Bad, bad year

2010 hasnt been very kind.
I got dengue for the second time earlier this year which meant no sports for 2 months. Dengue is also known as Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, this means if I were to injure myself, the blood would not clot and I may bleed to death. Also, the doctors kept telling me that the second time is usually worse than the first.
In short, no cycling.

Then I overworked myself and strained my wrist, shoulder and knee. This was made worse when I hit a curb while learning to ride a motorcycle and fell. Stubbornly, I ignored the injuries and carried on coaching kayaking until the pain became unbearable.

Now that Im better, school is taking up most of my time.

Probably wont be posting anything till November, if the desire to ride is still in me...

Its a scary world out there

I've witnessed my 5th accident involving a two-wheeler in 2 months.

One must remember, to actually see the scene of the accident, I've got to be at the right place at the right time. I must be pretty damned lucky, or jinxed. Depending on how you look at it.

Of the 5, 4 of them invovled bicycles and one invovled a motorcycle.
The first incident was the one where Ben Mok was struck near Ngee Ann Poly.
The 2nd one occurred a week after on the opposite side of the road.
The 3rd happened a week later just outside SIM.
The 4th and 5th happened at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 and 6 respectively.

The accident I saw today invovled an old man who was struck by a taxi along AMK Ave 6. His whole face was covered in blood. I know that the head bleeds alot even from a small cut, but still. His WHOLE face was bloody.

A little too much

Spotted this interesting post on togoparts made by Humongous. He has 3 bike profiles on Togoparts, which I think means he is a paying member.
Its about how he was followed by another cyclist thinking he was a bike thief. The cyclist took it upon himself to interrogate Humongous which included asking why he was not in "proper attire" and why he was not using clipless pedals.

Er.. I've been commuting in sandals and "non-proper attire" for the past 2 years. Oh dear! Would be interesting to meet this guy on the road though. Especially since I usually carry a camera with me :)

"There are also over zealous self thought pseudo "police" scizhophrenic man on the prowl. And i happened to meet one last week.

I was riding my wife 14" XS Kona Kula Primo and stop at the junction of Singapore Expo and ITE college East, and a fellow cyclist riding a Orbea HT with RS SID coupled with CK hub with Mavic 717 pulled up next to me. And start asking where i got the bike, and why am i riding something not fitting to my size. Plus I am not properly attired, how come not wearing clipless, he specifically state that he suspect that the bike might be a stolen bike, and asked me to produce a receipt or proof of purchase.

I replied i got the frame at tay and set it up 3 years ago at L&T, as to why i am not in proper attire, i was delivering some aquatical stuff to my wife who happen to work in Xin Lin . I told him that the bike was fitted with platform pedal how to wear cliplless shoes...

I told him i have the bike in a online webby TGP profile with some upgrade not updated and if he is not satisfied can always call in the men in blue... , he replied maybe the bike profile is alter to suit the loot.. i am bewildered by his condescending tone... and proceeded with my errand, and he tailed me all the way to my wife workplace and threatened to called the cop. I replied why dont you Just Do It?

After which i returned and stop by outside Bedok NPC and asked that stalker whether to go in and lodge a report. i will gladly do so if he was dead sure that i am a bike thief.... if not just leave me alone. He murmured some @#$%^&* and rode off.

It is good to be vigilant but to such extent.... it is over the hill...."

Obey traffic laws!

Looking at the title and looking at the surroundings, this happened really near my place.
The uncle tried to cycle across the road illegally when the light turned green while he was barely halfway across.
Then he gets almost run over by a Mazda. Real lucky to be alive.

Strange behaviour

Went to Fernvale LRT to collect some bike stuff from UncleAhPei aka Alex and did some "unplanned exploration" on the way home when I missed a right turn. I finally got myself onto Upp Serangoon Rd and passed a guy on a blue MTB just before Hougang Plaza.
I noticed MTB guy perk up when he saw me and after passing him, he promptly jumped off the curb onto the road, overtook me then went back onto the pavement. I was only cycling at 25km/h. He must be so proud of himself.

I couldnt help but think of the dogs at Lim Chu Kang that chase you when you cycle by. Its not the first time it has happened though.

Damned rain

Grrr.. It had to rain during my Saturday commute when I cleaned my drive train the night before. Now its all dirty and grimy again.

On another note, I've been reading the blog of a fellow bicycle commuter who goes by the name of El Wey. His blog is titled Bike Commuting in SG

He has also been added to my link list of cyclists' blogs on the right for future reference.

Freeloaders

Wheel Power
http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/Motorworld/Story/A1Story20100315-204775.html

Two Singaporean women have a dream: to spend five years cycling around the world. Miss Tan Xin Hui, 25, and Miss Tay Siang Hui, 31, have sold off most of their possessions and ended the lease on their rental flat. They are ready to hit the road but there is just one snag: money. They have raised only $1,905 - from their garage sale last weekend, during which they sold off things such as furniture, clothes and books at their two- bedroom walk-up apartment in Tiong Bahru. That sum is only enough to get them to their starting point of Taiwan. But undeterred, the duo, who are former television producers of independent company Simply Is Productions, are now tapping sponsors for support. So far, they have lined up sponsorship deals with companies such as health club Fitness First and sports label Puma. They are also canvassing the public for cash: They will hold a 24-hour cycling challenge on Thursday, where companies and individuals pay to adopt one minute of the cycling, which will be streamed online. In addition, their website, www.ibelievethatdreamscancometrue.com, asks the public to donate directly. But some people find the push for sponsorship deals and funds a little too freewheeling. "My first thought was, you're asking me to support your lifestyle?," says assistant manager Selena Ang, 51. "But if I had a daughter who wants to do something like this, I would give her a chance to prove herself. "I think people are supporting them because, for the sponsors, it might gel with something that they've always wanted to do, but did not. So it is like supporting them to live through them." The duo plan to cycle across Taiwan, Japan, the Americas and Europe. So adamant are they about going that Miss Tan says: "Even if we have to go on just this amount, we'd still go. We cannot sit and have a discussion to plan the trip - we'd get too scared." It is a determination that has resonated with some firms they have approached for sponsorship. Fitness First, for example, gave them a two-month membership each and personal training sessions. Its marketing manager Sarah See, 34, says: "We are supporting them because it is fitness related. We did tell them at first that we do only charity-related sponsorships but we saw that they needed help and fitness advice in preparing for the journey." She adds: "For us, there is value in these sponsorships because they are doing publicity for us as well." The women have documented their experience with the health club on their website. For sports label Puma, which has given the women a pair of sports shoes each and six sets of Dri-Fit attire costing more than $800, it was the aspect of fulfilling a dream that caught its eye.

So basically these former TV producers want you to fund their round the world cycling holiday. They have only raised $1095 and want you to donate.
I've been following the blog of a relatively lowly educated man compared to these 2 women. This is a man who wears PCK yellow boots for work and had his motorcycle stolen just before he his trip. http://singaporedream-rtw.blogspot.com/

Source: http://singaporedream-rtw.blogspot.com/2007/12/big-mess-giving-away-throwing-away.html

I dont see why two TV producers cant fork out their money but instead get sponsors from Puma, Fitness First and Rodalink. No fucking way they earn less than a guy who plants trees and bushes. Seriously, $1905 is all you two have? Or all that you're willing to part with?

Not that I want to shatter your dreams, but you two seem like spoilt brats looking for a free ride.

All I can say is BALLS TO YOU TWO.

Culture of Fear

I have often griped to friends about the culture of fear that is being bred in society today. Then I found this really interesting 5-part article in Copenhagnize about how this culture of fear is being brought to cycling.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

Seriously unfit

Im seriously unfit now. Not only have I lost my tan, I've also become flabby. Its puzzling how I could have lost 2kg, an inch around the waist and yet still be flabby.

Since I plan to take my IPPT in June, I gotta buck up and start exercising. Will start off the regime by cycling to school 3 times a week on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The 40km round trip should get me up to speed with my cardio fitness.

Will see how it goes.

Bike Climb Bike

Met these bunch of mountain bikers while rockclimbing at Sunnbuel, Switzerland. They were also there to do some climbing. On grade 8 climbs. Hardcore.
To get where I was, they had to cycle 2km from the village with an altitude increase of 600m.

Self-Righteous Cyclists

Had to share this.
I guess most of us come across like the cyclist in the strip to a certain extent.

Light, lighter, ridiculous.

Hmm.. there's a thread in the SMBF forum where pple are discussing about lightweight bottle cages.
Some are 25g, some 18g and someone mentioning one that weighs 5g?
Interesting to note that a Minoura Dura Cage weighs about 36g and costs $12, while a Arundel carbon cage weighs 25g and costs $60.
All that $$$ for 11 miserable grams???

Minoura vs Arundel

I seriously doubt an extra 11g worth of bottle cage weight is gonna slow you down that much even if you are a racer.

Ridiculous.

A weekly affair?

Its the 3rd time in a row that I've gone for the Monday hill climb up Mt. Faber. Quite a change from the cycling I normally do. Used to go for distance rides, long but at a comfy pace.
Climbing Faber actually works the heart, can feel it pounding. There's been improvement though.
Starting out with only 2.5 rounds the first time, I then did 3.5 rounds on the second week, followed by 5 rounds on Monday.
Pumping up the tires seemed to have an effect, climbing was not as draggy this week.

Also to make the most out of the climbs, I've been trying to improve my bike handling. What I've been doing is going down the bends with minimal braking, taking the corners at speeds of 25-30km/h.

Having done this, the fear of slipping while cornering on a mtb using slicks seems irrational. Im doing turns using 2cm tires, while they use 1.5inch tires. Rubbish.

Bike commute in style!

I found this cool little site about cycling in Copenhagen called Copenhagen Cycle Chic. Apparently, its quite popular there. In fact, it seems everyone there rides, not on fancy bikes, but flying pigeon style bikes.
Read through the site and apparently, the average speed for commutes is 15km/h. Think they can do that because of the dedicated bike lanes there. I'll be sticking to a relaxing 20-25km/h for my commutes.

Quite an interesting site. Their concept is to get any bike as long as its the right size and decent enough not to fall apart. Dont think I'll bike around with a flying pigeon though. Think its gonna be too slow or tiring for longer distances, like my occasional trips up to Malaysia.

Currently looking out for a value for money mtb to use as a commuter cum touring bike.
Would a stock GT Avalanche 3.0 hold up for longer distances? Can get a lightly used one for $350.
Upgrading would definately push the cost up.
Or should I hold out for a bike with upgraded bike with higher end components and of course a higher price tag.

6 months and a stupid mistake

Its been 6 months since I got my bike and according to the cyclocomputer thingy says I've cycled 2233km on my bike.
Been noticing an increase in top speed recently, back on Friday I broke my max speed record by cycling hitting 53km/h along Loyang Ave. Being a fairly lazy person, I usually dont bother sprinting down slopes. Then today I noticed a top speed of 47km/h, never hit such speeds during a commute unless I do it conciously. I guess Im getting faster? The big chainring doesnt wear me out so much these days.

Made a really stupid mistake today. Forgot I had to wait for the right turn signal before turning right when coming out from the Geylang bus terminal. Almost caused an accident when I just cut through a line of cars moving in the opposite direction. Could have been fatal. Luckily the drivers were a forgiving bunch.
A stupid and potentially fatal mistake.

A budget commuter?

My bike has been given to commuter status. Using it more for commuting than leisure rides.
Now Im thinking Im better off with a MTB. Racers are more efficient and all that, but its near impossible to find a cheap one with eyelets to mount racks.
Touring bikes cost a bomb. A new Surly LHT will cost $1800 w/o the rack.

Currently thinking of getting a GT Avalanche for a commuter cum touring bike. Would probably handle my rough riding much better. Im not exactly a speed demon so I doubt 26" wheels and knobbies would be a problem. Max speed on my racer to date is 51km/h. There are probably some MTB that have gone faster.

I dont think my racer is too happy about me riding over grass patches and uneven ground.
Have had the front wheel skip off the ground on a few occasions due to bumpy road conditions too. The carbon frame means I have to be extra careful too.