. Darren Stewart
129. Joanne Stewart
130. Josephine Teo
131. Goh Donald
132. Eugene L. A. Tan
133. Jamie Yang
134. Edmond Loh
135. Lim Kwang Huay Stanley
136. Bacus Boo
137. Adisuria Wangsadinata Natapura
138. John Tan
139. Sk Lah
140. Julian Mok
141. Darrell Wee
142. Wilson Lim
143. Breaking DawnDawn Chng
144. Ann Soh
145. Kieren Soh
146. Jonathan Lee
147. Malcolm Chen
148. Aceki Danz
149. Cephas Teo
150. Freda Lim
151. Charlene
152. Stewart Ong
153. David Ng
154. Jieren Oh
155. Tandem Lim
156. D Justine Sim
157. Greg Choong
158. Patrick 'Chelski' Cheong
159. Nicos Theodoru
160. Janny Cheong
161. Dan Koh
162. Bill Tan
163. Boo Rude
164. Bearbear Sim
165. Clarence Chang
166. Tan Geeli
167. Yas Sajari
168. Jasper Ong
169. Pas Soon
170. Elaine pan
171. Sinying Pan
172. Daniel Fu
173. Peter Tl
174. Ivan Ng
175. Wei Shuan
176. Hai Tang
177. Kelvin Lau
178. Galvin Ong
179. Loke Yk
180. David Hunter
181. Lynn Koh
182. Thomas Tan
183. Andrew Wan
184. 明天
185. Hua Yïng
186. Hart Poon
187. Jojo Chen
188. See Yusheng Justin
189. Yee Chao Koh
190. Florence Fauls
191. Adriane Lee
192. Tony Lau
193. Derek Leong
194. 国哥 Taiwan
195. 芳姐 Taiwan
196. Looi Sek Mun
197. Ho Yue Fa
198. Looi Siao Siang
199. Wendy Hoo
200. N. Sivasothi
201. Julian Lim
202. William Ong
203. Lim Dawn
204. Elva Ong
205. Evan Ong
206. Zon Yip
207. Bing Cheng
208. Ivan Liew
209. Samuel Wang
210. Toh Han Boon
211. Yvette Chin
212. Nickle Tan
213. Kevin Soh
214. Dean Tan
215. Grace Chew
216. Zylon Tan
217. Mio Yamada
218. Eric Cultus
219. Audrey Wong
220. Lester Tan
221. Sean Xavier
222. Sam Tan
223. Claire Leow
224. Tam Peng Kong Kenny
225. Johnston Loh
226. Irene Wee
227. Terence Tan
228. Ngoh Seh Suan
229. Ho Keng Yong
230. Ng Gan Poh
231. Melvyn Foong
232. Ai Lim Seng
233. Angie Ang
234. Melvin Chua
235. Jasmine Foo
236. Bc Seah
237. Jay bee
238. Tam Peng Kong
239. Leong Kwang
240. Leslie Han.
241. Amanda Chee
242. Heng Ooi Khiang
243. Goh Took Foon
244. Hock Bee Ong
245. Stephanie Ang
246. Yong Choon Lieh

Cheer on our Singapore National cyclists @ SEA games

SEA games is here and one of the events is Cycling! Our national cyclists will be competing with asia best of the best for the top honors. You can read more here.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/sea-games-cyclist-dinah/1866836.html#.VWHlVd37Umw.facebook
Dinah Chan is one of SG cycling heroines and she's been thru alot. 

I just want to say is this. It is really a great time  to also go, cheer and support them. If we don't, who will? 
Come on!  Give them a boost! For those interested to do so the details are below:
11th June Thurs @ Marina Bay south.  If you have some time and like cycling. Do swing  by!

Godspeed and all the best Team SG!!! 

Route of the race is here 

Home cycle trainer in actual home environment

About 1 month ago, I bought a 2nd hand bike trainer for my wife. She wanted a way to work out that is easy, fuss free.  
I googled to learn more and there were a whole gamut of options. They include learning from bike tech whizz Steve who has a very informative write up on a minoura LR340 and DC Rainmaker whom super detailed comparison of Bike Trainer made me realise a few things.  
1) Wind and magneto based trainers are more cost effective, but noisy. This might be a big consideration if you live in close environment which can affect others. 
2) Fluid based trainer gives a more "graduated" feel, meaning that if u pedal harder, the effort gets harder. Shift to harder gear, it get tougher. Just like riding in real life.  Also they tend to be quieter 
3)There are rollers option which gives a more realistic ride feel. But they require some agility.
With all the googling, reading and talking to folks who have one.  
I chose to go for a fluid based bike trainer route - with a realistic ride feel and noise consideration in mind. My option was either Cyclops Fluid2 or Kurt Kinetic Road Trainer. Yes and they were more expensive. 
I eventually  bought it secondhand at Togoparts as I saw that many folks tried and didn't enjoy the trainer. I was lucky, I got it at 1/2 of the retail price.  Something to consider if you don't mind using 2nd hand stuff. 
This is how it looks at my home now. 

Attached to my Stripe MTB

We, yes I said WE as my wife and I used it pretty much every day now. She actually uses it more than me. Morning half an hour and in the evening, when our gal is sleeping, she would go spin it. This is HUGE WIN for us! The ability to just get on the bike without leaving the home for us with a busy lifestyle and child is just great! 

Here's some experience touch points I made to enhance the product"performance". Its not pretty but it works! 
- Rigged up iPad holder so can watch movies while cycling. Get one from Daiso, zip tie to handle bar. Bang. Done! Wife loves it!

wire iPad holder from Daiso, held in place by Zip Ties

-Water bottle bag for easy access. Not so useful as we are in a home. 

- Towel wrap on bike to catch sweat. Hold it with cloths peg. Very domesticated approach, not so nice but it works. 
- Realistic bike feel and more cooling. Put a fan in front and set in low speed. Nice! 
I am not a tech writer and I don't aim to be one. I am just like many of you, a cyclists who has a day job and family commitments. But I hope to share with you my perspective as there is a lack of article that addresses our point of view. 
Hope this sharing will help you in deciding if a bike trainer is suitable for you.  Keep on spining!