Cycling 29th August 2010

Having not slept much for the last 3 days, I got woken up at 4:30 by the alarm clock.
Decided to take a snooze which turns out to be another hour.
But it was a good snooze, so I felt less guilty. =p

Feeling a bit chilly, I decided to put on the compression vest.
Turns out to be a good choice, as it helps keeps my cough in check too.

Once on the saddle, my mind goes "Not that feeling again!!! ARGH!!!"
Surprisingly, the pain did not last long...
Again, the saddle felt too forward. (Alamak, forget to adjust!! *Bang head*)
Decided to adjust the saddle when I reached Mandai Shell.

Lack of stamina means that Mandai slopes becomes a challenge.
Argh... really hate that being conquered feeling.
I want to conquer the slopes , not being conquered by the slopes. Hmph...

Reached Mandai Shell, I immediately set to work adjusting the saddle.
Hmm... why am I able to adjust the saddle in a way that the nose is pointing 30 degree downwards? Did I damaged the rear screw threads?
Quickly adjusted it back to a flat profile... Hopefully I did not damage anything.

Just when I am packing up, FOTR arrived.
Ivan, Michelle, Sean, Jimmy and Jonathan.
Eugene and BFG has left earlier due to other commitments.
Sorry, guys. Meet up with you guys another day.

The guys have done 4.5 laps. Moi has done 0.5 laps...
This is BAD!!!
Riding back, the guys decide to ride thru Thomson, Lornie back to Bukit Timah.
I decided to follow suit to clock some mileage.

Just when we are about to pass Yio Chu Kang Road, we can feel the raindrops.
Everyone decided to take a break before continuing.
Off we went to Casurina Curry to wait out the rain.
Eating and chatting (Ivan is always so fun to listen to), a hour passed quickly.

Jon gave me some doctor's advice before I bid the rest good bye.

Decide to give my lungs some rest taking the Yio Chu Kang route.

Riding along Lentor Avenue, the roads are as dry as bones.
I had wanted to go for another Mandai loop.
But I shall gave myself some slack, else this cough may just get worse *Excuses excuses excuses*

Something felt terribly wrong with the saddle.
The nose is pointing upwards and I am forced to stand while riding.
Decided to stop and check the saddle.
WPE!!! The saddle has slide all the way backwards till the clamp is on the front on the saddle rails!!!
Luckily I din apply much weight on the saddle during the last few kilometers.
Hopefully, I din not spoil the saddle.

Did a slow ride home.
Fixed the saddle with the correct tools right away.

Cycling 27th August 2010

For the entire morning, I have the feeling that I have been sodomised.
Welcome to the world of cycling...

There is a reason why a saddle is so important.

****

I was coughing the whole night to the extent that I could not fall asleep.
Decided to go cycling instead. =D

My secret now before every ride... Vicks LiquidCenter...
Unfortunately, it is not sold everywhere and is quite costly, but it gives real temporary relief for my rides.
I am on my last pack, so I am really saving it for rides only.
Temporary solution... I need a permanent solution to my coughing...

Riding out, the pain in the butt is taking my mind off the pain in the legs.
Cycling up Mandai slope is easy peasy, cos my legs is not transmitting the pain to the brain. =D

Today, the saddle felt too far forward.
Again, I can feel numbness in the hands, although it isn't as bad as the previous ride.
Probably cos I am leaning my weight on my hands to relieve the weight off my butt?

Hmm... another strange feeling...
For the 2nd straight day, I am feeling the bike sliding left occasionally.
The last time I had this feeling is when my tires are wearing out, but I have brand new tires!
Hmm... maybe new tires need running in too?

Met Eric along Woodlands Road.
Hmm... except for Looi, most of the JoyRiders old guards no longer rides regularly with the group.

Chugging up Hume Ave, I almost left my tonsils on the slopes...
Haiz....

At the Jurong Kechil slope, I spot a JR rider in front and started chasing.
Easier said than done.
Along Bukit Timah Road, I got closer and decided to go aero to add more speed.
One hand on the aerobars and it got extremely wobbly, so I gave up the notion.
Haha... siao... New on the saddle and I am thinking of going aero... What was I thinking...
Must solve the pain in the butt problem first. Literally...

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice "Hey, Daniel..."
Haha... just when I was thinking if Eugene will be riding this morning, here he was. =D
Chat a little on a trip to LH.
Haha, why a little?
Something I noticed...
Once I start talking, the throat will starts to irritate and once the cough comes, I lose speed.
Cough cough, go away. Just let Jodan ride in peace.

Requested to stop at LH to drink up.
Haha... first sip of water for the whole ride! Incredible.
Maybe the morning dew moistures the body so much that I dun feel thirsty at all. =D

Sean introduce me to Chek, my room mate.
Hi, Chek. =)
Haha, finally someone mentioned about the X'mas tree, which I know is bound to happen one day. =D
Kiasee lah...

A short break and out we go!
I was surprised that I was able to keep up with the group, or so I thought.
Got left in the dust up Prata Hill.
Just when I was falling off the group, Christina who was riding behind me says "Get outta the way" when she rode past me.
Shocked... this is so un-Christina... And that is the last words I had expected from a dentist!
It took me a while before I realised that what Christina actually said was "Hey, how are you doing" in a very very strong American slang.
Sorry, Christina..
Haha... That is what happen when your brain is deprived of oxygen.
Signals to the brain get interpreted in spurts and the message comes out all wrong...

Down the slopes, I can see the group at the valley...
Maybe I still have chance to catch up...
Sadly, Friday groups are no longer the relaxed riding group.

Just past SLE Flyover, Vertex Eugene went "I like your lights!" =D
Haha, thanks bro.
From afar, I can see the JR group just passing Old Mandai Road, but that is the last I saw of the group.
Eugene was waiting for me at the top of the slope and we both take a slow ride home.
Thanks, Eugene.

(Keke... this entry was completed a week ago minus the last paragraph. Pai say pai say)

Cycling 26th August 2010

If Fizi:k is the Ferrari of saddles, Adamo will be Rolls Royce of saddles.
Haha... and their prices are fittingly so. =D

But as some triathletes can tell you, not all saddles will fit everyone.
When I first laid eyes on Adamo, I think that it will be an uncomfortable saddle for me, given the huge width in the fore of the saddle.
I am certain that my choice of a Fizi:k saddle will be a wise choice.

Initially, I am apprehensive as to why I even need to change my stock Cervelo saddle, but the seat seems to have harden and I am getting slight saddle-sore when I ride.

During the Fizi:k run-in period, I felt like I have made a mistake. More saddle sore for the first few rides.
After the run-in period, Fizi:k does feel like a great choice. Plush comfort.
2010 proves to be a disastrous year though, as I started having issues with Fizi:k.
Even though it is a triathlon saddle, I was not able to stay in aero-position long in it.
It was extremely obvious during NTU Bike Rally, where I was certain I left my family jewels somewhere in Tuas. =/

When Adamo Breakaway and Podium was launched, I was awed.
They look like a regular saddle while retaining the unique split fore.
Confirming that TBB has yet to bring in the new saddles and reviews from fellow FOTR riders were favourable, I decided to take the plunge and order it online!

As I had mentioned in a previous post, freight charges were horrendous, thus prompting me to opt for the cheapest mode of delivery.
This however lead to some anxiety as the parcel did not appear till 2.5 weeks later...
Nerves were finally calmed when the saddle arrive.

I wasted no time in fixing it up.
Much as I wanted to test it out immediately, the willpower falter...
Almost a week have past when I finally took it out for a ride this afternoon.
Willpower Willpower, where are you?

****

Reaching the void deck, a stranger approach me and started chatting me up about cycling.
I had to say that I start doing the stupidest thing that an educated person could have done.
Inevitably, I reveal which block I am staying, which floor I am staying, what is my nationality and what is my profession to a complete stranger!!!
He asked these questions in between chats and I do not know why I answered him at all!!!
Haiz... a recent article said that the cycling community is too trusting and I have to admit I am pretty dumb.
Even my friends won't ask me these questions and I had answered a complete stranger in a couple of minutes...
I always asked my parents to guard against such strangers and I ended up doing it myself.
Argh....
Go, Go ahead and scold me, I deserve it... Haiz...

At the start of the ride, the saddle felt awkward.
I am "forced" to ride with my legs open. 脚开开. =p

One kilometer into the ride, the sit bones hurts.
As stated in the ISM website, the saddle may take some run-in period, as it work a different set of muscle group.

Two kilometers into the ride, I felt liberated!!! =D
Haha... 小弟弟 has it own breathing space on the seat.
And for ladies, 小妹妹 should feel liberated as well, as the split fore accommodates to the ladies pretty well.

Climbing Mandai slope, I feel exhausted.
Hmm.. is it the weather, is it the early working hours, I truly have no answer.
It has been a long time since I rode in the afternoon, first time I rode after work.

4km into the ride, one thing becomes certain.
The seat is too far back...
I feel myself involuntarily shifting back every few minutes.

I have set the saddle to the extreme rear, just like what I did for Fizi:k.
Ahh.... could this be the reason why I feel so uncomfy on Fizi:k, although I did not shift backwards on the seat during the rides.

The ride to Mandai Shell felt laborious and I have no answer to it.
Stopping at Mandai Shell, I felt dizzy and my hands are trembling.
Gosh... this is definitely a bad sign...

After a good rest and a full bottle of water, I decide to ride back.
Will stop along the way if I feel ill.
Surprisingly, once on the bike I felt fine... Hmmm.... another unexplainable phenomenon.

Climbing the long slope after Mandai Zoo, the fingers are getting numb...
Hmmm... if my cycling experience is correct, my seating position is wrong, causing me to edge forward, thus "resting" the body weight on the arms, numbing the hands.

I will definitely have to shift the saddle once I get home.

Needless to say, for the whole ride, nothing seems right and I am just trying my best to complete the ride.
For the entire ride, I keep using my hands to feel the fore and rear of the saddle.
This should be a good indicator on how much I have to shift the saddle.
Haha... to the uninitiated, I may be seen as scratching my crotch and my rear. =D

Braking at the last traffic light, I slide off the saddle!!!
Haha... tweak tweak tweak...

Once home, I set the seat to its middle marking (15). Will probably need a few more rides to fine-tune the saddle.

Conclusion :
Saddle is shorter than most saddles, so one should actually set the saddle forward by a few mm/cm for the first few rides.
Adamo lives up to its name of lifting the pressure off the family jewels. =)

Tweaking the Ride

Of the three triathlon discipline, cycling is the most expensive discipline.
Swimming, you only need a pair of goggles and for some a speed suit.
For running, you probably need your visor and running shoes.

Swimming, you improve your swim strokes. Swimming gears won't make much impact.
Running is pure training... Again running gears won't assist you to improve much.

Cycling... Gosh, there is a ton of stuff you can do to it to improve your timing.
Difference between a carbon bike and aluminium bike.
Difference between a road bike and a triathlon bike.

However gear shifting has to be the most crucial aspect of any ride.
Without efficient gear shifting, even if one is given the state-of-the-art bike, you will not be able to gain the maximum advantage in the battlefield.

Gear shifting aside, I found out this year that tweaking the bike can bring extreme comfort to a ride too.
Better late than never. =D

Tires... Discover this right after my Vittoria gave up on me. Gosh, the huge difference between Vittoria and Contential tires!
The Cervelo stock Vittoria tires sticks to the road like glue. Maximum grip.
Contential tires, their low rolling resistance is what I like best. Plus they are built to last, value for money if you ask me.

20cc , 22cc , 23cc , 24cc
They all make a difference to the ride too!
I had 22-24 and 22-23 for ever since I switch to Conti tires.
Frankly speaking, smaller front tire and larger rear tire gave you a better ride.
But the greatest mistake made so far is to have 20-20.
The cushioning is not there and it is really hard to push the bike...
Changed to 20-23 and I am loving my ride again. =D

Wheels... Before Fulcrum Zero, I always thought all wheels are made equal... It is the engine that counts... Never understood what my kakis said about the wheels till I tried it out myself.
Boy, these wheels is a climber.

Aerobars... Again, the stock Cervelo aerobars are so rigid, it is a pain to use.
Had never thought of changing my aerobars till I chanced upon Profile Design Carbon Stryke on Adri's bike.
Looking at her posture in aero position is what prompted me to get the ultra-expensive pieces of carbon fibre.
What I truly like about the aerobars is that you can tweak it in four directions into a position you like.
Plus the fact that I do not have to remove the elbow pads together with the aerobars for OCBC Cycle is a nice touch. =D
(If you have ride on a bike with aerobars long enough, you will find something amiss when the aerobars are removed. =p)

Haha... a poor man's upgrade of a bike...
When you dun have the money to splurge on bikes, you can spend wisely to increase the comforts on the bike.

Right now, I am hoping that my last acquisition will be the last piece of puzzle to my comfort ride. ;)
Will post about it when I get a chance to try it out soon.

Love On A Plate

Haha... what are you thinking?

I am refering the Channel 8 documentary 名厨出走记 Love On The Plate.

Today is the last episode showing Celebrity Chef Eric Teo in a village in Guang Xi cooking up a feast.

The challenge for this series is that the chef has to use only local ingredients obtained from the village and local kitchen help.

What is interesting regarding this episode is that they have a tight filming schedule.
The weather has to put Chef Eric to the test.
Chef Eric is not used to dirtiness so it was really interesting to see how he cope with the situation.

Haha... why am I writing about all this?

Cos it makes me remember my army days.

I have sensitive skin, so I get rashes very easily.
If not for the army, I would never has experience the real wilderness.

Mine may not be as exciting as the Commandos or Naval Divers, but it is fun nonetheless.

How many days have you gone without a bath? 9 days?
Ever laid at the edge of a swamp with the tide rising? =D
Ever trek through a storm canal for hours on end?
Ever trek through the entire breadth of Singapore?

Haha, given my vocation, it is something that we have least expected.
Sea, Air, Land. We are all trained to do so. =D

Buying Online

I have a few experiences of buying online.

What are the usual circumstances that leads us to purchase online?

1) Cheaper than retail prices
2) Not available in Singapore

If I buy it online locally, I will always meet my seller to get the stuff.

The most interesting deal I have done before is a purchase where the seller came to meet me at midnight!!!

There was a time I am purchasing an accessory on Yahoo Auction.
The seller refuses to meet and I relented.
His Yahoo Auctions ratings were 90% for <100 items sold. (If I remember correctly)
Two modes of postage, normal mail or registered mail with the postage borne by the buyer.
Singpost. What are the chances of items being lost in the mail?
I opted for normal mail.
4 days later, I did not receive the item, I emailed the seller.
He told me to wait for another 3 days.
Huh???
In Singapore, mails get delivered within one to two days.
So why do I have to wait for a week?
After another 3 days, the mail still have not arrived.
Called SingPost and they verified that there was no lost or return mails to my mailing address.
2 weeks have passed since I bought the item.
An email to the seller and his reply is that he will meet up with me to sell me the item.
His reason for meeting up? They do not usually meet their buyers, they are making an exception. Yes, three of them!!!

I refuse! Why should I paid them twice for an item I bought from them?
The loss of an online purchase when the seller is staying in Bishan makes me angrier!
I wrote a simple neutral comment on Yahoo Auctions.
For a neutral comment, I got spammed by the sellers ordering me to remove my post.
Kinda ridiculous when my comment is "Item lost in mail".

I broke my own ground rules and I paid the price for it.
One purchase where I dun meet the seller and the item get lost in the mail.
How absurd, how bizarre.
This is my last furore on local online purchase.

This however did not stop me from buying online.
Focus has changed though.
I only purchase online if I cannot find the items locally.
(Hehe BFG, now you know why I am not so keen to get Fibre Flare online. =p)
Garmins, Road IDs, Suunto, X-Labs to name a few.
It is fun when you have tracking numbers to monitor your items.

Recently, I made an online purchase where Economic International Airmail costs me USD25 and UPS/Fed-Ex will cost me almost double the amount just for freight charges.
Economic sense tells me to select Economic International Airmail (EIA).
EIA means no tracking numbers and insurance up to USD300 can only be made after 6 weeks.
The experience isn't fun especially when the item is not exactly cheap...
Email confirmation was received 2.5 weeks ago that the item is shipped out.
The anxiety sets in after a week.
You started to wonder if your parcel is ever going to arrive.
Am glad that the parcel finally arrive this morning. Phew...

Stress level is starting to go back to normal after the Primary One registration saga and my "missing" online purchase. =D

Cycling 19th August 2010

Meet Eugene @ 4:30am and we rode to Longhouse together.

Arriving @ Longhouse, I am amused by the faces I see.
Other than Raphael, Mika and Damo (Jeannette's friend), I do not recognise anyone else.

Riding out was good, but once up Prata Hill, I have only Eugene left for company.
That was the last we saw of the JoyRiders Thursday group.

Poor Eugene, he has the unfortunate satisfaction of listening to me croak for the rest of the ride.
At times, it is so bad that Eugene has to make sure that I am alright to continue the ride.

But I know these are what great cycling kakis are made of.
They won't leave you behind even when the whole pack has disappeared.
Thanks, Eugene.

Chest tightness is omni-present during the ride, but it always get worse after every climb.

It got so bad that I requested that we stopped after we climbed Hume Ave.
It was a good decision. I actually felt much better after that.

It was a short ride today, but one that is tough considering the circumstances.
I was not able to repeat my yesterday's "performance", if yesterday ride is something to crow about.
Even when I chiong, I can only manage 36km/h, 7km/h short of yesterday's speed burst.

I was so happy when we climbed the slope before AMK McD that I yelped "No more slopes" to which we both laughed.

It was a smooth ride home which I am grateful for as my legs are starting to fall apart right now. =D

Cycling 18th August 2010

They always said that the hardest part of the ride is always the part where you get out of the house...
Haha... I almost din get to do that this morning. =p

Once out of the road, I feel good.
I know I need to ride, cos my phlegm will get better if I ride.
If I dun perspire, I think I am going to get sick again.

At the Sembawang T-junction, I saw a rider coming up on my left and a big group coming up on my right.

The scenario that is so different now is that in the past, I am quite sure that I won't get past this easily along Mandai Road.
But now, I am just wondering how fast the riders will catch up with me.

Climbing Mandai slope is not getting tougher now...
Haha... check on training log shows that I slacked BIG time... No wonder!!!

I am beginning to hate the speed strips a lot...
Cos I usually ride on the yellow strips to avoid them.
On their left is the drain covers *Danger* and some part of the road on the right is in a bad condition.
So if I cannot keep on a straight path, I am totally screwed.

Past SLE flyover, I heard a "Out" and I know that the group has caught up.
Haiz... it will take a long time to get back to the riding with the pack.
After a few riders rode past, I was surprised!!!
It is the train, my train!!!
I got stuck in the middle of the peloton and at the end of the ride, I am elated to report that I managed to stick with the peloton for this part of the ride. =)
The scary part? Two stretches of the ride is at 43km/h, a pace I have not been used to.
The happy part? My heart rate was normal during these two speed bursts!!! Interesting, absolutely interesting!!!

Was focused on my ride, so din chat along the ride this morning.
Okie, the truth? Initially was riding alongside Charles (I just found out who he is), then second part of the Woodlands route, was riding beside an ang-moh who I din recognise.

Managed to talk to Calvin during the stops.
Hehe, he is my angel for today, riding behind me, watching over me.
Thanks, Cal!

As usual, the group just sped ahead up Hume Ave.

Spinning down towards Clementi Road, I spotted a rider with an un-mistaken-able flock of hair, Sean!
Rode and chat with Sean till we spilt along Thomson Road.
Thanks for waiting for me while I struggled along Lornie Road.

At the Prata Hill T-junction, spotted Whelan.
Haha... he must be wondering why I am turning right toward Yio Chu Kang Road.
I am too lazy to climb Sembawang slopes lah. =p

Took a slow spin home and had a hearty breakfast. =p

Cycling 15th August 2010

Set the clock to 3:15am, but snoozed till 4am...
SMS honcho that I will be missing the ride, but may just catch them on the roads.

Haiz... I think boss is going to give up on me soon.
Hopefully, he din regret inviting me to his group.

Just when I open the main gate, I was greeted with lightning and thunder.
With a couldn't care less attitude, I made my way out to Mandai Road.

Climbing Mandai Road, I can feel the pain in the quads, but I am feeling exhilaration...
Have not felt pain for so long, I can only say that it feels good.
Haha... the theory of the a crazy triathlete being proven true yet again.

Riding past Old Mandai Road, it really feels great to have the wind in your face. =)

Reaching the end of Mandai Road, I did a U-turn.
Plan today is to do as many Mandai loops as possible.

Riding past BKE flyover, I hit the blind spot where I could not see the other side of the road.
Could it be FOTR?

Feel the pain in the right calf.
Switch immediately to small chain ring.
Okie, no more big chain ring today.

After the halfway point of the 2nd loop, I decided to take a rest @ Mandai Shell.
Caught the 6am group of JoyRiders. Gosh... they are fast!

Riding back towards Yishun, I spotted an orderly huge pack of riders.
Has to be ANZA.
Was extremely impressed when I found out that it is JoyRiders 6:20am group.

Reaching the U-turn point for my 3rd lap, I hit the JoyRiders 6:40am group.
Again, they impressed me with their orderliness.

Being the 6:40am pack, they are riding with such speed that I know I will probably wither and die if I try to match their pace.

Resist the temptation to turn to big chain ring... it will end my ride prematurely.
Riding past Old Mandai Road again, I am feeling so gay that I think I can keep doing loops forever.

The feeling of freedom, the wind in your face, the warm breath on your cheeks...
God, this feel like heaven...
Sometimes, it feels really good to be riding alone... =)

Just when I am nearing Mandai Shell, I spotted a few riders on the opposite side of the road.
Hmm... one looks like the Boss!
Did a quick U-turn.
But there is no way to catch them...
Literally lost the group past BKE Flyover.
Hmm... how to catch the group...

If they do a U-turn at the end of Mandai Road, I may just catch them if I do a U-turn @ Old Mandai Road.
Did exactly just that.

Riding down towards the Zoo, a voice from behind "Is that you, Daniel?"
Haha... it is Carol and her partner!
Rode with them to Mandai Shell.

Took a break to see if Boss and gang will be riding here.
Saw Yan Yan and the CWX riders.
Hmm... a few of them are wearing the BnB jerseys.
Probably the very same group that will be doing BnB in 2 week's time.

After what is probably a long break, I decided to ride back.
Hmm... I am still feeling good.
I have enough water to last me another lap.
There is also a refill station @ the Zoo...

Nearing the end of the lap, both quads are aching...
So much for the mystic 5th lap...
I will live to fight another day...
Just back to riding, no point making life so tough... =p

Rode straight home to a great breakfast. =D

Duane

Couch Potato to Ironman

A blog that I have been following...

Duane has started taking the ultimate step towards completing his dream...

加油, Duane!!!

If you guys are wondering why I am following Duane's blog, look at the similarities that we have. =)

Grounded

It truly sucks when you are all prepped for a ride only to have to abandon it... =(

Wifee got woken up by my continuous coughing...
Keke... I din even know I was coughing in my sleep.

First thing she told me when she woke me up.
"No riding! Take the time to rest at home!"

I literally begged with her to let me ride.
Promised her it is nothing serious that I cannot handle.
She relented.

I have just gotten back to sleep before I started coughing my lungs out.
Notice something black with the phelgm that I am throwing out.
On closer inspection, I got a shock to see dark red blood!!!

Decided to call it quits.
As it was too early to SMS honcho, I emailed him instead, hoping that he can see my email when he woke up.

A quick Google search on the internet, I kept seeing the word "bronchitis".
This got me extremely worried.
Bronchitis meant lung infection? Given the chest tightness, I have no doubts.

Turns out my worries were unfounded.
Doc says that he isn't bronchitis...
Will have to be given stronger dose of antibiotics...
Chest tightness, sore in the facial muscles are all part of the persistent coughing working the body too hard...

Time for more rest...

Cycling 13th August 2010

I left house @ 5.30am in order to skip the ride.

To ride alone is better than to be left behind by the chiongsters.

Out on Mandai Road, I can feel the ride is different.
Think the answer is obvious... 20cc wheels truly sucks!!!

20cc front, 23cc rear, it feels like Attack Force all over again. =)
Haha... not truly though... Attack Force is 22cc-24cc. =p

Along Mandai Road, I am filled with thoughts...

Thoughts about how many Mrs Jack Neos are there out there?
So who is more dangerous, the Mrs who knows that their hubbies philander and does nothing about it or simply just ignore the affairs, or the philanderers themselves?

A recent chat with a friend makes me realise just how delicate relationships and marriages can be.

A marriage can means nothing if one does not stand by the vows they made.
And surprisingly, some marriages did not even take a year before they derailed...
Kids or no kids is no assurance that extra marital affairs will not happen.

A question that always remain in my mind "How do you know he/she is the right one?"
Our conclusion? You just have to trust your gut instincts.

I have seen and heard enough about extra martial affairs and divorces to know that it is very real in our current society.

Past Bukit Panjang T-junction, my thoughts were abruptly interrupted.
From now on, it is full situation awareness...

The cars are getting too close for comfort.

Outside Nanyang Girls, I saw a group of 20 Raffles Girls making their way to the bus stop (Walking away from RGPS, in case you are wondering).
Hmm... I wonder where these RGS girls are from?
Can't be all neighbours from Linden Drive alone...
Nanyang Girls is not good enough for them? ;p

The roads outside SCGS is packed with cars of parents dropping off their girls @ school.

Strangely, I din see the same thing happening for ACS...
Different school hours, perhaps?

Turning into Newton Road, a glance at my watch tells me that I may just catch some of the JoyRiders riding home.

It came as no surprise when I spotted the mini train crossing the T-junction when I am nearing Revenue House.

Gave chase and caught up with the group.
Kam Meng, Evelyn and another 2 unfamiliar riders.

Chat with Kam Meng all the way till we split along Ang Mo Kio.

Stop over @ AMK McDonald's for coffee before rolling home. =)

Triathlete?

At times, I really dun think I am fit for the title anymore.

Triathletes train for their races throughout the year.
As for me, I hardly train.
I think I am more of a couch potato right now.

And if you are on my Facebook, you would have noticed that I played Mafia Wars on a regular basis.
The other triathlete on my playing list is Mike Lim.
But Mike is from another planet.
He is an Ironman.
I am not...

Other than Mike and me, none of those triathletes I know play Mafia Wars.
I think they know that time is better spent pounding the tarmac, burning the tracks or simply chiong up and down Mount Faber, be it on a bike or in running shoes.

Ground Zero

It has finally happen and I am not proud of it.
I feel lethargic, I have problems bending down to wear my shoes...
The mid-riff keep getting in the way.
Think the shoe horn is coming back into action pretty soon...
Only good thing that comes out from all these?
The pants still remains the same, although the belt is loosening more and more.

***

Wednesday is usually a day I try not to skip if I can wake up.
I woke up in time, cough my lungs out and decided to go back to rest...
Haiz... I am wasting all my leaves resting at home...
Would I have been better off working?

After having my bike decked out like a Christmas tree, I am longing to ride on Thursday.
Woke up and cough my lungs and almost my brain out... Migraine...
Oh no... this is no good...

Went to TCM... My gosh... their medicine really works...
For the entire afternoon, I have yet to spew out any phlegm and the migraine has gone.

So why dun companies recognise TCM's medical certificates if they need Chinese physicians to be certified and registered?

Disappointment and "Hope"?

Sometimes, I disappoint my friends, readers and myself.

I have changed my blog title to reflect the change I hope to get when I started my long break a week ago.
Till now, nothing have materialised.

Giving an option to sleep 3 hours and join a 95km ride, I opt to sleep for 7hrs straight.
Woke up energised, but feel something missing...

I am turning into a sloth...
Very much like what I was doing prior to the birth of this blog...

I dread running... yes, I still dread running... Given that at times when I am walking my right knee tends to just "give way".
The reason is clear, I am too heavy.
Time to remediate it, but I have yet to put in the effort.

So many unfinished businesses in my life.
I have to find ways to complete all these missions.

My URL "Training Starts Now" feel like a scam right now.
And I am the creator, the culprit, the instigator....

I always tell myself that I will start training tomorrow (not now) and there is another tomorrow...

I felt burnt out and now I have this break to refresh myself, yet I dun feel refresh, I dun feel motivated...

Argh... this sucks. It sucks big time...
What sucks worse is that it sucks big time on my pet discipline too...

****

You probably have seen me written this numerous times.
That I inspire someone.

Now the question lies "Who can inspire Jodan?"

I think I finally find the answer.

Rynn awed me during last Wednesday's ride.
The dedication and hard work that Rynn is putting in really left me speechless.

She din talk about it, but it is there for us to see.

When she is on leave, she runs.
When she has time on her hands, she runs.
When it is drizzling, she is out there running.
God has put me there at the right place and right time to witness it.

She has not been riding for a while, but when it is time to sprint, she literally flew ahead of the flock!

Cycling 4th August 2010 (Once Upon A Time...)

Once upon a time, I am able to ride to West Coast Flyover before I lost the group.
I almost complete the ride intact sans some unhappy incident...

******

Riding along Mandai Road, I am sure glad I din sign up for IMWA this year.
It would have been a disaster.

The next question that comes to mind is "Why do I keep thinking of IMWA?"
I am glad I finally found my answer!
SELF-FULFILLMENT

Wahaha, take me 3.75 years to find the answer.
At least now I know the reason. =p

The same reason why I aspire to complete my first marathon.
At least IMWA is a reason that keeps me exercising...

Rewind to 2 days ago.... (Yes, I am getting long winded)
FINISHER... why are some runners always making a big fuss over the time taken to complete a marathon.
Organisers are more interested to have finishers than runners who complete within a stipulated timing.
Else they would have given a cut-off time. No?
Finishing a race is more about self-fulfillment, not about meeting someone else's expectations.

Back to Mandai...

I am not feeling the wheels anymore.
But at least I know it did help me during Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore.
Not a total waste of money...

I am forgetting a lot of things.
Drinking, changing gears.... Gosh, I really need to get back soon...
My body is taking a huge beating.

Did 2 mini-laps and the train came.
Kah Han and Kam Meng are aspiring to be Schleck and Contador.
A white S-Works SL3 and a red S-Works SL3.
Fierce!!!

Riding out with Kah Han, everything is good.
I managed to stay with the group all the way to Hume Ave.
Got slaughtered, butchered, killed going up Hume Ave.
Most of the riders just zoomed me past...

At Clementi Viaduct, I am all alone...
Near Ulu Pandan, Adamo Breakaway (The third one I saw in as many weeks) rode past.
He was followed closely by Mika and Lizzie..

Spotted the group @ Clementi Road T-junction.
I sure hope that the lights dun turn green.
Fat hope.
Green and the group sped off.
It turns red when Mika, Lizzie and I is nearing the T-junction.
Mika and Lizzie made the crazy decision of going through the red...

A look behind... Nah...I am all alone...
It was a lonely ride...
A very lonely ride... Argh... this sucks...
I got only myself to blame...

Rode past Amoy Street without stopping and rode straight home...

Cycling 24th July 2010

After surviving 3 rounds of fiery attacks, I made my way to Yishun Dam to await the train.

Although I am there @ 6:20am, I am concerned about missing the train, giving the prowess shown over the past few rides.
Happy to say, I won't stop riding with FOTR.
The only way to improve is to ride with FOTR and hope to keep up with them one day.
The very way I did with JR.

Saw a group riding into Seletar North Link.
Hmm... dun see any Fibre Flare... Probably another group.
I hope they know their way...

20 minutes later, another group appear. A huge group of 20s.
They were taking the West Camp Road.
Thought it was FOTR and waved to them.
The group stopped and after a while, the group started carrying their bikes towards my direction.
Quickly gear up, only to find out that it was a group that lost its way. =D
Asked one of the riders if they are part of the Pinoy Mandai group and a lady rider responded "No. We are the Coconut Gang." O_o

The group arrived at 6:50am.
BFG decided to wait for Jason and get us to ride ahead.
As we rode, the sky got darker.
Stopped along Mandai Road Bus Stop to observe the weather.
Cars from the opposite direction remains dry, given the ultra dark skies...

After 5 mins, we decided to forge ahead towards Mandai Shell as planned.
While resting at Mandai Shell, I spotted 2 Adamo Breakaway saddles.
Just the saddle I have been enquiring about on Facebook.
Turns out, TBB has not brought in Adamo BreakAway yet.
The guys got it shipped in from US of A.
2nd day in a row I heard negative publicity about TBB.
On Friday, ET was commenting how CW's face went awfully gray when three limited edition S3s appeared together on a JR ride late last year.

Spotted a pair of 808s...
Gosh... FOTR riders are really scary... Always Zipping around. =p

Campy S... Looks exactly like Zeros with a different decal.
USB Hub, flat spokes and the way the wheels are being built seems exactly the same.
I know they are from the same company... But I wonder what is the marketing strategy of two similar wheels with 2 different sets of decal.

Although I am short of time and had advised the group against travelling to Lim Chu Kang given the dangerous situation if we are caught in the rain while in Kranji, I still went ahead with the group. =p

Managed to stay with the group before losing them a few slopes before the main road.
The rain decided to launch an attack and we have no place to hide!
The raindrops felt like hailstones buffeting the bare skins.
Luckily it did not last long.
The scary part is that the brakes are deemed ineffective by the wet weather.
Squeezing hard on both brakes din even slow me down 1kmh down the slope!

Tango with the group @ the bus stop after Sungei Tengah Road.
While the group decided to continue towards their 100km goal, I made a U-turn and crawled home through Sungei Tengah.

Stopped by the Keat Hong coffeeshop and had my usual bowl of noodles.
Keke... the kopitiam aunties sure missed the Kranji Merry Gangsters. =D

While cruising downslope along Choa Chu Kang Road, a MPV decided to make a dash across 2 lanes out from Jalan Teck Whye.
I really do not know what is going through his bloody mind!!!
I was forced to swerve out onto the 2nd lane without checking the traffic and if the driver did not have the audacity to stop while I crossed into the 2nd lane, I would have been blown off my bike.
First time I swore so loud on my bike!

While riding along Mandai Road, I spotted a rider coming out from the yet to complete Mandai Road extension. Hmm... wonder where that road leads to...
Further down, spotted another new road with a sign denoting "Ulu Pandan Park Connector".
Well, the sleuthing will have to wait for another day.

Riding past the rider @ a traffic junction, I turned back and say "Hi" only to realise that it was Siew Yee!
Haha... long time no see.
Turns out SY no longer do morning rides.
Chatted while riding before parting ways along Sembawang Road. =)

Now, onto work!!!! =D

Cycling 23rd July 2010

My first weekday ride in eons.
Frankly, I did my last weekday ride so long ago, that I cannot even remember when.
Estimated guess will be a training ride prior to Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore.

Climbing up the 1km Mandai slope got me worried.
Give the the power I am generating up the slope, how will I keep up with FOTR tomorrow?
Just have to pray that they are bushed from the first 50km that I am skipping? =p

Conclusion : Wheels won't work if I keep piling on the weight.

No pun intended. But I am starting to feel the (F)ear.

When I reached Mandai Shell, I started to do my laps.
At the end of my 2nd lap, I was astonished to find that the train is right behind me!
Where did these ppl appear from!!!

Met Eugene Tan and we chatted while we ride.
I did not take long before the last carriage has pulled away...

Frankly speaking, I think the worst investment of the year is my 20cc wheels.
It amplified my alterness by 3x, but amplified my fear by 5x, negating any speed increase I may get.

The last carriage was very kind to wait for Eugene and I just before the West Coast viaduct.
Sad to say, I lost the entire train on the viaduct.
It was a lame ride to Amoy Street alone with the container trucks wheezing by.

When I rolled into Amoy Street, it was just Kangaroo Glyn and three other riders.
Tells a lot about the pace I am doing...

After a short rest, I rode with Glyn and another rider before we parted ways @ Little India.

GE Women 10k Run

Signed wifee up for the next race! =)

Got a nice nice Referral ID : 7979 =D