Saturday, January 5, 2008

First Cycling Trip 2008



Woke up too late to join the Longhouse 5.30am ride.

Hence I decided to go for a loop around Mandai Road on my own.

It has been ages since I resume cycling.

Today will be the first time that I am cycling on the roads alone since my accident in July last year.

I am really nervous and had to clear my bowels before I set out.
My wife wishes me well before I left home.

Decided to do a loop of Mandai Road.

When I set out from home, I was not confident enough to cycle along Yishun Avenue 2.
Thus I cycle along the Park Connector till it joins up with Mandai Road.

The anxiety is there, but the clear roads helps to clear my fears a little.
I keep to the general rule of taking up 1/3 of the left lane.

Along Mandai Road, I saw Hophlng and Kayano and shouted out to them.

As I cross the flyover of SLE, it felt better. I was not so nervous now.
Then I pass SealBoon and called out to him as well.
Not far behind him , the guy looks familiar. Think I saw him at a recent run. It was in the forum that I knew he was DeepCruiser.

Just before I reached the road to Mandai Zoo, I saw StarDust and RoadRunner3 (also got to know from the forum). StarDust looks very focused.

I continue along the straight road till I came across the Shell Station at the end of Mandai Road.
This was my meeting place with Wildcat if I were to join in the LH 5.30am ride.
Okay, next time I know. I will need at least 30 minutes to reach Point Tango.

Make a U-turn here.
Somehow the route back feels very tough.
A check on the speedometer, I am only going at 14km/h up the slopes. Terrible.....

As I cycle along Mandai Road, I chanced upon PassionRunner running towards the Zoo.
How can that be? The guys were all on their way back when I was cycling in the opposite direction.

I decided to make a U-turn at the SLE Flyover junction.
Called out to PassionRunner as I cycle past and continue till the end of Mandai Road.

After the U-turn back at the Shell station, I started the long ride back.
Spotted PassionRunner again just before she turns into the Zoo. Thought of accompanying her into Mandai Lake Road, but my visa is expiring soon. Thus I continue on my way home.

Good first ride =)

Distance travelled : 30.79 km
Average speed : 22.8 km/h
Time taken : 1:20:56 hrs

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