9th August 2012 Cycling

After turning off 2 sets of alarms and going back to sleep, I am thrilled that I manage to ride this morning! =)

Hitting out at 5:15am, I reached Mandai Shell at 5:37am.
I really do not have a clue if I had missed the train.

Knowing that the train dun stop here, I continue on my way hoping that the train will catch up. =p

Rode all the way to Lim Chu Kang Road and only 2 riders past me.
Hmm... where are all the riders?
Truly weird that not many ppl are out cycling on such a nice morning.

Reach SPC Jalan Buroh at 6:38am.
Hmm... The guys probably completed their pit stop and rode off.
Did a check with the cashiers, no riders has stopped by yet.
Hmm...

Spotted Gynis and Maya riding past.
(It did not occurred to me that they had followed the train and peel off till I read the afternoon FB post!)
Rode off at 7:00am, I was truly surprised to see them along West Coast Highway given their head start.
Hehe, they are probably going for their usual hill training. =)
Was surprised when they peeled off at West Coast McD!

It hits me hard to realised that the train will have to do 40kmh to reach SPC Jln Buroh at 6:30am.
WPE, my mathematics failed BIG time.
With the train behind me, I have some time to spare.
Will proceed to do some hill climbs.
Something that I have longed to do, but never had the chance.
Why? Cos everytime I reach Pepys Road, the train has completed their climbs!!!
Yes, that is how slow I am!!!

I was surprised to hit Pepys Road first!
I must have missed Morse Road.
Oh well, let me finish this climb before I ride back to Morse Road.
Hmm... the climb is not as scary as the guys mentioned.
Feels a lot like Rifle Range Road, except the climb is longer.
Took my first gel at The Peak.

Gosh, my descent is definitely slower than the climb.
My rear brakes are screeching insanely, thus I relied on my front brakes the entire way down.
My left calf is aching like mad just pressing down on the pedal.
Hope I dun cramp up!!!
I never once released the brakes till I was on the straight stretch before the entrance.

Cycling back the way I came, I decided to stop at the SPC station to ask for directions.
I was acutely aware that I did not see Morse Road nor the church.

The pump assistant mentioned that I was in the wrong place!
This is Pasir Panjang! Mount Faber is further up the road!
Thanked the kind samaritan and joined up with the group which just rode past me.
Turned out to be Dave Lem and Michael Yong's group!!!
Long time no see, bros! =)

They are doing Mount Faber.
Cool! I have company!
Again, I braked all the way during the descent.
Left calf almost seized up due to the longer ride down.
The guys must have been amused how a beefy rider is being pulled down so slowly by gravity.

While the guys turned back towards West Coast Road, I continued on towards Changi Village hoping to catch the group there and have brekkie together.

Met Electronic Kang along Shenton Way and have a nice chat till he peeled off towards Guillemard Road.

Spotted YellowFish David and Ser Luck along East Coast.
Had my second gel, topped up my water at Car Park F2 before proceeding on.

Strangely, I am seeing huge amount of riders doing the reverse route today. Why?

Reached Changi Village at 9:46am. Did not realised there are so many coffeeshop in the vicinity!
Did not spot any of the group at any of the coffeeshop...
Hmm....
A check on FB and I got a shock!
I mis-read the distance.
It is 106km, not 130km!!!
My calculation has been wrong again!!!
106km meant a <4 hrs="hrs" p="p" ride="ride">The guys would have reached here before 9am, had brekkie and would have been long gone by then! =(

As it would look embarrassing for a solo rider to have brekkie alone in an area jam packed with cyclists, I decided to have my brekkie at Pasir Ris.

Saw a huge group of Entro Riders along Pasir Ris.
While waiting at opposite ends of the traffic junction outside Downtown East, I spotted a IMWA gal in the Entro group.
Wearing my IM jersey, we were both trying to figure out who the other party is? =)
We returned a smile and continue on our way.

Stopped at Elias Mall for brekkie before continuing on my way home.
While riding along Pasir Ris Dr 12, it hit upon me that I could try to see if I can ride thru Pasir Ris Farmway home!
Ahh... I vividly remember that there is a bridge spanning across Lorong Halus...
Reached Lorong Halus Wetlands and ride through Punggol Park and Punggol Islands on my way home! =)

First Pepys Climb, First Morse Climb, First Round Island Ride of 2012, Scenic Last 20km Ride Home. Simply Awesome Ride! ;D