Maniac Wednesday

Having not set the alarm clock, I was surprised to wake up at 4am. Grr...

Given the bloody backache I encountered yesterday, and the current bike problem, I really do not wish to ride today.
But I cannot go back to sleep and I just do not wannna sit around, in case my mind starts to wander.

So I had my breakfast and went to catch the morning train.
Just when I am about to reach Mandai Shell, 4 riders sped past me, machiam like doing Team Time Trial (TTT).
Looks like it won't be an easy ride today. =p

After reaching Mandai Shell with the 4 guys, I took quite a while for the rest of the group to roll in.

Raphael jio-ed me to do Kranji Route.
Told him that I have an important meeting at 9am, so I can only do the short loop.

While the others ride off, Raphael and I decided to wait for Winnie and Kah Han.
The other riders have not seen the couple, but Raphael and I believe that they will definitely turn up. =)
When the couple made their grand entrance, Winnie was shagged out.
They have been chasing the group from LongHouse.

Winnie was hesitant to go for the longer route, but decided to tag along with her hubby.
I guess I must have been doped. Cos I dunno why I agree to turn right too. =p

Soon after the right turn, both Raphael and Kah Han stopped.
Kah Han waved us ahead, saying that they will catch up with us.
Winnie and I ride ahead.

Argh, the cassette which has been slient started to give me lots of problem.
I could only ride single speed for the rest of the ride.
I really need to look into the cause of the problem before the next ride.

When Kah Han finally catches up, he mentioned that Raphael has a tire puncture.
Had wanted to turn back to assist Raphael, but he has already taken a cab and left.

The three of us did a pretty fast ride.
It was a quiet ride as we rode along single-lane Neo Tiew Road in an Indian file.
Took the time to enjoy the night scenery of Jurong and Johor. =)

Along Neo Tiew Road, there was a short stretch of road whereby the air is pretty cold.
Twice as cold as that of the famed air-con road along Old Upper Thomson Road.
Immediately after that, I got whacked by a hot stream of air causing the lenses to fog.
Pretty errie hor.

Once onto Lim Chu Kang Road, Kah Han went into aero position and Winnie onto the drop bars.
I am riding closely behind Winnie, but soon I realised that I am lagging further and further behind.
I forgot!!! Winnie and Kah Han are flat course specialists!!!
For comparison, Winnie's flat course average speed is equivalent, if not better than Gugugaga's pace.

There is only one course of action.
To draft... =D
Pedal hard to catch up with the couple and started drafting.
The first 500m, I feel no difference.
But as the distance grew longer, the effect becomes more obvious.

At Lim Chu Kang-Sungei Tengah Road, I bidded farewell to the couple and turn left into Sungei Tengah Road.
Onto Bricklands Road and Choa Chu Kang Road, I hit Woodlands Road.

Time check is 6.20am.
There is no way I can make it back home if I go past LongHouse.
Did a leftie and return home via Mandai Road.