Waking up at 2am, I decided to ride early.
Out of the house by 4:30am, I did a lap at Mandai before proceeding to Longhouse.
35km/h is possible as long as you use the momentum generated throughout the slopes.
I reached Longhouse with 10mins to spare.
Got introduced to some of the newbies.
After the ride started, I rode with the last newbie and guide him along.
How I wish I had someone to guide me along during my first few rides.
But I am very lucky to have Joyce guide me whenever I requested. Thanks, Joyce!
At SLE Flyover, I had to shout at the top of my voice "Stop at the traffic lights!!!" thrice.
Chris who is just behind the newbies echoed my command, yet 3 out of the 6 newbies who are 50m ahead of me still dashed across the traffic lights.
No point taking such risks. Why can't they understand it?
If it is a flat road and drivers can see you coming, I am not that afraid.
Slip roads out from expressways are the most dangerous road intersections.
If a car come zooming down, the front newbies dashed and the rear newbies followed... Just imagine the consequences.
Taking Old Mandai Road, we reached Mandai Shell ahead of some of the more adventurous old "newbies" who conquered Sembawang Hills. *Bravo*
After apologising to Rynn for not being able to ride with her today, I turn right to Kranji chasing after the newbies.
When I caught up with the group, Chris told me that he rode with Grace.
I giggle...
Chris was told by Joyce that Grace is a newbie.
When Chris told me "Grace, Grace Chan", I started laughing out loud. :D
Told Chris a little history about Grace. =)
Things were pretty orderly until we reached Neo Tiew Road.
Then things started to fall apart...
"Car back! Keep to the left!" fell on deaf ears.
Hey... we do not own the roads!
Looking down at the cyclometer, I think I found the cause.
Chan Kilo, the pace leader is riding at 20km/h!!!
That is a very bad lead pace.
No wonder the riders are all falling sideways.
Chan Kilo is pedalling and cruising.
Cruising is dangerous for group rides, cos different riders has different cruise speeds...
You really gotta spin all the way...
Leading the newbies can be a hairy experience.
At times, I envisioned a rider in the group riding outwards and get swept up by a car, bus or truck. =(
Riding along Sungei Tengah Road is the worst experience for the ride.
WaiJia and Peter are creating chaos at the front of the pack.
Peter is guiding WaiJia along, but he is riding in front of WaiJia and keep moving right to check on WaiJia behind him!!!
Peter is an experienced rider, but his actions speaks of recklessness.
Looking down at the cyclometer again... 18km/h!!!!
Too slow too slow...
I overtook the whole pack and ride in front of Chan Kilo, keeping my pace at 23.5km/h.
The group silently followed, but the whole ride got haywire again cos of WaiJia who is struggling with her pace in front of me.
In the end, I am glad that the whole group made it to CCK Kopitiam all in one piece.
Had an hour long kopi session before we call it a day.
Everyone was having such a relaxing time that all of us are reluctant to leave the kopitiam. :D
While the rest of the group turn right to do Bukit Timah back to Longhouse, Chris and I took the Mandai reverse route.
Along Woodlands Road, I rode at a punishing flat pace of 37km/h.
Sorry, Chris. I know I rode too fast, but I am riding out some frustration.
Rode easy along Mandai Road.
While Chris took Old Mandai Road, I decided to go for another high speed ride.
Alas... my front deraileur is not working again.
Incredibly, I am able to crank out 41km/h pace on small chainrings!!! :P
Reached home just before 9am and after some rest, we took the kids out to Splash Park. =D
*-*-*
Post-mortem for the ride.
Disappointing ride.
Am I taking my guardian angel's role too seriously, such that it is affecting me?
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