FOTR 3rd July 2010

Definitely feel honoured to be part of the FOTR Ride. =)

Started out from Alex's house at 4:30am.
Things were going well after Lornie Road and Mount Alvernia Flyover.
Suddenly Jimmy and Alex decided to accelerate and I am left to chase dust. O_o



I cannot sustain speed for long distances and 7km is truly too long for me.
I must say, I am glad I managed to stay with them for 7km.

We got a break at Bartley Road and I am trying my best to push my HR back to normal before we set off again.
Time to start wearing HRM.
Has been a long time since my heart almost popped out while riding.

Up and down Kaki Bukit Viaduct we went.
Further and further I trailed behind the glorious display of blinkers.
While I stared at the blinkers disappearing into the horizon, I also stared with utter dismay at the final climb up KBV.
When I finally cleared the climb with huge relief, I tried my best to catch up with the guys.
U know you are a goner when you are not even able to spin up to 30kmh on a downslope.

When I finally tango with them at Tampines Ave 10, everyone's shades are still fogged out.
Haha... usually with JR, we get fogged-out shades at Mandai Shell after everyone chionged...
(Speaking of which, there is another string of emails from JR that they are cannibalising the lanes along Mandai Road.
Guys, when are you all going to learn???)

Told BFG that I will start taking shortcuts during the rest of the ride, but BFG won't allow it.
"We will go through it together", BFG replied.
Thanks, bro!

While chatting on the ride, we missed our left turn at Old Tampines Road.
Show the guys the shortcut through Tampines Industrial Ave 5.
Ave 5 is a safer, shorter and flatter option for journey-ing through the lonely and dark stretch of Old Tampines Road.

Travelling through Hougang and Buangkok, we soon find ourselves at the entrance to Punggol Road.
Told BFG that I will be waiting for them while they dash in and out of Punggol End.
It did not take them long to come back out to Punggol Road.
And they had a break at Punggol End!!!
Wow guys, you really need a longer break, cos Jodan truly needs a longer break. =D

We made our way through SengKang, Yio Chu Kang and Sembawang Road.
While the guys climb Sembawang Slopes, I opt for the shorter Mandai Flyover. =D
I truly cannot climb so many hills in a single day.
Out onto Mandai Road, I have no inkling whether FOTR is in front or behind me.
I have just made a terrible ride through Old Mandai Road, the legs are truly spent.
Wish I can change my leg muscles like I change a M16 magazine.

When I am quite certain that I was ahead of the pack, I rode as fast as I can towards Mandai Shell.
Hmm... my backyard, my playground...
Negotiating through Mandai Road was an arduous affair today...

Hmm... instead of feeling depressed, it give me renewed hope.
Hope that one day, I can finally achieve my IM dream.
As long as I ride with FOTR on a regular basis...

While waiting for the traffic lights to turn green under BKE Flyover, I heard the swoosh swoosh sound behind me.
It cannot be...
They have caught up so fast!!!
Pedalled as hard as I can up the final slope and dash towards Mandai Shell.
All is in vain as the Speed Machines just swallowed me up.

Took a long break at Mandai Shell where we meet the BnB organising committee.
Chatted with Alethea and Raphael before they start riding out towards Kranji.

Riding along Woodlands Road, the guys keep letting me take the lead.
Waited for each other at the many traffic lights.
Was surprised when the group din turn up at the Jalan Anak Bukit Flyover.
Have I missed the RRR entrance?
Is the Hindhede Road linking to RRR?

Decided to wait for the group at Blossomvale.
Found out that Jimmy had a flat and the guys are stopping to fix the flat.
So sorry, guys... I din intend to ride ahead so far.

SMS-ed BFG to let him know that I am at Blossomvale and tell them to go ahead with RRR as I do not have a clue where is RRR.
While resting, I turned my head back towards the road and there staring right at me is RRR road sign.
Haha... GardenVista which I have just passed is where YHS used to be. =D
Oh boy, I feel so old schooled... YHS, BAT... times where prime factories still have their places along Bukit Timah Road.
RRR 6km loop... there is no way I am going to survive that after I tried the first slope.
Till next time when the legs are more seasoned.

When the guys turned up, they decided to skip RRR.
The tire change has taken too much time.
While cycling back to Ivan's place, Jimmy had another flat.
Luckily we are near Ivan's place, so Jimmy crossed the bridge with his bike while the rest of us took a U-turn at Adam Road.

After a hearty breakfast, it was time for me to go to Novena Velocity to collect my Tri-Run race pack.

Thanks for the ride, guys!