Slow Riders- now even slower

Small crack on frame!

2012-01-28T17:46:00.000-08:00

Was cleaning my bike after the usual ride yesterday and found a small crack at the left seatstay.

Then recalled AT and I went at high speed over a pothole on the way to ECP yesterday.

Anyone knows if I need to replace the frame immediately? Def won't be getting carbon frame liao!

&t=r

New PCN: PG-SK=>YCK

2012-01-25T01:39:00.001-08:00

Explore Punggol Waterway PCN to Sengkang PCN leading to Yio Chu Kang Road.

A short section still work in progress …

[7 Jan 2012] Catch-up Ride

2012-01-06T18:29:00.000-08:00

&t=r

31Dec2011: NY Eve RI

2011-12-30T17:32:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Johnny and JC. Good ride!

Approx 81km @ avg 23km/h (meter auto pause <5km/h)

10Dec2011: GB Haymee Ride

2011-12-14T15:59:00.001-08:00

Saturday Dawn Ride: HG-GB breakfast-Punggol End

NTU Bike Rally 2012 - Register

2011-12-07T18:56:00.001-08:00

Open for Registration wef December 6, 2011

http://bikerally.ntusportsclub.sg/

Bike Rally 2012 : 26th Feb

2011-12-04T17:18:00.001-08:00

Bike Rally 2012: Challenge your limit with 128km /168 km!

Hmm official site http://bikerally.ntusportsclub.sg/ is not updated yet but from Ken, 2012 ride is already posted on http://www.usports.com.sg/Events.aspx.

So anyone going for it again ??? Same like 2011 ride, starting point at F1 Pit. Take a look at some of our photo @ http://goo.gl/IJGmG

(SPECIAL RATES FOR NTUC/nEbO Members @ S$25.68/=(Member Only))

Date: 26th February 2012 (Sunday)

Starting point: Marina Bay F1 Pit
Registration Time: 5.10 AM
Flag off timing: 6.45 AM
Venue: Marina Bay F1 Pit
Distance: 128km and 168km

Registration Fee : $25.68 per pax ($24 + 7% GST) *Normal Fee : $30 per pax

Limited slots on first-come-first serve basis.

Brief description: Participants will cycle in a convoy for a distance of 128/168km. There are cut-off timings for 168km, participants who are not able to meet the timing will carry on with the 128km route.

19Nov2011:Woodlands WaterFront

2011-11-21T00:31:00.001-08:00

Sat Woodland Waterfront/Jetty Ride) Slow Relax Ride
Waiting Venue : Hougang MRT UOB 6.00am set off.
Route : Hougang – Ang Mo Kio – Upper Thomson – Lor Gambas – Woodland Jetty – Yishun Ave 1 – Jalan Kayu – Hougang.
Distance : 50-55km(2 way)

Thanks to Johnny for the relax ride and Lor Mee :) Really nice to catch up with Sultan … and Neo and Jason too!

Neo’s paid road-tax :) Kena small piece of broken glass. CST tube pooosssshh.

12Nov2011: GB Haymee ride

2011-11-15T23:18:00.001-08:00

Thanks to JC and Johnny again for the great company. Attached few photo taken along Punggol PCN.

SEA Games 2011 – Roller Sports

2011-11-14T00:24:00.001-08:00

Updates: 1 Silver, 8 Bronze

Click to enlarge

Extracted from news ….

SEA Games: Skater Emily Kwek bags bronze for Singapore
By Shereen Tan | Posted: 14 November 2011 1250 hrs

Photos
1 of 1

Emily Kwek (L), Chew Wee (R) (Photo: Singapore Sports Council)

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Emily Kwek Wei Wei bagged another bronze for roller sports at the SEA Games in Palembang.
The 30-year-old took the third spot while Indonesia had a one-two finish in the women's 500 metres final.
But skater Chew Wee was placed third in the 500 metres semi finals at the Games.
Chew narrowly missed qualifying for the finals, as only the top two of each semi final will advance.
This brings the Republic's tally for the sport to one silver and six bronze medals so far.
- CNA/ck

SEA Games: Singapore bag bronze in roller sport
By Shereen Wong | Posted: 12 November 2011 1228 hrs

Photos
1 of 1

Daryl Chan

INDONESIA: Singapore has won two bronze medals on Saturday in roller sport, which is making its debut at the SEA Games.
They came from Daryl Chan and Carmen Goh, in the 5,000 metres race in Palembang.
- CNA/wk

SEA Games: S'pore win another bronze in roller sports
By Shereen Tan | Posted: 13 November 2011 1105 hrs

Photos
1 of 1

Rebecca Chew

PALEMBANG: Singapore have won another bronze in roller sports at the SEA Games in Indonesia's Palembang.
Rebecca Chew came in third in the women's 1,500 metres event on Sunday to clinch her second bronze at the Games.
A day earlier, she finished third in the women's 300m individual time trial.
Singapore's tally in roller sports now stands at four bronze medals.
Result:
Roller Sport - women's 1,500 metres
Gold - Indonesia (2:52.789)
Silver - Indonesia (2:53.019)
Bronze - Singapore (3:15.532)
- CNA/fa/ir

“I am very proud to have won the bronze. The past year has been a great experience and I hope Roller Sports will continue to grow and gain greater exposure in Singapore after this SEA Games,” said Rebecca Chew.

Lim June Liang finished fifth in the men’s 1500m race.

Singapore also won a silver in the 3000m women’s relay.

SEA Games: Singapore skater Chew Wee fails to qualify for finals
By Shereen Tan | Posted: 14 November 2011 1221 hrs

Photos
1 of 1

Chew Wee (Photo: Singapore Sports Council)

SINGAPORE: Singapore's skater Chew Wee was placed third in the 500 metres semi finals at the SEA Games in Palembang.
Chew narrowly missed qualifying for the finals, as only the top two of each semi final will advance.
But roller sports has posted a fine run for Singapore so far at the Games with one silver and five bronze medals as of 12 noon.
- CNA/ck

SEA Games: Roller sports make SEA Games debut
By Patwant Singh | Posted: 08 November 2011 1624 hrs

Photos
1 of 1

Singapore is fielding a team of six athletes to take part in all the 12 roller sport events

SINGAPORE: Rollers sports might be new to the SEA Games but it is a familiar sport to many in Singapore.
Singapore is fielding a team of six athletes and their target is to bring home a silver and a bronze medal as they take on four other countries including host Indonesia.
Singapore Roller Sports Team's vice-captain Daryl Chin, said: "Given that our best chances are in the relays, we are expecting at least a bronze and a silver from the relays."
Despite Singapore's lack of proper facilities, it has not stopped them from attaining their targets.
Rebecca Chew, who is a member on the Singapore Roller Sports Team, said: "We went to Haining, China recently for a race. For the girls, I would say we feel more prepared because we don't have a track here in Singapore and we will be racing on a banked track, meaning the grounds will be elevated at the sides. We did try the banked track at Haining and it was a great experience compared to just training on flat ground."
Currently, the team trains about three times a week and mostly in the evenings due to work commitments but training has been accelerated now.
Singapore Roller Sports Team captain, Daniel Chew, said: "We have actually increased our training to four times a week to train more for ourselves and some of the players are even doing their own training outside these four team training."
Roller Sports Singapore said that the national team is probably ranked number two after host Indonesia, which is the top nation in the region and the officials are confident that the Singapore athletes will put up a good fight in all the 12 events that are contested.
- CNA/fa

Cleaning gone Ultrasonic

2011-11-09T18:34:00.001-08:00

So from just wiping down with a cloth, to soaking in diesel & violent shaking in a bottle …. what’s next? No more violence now … using ultra sound. I use this ultrasonic cleaner to clean my skate bearings too.

Read how it works at wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultrasonic_cleaning.

UltraSonic Cleaner

Cyclists calling for review of LTA's foldable bicycle scheme

2011-11-06T04:12:00.001-08:00

Haha timing so chun. We were just talking about the one foldie/ bus restriction few days ago [Foldable Bicycles on Public Transport]. About time foldie community making some noise. See the below article on CNA.

Cyclists calling for review of LTA's foldable bicycle scheme
By Evelyn Choo | Posted: 05 November 2011 2306 hrs

SINGAPORE: Cyclists are calling for a review of the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) foldable bicycle scheme, introduced in 2009.

The scheme currently has a peak hour restriction, and allows only one folding bike on each bus at any one time.
42-year-old Max Lam, vice-principal of the School of Science and Technology, travels to work on his folding bike.
He said: "I think it is a very viable alternative, though I own a car. Depending on the weather, it becomes a choice that I'm able to exercise - whether I wish to work out a sweat today and cycle to school. Or if the weather's cloudy or nice, I can choose to exercise and be conscious of the environment and cycle to work."
Mr Lam prides himself in being part of a thriving community of professionals and executives - many of whom have adopted the bike as a serious mode of transport to work.

A typical route involves cycling from home, then boarding a bus or train halfway, and completing the remaining journey to the office, on the bike.
But the folding bike community said that unlike in cities like London or Taipei, where the cycling cultures are much more vibrant, Singapore's foldable bike scheme leaves much to be desired.
On weekdays, cyclists with bikes are only allowed to board the buses from 9.30am to 4pm, and from 8pm till the end of operating hours - leaving out the bulk of the working crowd.
The bikes are allowed all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. But at any one time, only one unit is allowed to be on a bus.

"Since large luggage and big prams are already allowed on public transport during peak hours, we think that our folding bikes, being a lot smaller than a large luggage or a big pram, should be allowed as well because we probably won't be adding to the current squeeze," said Vivian Yuan, owner of digiNEXX, a store that sells foldable bicycles.
Some said it's an inconvenience when a family wants to have a cycling day out, as only one member is able to load his bicycle. The rest will have to wait their turn to board the next few buses.

Mrs Yuan suggested that the one-bike-one-bus restriction be lifted altogether.
"If a family wants to go to a leisure place to cycle together, a child would have to take the bus himself and then meet his parents at the destination. If you lift the restriction to perhaps two bikes on one bus, that means a parents can follow the child (along on the trip)," she said.

Both Mrs Yuan and Mr Lam have raised their concerns to the LTA at a transport focus group session, conducted by the National Climate Change Secretariat.
For now, this environmentally-friendly lifestyle will have to be reduced to a weekly or leisurely affair.

- CNA /ls

05Nov2011:CV-ECP

2011-11-06T03:26:00.001-08:00

Sat Dawn Ride with Kit & Reeve.

Slow solo rolling after the storm. PCN tarmac still got many patches of wet :(

Foldable Bicycles on Public Transport

2011-11-02T05:50:00.001-07:00

Just for info.

Since 15 March 2009, foldable bicycles are allowed on the Rapid Transit System (RTS) and public buses during off-peak hours with stated guidelines. The scheme was officially launched after a successful six-month trial that took place from 24 May to 24 November 2008. This is one of the several initiatives that aim to meet the transport needs of diverse groups of commuters.

General Guidelines

Cyclists are responsible for the safe carriage of their foldable bicycles and must stay in the vicinity of their foldable bicycles at all times.
Foldable bicycles should be folded at all times in the MRT/LRT stations, bus interchanges/terminals and on trains and buses.
Foldable bicycles should not exceed 114cm by 64cm by 36cm when folded.
The wheels of the foldable bicycles should be wrapped up if they are dirty or wet.
Protruding parts likely to cause injury or dirty/damage property should be covered up.
Foldable bicycles should not block the aisles and doors or impede commuters’ movement at any time.
Foldable bicycles should be carried in an upright position.
When travelling by train, cyclists should use the first or last car, which is usually less crowded.
Cyclists should use the lifts and wide fare gates at MRT/LRT stations where these are available.
Foldable bicycles are not allowed on the upper deck of a bus or on the staircase leading to the upper deck. Only one foldable bicycle is allowed on each bus at any one time.

Other points to note

SMRT/ SBS Transit station station and bus drivers may disallow foldable bicycles if the actual situation within an MRT/ LRT station, bus interchange/ terminal or on board a train/ bus does not permit foldable bicycles to be admitted safely and without inconveniencing other commuters. Cyclists of foldable bicycles may approach SMRT/ SBS Transit staff if they require any assistance.

Useful Links

Publicity poster

Press Release

Foldable bike scheme approved

Map: Punggol Waterway PCN

2011-11-01T05:51:00.001-07:00

Serangoon East Dam …. saw ppl walking along the channel next to Halus Bridge towards the Dam and probably via Industrial Park 6 (next to Camp’s lane).

Below just an outline of Punggol … showing the waterway PCN. Click to enlarge.

30Oct2011: Solo Rolling@Punggol

2011-10-31T20:22:00.001-07:00

Slow recce roll Halus>Punggol Waterway>Punggol Marina>Punggol End

Started GPS logging only after Halus bridge, so total distance should be around 26-27km. Click the ‘View full workout data’ for details.

Info: Punggol Promenade

2011-10-31T20:02:00.001-07:00

Hopefully the red stretch is not gonna be a permanent. I think that’s the 2.4km nature walk.

A nice article - to all those Born in the 40's to '70s

2011-10-27T19:41:00.001-07:00

As we seek to drive innovation, and also as we seek to get the best from our Gen Y and Millennial workforce, and from our children …. This is instructive insight about how too much “help” and protectiveness might impact that.

From Malaysian Patrick Teoh's blog "Niamah" : http://www.niamah.com/

To All those Born in the 40's, 50's , 60's & '70s ...

First, we survived with mothers who had no maids. They cooked cleaned while taking care of us at the same time. They took aspirin, candies floss, fizzy drinks, shaved ice with syrups and diabetes were rare. Salt added to Pepsi or Coke was remedy for fever.

· We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets. As children, we would ride with our parents on bicycles/ motorcycles for 2 or 3. Richer ones in cars with no seat belts or air bags. Riding in the back of a private taxi was a special treat. We drank water from the tap [or well] and NOT from a bottle.

We would spend hours on the fields under bright sunlight flying our kites, without worrying about the UV ray which never seem to affect us. We go to jungle to catch spiders without worries of Aedes mosquitoes. With mere 5 pebbles (stones) would be a endless game. With a ball (tennis ball best) we boys would ran like crazy for hours. We catch guppy in drains / canals and when it rain we swim there. We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually worry about being unhygenic. We ate salty, very sweet & oily food, candies,bread and real butter and drank very sweet soft sweet coffee/ tea, ice kachang, but we weren't overweight because.......WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!We would leave home in the morning and play all day, till streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. AND WE DONT HAVE HANDPHONE S TO BUG US. And we were O.K. AND WE ARE SAFE.

We would spend hours repairing our old bicycles and wooden scooters out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem .We did not have Playstations, X-boxes, Nintendo's, multiple channels on cable TV, DVD movies, no surround sound, no phones, no personal computers, no Internet.

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them! We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and we still continued the stunts. We never had birthdays parties till we were 21. We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and just yelled for them!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law! Yet this generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever! The past 40 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL! And YOU are one of them!

CONGRATULATIONS! You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the government regulated our lives for our own good. And while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave their parents were.

ECP DAWN:22Oct2011

2011-10-23T02:48:00.001-07:00

Another nice ride, thanks to all for the great company! … a little exploration along the new Punggol PCN… beyond Halus Bridge.

ECP Dawn:15Oct2011

2011-10-17T18:00:00.001-07:00

Track - Punggol End to Halus

ECP Dawn Sep2011

2011-10-09T23:09:00.001-07:00

Not pigeons, Parrots@Changi!

R.I.P Steve Jobs

2011-10-05T21:30:00.001-07:00

Inspiring words from Steve Jobs some years back ..

Drawing from some of the most pivotal points in his life, Steve Jobs, chief executive officer and co-founder of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, urged graduates to pursue their dreams and see the opportunities in life's setbacks -- including death itself -- at the university's 114th Commencement on June 12, 2005.
Transcript of Steve Jobs' address:
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html

17Sep2011:BedokPCN

2011-09-21T00:20:00.001-07:00

16 Oct 2011 - World Hospice Day Ride. Who's keen?

2011-09-13T05:41:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

anyone keen to join me in a charitable cause on 16 Oct (Sunday)? This ride aims to raise funds to support the terminally ill in Singapore.

The ride itself is very easy, only a 13km ride from Tan Tock Seng to Fort Road.

By taking part in this ride, we are supporting the cause and encouraging others to donate generously. Riders will need to pay a $10 registration fee, which is only used to cover the cost of the cycling event.

More details at:
http://hospicedayride.sg./World_Hospice_Day_Ride/2011.html

jc

14Aug2011: ECP Dawn

2011-08-17T20:30:00.001-07:00

Linear Pull Brake – Dismantle/Adjust

2011-08-13T23:12:00.001-07:00

‘Tiak’ dino ah pek brake. The spring inside quite dirty, lots of trapped sand. Flushed with diesel, brushed and wipe clean. Shoot GT85, lube & wiped away excess.

See below extracted Instruction from Tektro:

[9 Aug 11] National Day ride to town

2011-08-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

Even more pictures below! by AT and JC

30July2011: Dawn GB-ECP

2011-08-03T17:11:00.001-07:00

Bottom Bracket Removal

2011-08-03T04:38:00.001-07:00

Hands itchy again. This time ‘tiak’ BB. Similar to pedal, remember there’s the left and right hand thread for loosening and tightening. Tip: To loosen the right and left pedal, the wrench is turned towards the back of the bike

My ‘dinosaur’ square-taper cartridge bottom bracket

Dismount when crossing Halus Bridge?

2011-07-31T17:37:00.001-07:00

Well, I admit not every time but at a slow walking pace.

Yesterday after my solo afternoon ride, this oversized BMX (I think a dirt mtb bike on fat tyres) sped across the Halus bridge. Guy wearing jersey overtook me fast and then further down the bridge almost bang into a girl walking on the left. Saw his bike skidded and almost fell. Guy didn't even apologize and continue to sped away. I chased after him and confronted him. A young man, sized like our Reeve. He mumbled something and then quickly turned back and sped away into the grass and muddy track towards Punggol.

Horrible! it is this type of idiots that’s spoiling cyclists image!

a fEw sHots in juLY 2011

2011-07-29T03:40:00.001-07:00

Just a few July shots taken with phone cam

Riders@Dawn ECP July2011

EastCoastBeach July2011

ChangiBeach July2011

Halus July2011

Road Works at Upper Serangoon Road/Exit to Toa Payoh to be completed by end Dec 2011

2011-07-27T01:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1143334/1/.html

SINGAPORE: The new flyover spanning the Woodsville junction will open to traffic on Sunday at 10am.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said the 400 metre flyover will connect motorists directly from Jalan Toa Payoh to Jalan Kolam Ayer leading to Kallang Way and the Pan-Island Expressway towards Changi, bypassing the Woodsville junction below.

The new flyover is part of the upgrading project for the Woodsville Interchange to improve overall traffic flow at the busy interchange.

Besides the flyover, the LTA is also constructing three vehicular tunnels to improve the overall traffic flow at this junction.
SINGAPORE: The new flyover spanning the Woodsville junction will open to traffic on Sunday at 10am.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said the 400 metre flyover will connect motorists directly from Jalan Toa Payoh to Jalan Kolam Ayer leading to Kallang Way and the Pan-Island Expressway towards Changi, bypassing the Woodsville junction below.

The new flyover is part of the upgrading project for the Woodsville Interchange to improve overall traffic flow at the busy interchange.

Besides the flyover, the LTA is also constructing three vehicular tunnels to improve the overall traffic flow at this junction.

Works to upgrade the Woodsville Interchange started in 2007 and are expected to complete by the end of the year.

Artist Impression of Upper Serangoon Road after Upgrading (Looks like we will continue having to change lanes from left-most to centre lanes if going straight towards Geylang Bahru from Hougang)

Almost kena Clip by a Bus

2011-07-26T02:04:00.001-07:00

Lesson learnt: When approaching bus stops, just like when approaching a left turning side road/junction, check your rear for any bus and if safe, take the lane to avoid getting clip!

To be fair, nowadays lots of bus captain quite nice la. Most of them will wait patiently behind, and when overtaking, they really give us lots of space. But there are always a handful who dun give way. Remember I kpkb, said I kena bullied on the road when doing solo rides. Below is one of those by SBS bus. This happened on a bright sunny late morning.

Location: Along Upper Serangoon Road just before Bus Stop at KovanMRT (HeartlandMall) - Bus Service: 81

Pictorial illustration of the incident:

I was cycling on the left side of the road ~25-28 km/h when the bus overtook me extremely close. When about half the body length of the bus has passed me, knn this bus started filtering left, blocking my way. I brake, wobbled a little and quickly swerve slightly left into the bus bay. Bus was so close that I extended my right hand and gave it a a few hard knock/punched at the side to stop the driver from side clipping me. The bus eventually stopped for me to pass but kns, the driver showed me the hand & appeared to be nonchalant.

Come home liao cannot tahan, so I wrote in via their online feedback form. After almost 3 weeks, I got this reply from SBS.

Extracted from email:

Feedback on bus captain of SBS8585C (Service 81)
Thank you for your feedback on the above-mentioned bus captain.
We are truly sorry to learn of your unpleasant encounter with the bus captain.

Following your feedback, we have conducted investigation and taken severe disciplinary action against the bus captain for failing to give way to other road users. The bus captain concerned has since been counselled and advised to be considerate towards other road users and take precautionally action whenever changing lanes.

Please accept our deepest apologies for the distress caused and thank you for your feedback.

Yours sincerely
Loo Ing Heng
Customer Relations Manager
SBS Transit Ltd

Looks sincere but what troubles me is how can they not even look at the pictorial illustration and photo that I sent! no click log at all!!! sigh, u tell me la!#$@%!

23July2011:Woodland Waterfront

2011-07-24T18:03:00.001-07:00

Nice ride! Thanks to all for the great company. Riders: Johnny//Reeve/Zappy/Kelvin/Terry/AT & TinyTok!

Evans wins the Tour as Cavendish takes final stage again

2011-07-24T17:13:00.000-07:00

(Reuters) - Cadel Evans became the first Australian to win the Tour de France after staying safe in the peloton in Sunday's final stage won by Briton Mark Cavendish on the Champs Elysees for the third year in a row.
The 34-year-old Evans, the oldest Tour winner since World War II, showed resilience throughout as he broke three-times champion Alberto Contador's unbeaten run in a grand tour since 2007.
Luxembourg's Andy Schleck was second overall for the third year in succession, 1:34 behind Evans, who claimed his maiden grand tour title.

Frank Schleck was third, 2:30 off the pace as two brothers climbed on the final Tour de France podium for the first time.

Evans's victory also broke Spanish domination of the race after Alberto Contador (2007, 09, 10), Oscar Pereiro (2006) and Carlos Sastre (2008) had claimed five titles in a row.

The Australian only took the overall leader's yellow jersey after Saturday's final time trial in which he humbled Andy Schleck by 2:31, easily overcoming a 57-second deficit.

Cavendish was also made to wait to finally claim the green jersey for the points classification after starting the day with a 15-point advantage over Spain's Jose Roaquin Rojas.

He won the bunch sprint at the end of the 95-km ride from Creteil after once again benefiting from his HTC-Highroad team's lead-out train.

The Briton beat Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen and German Andre Greipel, who were second and third respectively.

Garmin-Cervelo, who won the team time trial and stages through American Tyler Farrar and Norwegian Thor Hushov, won the team standings.

Frenchman Pierre Rolland, who won the prestigious stage to l'Alpe d'Huez, claimed the white jersey for the best under-25 rider while Spaniard Samuel Sanchez won the polka-dot jersey for the best climber.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Alan Baldwin)

Noise when I pedal hard

2011-07-21T05:34:00.001-07:00

Last 2 or 3 weeks all my rides very ta shiok. When pedal hard, every round got this ‘tiak’ knocking noise. Can even feel the knock ah! super low morale when riding. When riding on PCN, people hear my ‘tiak, tiak tiak’ all siam, more effective than a bell.

Things I did:

Remove seat post, cleaned, grease –> still tack!
Dismantle pedals, cleaned, put lots of grease on threads. Tighten, super tight –> still tack!
Dismantle both crank arm, cleaned, grease. Tighten, super tight –> still tack!
Change to another set of pedals –> still tack!

Jialat, thought my BB wear out or loose liao. But heng ah …

How come it ‘tiak’ only when on my big chain ring?… hmmmm all these while I thought maybe small ring small force, not big enough to cause the ‘tiak’?. hmmmm . . . Bingo! each chain ring is fastened to crank-spider by 4xbolts.

Just tightened the 4xBolts on the big chain ring by ~ 1/4 turn :). Yipeeee, stationary test no more ‘tiak’, now just need a test ride to confirm :)

Cyclist’s wife sues lorry driver, firm for $3m

2011-07-12T16:32:00.001-07:00

ST Home July13,2011

Husband is in vegetative state after being knocked down by lorry in 2009 A 54-YEAR OLD cycling enthusiast is now in a vegetative state after he was knocked down by a lorry one Sunday morning in 2009.

His wife has sued the lorry driver and his company for $3m in compensation.

The case opened for a five-day hearing on the issue of liability in the High Court on Monday.

Madam Jannette Hoy Ai Choo has brought the lawsuit on behalf of her husband, Mr Michael Loke Chee Yeng, a project engineer.

She assserts that her husband did not contribute to the accident and that the lorry driver, Mr Muhammad Nurhakim Omar, is fully responsible for the accident.

It happened on Dec 27, 2009 along the three-lane Keppel Road. Mr Loke was riding his bicycle while wearing a helmet with the strap fastened.

According to Mr Muhammad Nurhakim’s police report, he was in the centre lane when he noticed Mr Loke in front of him, riding on the lane marking between the extreme left and centre lanes.

He said that Mr Loke suddenly cut into his lane and, as he could not stop in time, he hit the cyclist, who fell to the ground.

The driver pleaded guilty in a criminal court to inconsiderate driving, and admitted that he collided into the cyclist from behind. He was fined $1000 and banned from driving for eight months.

The current suite will loookat whether Mr Loke contributed to his won injury by not taking care of himself on the road.

Madam Hoy, represented by Mr Cosmas Gomez, contends that her husband did not contribute to the accident as he was riding his bicycle in a straight position when he was hit from the back.

She argues that the evidence, such as sketch plans and photographs taken by the Traffic Police, does not support the lorry driver’s version of the accident.

Among other things, she asserts that the photos of the damage to the lorry show there was an impact with a object in a straight positions. Evidence also shows that the driver was in the process of changing lanes when the accident happened, she says.

She also contends that skid marks show that the lorry driver was travelling at a fast sped and could not stop in time.

[Wed 6 July] Tour de France 2011 Stage 5 - Big Crash

2011-07-06T18:46:00.000-07:00

Spectator causes late crash - Stage 1 of Tour de France 2011

2011-07-06T18:00:00.000-07:00

Near perfect? PCN Shared Tracked

2011-07-05T17:51:00.001-07:00

IMO this is near perfect liao. As long as users keep to their path, this is by far the safest.

ECP 90km Loop

2011-07-04T16:54:00.001-07:00

ECP Dawn-Jun2011

Solo 90km

Missing Directional Arrows & Centre Line?

2011-07-04T04:26:00.001-07:00

Photo with arrows/line taken at ECP. Next time you guys ride along ECP PCN, take a look at these markings. So many, every ~10m got one set! But our Halus PCN tarmac, no arrow no line, blank blank one. Only got signboard, what if some users dunno how to read, dun understand the sign? more inconsistencies?

Reply from Nparks

2011-07-04T03:09:00.001-07:00

Bernard LIM (NPARKS) to me

show details 17:53 (15 minutes ago)

Dear Mr Ho

Thank you for your note.
Indeed I totally agree with you.

The Coastal PC stretch was built in late 2009, while the one at Punggol is the latest.
I have requested for my team and colleagues from our Devt Team to make the changes.

We appreciate your feedback. Would you like to be included in our database at pcnfrens@gmail.com. We will send you updates and our quarterly newsletter on the park connectors.

Inconsistency of PCN labels

2011-06-30T20:20:00.000-07:00

No time to draft a proper email...so juz shoot out one first. AT, used your pics of the labels in the email. Hope u dun mind.

Dear Bernard (Assistant Director, PCN)

Some local cyclists have been commenting that Nparks does not seem to
have a consistent stand when it comes to PCNs. Are cyclists and
runners supposed to keep left at all times? The inconsistent labelling
has led to confusion and would result in accidents in a matter of
time.

Could Nparks decide quickly and let Singaporeans know? The label at
the PCN towards Lorong Halus seems to be clear and well thought-out.

Please refer to attached pictures. Seek your prompt response on this please.

--
Regards,
Mr Ho

Ipad in Army - Listen to Mr Brown!

2011-06-30T20:05:00.001-07:00

/http://www.mrbrownshow.com/2011/06/30/the-mrbrown-show-the-ipad-army/

PCN Goondos - Chief

2011-06-30T16:23:00.001-07:00

Sorry just more ranting from me. Not for the faint-hearted.

Below shared track sign was taken along the Halus PCN. Easy rule to follow, shared track, all PCN users KEPT LEFT! I mentioned before, this is simple & crystal! No issue with this.

Looks like some Nparks cost saving initiatives. Where is the center line markings?

Guidelines on markings and center line:

Markings to separate Footpath and Bicycle path (ECP Coastal PCN). Oh dear, didn’t even notice this until recently! Again, I think having more signboards and line markings helps!

So BEWARE! Dun keep left all the way towards the kerb when riding towards Changi. You’ll get joggers running towards you on your LEFT!!! (i.e. provided they notice/follow the footprint markings, hee )

Confusing markings? Bicycle on the LEFT or RIGHT?

NParks! Make up your Mind! Both shots (above vs below) taken in the same direction towards Changi. Bicycle on the left or right??? goondo right? NParks wants u guys to keep looking down to check for these tarmac markings! suka suka left suka suka right!

IMO, if track is wide enough to split, then better draw a proper continuous separating line markings throughout!. No wonder so many Goondos along the PCN (that includes me of course. I remember few times telling off joggers to kept left - oh dear, realize now that I was actually asking them to jog on the bicycle lane!). Very often along the PCN, we see Goondos unsure whether to kept left or right causing near ‘langa’. Now we know who the Goondo chief is who created so many PCN Goongos!

Nparks will be fixing the PCN (Punggol Park to HG Ave 7) by next week

2011-06-29T19:05:00.000-07:00

Will try to go there and take a look before further comments. Let's give credit to them when its due. Most likely will also provide further feedback on cracks at other PCNs.

Email query to Nparks on cracks along PCN

2011-06-28T02:48:00.000-07:00

Wrote to Nparks on the dangerous cracks along PCN.

>>Dear Miss Lee Pin Pin (Nparks QSM)

First of all, allow me to express my appreciation to your colleagues
at Nparks who have done a lot in beautifying our parks and gardens.
In addition, Nparks has been actively extending the Park Connector
Network (PCN) in Singapore.

I would like Nparks to address a query regarding the repair of PCN
tracks. Please assist to garner the help of the relevant colleagues
in addressing this issue.

Was cycling along the PCN from Punggol Park to Hougang Ave 7 when I
came across a disturbing sight. There were many cracks along the
path. Some cracks had yellow-black safety tape along the sides,
probably to warn users. Some did not.

Please refer to the attached pictures.

My queries as follows:

1) Is it Nparks' SOP to put safety tape along such cracks instead of
repairing them at the first instance?
2) Is Npark sure that users would be able to see these cracks when its dark?
3) How long before we can expect the cracks to be rectified?

Thank you.

Enjoy the weather

2011-06-28T00:08:00.000-07:00

More road signs?

2011-06-27T17:13:00.001-07:00

Do we need them? … maybe we do for better awareness.

Below is the famous white ‘Cyclist Ahead’ signboard-efforts by SCTF.

Shared Path Behavioural Signs

2011-06-27T04:23:00.001-07:00

Recently I ranted on PCN users not following the simple kept left rule and confusing markings on the tarmac. Here : PCN: Keep Left or not?

Just stumbled upon this Ausie article. IMO excellent guidelines on how to design/ managed the shared path using behavioural signs. Oi NPark!

Here is the pdf file

Report a Road Fault! Stray Dogs!

2011-06-24T00:43:00.001-07:00

Halus there if u lucky like me, will kena stray dogs. Few weeks ago, kena chased by almost ten of them. It was a quiet Sunday morning. Had to emergency unclipped both spd as they were like inches away. Crazy!!!

STRAY DOGS:

AVA : Tel: 1800-476 1600 (Toll-free Hotline for stray animals)
Below post extracted from safecycling.org.

Report a Road Fault!

HELP MAKE OUR ROADS SAFER - REPORT A FAULT
Safe roads and infrastructure is fundamental to a safe and pleasant journey for cyclists and other road users.
You can help to make Singapore road more safe and enjoyable to ride by reporting any potholes, broken drainage grills, or uneven road surface.
Encountered a pot hole? Noticed anything potentially dangerous on the roads? Trees that are blocking traffic lights? Trees about to fall over?
Report it to the authorities today! Remember to mention the location of the defects being discovered.
The information required usually includes:
1. Road Name
2. Which direction of the road
3. Lamp Post Number (find nearest lamp post) / Nearest junction
4. What is the issue

report a pothole

REPORTING ROAD HAZARDS
If you see:
- damages to roads (potholes, etc.)
- faulty traffic lights
- missing/damaged road signs or safety signs
- missing/damaged road markings
- have improvements to suggest regarding our roads
You may call LAND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY directly to give feedback and make a difference to the safety of our roads and fellow Singaporeans!
CALL LTA
For urgent feedback, 24 hours:
Call: 1800 – 2255582 (Press ext 0 to speak to a customer service officer)
For non-urgent feedback, eg. suggestions:
Email: feedback@lta.gov.sg
REPORTING DANGEROUS TREES AND GREENERY
If you see:
- fallen trees
- damaged trees at risk of falling
- trees that are precariously hanging over roads at risk of falling
- trees that are blocking traffic lights
You may call National Parks Board directly to give feedback and make a difference to the safety of our roads and fellow Singaporeans!
NPARKS
For urgent feedback, 24 hours:
Call: 1800 – 4717300
For non-urgent feedback, eg. suggestions:
nparks_public_affairs@nparks.gov.sg

Turning Right@Junctions

2011-06-24T00:18:00.001-07:00

Where applicable, use the left most right turning lane to make a right turn.

Related post: The challenge of turning right

12Jun2011: Rides for week ending 12Jun

2011-06-15T19:05:00.001-07:00

Another great week of riding.

ECP Sun Rise:

Many rides this week including one with a mini ‘happy hour’ at CV by Kit, kelvin and Reeve.

Featuring some routes here:

Ken’s Route:

central sg loop Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

JC’s Route:

Spotted at ECP.

Cyclist dead - Errant pedestrian fined

2011-06-13T07:53:00.000-07:00

Be careful of errant pedestrian. Hmmm serious head injuries...that's why Helmet is a must!
Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story

Jun 13, 2011

Pedestrian fined for causing hurt to cyclist

By Elena Chong

Xu Yuanyuan, 19, was fined $1,500 for failing to keep a proper lookout at a pedestrian and causing hurt by colliding with a cyclist who, as a result, died from injuries sustained. -- ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

A PEDESTRIAN stepped onto the road without looking to the right and collided with a cyclist who died five hours later.

On Monday, Xu Yuanyuan, 19, a Chinese national, was fined $1,500 after she admitted to causing hurt to cleaner Lock Wai Chee, 42, by doing a negligent act as to endanger his life.

The court heard that Xu, a student, was waiting at the pavement of the Jalan Bukit Merah by Henderson Road junction on Dec 21 last year when she took a step forward when the traffic signal was against her.

As a result, she collided into the cyclist who was cycling towards her from her right side along Henderson Road.

Mr Lock was thrown off the bicycle and suffered serious head injuries. He died at 10.19pm.

Xu could have been jailed for up to six months and/or fined up to $2,500.

Source

Pedal 'tiok tiok' sound

2011-06-13T06:42:00.001-07:00

Last few rides, always got this 'tiok tiok' sound from my right crank arm. Hah, found right pedal loosened...can even turn the screw thread by hand!

Below just a few snapshots of the dismantling and cleaning.

Pedal loosen

Tiak Crank, checked, cleaned & re-tightened

Might as well tiak all :)

Clean Chain in diesel

Keeping pace in the Tour de Fish

2011-06-10T19:41:00.000-07:00

Keeping pace in the Tour de Fish

Biologists have found striking parallels between a peloton of cyclists and a school of fish

04:46 AM Jun 11, 2011

GLASGOW - Fish, famously, have no need for bicycles, but schools of fish swim as though they were cyclists. Just like a Tour de France peloton, fish at the back of a school use the slipstream created by the stronger fish out in front to swim with less effort.

A study published this week in the biological research journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B shows that the position of a fish in the school depends on how physically fit it is.

The fittest swim at the front, where they get the pick of the best food.

The less-impressive individuals swim towards the back of the school but what they lose in quality food they make up for by swimming in the slipstream created by the fish in front of them. The slipstream reduces the drag on the fish at the back, allowing them to swim as fast as all the other fish without expending as much energy.

The principle is the same as a group of cyclists who huddle close together during a race.

In the latest experiment, researchers filmed schools of eight juvenile golden grey mullet in a swim tunnel. They worked out the effort each fish was making by counting the number of beats it made with its tail.

Dr Shaun Killen - a biologist at the University of Glasgow, who led the work - found that trailing fish required fewer tail beats to swim at the same speed as individuals at the front of schools. The researchers estimated that when the school was swimming at 30cm per second, trailing fish were having to work 12 per cent less hard compared with the fish they were following.

"One of the most interesting things that these results hint at is that there may be differences in energy demand or performance capacity between schools in the wild. It wouldn't be smart for a fish to join a school with others that are much slower or faster than it is," said Dr Killen. THE GUARDIAN

"No pay road tax – get off the roads!"

2011-06-10T04:30:00.001-07:00

VIA ipayroadtax.com

"Ang Mo kok ka" got this campaign aims to dispel the myth that cyclists have no rights on the road by reminding drivers of the non-existence of road tax. The name road tax should be changed to Vehicle Exercise Duty where charges are based on CO₂ emission rates. Anyway long story, enjoy reading.

I PAY ROAD TAX

Road tax was abolished 74 years ago
Road tax doesn't exist. It's car tax, a tax on cars and other vehicles, not a tax on roads or a fee to use them. Motorists do not pay directly for the roads. Roads are paid for via general and local taxation. In 1926, Winston Churchill started the process to abolish road tax. It was finally culled in 1937. The ironically-named iPayRoadTax.com helps spread this message on cycle jerseys. Car tax is based on amount of CO2 emitted so, if a fee had to be paid, cyclists would pay the same as 'tax-dodgers' such as disabled drivers, police officers, the Royal family, and band A motorists, ie £0. Most cyclists are also car-owners, too, so pay VED. Many of those who believe road tax exists, want cyclists off the roads or, at least registered, but bicycle licensing is an expensive folly.

Visit their webby for more reading http://ipayroadtax.com/

Extracted from wikipedia

The terms "car tax", "road tax" and "vehicle tax" are commonly used when referring to "Vehicle Excise Duty".[25] Road tax has an entry in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Some cyclists, cycling organisations and cycling publications in particular object to use of 'road tax'. Peter Walker, a journalist at The Guardian explains "I've always felt the road tax argument supports a more general feeling of entitlement among too many drivers. Those who trot it out often seem to genuinely treat cyclists like we're interlopers who should be pushed aside".[26] The Cyclists' Touring Club argue 'most adult cyclists do pay for the roads, even though they impose minimal wear and tear on them'.[27] The Cambridge Cycle Campaign suggested that "Arguing that cyclists therefore have less right to use the roads is like arguing that smokers should take precedence for medical treatment, because non-smokers don't buy cigarettes and therefore 'don't pay hospital tax".[28]
The direct use of taxes collected from motorists to fund the road network was opposed by Winston Churchill predicted "It will be only a step from this for them to claim in a few years the moral ownership of the roads their contributions have created".[29]
A single issue campaign, 'I pay road tax' started by a cycling journalist in 2009 to challenge the use of the term 'road tax'.[30][31] The campaign has received support from Edmund King, President of The AA.[32]
In a BBC report on Look East in May 2010 about a cyclist who was knocked off his bike by a car the presenter read out a series of emails from viewers expressing the view that 'cyclists should pay road tax' if they wish to use the roads. After receiving a 'huge number' of complaints from viewers following publicity created by iPayRoadTax, the BBC broadcast a second piece which clarified the fact that roads are paid for out of general taxation and reported the incorrect[33][34] assertion that 'road tax as such does not exist'.[35]
When challenged by iPayRoadTax, Which?, the British consumer magazine, defended its continued use of the term on the basis that "road tax" was more commonly used than Vehicle Excise Duty. A spokesman also said that while they would not stop using the terms 'car tax' and 'road tax' online that they would endeavour to also make appropriate reference to the full name of the tax.[36]

Read VED on wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_Excise_Duty

Driver charged over Clementi cyclist's death

2011-06-09T19:11:00.001-07:00

Source ST CNA

Teo Tiong Kiat, 63, (above) who faces five charges, allegedly caused the death of freelance writer Mok Chee Kong, 35, and causing grievous hurt to Mok's friend, chef Bertram Leong Poh Meng, 23, while filtering from the centre lane into the left lane and hitting the duo. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

SINGAPORE: A 63-year-old doctor has been charged with a negligent act that resulted in the death of a cyclist on March 21, 2010.
Teo Tiong Kiat allegedly failed to keep a proper lookout ahead while driving along Clementi Road at around 9.30pm that day.
It is believed his car hit the rear portion of Mr Mok Chee Kong's bicycle which was travelling in front of him.
The 35-year-old freelance writer died three days later.
For the same reason, Teo is also accused of causing grievous hurt to 23-year-old chef, Bertram Leong Poh Meng, who was cycling with Mr Mok.
Teo is also believed to have failed to stop after the accident and had allegedly removed his car from the scene without the authority of a police officer.
It is believed he also failed to render assistance to the cyclists after the accident.
Teo, who faces five charges in all, is represented by lawyer Chen Chee Yen.
He is now out a bail of S$10,000 and will be back in court on July 21.
If convicted of negligence, he can be jailed up to two years and fined for each charge.
For those who fail to stop and who remove their vehicles, first-time offenders can be jailed up to three months or fined up to S$1,000 for each charge.
For not rendering assistance, first-time offenders can be jailed up to a year or fined a maximum of S$3,000.
-CNA/wk

04Jun2011: KTM Breakfast Ride

2011-06-04T00:56:00.001-07:00

Thanks guys, another great ride this morning! Breakfast at Tanjong Pagar KTM Railway Station was a nice change :)

Below GPS log of our route. HG--CV-ECP-KTM
Find more Cycling Routes / Bike Rides in

Tanjong Pagar railway station is a railway terminus owned by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), the main railway operator in Malaysia. The land on which the station and the KTM railway tracks in Singapore are situated is held by KTM on a 999-year lease.
Following an agreement between Malaysia and Singapore which was reached on 24 May 2010, railway operations into the station will cease by 1 July 2011, after which the building will be conserved and may be integrated with future developments on the site. KTM's southern terminus would be relocated to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint.

PCN: Keep Left or not?

2011-06-02T02:48:00.001-07:00

Food for thoughts:

On some newer PCN, I noticed some signage saying something like "Shared path/ Keep Left". This is great! crystal. Be it walking, jogging, blading or cycling, just use the keep left rule. But how come so many users today seems like not following such simple rule?

On the coastal PCN last Sun, I pondered over this footprint/bicycle marking on the tarmac 'machiam' like separating the PCN. So is Npark separating the lane into two, one side for solely footway?

Photo just for illustration.

If so then according to these markings, if I'm cycling towards it into the photo, I'm supposed to keep right, then 'approaching' jogger supposed to be on the footprint side and run towards me on my left??? walau isn't this the opp of keeping left! Ain't approaching joggers supposed to be on my right, keeping to their left towards edge of the lane? err bicycle marking oops ... how?

Edit: Markings can be confusing imo. Do away with the markings and put up more Keep Left signage.

Comparison betw bikes and cars

2011-06-01T23:42:00.000-07:00

29May2011: Punggol PCN End/Marina

2011-05-29T21:43:00.001-07:00

Sunday dawn solo haymee & Punggol End->Marina PCN ride.
Nice! the whole stretch of PCN from Punggol End to Punggol Marina (17th Ave) is ready!. From Punggol Marina, instead of coming out by 17th Ave back to Punggol Rd,, I took the shortcut PCN to Selectar North Link (that section after Barat where we need to push/carry bike) and then to Punggol Way. See map.

Click above GPS log/map to view map

Bike thief in Eunos CAUGHT

2011-05-29T21:07:00.001-07:00

Friend sent me this say he read on TGP.

Just sharing what I found in youtube. Description by the uncle that caught the thief. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This guy came into our house and attempted to steal my racing bike. My wife screamed at him as he tried to steal the bike, and told him to go away!. I chased after him on foot but lost sight of him. I continued the search for him in my car, and found him a few minutes later on the other side of our estate. Then I saw him break into another house and this time he stole a bike. I followed him as he made his getaway, and then after running him off the road I chased him barefoot in only my shorts for 2 kilometers across 8 lanes of Jalan Eunos, across 3 PIE slips roads. Meantime he picked up a large rock and with a wild agressive face threw the rock at me, so I picked up a bigger one and threw it back at him, the difference is that his rock missed me, and my rock hit him. Finally, exhausted, he stopped running and I made a citizens arrest at Block 311 Ubi avenue 1 HDB block. I made him sit on the floor and ordered him to remove his shoes to stop him running away until the police arrived.. Police arrive 5 mins later and arrested him. What a day!!!

Singapore Poly projects fly high with RSAF

2011-05-27T19:46:00.000-07:00

IT was two thumbs up for Singapore Polytechnic when two final-year projects by students were selected to be part of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Open House 2011 for the first time.
Their respective inventions: The Intermeshing Helicopter and the Miniature Afterburner.

Youtube: Team Athalus' Intermeshing Helicopter

Meanwhile, in Aljunied GRC . . .

2011-05-20T20:07:00.001-07:00

More pictures from ride on Vesak Day

2011-05-20T18:12:00.000-07:00

No bikes allowed? Not a problem!

Glorious sunrise

Group shot at Bedok Jetty

Water break at Changi Village

Bridge linking us to Lorong Halus

17May2011:Vesak ECP

2011-05-19T17:42:00.001-07:00

17-05-2011 Vesak Day ECP/Changi Leisure Ride(50km ride)
Waiting Venue : Hougang MRT UOB 5.50am, 6am set off, RTU 9.30am.
Route : Upper Serangoon/Geylang Bahru/ECP/Changi/Harlos Wetland/Hougang (+ Punggol End) .
Speed: Slow Relax speed 20km/hr - 25km/hr
Riders: Johnny/Jc/Kit/Kelvin/WeiJian/Kirby/AT
<Click photo to enlarge>

Coney Island!
Punggol End Jetty - New PCN

More photos here

PCN to Coney Island?

2011-05-15T21:07:00.001-07:00

Below is an old map/plan of 'shaping Punggol'. Note the red arrow, road connecting Punggol end to Coney Island. Believe it or not, that Island, I used to swim over during my crazy school days. Brings back wonderful childhood memories. Really must go recce see if can cross over or not.

Source Pdf

[30 Apr 11] Overseas ride from Penggerang to Sg Renggit via ferry from Changi Village

2011-04-30T01:34:00.000-07:00

Full set of pictures available at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61353600@N06/sets/72157626612717960/

We met up at 5.30am outside Popeyes and reached Changi Village by 6.35am. Had a quick breakfast and headed over to the ferry terminal. Reached the Johore side and started cycling after taking a short break to get away from the rain.

Lunch was at this Chinese seafood restaurant recommended by other SG riders. After lunch we walked around Sg Renggit town and started cycling back.

Total estimated spending for this trip =RM74+S$14
1. Ferry both ways: S$14+RM$20
2. Seafood lunch: RM$50

23April2011:DempseyHill

2011-04-24T23:07:00.001-07:00

Today was supposed to be our KT ride sia! hmm nvm always a next time.

Thanks to Jc for jio-ing this ride. LorMee@ amk was great as usual. . . Roti Prata at ChangiV also super yummy :). Kit lead us to Dempsey Hill see giant arowana, very nice neighborhood there. And then we took a shorter short cut to Halus Wetland :) Go GPS log zoom in to check it out. Also this map includes part 2 routing to Mandai-BukitBatok loop, total >120km :).

<a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/32571038">23Apr2011 Leisure Exploration Ride</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/?location=">Find more Cycling Routes / Bike Rides in </a> <hr class="more">

Careful when you draft

2011-04-19T05:57:00.001-07:00

He was drafting. Front wheel overlap with front rider's rear (quite common when drafting). But front rider suddenly pick up speed and move out left without checking his rear first. Poor chap at the rear, his spokes kena front rider's rear skewer I think - 4 spokes broken. Then the front wheel buckled onto the brakes and he toppled. Lucky no fatal and riders behind him didn't follow too cloe.

16April2011: Almost RI

2011-04-17T20:08:00.001-07:00

Waiting Venue : Hougang MRT UOB 3.50am, 4am set off, RTU ~9.30am.
Route : Seletar Dam-Mandai-Woodlands Waterfront-Gambas-Selectar Dam-Jalan Kayu-Fernvale(breakfast)-Hougang.
Riders: Ballycash/ Ken/Kit/Kelvin/ Eric Jc/Reeve/teojy/kirby /Ron/AT

Yes, almost but this ride got 3 or 4 tyre 'poooosh' so we did a detour. Nice to see Ron and Teo again! although no RI, still a good safe ride :) Thanks to Johnny again. Oh ya, Kit's got a broken rear spoke too! Well guys, do check your bike, tighten loose screws/bolts and check brake pads wear/ alignment etc .... get ready for coming KT ride!

Direct link to youtube

Thanks jc for the photo! Cool camera. Click photo to enlarge.

What's Kit up to? Swatting and all . . . ? ? ?

Broken Spoke

09Apr2011:ECP

2011-04-10T23:32:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Johnny again for organizing this relaxing coastal PCN ride.

Nice to see new riders. (from left) Kebe, Andy, Speedie & Steven. Great guys! And also Emily, great to have u back!

Route : Hougang - Upp Serangoon - Geylang Bahru (breakfast)- Fort Rd - ECP - Changi Village - Halus Wetland(Riverside PCN - Nice scenic route for Punggol riders) - Hougang
Distance : 50-55km. RTU ~ 9.45am.

Click photo to enlarge

19Mar2011:BotTreeVillage

2011-03-20T23:16:00.001-07:00

Thanks Johnny. Another relaxing ride, beautiful sunrise view. Shots were taken outside BottleTree Village. Btw, some changes on route from Jln Kayu to SelectarDam. No more left turn at the roundabout after the TPE flyover, now go straight into Piccadilly Road to Oxford St... view & zoom into the GPS plot at this link http://bit.ly/frhNHl for details.

ECP service road close on Sunday

2011-03-17T23:50:00.001-07:00

The Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore Triathlon will be held at East Coast Park Service Road on Sunday, 20 March 2011 . The event is expected to draw about 1500 participants.

To facilitate the traffic arrangements for the event, the following roads and lanes will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, 20 March 2011 during the stipulated periods:

Roads Affected

Duration

1. East Coast Park Service Road (between carpark F2 and Changi Coast Road )

Sun, 20 Mar 11, 5.00 am to 3.00 pm

2. Slip road of Changi Coast Road leading into East Coast Parkway in the direction of the city

3. Extreme left lane of Changi Coast Road in the direction of East Coast Parkway (between East Coast Park Service Road and Tanah Merah Country Club)

4. Extreme left lane of Changi Coast Road in the direction of Loyang Avenue (between Tanah Merah Country Club and Tanah Merah Coast Road )

5. The carriageway of Changi Coast Walk in the direction of National Service Resort and Country Club (NSRCC)

6. Extreme left lane of Changi Coast Road in the direction of East Coast Parkway (between Changi Coast Walk and Tanah Merah Coast Road )

7. Changi Coast Road (between Tanah Merah Coast Road and Changi Ferry Road )

8. Aviation Park Road

9. Extreme right lane of Changi Coast Road (between Changi Ferry Road and capark 6)

10. East Coast Park Service Road (between the slip road leading into East Coast Parkway in the direction of the City and carpark F2)

Sun, 20 Mar 11, 7.30 am to 3.00 pm

In addition, traffic along the following lanes/road shall become 2-way between 5.00 am to 3.00 pm on Sunday, 20 March 2011 :

(a) the vehicular traffic along the extreme left lane of Changi Coast Road in the direction of Loyang Avenue (between Changi Ferry Road and carpark 6);
(b) the vehicular traffic along the extreme left lane of Changi Coast Road in the direction of East Coast Parkway (between Changi Ferry Road and carpark 6); and
(c) the vehicular traffic along Changi Coast Walk in the direction of Changi Coast Road .

During the road closure, access into the above-mentioned roads/lanes will only be granted to police and emergency vehicles.

Parking restrictions along the peripheral roads will be strictly enforced. Vehicles found parking and causing obstruction will be towed away.

Members of the public may contact the organiser at the hotline number 9026 7884 for further enquiries.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
18 March 2011 @ 10am

source

12Mar2011:WoodlandsH2O-Halus

2011-03-12T16:01:00.001-08:00

Thanks for the ride. A nice detour on the way back to the long waited bridgy connecting Punggol/Sengkang to Pasir Ris..... some photo first. More coming

Info:
New PCN starts from Buangkok Flyover along the Sengkang east drive beside the Canal towards Punggol East. If driving, can turn in at Tebing Lane, park at carpark outside Popeye, that chicken fast food restaurant. You can see the bridge from there. Cross the bridge over to Halus Wetland (Pasir Ris Dr12) connecting to Farmway 3 and then to Pasir Ris Drive 1.

=>Photo with map location click here

or Click Map to View

Click to Enlarge

Woodlands Waterfront Sunrise

Bridgy Sengkang to Halus Wetland

NTU Bike Rally 2011

2011-03-01T15:29:00.001-08:00

06:11

06:52

08:00 09:36

11:38

12:26

26Feb2011: MerlionPark

2011-02-26T12:31:00.000-08:00

The day before Bike Rally. Thanks to Johnny and Reeve for the great company. Went for breakfast at GB and then to Merlion Park for another peaceful relaxing sunrise view.
Click to enlarge

Tyre slashed

2011-02-24T21:23:00.001-08:00

Some say in Hougang, maybe coastal or started from JB . . . haha. lucky caught it before rally :) Now dun want smooth botak race skin, change to uncle type, thick crocodile one.

App for Slow Rider Blog

2011-02-24T02:03:00.001-08:00

Awhile ago we have a simple Symbian shortcut app to access our blog. We now have a full Symbian widget application. It takes you to our blog's posts and KopiTiam. Also got option to add a mini widget to the phone's home screen. But then again, this is just for the going extinct Symbian phones, hee. [Click the cube to download widget app]

19Feb2011 : ECP PCN Ride

2011-02-20T16:38:00.001-08:00

19-02-2011 (Sat Morning Breakfast Ride) Slow Rider Slow Like Snail Makan Ride
Waiting Venue : Hougang MRT UOB 5.30am, 5.40am set off.
Route : Hg - Serangoon - Adjunied - Geylang - Fort Rd - ECP - Coastal PCN - CV (breakfast) - Tampines - Hg
Avg Distance : 50-55km
Speed: Slow Relax speed 15km/hr - 20km/hr (Ride will cancel if rain)
Breakfast : CV, several break points.

Thanks to all for the great company. A nice relax slow ride, PCN from Fort Rd all the way to CV :)

Peace at Dawn - ECP

2011-02-12T18:45:00.001-08:00

ECP Feb12,2011

Happy Bunny Lunar Year

2011-02-12T18:40:00.001-08:00

Long Distance Cycling: Beware of the Bonk

2011-01-16T19:58:00.001-08:00

Key is to eat & drink along the way - refuel.. bring your own prata or "popeye spinach" :)
Oct 2010
The New Paper

By Danson Cheong

THE mere mention of this condition strikes fear in the hearts of endurance athletes.

It has many names. Cyclists call it "the bonk". To marathoners, it is known as "hitting the wall".

Medically, it is called hypoglycaemia.

It is the fatigue that endurance athletes experience when their bodies suddenly run out of the muscle fuel glycogen.

Dr Roger Tian, a sports physician and an associate consultant from the Singapore Sports Medicine Centre, explained: "Glycogen is like a high-octane fuel that is stored - it is the predominant fuel during (high-intensity exercise). Performance, hence, suffers when the fuel store runs out."

I remember my last brush with "the bonk" vividly.

I was riding to Desaru in Malaysia when I nearly fell off my bike after cresting a hill. I was hungry, dizzy and light-headed.

Prior to "bonking", I ate and drank sparingly to conserve the gels and drinks I carried along. The blistering heat and pace only added to the problem.

Luckily, the quick ingestion of a pack of gel soon set me back on my bike again.

The average cyclist is no stranger to this condition - you might recognise it as the "jelly-legged" feeling or light-headed dizziness you get midway through a long ride.

Even the professionals are not immune.

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong famously "bonked" on the Col de Joux-Plane climb in the Tour de France in 2000.

Armstrong, who managed to get to the finish line through sheer force of will, later described it as "the hardest day of his life on a bike".

According to Dr Tian, our muscles can only store a limited amount of glycogen (about 375g to 500g) which usually lasts 120 to 180 minutes into intense exercise.

When your glycogen reserves run out, you "bonk" and your performance takes a disastrous hit.

So how can cyclists keep "the bonk" at bay?

1. Eat

Keeping your glycogen reserves topped off is essential if you do not want to "bonk".

Just ask Armstrong. After his big "bonk" in 2000, he later revealed that it happened because he failed to eat enough during the stage.

But with gels to energy bars to bananas available as convenient food sources, riders have no lack of choices.

But before you chow down on that energy bar, listen to what Dr Tian has to say.

"If training duration is less than two hours, cyclists should consume their carbohydrates from sports drinks. Use gels and sports drinks if the duration is longer.

"Rate of consumption should be 1g of carbohydrate per hr per kg of bodyweight."

Ms Ling Ping Sing, a senior dietitian at Changi General Hospital, added: "Cyclists should also drink a comfortable amount of 150 to 250ml of fluid at each (time they consume gels)."

2. Carbo-load

Another strategy to prevent hypoglycaemia is "carbo-loading".

"Carbo-loading" maximises muscle glycogen stores and can be done two to three days before a race or event.

Dr Tian said: "Increase daily carbohydrate consumption by 7 to 10g per kg of body weight, and lower the intensity of training - high intensity training uses up your carbs."

A carbohydrate-rich pre-race meal will also help to keep your reserves primed for the hard effort ahead, says Ms Ping.

She said: "Consume one to 4g of carbohydrate per kg of body weight at least one to six hours prior to competition."

Dr Tian added: "This meal should ideally be low in fat and protein to reduce risk of gastric/intestinal irritation."

Examples of such a meal would include cereal, bread or pasta.

It is also important to test your refuelling and drinking regime during training to assess how your body reacts to different food and fluids.

But if you do experience the occasional "bonk",do not panic.

Your first aim should be to quickly get your blood glucose level up again.

Simple carbohydrates that can be rapidly processed into blood glucose are the most ideal.

These can be found in gels, sports drinks and even sweets and candy.

Most importantly, riders should listen to their bodies.

If they are able to "stop" the bonk early, a gel or two should keep them on their bikes.

Convenient carbo

Each of the following provides about 30g of carbohydrate:

500ml of sport drink
300ml of cola drink
1 energy gel
1 1/2 energy bar
1 large banana

Straits Times: How to maximise leave in 2011

2011-01-08T20:22:00.000-08:00

Another fatal accident - cyclist dead

2011-01-07T04:17:00.001-08:00

Condolences to the family of Major Cai Xiu Ming. Rest in peace.

Learnt of this tragic news from Johnny's post (omy) the other day on our cbox.

My heart goes to the family.

One dead after lorry hits cycling buddies

Wed, Jan 05, 2011
my paper

BY SHAHIDA HASSIM AND SIA LING XIN

TWO cyclists were hit by a lorry on Monday morning, leaving one dead and the other with multiple abrasions.

The incident took place at about 8am along Changi Coast Road, a popular stretch among amateur cyclists.

The pair of cyclists, Mr Kenneth Wong Wai Kiang, 40, and Mr Chua Shiu Beng, 45, were friends and served as air-force regulars in the Singapore Armed Forces.

Mr Chua was taken to Changi General Hospital where he died a few hours later from abdominal bleeding and pelvic fractures.

Mr Wong remains in hospital under observation.

The lorry driver, who is in his 50s, is assisting police with investigations.

About 15 people gathered at Mr Chua's wake held yesterday afternoon at his family's semi-detached home along Mountbatten Road.

A number of air-force colleagues dressed in uniform were present. Mr Chua's wife appeared visibly shaken and refused to speak to my paper.

Seven cyclists were killed in the first five months of last year, up from three in the same period in 2009. For the whole of 2009, 17 cyclists died on the road. The year before, 22 were killed.

Mr Tham Chen Munn, vice-president of the Singapore Amateur Cycling Association, said that cyclists may not be responsive enough to road conditions.

But he said that motorists, too, suffer from the same failing.

He said: "No matter how skilled a cyclist is, he always worries about whether a motorist will respond accordingly."

Cycling in groups may not always be safe, too.

Mr Tham added: "Cyclists may feel complacent, especially when going fast or in a group. It's easy to lapse into a false sense of security."

National cyclist Low Ji Wen, 21, said he cycles on the road every day and has had many close calls but, to date, no serious run-ins with a vehicle.

He said: "Most cyclists in Singapore know of the dangers of being on the road, yet some beat the red lights.

"As a road user, you need to obey traffic rules, even if you're riding a bicycle."

He feels that most cyclists ride with fear on Singapore roads because drivers often inch close to their bicycles. Drivers, too, are not good at gauging the speeds of cyclists, he added.

Touch Shortcut for Symbian Phone

2011-01-05T05:44:00.001-08:00

This is just a simple shortcut to our blog (hg-rider.blogspot.com). Click the above icon to download the widget file (.wgz). Install it on your Symbian phone and you'll get the above one touch icon to access our blog. I created this just for my touch S^3 phone so not sure if it'll work for non-touch screen phone.

"ONLY FOR SYMBIAN PHONE"

01Jan2011:RI

2011-01-02T21:35:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Johnny again for organizing this round island.

1-1-2011 (Sat) New Year Day Relax Ride for slow riders (110km).
Waiting Venue : Hougang MRT 4.00am(meet and ride).
Route : F1 pit/Keppel/West Coast/Tuas/LCK/Mandai/Punggol Barat/Hougang(ETA before 10.30am).
Speed: MTB speed 20km/hr (Ride will cancel if rain)
Breakfast : Pasir Panjang KPT. Things to bring along: Helmet, Front & Rear Lights, some cash for breakfast, tube.
Riders: Ballycash/AT/Raj/Ken/Eric/Kit/Fred/Merl

Sorry guys, was too tired to take photo.

27Dec2010:ECP Ride

2011-01-02T20:58:00.001-08:00

Year end ECP costal ride. Just had our Prata-mutton curry for breakfast. Prata here is really Yummy!!! Too bad N-Drew not with us, hee.

25Dec2010:XmasOrchard

2010-12-25T16:15:00.001-08:00

Hohoho ... Meerrrrryyy XXXmmmaaasss :)

Info on SPD

2010-12-23T02:10:00.001-08:00

Just to share my story on SPD. Even though I've used those ancient toe cage strap pedal some dino years ago, spd is new to me.

1) Loosen the tension

When I got my SPD, guy at LBS told me it was already set at the minimum tightness. He was so wrong! Dun trust anyone, best to check it yourself. I suggest for those new to SPD, check and set it to the minimum tightness for a start. Once you're used to clipping on and off, then decide if u want to tighten more. Btw, mine is at minimum :)

2) Cleat Positioning

Cleat positioning!! Dun play play, very important especially for peeps with not so perfect straight legs like me. Something similar to 'pronation' and 'suprination', term I learnt from Inline Skating. Remember you've ~5mm left/right and ~20mm front/back to play with. But no hurry, took me quite a few rides and knee pain to get that sweet spot :).

Edit: Added link provided by Raj. Instruction on cleat positioning HERE

Yeah start with the pedal axle directly below ball of your feet. After a few rides, shifted mine a little behind the ball though, more comfortable for me. In short, imo front back is power/comfort, left/right is pain or no pain :)

Extracted from a Shimano Service Manual, diff model but should be similar.

18Dec2010:SafeCycling Day

2010-12-21T16:54:00.001-08:00

Today is free jersey day ... oooppps ahem I mean Safe Cycling Day, heee.

Look at those blinking red handsome boys :)

Photo Slideshow Direct link

Thanks to OCBC Bank & sponsors, they say about 2,000 cyclists chiong for this OCBC Cycle Singapore Safe Cycling jerseys this morning. Even though we were there when the sky was still dark, we saw many riders already parading the roads wearing the 1.5m safe cycling jerseys.

"Aimed at raising the awareness of the need for both cyclists and motorists to respect each other on the roads, Safe Cycling Day is part of the OCBC Cycle Singapore Safe Cycling Campaign launched on 29 November by OCBC Bank and Spectrum Worldwide, title sponsor and organiser of Singapore’s largest mass cycling event which will be held in March next year".

Safe cycling campaign launched

2010-12-18T23:20:00.001-08:00

Safe cycling campaign launched

CNA - By S Ramesh | Posted: 18 December 2010

SINGAPORE: More efforts are being made in Singapore to promote cycling in a safe environment.

This was conveyed through the OCBC Safe Cycling Campaign launched on Saturday, in which 9,000 cyclist will be taking part.

The key message of the campaign is "1.5M Matters. Share the Road".

Observing the safe distance of 1.5 metres from each other and obeying traffic rules would enable both cyclists and motorists to enjoy a safe journey on the roads.

The month-long campaign will see some 50,000 car decals and 2,000 cycling jerseys being distributed.

The campaign aims to raise the awareness of the need for both cyclists and motorists to respect each other and share the roads.

Organisers say safe cycling on public roads can be achieved as long as both parties play their part in observing traffic rules and keeping a safe distance from each other.

OCBC Safe Cycling Campaign organiser Chris Robb said people in other cities in the world overcome climate challenges of cycling.

"You hear stories about London where there are thousands of people cycling to work in (the) freezing cold; in snow, rain, and if they can do it those conditions, why can't we do it here in Singapore?

"Get to work half an hour early, have a shower cool down and go to work," he said.
-CNA/wk

Hougang/Kovan Serial Bicycle Thief Nabbed

2010-12-11T00:20:00.001-08:00

SPF Media Releases

03 Dec 2010

Serial Bicycle Thief Nabbed

Police have arrested a 46-year-old man who is believed to be involved in a series of bicycle thefts at Hougang and Kovan MRT stations.

Between October and December 2010, Police received several reports of bicycle theft at Hougang and Kovan MRT stations. Following the reports, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division carried extensive enquiries and investigative probes. On 3 Dec 2010 at about 10.15 am , the suspect was arrested at Kovan MRT station in an ambush operation. Upon his arrest, he was found to be in possession of a 20 cm long cutter. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is believed to be involved in at least four cases of bicycle theft.

The suspect will be charged in Court on 4 December 2010 for theft of bicycle under Section 379 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224 which carried a maximum jail term of three years imprisonment, or with fine or both.

Commander of Ang Mo Kio Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Hsu Sin Yun commended his officers for their efforts in tracking down the suspect. He also advised bicycle owners to always lock their bicycles and use a good locking device to secure their bicycles. Bicycle owners should also make permanent identification marks on the bicycle frame/wheels to make it difficult for the thief to dispose of the bicycle and facilitate recovery if it is reported stolen.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
03 December 2010 @ 10pm

How can I stop cycling hurting my knees?

2010-12-09T15:47:00.001-08:00

Extracted from an article @guardian.co.uk regarding knee pain. I had that outer knee pain on my left during Bikerally, ~ the last 30km. Yes it was my cleat placement couple with 'too much too soon'! So those new on cleats take note. Need to find that sweet spot else suffer like me when you hit longer distance :)

"He said the main causes of knee pain were having the saddle too low, the cleats set up wrong or simply by attempting too much too soon."

Under pressure: an x-ray of a human knee. Photograph: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

Below info extracted from bikeradar.

Medial and lateral knee pain. Pain at the sides of the knees is fairly common and the culprits here are almost always the feet, or more speciﬁcally, pedal cleats. To this end, such pain is often noticed during or after the ﬁrst ever ride with cleats, or with a new pair of shoes or replacement cleats.

The structures causing the pain are most often the collateral ligaments which sit on the outsides of the knee joint, stopping them from bending the wrong way.

Bike-speciﬁc problems are usually to blame here: badly placed cleats will either affect the Q angle (how far apart your feet are positioned) or cause excessive rotation of the knee joint, stressing one or other of the collaterals. The Cleat Position and Knee Pain diagram (below) describes the usual culprits and what to do with them.

Ways to avoid medial and lateral knee pain

Check cleats for excessive wear regularly. Always make sure you draw round cleats with a felt tip pen to mark position before replacing them, and experiment with different cleat types until you ﬁnd one with the right amount of ﬂoat for you (too much or too little can both cause problems).
Get off on the right foot. If you’re new to cleats, one tip for getting a good starting position is to sit on the edge of a table with hips, knees and ankles relaxed at 90 degrees. Look down: whatever angle your feet naturally dangle at should be replicated by the cleats.

SAFE CYCLING DAY – Saturday, 18 December 2010

2010-12-06T19:09:00.001-08:00

Location: Longhouse hawker centre at #183 Upper Thomson Rd

Date: 18 Dec 2010
Time: 06:00 hrs
Duration: 4 hr

Register for free jersey at Togoparts while stock last (limited 100 jerseys only). If u miss this then just do the hello kitty big Q on the event day, lolx.

So fast hand fast leg, quickly go register click link below :

Register

Below extracted from TGP:

Togoparts.com supports OCBC Safe Cycling Day!
In support of this year’s SAFE CYCLING campaign which kicks off on the 29th of November and culminates with SAFE CYCLING DAY to be held on the 18th of December.

Togoparts.com has been allocated 100 official “SAFE CYCLING” cycling jerseys and 1000 car decals to be given to our members on the 18th of December before 7am @ LONGHOUSE. Each individual is strictly limited to ONE jersey and ONE car decal only. Do show your support for SAFE CYCLING by wearing the jersey! Spread the message of SHARE THE ROAD!

Please submit your individual sizes via the comment box after your have signed up for this event.

Below extracted from OCBC webby:

OCBC Cycle Singapore ‘Safe Cycling Campaign’ aims to promote cycling in a safe environment and to raise the awareness of the need for both cyclists and motorists to respect each other and share the roads. Safe cycling on public roads can be achieved as long as both parties play their part in observing traffic rules and keeping a safe distance from each other. The key message of the campaign is therefore – 1.5M Matters. Share the Road. Observing this safe distance of 1.5 metres from each other and obeying traffic rules would enable both parties to enjoy a safe journey on our roads.

Launched in partnership with Caltex and Radio 91.3, the month-long OCBC Cycle Singapore Safe Cycling Campaign comprises the distribution of 50,000 car decals and 2,000 cycling jerseys carrying the key message - 1.5M Matters. Share the road - both sponsored by OCBC Bank, and culminating on the inaugural OCBC Cycle Singapore Safe Cycling Day on 18 December 2010.

SAFE CYCLING DAY – Saturday, 18 December 2010

OCBC Cycle Singapore has dedicated 18 December 2010 to be ‘Safe Cycling Day’. To commemorate this day, OCBC Cycle Singapore Safe Cycling jerseys will be distributed to various cycling communities and at cyclists’ popular meet-up point at the Longhouse hawker centre at 183 Upper Thomson Road, on 18 December as early as 6 am and onwards. Cyclists are encouraged to wear the jersey on this day to help spread the ‘1.5M Matters. Share the Road’ message regardless of where they cycle. So, ride with us safely on 18 December 2010.

SlowRider KopiTiam Direct Link

2010-12-02T16:15:00.001-08:00

Mobile users sometimes very sian, want to chat at blog's KopiTiam also must wait so long for page to load. Even more jialat when all the ride photos & youtube vid are on the main page.

Direct access at http://slowriders.cbox.ws. Dave confirmed his Iphone boleh :)

Just a few screenshots below, click to enlarge. Only first pic via direct link.

2010-11-30T05:08:00.001-08:00

Drivers at fault in majority of cycling accidents

2010-11-28T04:43:00.001-08:00

Drivers at fault in majority of cycling accidents

By BikeRadar

Commuters using helmet cams have helped researchers understand the causes of cycling accidents in Melbourne, Australia (Baudman, Flickr.com)

New research from Australia* has shed light on the causes of collisions and near misses involving cycle commuters. 13 adult cyclists in Melbourne were given helmet-mounted video cameras and asked to film 12 hours of commuting each over a four-week period.

In total, 127 hours and 38 minutes of usable footage was obtained. 54 'events' were captured on film – two collisions, six near-collisions (where rapid evasive action by the cyclist was needed) and 46 other incidents (where some collision avoidance was required).

The cameras also recorded the road position and behaviour of the cyclists – including head checks, reactions and manoeuvres. The aim was to identify risk factors for both cyclists and motorists.

In 88.9% of cases, the cyclist had been travelling in a safe/legal manner prior to the collision/near miss. Most happened at or near a junction (70.3%) and most were caused by sudden lane changes by the motorist, with sideswipe the most frequent cause (40.7%).

The motorist was judged at fault in the majority of events (87%), and 83.3% of drivers didn't realise the danger they had put the cyclist in – or at least didn't show any reaction. Riders who frequently looked over their shoulders to check for other traffic were the most successful at avoiding collisions.

While they both happened in cross traffic, the two collisions were very different. One was deemed to be the fault of a motorist, while in the other case the rider was cycling unsafely. In both cases the driver didn't see the cyclist.

Three of the six near-collisions involved trucks, at least five of the drivers didn't see the cyclist, and at least four of the incidents were deemed to be the motorist's fault. The vast majority of all types of incident (87%) happened where there was no traffic control, such as traffic lights or signage. 4x4 drivers were particularly likely not to see the cyclist (85.7%).

The authors of the study concluded that there was a need to improve driver awareness of cyclists and other road users, and to encourage motorists to use their indicators for longer. They also called for greater consistency in cycling facility design. In addition, they highlighted some things cyclists could do to improve their safety on the roads.

These include checking to the left more often (in countries where you ride/drive on the left, the tendency is to look right more often than left because vehicles in left-hand side roads should give way and are thus seen as a lesser threat), riding more defensively around cars and being particularly vigilant when it comes to drivers turning left at junctions, especially if they're in a large vehicle like a 4x4 or lorry.

* 'Naturalistic Cycling Study: Identifying risk factors for on-road commuter cyclists' by Marilyn Johnson, Judith Charlton, Jennifer Oxley and Stuart Newstead at Monash University Accident Research Centre in Melbourne (54th AAAM Annual Conference, Annals of Advances in Automotive Medicine, October 17-20, 2010)