The Lone Cyclist: March 2010

Penang to Singapore (Day 1 stopover in Taiping Perak) at EveryTrail

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At Larkin bus station, Johor Bahru

Kitty, my feline companion kept me company during my long wait at Larkin bus station. She sleeps most of time.

It's 4.00pm, Monday 8th of March 2010 when I left Singapore rather late if I may say but nonetheless I managed to dodge the daily exodus of Malaysian leaving Singapore after work.

The reason I left at this hour was because I had to collect my Shimano pedals I ordered that very morning itself. I went to Gee Hin Chan & Co Pte Ltd on the previous Saturday afternoon but they couldn't confirmed my order as Shimano Singapore was close for the day. They then suggested I phone them on Monday to check if it's available and most probably have to wait another day before taking delivery of the item. I was that close to getting those pedals and decided not to go back to Malaysia empty handed. I know that another day spent in Singapore would incur additional cost. I'm caught in a catch-22. If I didn't wait for that one more day, I'm most probably going to regret it, so be it.

Called Eugene of Gee Hin Chan on Monday morning and was thrill that I could get it before lunch.

Met Norman, my Singapore friend from Woodlands at Marsiling MRT station. From there it took about an hour to get to our destination. We alight at Bugis Station. It's a short walk to Gee Hin Chan where Eugene greeted us with the set of pedals in his hand. I was very suprised to get it that very morning itself. Most excellent service. So if you ever drop by Singapore and shopping for bicycle parts I would highly recommend you visit Gee Hin Chan & Co Pte Ltd at Block 261 Waterloo Street. Just ask for either Uncle Jimmy, Uncle Jerry, Uncle James, Eugene or Kelvin and don't forget to mentioned 'The Lone Cyclist' from Penang sent you.

Later Norman and I had lunch at the famous Hainanese chicken rice stall not too far from Gee Hin Chan. The chicken rice is very delicious.

Marsiling MRT Station

Shimano PD-A530 pedals

At last I have it in the palm of my hand.

How time flies. I've been in Singapore for exactly a week. OCBC Cycle Singapore 2010 the hightlight of my trip is finally over but memories of my arrival are still fresh in my mind and now it's time to go home.

My riding number

Singapore Flyer at Marina Centre

So with a heavy heart I bid farewell to what has been my temporary home in Singapore for the past seven days, Hostel166. My special thanks goes to Yang the owner who is an excellent host.

Hostel166 in Marsiling

CROCODILE CHOW......

A taxidermise crocodile hangs on the wall and serves as a friendly reminder to trespassers who choose to ignore the warning posted on the front door.

The green column are little lockers for guest to keep their valuables.

You'll notice the innovative use of a disuse road sign and a sitting toilet pedestal converted into a chair.

The clocks of various colours hangs on the concrete beam. Each one has a little tag denoting their respective time zone.

A red 'hurricane lamp' converted into an electrical light fixture hangs from the ceiling.

On the right is a fuzzy blue defunct refrigerator that stores rugs and floor mat. On the left are a collection of books and travel brochures

The kitchen cum dining area comes with dining ware and cooking utensils. A working refrigerator sit in the left corner.

Gas stove, electric oven and a microwave oven completes the list. There is a washing machine and free detergent for laundry too. You feel very at home here. You get to enjoy all this at a cost of only S$19/- per day.

My special thanks also goes to Brother Adren for introducing me to this hostel and all his assistance.
This picture was taken at a food court in Woodlands Town Centre after our OCBC cycling event. We rode from Marina Centre via Serangoon Road, Upper Thomson Road, cutting through Mandai Road and continued along Woodlands Road. He's on his way back to Johor Bahru. We decided to have a cuppa before parting ways. I stayed in Marsiling, a five minutes bike ride from here.

My 'trusty steed' awaits while I was having nasi goreng kampung for dinner at the bus station. Right after dinner I started dismantling my bike. The front fender is first to come off followed by the rear.

Release V-brake calipers, flip bike over, a quick release of the skewers and out comes the wheels. I use electrical tape to fasten fenders to their respective wheels before putting into bike bag. This prevents them from getting out of shape. My evening performance drew a little crowd. Things do get a bit boring at the station and it not everyday that you see a stranger taking his bike apart and put it in a bag. Those folks look at me with a bit of amazement. Stored my bike and pannier bags at the ticketing office of Super Nice Express. The thing I appreciate about this bus station is there are facilities for you to shower.

After a nice cold refreshing shower, I walk towards a bakery down the ticketing hall. Bought a packet of 'Red Bean Bun' which cost Rm4-00, bloody damn expensive.

This is how my bike bag looks like. Pretty cool huh.....When you get really tired of cycling and want to call it quits, this will come in real handy.......

The wheels goes into separate pockets with straps to secure them.

Finally the whole bike minus the wheels goes into the bag. The great part is I don't even have to lower my saddle or remove my handlebar at all.

Tha daa....pull the zippers together and it's complete. Two loops that is stiched all the way to the bottom and two separate shoulder straps makes carrying around a breeze.

How it all began...

I started cycling as a way of controlling my cholesterol level four years ago has now turn into a passion.

There was this friendly discussion on our local biking forum on the internet between fellow members about arms protectors for sale on OCBC Cycle Singapore 2010 website that made me curiously searched the web for more details. I found various events organised by OCBC. Ideas began pouring into my head about cycling to Singapore for this event. What started off as a wild dream began to take shape in the months ahead. I rode to Kuala Kurau to visit my colleague then to Kuala Gula before returning via Sungai Acheh. That trip stirred my addiction for more long distance ride. As time goes by, day trips covered more distances and became frequent.......

Preparations

Bike

A run of the mill mountain bike from Giant.

Tyres

Replace my Kenda Karma knobbies with Panaracer from Chin Aik Cycle. A very worthwhile investment. I experienced lower friction due to a smaller contact patch even though it's rated at 26 x 1.75. Rode all the way without a single puncture. A good set of tyres helps and also very lucky I suppose....

Most importantly 'Made In Japan'

View of tyre installed on bike

Pedals

I'm presently using Shimano MX-30 platform pedals. I like the wide platform which fits my Keen sandals perfectly.

Footwear

This pair of sandals from Keen are very comfortable. An alternative to wearing cycling shoes as it helps to keep my feet dry and cool. When cycling in the rain my feet doesn't get soak in shoes full of water thus avoiding health issues. Most important features are protective toe cap, non-slip and non-marking soles. They dry very easily too. If you are looking for an alternative footwear, I would say you give this a serious thought.

This pair of sandals have taken me to The Most Southernmost Tip of Mainland Asia!

Saddle

The choice of saddle is very personal. It all depends on your butt and the amount of time one spends on it. As for me I prefer one that's plush and wide. As for some, my choice often draws laughter and giggles from the sight of it. 'This one not macho lei!' or some would say 'Aiyaah, look like an old man's bicycle' would be the most common comments I get from some of those so called 'lao chiao' (a local slang for the experience riders). Hey! Those 'lao chiao' if they really into touring would know best. But alas they are the ones who think they know but actually never done touring before. So what the heck, I'm going to be the one sitting there for hours and not forgetting the days ahead. Macho or not let's see you spend long hours on your streamline aerodynamic cabornfibre and whatever space age materials which cost a 'bomb' saddle and see who can outlast the other.