Riding wiith Min

Having suffered a crash three weeks ago, Min is still feeling doubtful about taking on the Kranji loop.

I have offered to escort her through Kranji two weeks ago.
She agreed, only to back out at the last minute.
I do not blame her at all.
All of us who has been through crashes know that it is not easy to overcome the fear.

After quite a number of time changes, we finally get a chance to meet up and ride together.
Starting out from Longhouse, we took an easy ride to Mandai Shell.

Along Old Mandai Road, things got very dis-organised and when I spotted a car coming from behind, I took the chance to shout "Car Back, Single File!!!"
In the process, I scared the xxxx out of Min and caused Otto and Alvin to stop to see what is happening. :p

After the re-grouping at Mandai Shell, we are about to move off, only to see the Snail Empress herself sprinting towards us. =D
Keke... spot check...

Along Neo Tiew Road, I was beginning to chat with Alice, only for Sock Hy to ask "Huh? Are you talking to me?"
Opps... "I thought you were Alice", I apologised.
It happens that both ladies are wearing jerseys with the same apple green color. =)

While most of the riders rode ahead, it was just Min, Peter and me riding stern.
Peter is up to his antics of guiding riders from the front!!!
Pedalling, cruising, aero position...
He could not keep his pace and cause Min to ride at an erratic pace too.
This is the 2nd straight day that Peter is throwing the spanner into the works. =S

At the Neo Tiew-Lim Chu Kang junction, Min was so scared that she applied heavily on her brakes.
Nonetheless, she cruise through the T-junction without incident. =)
Hope she conquered her fear.

Riding along Lim Chu Kang Road, the roads is packed with cars and the Traffic Police is called in to control the traffic.
It is a messy affair with cars parking 3 abreast, lots of pedestrians crossing the 6-lane road and cyclists being forced to ride on the extreme right lane.

A TP rode past and signalled to us.
"What is the TP trying to say?" the lady rider behind me asked.
"Single file", I replied.
Riding past me is Dinah Chan.
Ohh... her team is taking this route as well...
Following close behind is the JoyRiders main group.
Oh boy, the group is superbly fast today.
Must be all the weekday training rides.

Along Jalan Bahar, the newbie leaders started talking about taking the short cut.
What shortcut? I din know there was a shortcut.
The conversation seems to suggest following the MRT tracks along Boon Lay Way.

All of a sudden, Min crossed the Jalan Bahar-Jalan Boon Lay traffic junctions with me stuck at the traffic lights.
Once the traffic light turns green, I made a mad dash, but only managed to catch Min along Chin Bee Drive.
Pushed our bikes back onto Boon Lay Way and continue on our journey.
Min is struggling against the glares from the sun, so I offered her my shades which she gladly accepted.

Although I do not know the west area well, I made an educated guess where we are heading and kept a lookout for the road signs.

We made it to Botanical Gardens at 9:05am.
Some riders from the main group is not even here yet. =)

After an hour of relaxation, it is time to hit the roads for home. =)