Finally Joined PPCG Chat Group

It took me a while (more than 1 month) to find somebody to cycle with after we shifted. I was so desperate, went around, thick-skinned and all, asking the eastern cycling folks (which isn’t many) that I know for recommendations and connections. Thankfully, one of Auntie SL’s cyclist friends introduced me to a lady who live in the neighbourhood, and in turn I got connected to another cyclist, who is the founder of the Potong Pasir Cycling Group. Woohoo! 

My 1st ride with PPCG was 3 Sundays ago. I got to ride TMCR in the morning; I am totally an Easterner already. They host roadie rides on Friday nights and “friendly” foldie rides on Sunday mornings. On the friendly foldie rides, many of them come with their Brompton. That isnt a foldie, those are like roadies in disguise lor. I am so glad that I go with my roadie for the Sunday rides, and not on my kuku foldie. 

PPCG has a group chat but they also have this rule that newcomers (aka me), need to join 3 rides before they can be included in the group chat. Yday was finally my 3rd ride that nicely coincides with Halloween. While it is Friday night, foldies were welcome, as the destination was to one of the landed neighbours for the Halloween vibes. 

Bcos it is Halloween, my cat ears made an appearance. Hoho. 

Bcos it was a foldie welcome ride, there was a fair bit of riding in PCN and pavements. Short rides on PCNs are tolerable for roadies but the pavements are the kills. I have to keep reminding myself that it was a chill ride. 

We ended up in one of the Halloween decor famous landed houses areas. It was so crowded and the decors were no child play! 

The PPCG.

It wasn’t a long ride, about 40km but there was quite some sightseeing, riding on pavement that the ride only ended close to midnight. We ended up with a drink at the usual kopitiam. It was already almost 1am by the time I reach home.

I need to get used to night rides. I so need my sleep. Hoho. 

Mummy Lim

I Found a Cycling Group!

I cycled with 2 ladies who live around me 2 weeks ago. We have dated to cycle again on last Saturday morning and I was I was very excited. Unfortunately, the ride got canceled as they had other commitments. 

All are not lost bcos one of them happened to be the founder of the Potong Pasir Cycling Group (PPCG). The cycling group usually planned 2 rides in a week - a fast roadie ride on Friday evenings and a chill any bike will work ride on Sunday mornings. I contemplated joining them on Friday evening but I just came back in the morning from Mumbai and think that it would be suicidal. Night rides are not my preference; I am usually zapped of energy and I can’t see very well in the night

It was arranged and I joined them for the Sunday morning ride. I was told that many of them would be on their foldie and the rolling speed is usually below 25km/h. I kept flipping between bringing my lousy foldie or roadie. It is seriously boring to ride a roadie on a long and slow ride but I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to catch up on the foldie. 

What made me decide eventually on using the roadie is - TMCR. Hoho. I am an Easterner already, riding TMCR in bright daylight! 

The meeting point is very near to Rio and took me less than 10 mins to reach. I am very glad to bring my roadie; while 4 out of the 6 of us were on roadie, they all came in their Brompton. That is not a foldie, it is a roadie in disguise. Lol. One other lady came in her hybrid. 

Did they really roll at 25? Yes at times, but things went crazier on the roads. It is not safe to ride slowly on the roads. There were stretches of PCNs that we went below 25 and it was tiring mentally. We rode from Potong Pasir - Bartley - Tampines - Pasir Ris - Changi Village - TMCR - NSRCC - ECP and all the way on PNC via Kallang back home. There was forecast of rain and while it rained cats and dogs in the West, we only got dark clouds. Phew.

The ride ended at about 10am and we stopped for more drinks. I left at almost 11am for lunch at my brother’s place. 

I am so glad that I brought my roadie. Else, I probably kena dropped duno how many times. It had been a long time since I cycled TMCR, that is the “mainly go only during RI rides’ route and it had been ages since I did a RI. 

The group is very welcoming and have invited me to ride with them on coming Friday. Hoho. I have to ride with them for at least 3x before I get the permission to join their group chat. I am excited for tomorrow’s night ride and I hope that I don’t get drop. Hoho.

Mummy Lim

Found New Cycling Kakis

Three weekends ago, I finally summoned my courage and went for a solo ride. It had been more than a month since I last rode on my roadie. I have added a new HP holder and prayed very hard that I wouldn’t lose my way. I think I haven’t rode in too long, such that the bike felt a little wobbly.

I left home at 6.30am, so that the sky would brighten soon. The aim was to ride to ECP and I ended up at NSRCC to clock some distance. I almost died on the service road bcos it was so boring and the head wind didn’t help. It was so weird to not utter a single word throughout the ride. I so need to find a group. 

I have tried; reaching out to several cyclist friends who live or moved to the East. It is so difficult to find a group that rides at the right speed, meet at the right place and on the ideal day and time. Most groups are very fast and I don’t want to waste my life chasing people. 

Then last week, one of the cycling friends connected me to a lady, V, who is living in Whampoa. That is very near to me! The cycling friend sometimes ride with the CSR,  found this lady and connected me. I WhatsApp her and we agreed that we would ride together… next week. 

On Monday, I was working from home after arriving home from the hike at 1ish in the morning. I survived the day and meetings. Then V texted me in the afternoon, asking if I am keen for a ride in the evening. She was riding with another friend, meeting her at 7.30pm. I FOMO and was worried that if I reject her this time, she wouldn’t jio me again. So, despite my tired and muscle sore legs, I went for it. 

I was nursing a headache and had to steal a 30 mins cat nap after the day’s meetings. That nap was a life saver. V arranged to meet me at the St Micheal’s church, which was supposed to be nearby. It was literally the street from our house, which I found out later, bcos I went one big round. Hoho. 

We met up with another cyclist, M, at Potong Pasir, and started riding. I simply followed blindly. We rode on PNC and ended up somewhere in AMK, took the road to Casaurina, down to Lower Pierce, through Mandai and back from Bukit Batok to Moulmein and home. When I was at Mumbai and Batok Batok, I realised how small Singapore is. 

It was already 10ish when we finished the ride. My legs were so sore. I didn’t expect myself to do Mandai the day after a 11 hour hike. They “sort of” sent me back bcos it was on the way and they were heading for a night drink. Of course I had to join; the social during/ after rides is what made group cycling fun. 

During the drink, I got to know more about the ladies and one of them is actual the found of the Potong Pasir CSC cycling club! That sounds like group cycling promising cyclist friend. Hoho. 

Afterall, it was a good ride, though I don’t quite fancy night cycling bcos I cannot really see. Then again, I found out that there are so many night cycling groups. Where did all these cyclists find the energy to cycle after a long day or work? 

We sort of arranged to cycle again this coming Saturday. I am so looking forward. Hoho. 

Mummy Lim

The Last WWF Ride

When we know that we would be shifting in a few months back, I had started counting down to the number of rides left with the WWFs. I started cycling with them back in 2018, from mountain bike to road bike, from refusing to conform to the cycling attire to regular bib shorts and jerseys. I had made many good cycling kakis in the 7 years’ journey. The timing, speed and location work perfectly for me and while I had tried other groups, it is just so difficult to find another group that fits me so perfectly. 

The last I counted, I still have over 10 rides with them. Then suddenly, it was only 2 last Saturdays. I duno what happened to time. Last Saturday, I woke up to a cloudy morning and the roads were wet. It wasn’t raining though and we pressed on. Unfortunately, the rain came shortly and the ride had to be canceled. I and another rider were already on the road and decided to meet up for bfast. 

A few other riders who knew that I was leaving the group came specially for bfast. So touched! 

The rain had stopped by the time we were done with bfast. 3 of the riders decided to continue their ride to town. I went home to continue packing. 

Yday morning marks my last ride with WWF. Fortunately, it was dry, or I will be very sad.

In the 7 years with WWF, this is the 4th time that we are shifting, from Centris to Lakeville to Teck Whye and finally to Rio. Each move is further than the last.

There were 12 of us and I invited them to our new place. The ride was aptly titled “Farewell Ride”. 

 

We only have instant coffee and tidbits at home. Thus, bfast was at the Bendeemer market nearby. Thanks to WWF that I realised how near the market is; another fantastic food place for bfast and tabao-ing in the future. 

The WWF cyclists are such a good bunch. They figured out where to park their bikes without me worrying. They self tour the house without me having to run around. 

They brought joy and life to Rio; they are the 1st official group who visited our new place despite no food, and not fully moved it. When they left, it was suddenly so quiet. #sosad

I have no idea where and how to find the next cycling group. I tried googling but I think it really depends on word of mouth. I tried reaching out to some friends who cycled in the East but East Singapore is a big area and Punggol is very far from Rio. Maybe Daddy Lim and Zaky will entertain me for the next few Saturday mornings until I find another group. Hohoho. 

Farewell WWF! The WWF cycling kakis were very encouraging, telling me that it is only 25km away. Or I can drive over with the bike for the ride bcos Singapore is only this small. Or maybe we should move back to the West soon since we move so frequently. Hahahah. I will think hard about it. Hoho. 

Mummy Lim

I Got Ears

In the recent years, I have seen very fanciful motorcycle helmets, some with fluffy ears, others with big bow and laces. No such things during my times. 

I had been telling Daddy Lim that I wanted to”fluffy ears” for my cycling helmet too. I had seen some crazy cyclists stuck fluffy ears to theirs and I wanted that too. I finally bought my fluffy ears off Shoppee. They are not expensive, less than $10. 

Actually, I forgot that I bought them. The package came, Zaky opened it and was asking what furry thing did I buy. Ah! My ears! Hoho. The package came with a ball or what looks like tail too. Haha.

Daddy Lim said that they are too close together, but that is the only flat and big enough surface to stick the ears. The ears are stuck on using velco with tape, which also mean that the ears can be taken off when needed (thankfully).

This morning, I went for my WWF ride. I did feel quite stupid, and that I am probably too old for these. Nevertheless, I should at least wear them once. 都买了 While riding to the meet up point, I checked a few times to make sure that they didn’t fly off. Not aero-dynamic at all. lol. 

It was fun though. Hoho. 

At some point, it started drizzling and I was thinking if I needed to “keep my ears”. Luckily, the drizzle ceased quickly.

The ears are still intact. I apparently didn’t ride fast enough to blow them away. Haha. Will I wear them again? Maybe. Haha.

Mummy Lim

Go JB Jiak Bfast

There were only 2 of us organising yday’s ride. The other partner suggested that we will head to JB for bfast and back. Let’s go! 

The group yday was small, only 9 of us. It is good to keep it small especially when it is an almost impromptu “overseas” ride. It is unfamiliar terrain and not fun to lose cyclists. 

The group rolled off at 5am and I got to join them from Junction 10, shaving off 10km one way. I don’t mind the shorter distant and in fact was secretly happy. When I texted the group to share their location when they roll off, I was still in bed. Then I don’t know why I ended up 摸-ing and the group had to wait for me. Sorry, sorry, coffee on me. 

Rolling to the custom.

We made it nicely into JB, there was barely any Q for cyclists/ motorcyclists at both sides of the immigration but the cars were already starting to Q at 5ish. We made it safe and sound and continued to Bukit Indah for bfast. 

It was a kopitiam but you know how the JB kopitiams served darn good food. Hoho. 

The Malaysian couple who brought us here are foodies and this is their usual bfast hangout. You know that it is good. Hoho.

As we were tucking in, the same couple was telling us that a few streets away, we could have mango sticky rice that sold out quickly and is to die for. What must we do? Stay calm and eat mango sticky rice. 

The mangos were so sweet. 

We started to head back at 8ish. Out came the sunblock slapping and arm sleeves. It is always harder to ride when the heat is turned on. We had a quick water break near to the custom. 

The custom is usually not so busy when we head back to Singapore. They were saying that maybe it was bcos we were earlier than usual and at 9am, the Malaysians were trying to make their way to Singapore for work too. It was very crowded and thus very dangerous. It was like risking our lives to go JB eat bfast. Hoho. 

Our group was split bcos of the crowd. I intentionally waited for the rest to clear the custom to ride together out of the Singapore immigration bcos I know that there is a right turn that we have to make and I duno where that exactly is. Riding together is always safer and it was really scarily dangerous bcos there were so many motorcycles and vehicles, all trying to cut into each other’s lane.

Our group made it safely into the right lane/ turn to go home, then realised that we were missing 2 cyclists from the other group. Those 2 had missed the crucial turn and went straight, which would lead them directly to BKE. They eventually caught up and shared that they indeed almost went into BKE. They had to dismount and push their bicycles to safety and then get back into the right route. See, see, don’t know route must wait. 

I got home the earliest. Hohoho. 

Nice ride! One of the cyclists in the group said that we should do this again next month. Hmmm.. I am not sure if I want to risk my life yet ah. Lol. 

Mummy Lim

Happy 8th Anniversary to WWF

5 years ago, Daddy Lim and I started cycling on our mountain bikes and then we found the WWF. I remembered joining them for their 3rd anniversary celebration. 

How time flies! It had been 5+ years since I started cycling with them. We survive the Covid years and the group still stay strong. 

It also means that my Liv is about 5 YO. 

Every now and then, Daddy Lim will ask if I wanted to change my bike and remind that its resale value is probably so low now. It is ok, I am really comfortable with my Liv and my hunt wheels. If I am to change my bike, it is probably bcos the hunt wheels have worn out or I am so frustrated with the brakes, and would look for something with disc brakes. For now, this is good and keeps me happy, so long as it doesn’t rain when I am out riding. 

Yday was WWF 8th anniversary ride. We wore the new jersey or any of the older WWF jersey. 

We look so good together. Hoho. 

Happy 8th Anniversary to WWF! This group of cycling friends had made my Saturday morning cycling so interesting and kept me going. 

Mummy Lim