sunday ride

The best thing about riding on Sunday mornings is that it's possibly the only day when so many cyclists are on the road. Seeing fellow cycling enthusiasts makes you feel that there's a cycling community, a community to which you are part of. Non-cyclists wouldn't understand, but you know why that certain cyclist on the road had the discipline to rise so early on a Sunday morning; you know why he's driving himself so hard, riding against the elements; and you know while his riding appears so effortless (for the image of a cyclist is often one of composed assurance, especially when he cycles past and disappears in a matter of mere seconds), he may at times be suffering within, gritting his teeth and exerting tremendous effort cycling against the inexorable wind or upslope. You know this because you've experienced it. But above all, you share with these strangers on the road a passion for the sport. It's an affair between the rider and his/her two-wheeler.

Each time i take to the road i never fail to feel a sense of freedom that is totally liberating. Yesterday's ride was good; i enjoyed it very much and was a happier man during and after the ride. For it's been a long time since i last cycled in a group. Having company makes a difference because you feel more motivated and there are people you can talk with.

I got out of bed at 0645 even though my body clearly preferred that i not leave the bed. By 0800 i was halfway across the island at Upp Thomson Road. The meeting place was at Longhouse, a coffeehouse which most cyclists are acquainted with (it's a common meeting place for them). It was my first time there though. When the last amongst us reached, we left the place, one after another. I was sufficiently warmed up by then and that made the riding easier, less strenuous compared to my journey to Longhouse.

Later whilst cycling through Kranji, a group of roadies riding in a line, literally whizzed past us. Eugene moved forward next to me and said: 'These people make me feel like i'm a snail!' I gave him a knowing smile and replied: 'Yea, they must be cycling at least 45km/h. Thing is, when you look at your speedo(meter) it reads 30plus km/h!' (That's not exactly a slow pace, especially for us riding mountain bikes.)

Then came the best part of the route, which was to cycle through Neo Tiew. I always enjoy cycling through this road because on either side of the road throughout, it is either farms or verdant grasslands inhabiting the landscape. I am not sure if there is anywhere else in Singapore where you can find such idyllic, pasture-like environment for a considerable stretch. The air is fresh and the surroundings tranquil; the traffic, both human and vehicle, is inconsequential. Surely this is not an uncommon sight in other countries; but in urbanised Singapore, it is a rare and cherished departure from the stifling congestion almost everywhere else. Its salubrious environment is the antidote to our daily stress in life, one that is invariably bounded by abundant concrete. And i would add that it is on a bicycle that one can most enjoy the rustic beauty and serenity here.

There were 8 of us, equal number on road and mountain bikes. The 4 roadies were ahead of us for the most part, while i maintained pace with Kenneth, Rashid and Eugene, all of whom, like I, are on mountain bikes. Kenneth, nearly twice my age, is a father of two. Amicably approachable and highly safety-conscious, he puts on an impossibly unfashionable green vest whenever he takes to the road. I told Eugene we will all be very safe riding in front of him; Eugene replied that Kenneth reminds him of a mobile CWO (corrective work order).

This ride, Kenneth rode a heavy bike, the kind that looks ill-suited for riding long distance. And while the rest of us on mountain bikes are on slick tyres, he was using knobbies. That's tougher on the rider because of the higher rolling resistance, but it is also the reason why it makes for good training. (Tougher training builds up strength.) In spite of this, Kenneth was on par with all of us; his regular riding sessions obviously have paid off dividends.

At the junction between Neo Tiew and Lim Chu Kang, Kiat was spotted at the side of the road vommitting. He had only a light breakfast and earlier had 'chiong' (ride as fast as one can) Mandai where the road consists of numerous slopes. Not good. I offered him tissue paper. Chin told the rest of us to turn right and cycle to the end of Lim Chu Kang Road. But we were less than enthusiastic: the road to the Coast Guard at the end is continually sloping up and down.

We took a break at the Coast Guard at the end of Lim Chu Kang Road. Kiat, who looked a shade paler, was ready to continue with the ride, being able to joke with us now at his own expense. A police officer saw us outside the gates and walked out to greet us. Appearing quite happy to find a group of visitors at this faraway, isolated corner of the island, he asked us where we are from ("Singapore?") and where we had cycled from. I must say my friends weren't quite receptive to his attempt to chat with us. Or so it seemed from their terse responses. But the friendly officer was all smiles. When he advised that we watch out for stray dogs when cycling down Lim Chu Kang Road later, the ever witty EY, with a grin on his face, said tongue-in-cheek: 'We will just have to cycle faster then.' We laughed. But more laughter followed when the officer, showing that he is on par with EY, responded rather humourously, 'I think the dogs can run quite fast you know.'

We bade the officer farewell and continued with our ride. Where we struggled upslope and glided downslope earlier, it was the reverse case now. This time around, Chin - the unspoken leader of today's ride - made an effort to keep the group together. We made a turn and cycled through NTU - there was a horribly steep slope that killed some of us - before coming to an end at a coffee shop in Jurong West.