My new toys....

Some nice toys that I recently acquired..

Of these toys.. the ceramic bearings were one of the best in terms of performance...

On route to rendevous point, I was not very convince that I had spent good money on the carbon crank.. But after I passed Nicholl Highway, (around 8km on) I realised that they felt easier to pedal. The effort was about the same, but they simply felt smoother. I think the only way to really feel this smoothness, is to get accustom to how the normal stainless steel ball bearings feel and then do a ride with the ceramics. I felt that they were lighter to pedal, definitely feel that its easier to pedal.

It was on the Changi coastal while doing the paceline, that I realised just how smooth and effortless they were... they certainly got rid of the 'mash' feeling.. in that they roll alot better, smooth because they don't feel 'tight' after awhile. my guess is, since they are alot harder and the heat dissipation is better than steel, therefore, they will feel smoother the longer I cycle...

Another thing that I noticed about the carbon crank was that they didnt lose the "stiffness" which Ee Tiong warn me about. His comment was that the crank is not as stiff as the Ultegra. Which was rubbish.. the crank was certainly as stiff, if not stiffer than the Ultegra. I was also equally impressed tat what they mention about carbon parts are really quite true, that they actually absorb vibrations. The first thing that I noticed about the crank was that it was "soft" as in like you dun feel all that road buzz.. its something that's pretty subtle.. I suppose with a pair of carbon soled shoes, it would again be another level of feeling again. The lolly pop pedals are alot easier to get off when compared to the SPD type pedals, lighter, cuter and alot less dangerous.. the float adjustment is something that I need to research...

I am also VERY pleased that the weaving on the crank is almost identical to the weaving on my frame.. its just such a pleasant surprise.. in fact.. the weaving on the Carbon bottle cages, frame and crank are almost identical, that is just so cool!
The TUNE skewers were a pretty cosmetic thing.. but they are light, amongst the lightest in the industry.. too darn expensive, and really there for a Bling Bling factor. They're really nice to look at.. and I'm a firm believer that if we cant' ride fast.. at least we need to look good !

PEARL IZUMI ATTACKS!

When I opened the shoe box, I was very surprised at the state that they were in. They were IMMACULATE! the PI paper wrapping were tightly wrapped around each shoe, and they were looking so nice and shiny.. I really can't imagine that these were CLOSE OUTS.. Cosmetics, they look great... color theme to the exact match of my Gal.. red, black and white. They weigh decently, but was wishing that they were carbon soled. Still they are probably stiff enough. Comfortable? Not really.. maybe they need breaking into.. the tongue.. was not that all comfortable.. I dun like those velcro straps.. and the ratchet was an added relief.. but the micro-adjustments and not that accurate( when compared to my Sidi). The shoes are alot cheaper than if I got them from Singapore, in fact, they are NOT available in Singapore.. At 67 bucks US$... they dun come any cheaper! One thing I noticed that their ventilation is alot better than my other pair.. but I am still looking for a pair that would have ventilation at the bottom of the sole.

the knights were riding in the night!

Saturday early morning showers put a huge damper on alot of people's sporting activities.. I heard that several jogging and running groups had to cancel their runs due to the rains.

I remembered waking up early, at 4am in the morning, and the thunder and the lightning was just so daunting! A quick check with the radar images and my heart sank.. and so it was back to bed...

The day was quite empty, the highlight of it was to bring the family out for some shopping and a nice lunch. Late afternoon came, and I had to do some chores. Collecting the stuff from ET and also going to visit that EskiMoo place for the ice cream. I had D24 ice cream and Guiness and ET had Tea Tarik and coffee/banana... strange flavors, but absolutely rich and delicious ice creams. We parted our ways, after getting those DELICIOUS goreng pisangs at long house.. my children TOTALLY enjoyed those.. by 5pm, the itch was too much, a quick SMS, to the regulars to meet at Fort Road, and surprisingly, a ride was born!!

Set off at 905pm, met Kuen at the usual place and it was a fantastic ride through the city. Sometime magical about riding through the city in the evenings.. 930pm at Fort Road and ET was there.. cool.. on time and ready to rock! Tim was to be cycling down the service road, and we were to meet him half way up. The service roads were madness! I have never experienced a traffic jam on the service roads before?! But not for long.. apparently, some inconsiderate taxi, restaurant goers, and a bus... we cut them off and soon we had the roads to ourselves again. And there was Tim.. just rolling down... we signalled.. and everyone was present and heading for checkpoint.
Paceline riding was great, I have recovered and I was able to hold the line and hold my lead. It was gorgeous that pumping hard and piercing through the night air... we reached checkpoint, probably in record time again..
Fellowship was great, we had a great time chatting and didnt believe that it was alrady past 11pm! We all had to go back to our wives.. afterall, it was going to be mothers' day tomorrow!
The ride back was nice. Tim went ballistic.. (as usual) and drafted.. yes drafted behind a speeding bus... I think Tim was doing about 45-50km... crazy angmo... anyway.. we met up again, somewhere down the coastal.. at the entrance of NSRCC, Tim had to split and it was ET, Kuen and myself..
we decided to go on the inside, instead of service roads.. and it was chaos! Bad choice... too many people, drunks, groupees, bladers etc etc.. almost had a crash! I think its always better to be at the service roads! Period!
On the way back, Kuen did the unthinkable, dashed a red light and was almost knocked down... I just dont know why he did it.. i went to him.. and he was in a daze too.
All in all, we all had a great ride.. and Saturday night isnt too bad a night to do some serious but fun riding... Hmmmmm.....

Brutal.. but friend shine through..

I was looking forward to the Wednesday ride with the small group of frens that will turn up. ET and his BIL, and there will be Tim and Kin. Unfortunately, Kin was so messed up by that soccer match followed by Monday's ride... he was still sore..

Wednesday itself presented quite a challenge, work was phenomenally inspirational, the sharing was good and everyone left the workshop with something precious. The feedback was gold. But the worrying part for me was, since I have been standing up and walking around.. how would my legs hold up? I used the insoles that mom gave me... Stellar performance!! Only problem is.. its squeaks!! Gotta fix that!

Back home in time, suit up, and out I went.. to meet the rest of the guys..ride through town was brutal... traffic was bad, spend most time, waiting to cross roads... esp towards Spottiswood park.. terrible! Then it is the cross to Shenton Way... but that's a very small headache.. once on Shenton way to cecil street, it was alot better. Due to the bus lanes of course... but on Esplanade drive.. another headache.. Cars, buses.. writing this down, i can't imagine that I actually rode there! When I was riding then, the adrenalin must have masked the potentially hazardous riding and traffic conditions. Its about a rider being among road and vehicles whose drivers'mindset is that roads are only for cars and such.. and no place for bikers.

Anyway, God's journey mercy was with me, once on the Nicoll HW, I was even able to aerobar for a while. At Merdeka bridge, I cross under.. and at Stadium, it was deserted. Crossed the beautiful and new bridge.. and down that awfully crowded and unfrenly Tanjung Rhu road, and that right turn towards East Coast Park and Rendevous Point is ALWAYS potentially Dangerous.. you havet to alwasy watch out for the mad one, rushing to join back the ECP towards Airport. Anyway... met the guys in under 30 mins. Quite a feat. Of course, on the Sat early morning, it would be sub 20 mins... due to traffic conditions.

The ride to CP was brutal. I thought that my feet were fine. But the thigh muscles were not. In fact, my muscles were very very tired. During the ride, they were tired, and they were pumped up too early. I started to ache very badly.. worse... my head started to pound.. the headaches were so intense, I had to stop the paceline riding. I dropped back... while the rest pushed on. It was bad.. immediately, I knew that I should never do a ride after my workshops. It would be too punishing.

Once at CP, we had a great time, eating and chatting. Tim shared about his fren Marcus, how he was cured from Stage 4 cancer and is now resting at home.

May Day... is a good day...

Even before the alarm went off.. I was already awake.. I was excited that the group was going to try a new route.. Upp. Bukit Timah to Kranji... it was suppose to be a 60km ride...

It was going to be Full Attendence, only without ET and his BIL. ET was to attend to his other love.. understandable.. if I had been given the permission, I would have done...

Kuen decided to do the crazy thing and cycle to rendevous point, I decided to drive as I had more riding to do for the weekend. Arrive at the CP, and everyone was there! I was the last, but I wasn't late.

Kuen, Leng, Ben, Maurice, Kel, Tim, Ron, Yew Fei & me... 9 riders in toll... it was fun. Down the stretch of Upp. BT, turning off to Upp Thomson, towards Mandai .... it was hilly.... after about 20km, I was disorientated, this was pass Mandai, was about to turn left and go back down to Upp BT, was chided by the guys behind, for being a quitter, a quick glance at my speedo, and I realised that it was only 20km! There was more to come, it was suppose to be a Right turn instead, towards, Woodlands and then on to Neo Tiew and Alma Keng and then back down to CCK...

It was a spirited ride... my wheels were rolling very fast..everytime I coasted down, I was able to catch up... I was pondering whether my bike was more aerodynamic? I guess the fact that I am heavy also helped! I coasted next to Ronald and commented that either I am really aerodynamic or my bike is.. and he said, that when I did the aero tuck, all he could see was this big fat ass.. my reply to him was, 'well at least it was an AERO ass!' hahaha...

The ride towards and through out Neo Tiew was magnificient... we passed NSRCC Kranji, the air was so cool, i think it was like 25-26 degrees C? Then the sight that we saw, the BBC radar fields, and mist on the wet vegetables... and the dam which on the opposite side is Malaysia.. it was beautiful, breathtaking even. I remembered an invitation of an Indian friend, to go ride in his country... he leaves about 50 miles from the Taj Mahal.. I'm wondering if I should go for a riding adventure?

In Neo Tiew, the winding roads were alot of fun, but have to watch out for the cars. In hindsight, doing this ride in the early morning is a great idea. Out of Neo Tiew, the descent is pretty steep and dangerous, the junction is heavily used by construction vechicles, and that means alot of sand and debris on the road, turning at high speeds and mean danger. Once the group hit the Alma Keng straights, we decided to do a little paceriding.. and it was such a sight to behold, 9 riders pacing and drafting... too bad, the straights was too short.

All in all, it was a fantastic ride. I totally enjoyed myself and so did the group. We're definitely going to do this again, and this time, hopefully ET and Nick can join us.

In all, it was only 55km... when I asked Ronald where did the other 5km go? His reply was, '60km is from my house!'... very typical answer from Ronald.