A fruitful Saturday

Wife and son went out shopping and watch Transformer III (Dark of The Moon) with Keith's cousin. For me, I do not really know what and where to go but I do have plan in the evening. That is cycle at the Gangsa loop and T15. Talk about that later.

I left at about 11am, went to Geyland East and bought a light set for my study room ceiling fan. I think we are getting old, so we are feeling that the current fluorescent tube light is getting darker. Bought is at $40 with 2 energy saving lamp included. Think I am being over-charged and I have to installed it myself. Took 30mins to get it installed (in the afternoon). Here is a picture of the lamp.

After buying the light, next would be lunch. Where should I go? Think hard? Since I am nearby Haig Road market, so I drove by and parked at Lion City Hotel. When at Lion City Hotel, was thinking about the lunch buffet at Lion City, not too bad price and food look great but it was no fun having buffet by myself. Maybe I would try this sometime!

Keeping walking to Haig Road market, walked pass all stores that sell local chinese, indian and malay food. What should I pick? Settle down for Ayam Penyet (Malay Fried Chicken Drum stick Rice). There is a malay uncle (Opps, I am uncle too! haha!) who bought a big bowl of Mee Siam and was enjoying it. Soon, another plate of Malay Rojak was delivered to him too. He can really enjoy.

Next, I was around Joo Chiat area and walking from the intersection with Geyland Road to Dunman Road along Joo Chiat Road. Joo Chiat Road do have some old shops, old house and also new restaurants and pubs. This is actually my first time walking on this road. Here is an old house that is not occuppied. How nice if I could purchase it, renovate it and stay there. The house was raised about ground so that it will not get wet if there is flood around that area. Old time Singapore get quite a bit of flood and actually recent years as well (due to weather changes and landscape changes).

I had walked a total distance of 5km along Joo Chiat road and back to Lion City hotel through Haig Road. Good exercise after a unhealthy lunch.

Finally, in the afternoon, loaded up my mountain bike to my i30CW and drove to Bukit Panjang. Proceed to ride along Gangsa loop and Mandai Track 15. As I was riding all alone, I was able to go at a good speed that I am comfortable with. The Gangsa loop was not easy. It has quite a few up and down slopes. At some stretches, I had to ride with 1-1 gear in order to climb. Here is a picture at the end of track 15, it is a Army Live Firing Range. No entry for civilian.

On the way back, on one of the slope, I was probably going down at too fast a speed, I almost slide and fall. I really have to be careful next time while ridng. No need to injure myself.

So, what do you think? I am happy that I did these in one day. What a fruitful Saturday!!!

Pulau Ubin Cycling

another good ride to the ubin island from my home. cover a total of 55km. is only half the distance if I were to be in Suzhou but it is better than sitting at home without doing much exercise.

woke up at 6pm, get myself prepared, washed up, had a light b/f and off i went to pulau ubin. started off at about 6:45am when the sky starting to brighten up. Rode slowly at the pace of 15 to 20km, passing through concrete wall of HDB flat, road with tree canopy cover, industrial park and gardens. by 7:45am, i reached changi point ferry terminal where we would take bum boat to the ubin island at the most east eastern part of Singapore. make a call to my friends and he told me that it will take another 15 to 20mins to reach changi point.

they reached, together with them, we queue for the bum boat ride, S$2.50 for a person and S$2.00 for a bike. there are another 5 with their bikes going to pulau ubin as well. I understand that there is a mountain bike park that has a 8km track and these riders must be heading for that.

well, we reached the island, picked our rental bike from one of the many rental shops. they have various type of bikes, single suspension, dual suspension, single seat, dual seats, children bikes, girl bikes, etc. started our journey on the island. rather slow ride with many stops to take pictures, view scenary, take leak, feed terrapin, resting.

by 12noon, we returned the bike and had lunch on the island. headed back to main island and had ice-kacang (红豆冰沙) before i rode another 18km from Changi point to SengKang where I stay.

Seng Kang HDB flat taken from the bridge spanning across Serangoon river.

the morning sun taken at the tampines industrial park

Passing by the Downtown East Resort. Currently, the biggest theme park cum chalet in Singapore. By early next year when Resort Sentosa World and Resort World are open, this theme park will be the smallest.

Reaching Changi point. Another 2km.

Finally reached.

Changi Point Ferry Terminal, bum boat took us to Pulau Ubin

my ride together with other on the bum boat

Boatman concentrating on his job.

one of the bike rental shops. many type of bikes available for rental. the owner is teochew, they were speaking to ah wee about life in pulau ubin.

my friends

My bike

Terrapin being fed

Wee doing the job

that was me at one of the mountain bike session entrance.

map of the mountain bike park.

the mountain bike trail actually surround this quarry.

friends

friends

friends

lunch after the ride

鱼洋山 - Mountain Riding

Yesterday was another challenging and satisfying day for me. I rode with a group of friend from Mu Du overhead bridge to the 鱼洋山 and conquered it. A short ride of 16km. Before riding up the mountain, the group of 29 had a group photo.

The mountain in the backgroup is what we need to conquer. We decided to try the Professional Course during Merida Final Race last week. Most of the uphill for me are pushing up. I still do not have the skill to ride up hill. Need more practise.

I tried the downhill. Actually, this need a lot of skill due to the uneveness of the track. I felt twice coming down because I have problem coming down the bike when it stops on a down slope.

Next time, I would like to do it again.

It's hot

Two weeks ago when I get back to Suzhou, China, the temperature was super hot. The temperature in Singapore was like 31C but here in Suzhou, it was like 38C. Damn bloody hot and humid. Sibei HOT lah!

Later, I am going for my 2nd mountain ride. The first time was in May. Then, I was pushing the bike from the foot of the hill to the top of hill. Damn siong. Today, hopefully, I am able to ride through a open category course. Press On...

Also, my wife and son will be back from Singapore today. I am missing them...