Cheap Trail

2007-12-27T14:36:00.000+08:00

64.48km

A total of 64.48km ride from my house in Toa Payoh to the famous Changi Jetty and back home again. A most fun and yet tiring but worth riding trail. Once you hit the end of East Coast park, the park connector leading to the jetty will give you tones of sight to see that you will love then enjoying the sight of airplanes taking off without the worries about on going road traffics anymore too. Many little shelters along the way for us to have our rest or even shade ourselves from rains. Smooth path too.

2007-11-03T21:42:00.000+08:00

Yes i finally got off my lazy butt and ride somewhere. Todays' weather was rather good, and a friend of mine joined me along for the ride.

Meet up

A long road

Pretending

Fun shot

The end of the ride

2007-10-20T20:07:00.000+08:00

Today was a lazy day as usual, don't know where to go and don't know what to do.So graped my bike out for a spin and started having this crazy idea to have photos taken while in motion on my bike.

Observing

Towards ahead

My leg lol :P

Myself

Crossing

All took from my trusty Nokia 3230 phone.

2007-10-05T19:36:00.000+08:00

As the sun burns onto the exposed skin and feeling the sensation of the warm breeze flows. Today i decided to go out for a spin, East Coast Park was my destination, to my surprised the stamina of lasting that length from my estate to the park was good, though with a pain butt. Along the way to the end of my destination of the park, a gateway or some sort stand still before the ocean. At this point an inspiration of a film plot came into my head. Well wish me luck.

2007-09-09T23:16:00.000+08:00

After a long good rest from recovery, i am finally back on my bike. It really feels good to be on the bike again. However, even after such a long break from riding, i didn't have that steam or urge to get on my bike that much anymore, yes of cause i will try hard in getting back to my favorite sport again. He i was at Upper Pierce reservoir enjoying the warm breeze and the sunshine which i had miss for sometime. The ride was a hard one for me as this time as i hardly have time to train now. So stay tune for future story of my new maybe un-explore trip that i never seen before.

2007-07-30T14:32:00.000+08:00

The bunny crash

A fantastic day for a spin and a trip to the bike shop to get my pedal change. On my way home, i remembered my good friend taught me how to do the bunny hope. Then few days ago i try, finally i did it. With excitement i did it over and over again till i wanted to hope over something. At my miss-judgement i pulled the rear wheel too hard and the front did not get off the ground at all and i end up with a crash that the handle bar hits my rib cage.

Ouch!

Yup! Once again i did something silly and without any expert guidance. Now i have to rest and hang loose for awhile, again... Till then, watch out for a new adventure on Cheap trail.

LOL sounds like a TV show.

2007-07-19T20:36:00.000+08:00

Like a ghost town

After a long break and recovering from my really extremely bad cough that lasted for about 2 months, I finally got this chance to go riding once more again. Today, i set my coast for Marina South, an island with great happenings usually during the weekends night, where you will find good food and clubs to wind your stress away.

I had being trying to get to this island for sometime now, wondering how to get there and wanting to avoid the crazy traffic in Shenton Way or Raffles Place. Instead I ride through by the ECP fly over going towards Marina South. A long slope up and a long slope down, fun but tiring though.

A climb into dead town, almost...

Taking a breath for a sec

Ha! Avoiding the traffic

Finally reach my destination, however i have to go through a construction site first. Don't worry, it is totally safe, not much of heavy vehicles were sighted. About a total of 27km from Toa Payoh there and back. During my scroll around, notice that some shops that are used to be there, were gone and clear out. The kite shop that had lots of beautiful designs also was gone. During my expedition in that area, somewhat it feels like a ghost town. Perhaps during the weekends would be different.

The ghost town

Where is everyone?

Close

2007-05-15T02:40:00.000+08:00

A clear day

Today, a great for a fun outing for cycling. My friends and i decided to go out for a cycle but before that i needed to have my wheelset changed as my wheel hubs are completely gone so might as well get a new set. Wow! i can tell you the new wheelsets are so smooth that i didn't really need to pedal much as the travel distants movement is rather far.

The bikes

That's me!

And so our destination today is Upper Pierce Reservoir. I had told myself not to go there anymore as the up slopes are way too steep for me to handle, however by the 2nd slope up i'd realised this wasn't that bad after all the training and sooner then i know i am there at the reservoir.

My friends

While having our enjoyable rest and admiring the scenery, my camera just couldn't resist the photo taking.

What a show off

2007-05-01T00:05:00.000+08:00

A come back

Finally, a long rest from an injured ankle and strengthening it. After some training, today decided i would give my favorite past time a try again. A bright and sunny day, i set my course for Punggol Beach, about 25km from Toa Payoh. As i am not familiar with the route to my destination, i had to go through the rough traffic of Upper Serangoon Road. However almost at the end of Punggol Road, the up and down hills are fun and also rather with light amount of vehicles around to be seen.

Along the Upper Serangoon there are a couple of catholic churches that i may have heard of but didn't have had the chance to visit them. I took a turn into Hillside Drive then Highland Road, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, they have a nice external design. Then next was Church of The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary just along Upper Serangoon Road right before at the juntion of Hougang Ave 8, this church has a huge parking space and a majestic building.

A World War II site and also a jetty going to the Outward Bound Singapore (OBS). Now a seems forgotten site has become a beach of all who wants to unwind their stress day of work. A good place to relax, and also a police post is at site too. Right across the beach we could have a clear sight of our neighbor, Malaysia. In total there and back is about 31km. For beginners cyclist, this route alone Upper Serangoon Road is rather not that friendly as the traffic flow is pretty hash, if you are taking the road. If any who want to take this route, remember to ride safe and always wear your safety gear.

2006-10-31T07:57:00.000+08:00

My adventure

2006, in sometime middle of September in Singapore, the haze had stop most of the people from going out or the outdoor activities. With PSI reading of about 100 to 150, it just also had stop me from cycling. However, with my itchy leg, everytime when the readings goes down to about 80, i just wouldn't want to wait for a clear blue sky i'll just head out for a sping to a near by park, Lower Pierce.

And so my adventure begins even with the haze trying to chock me up. My first look into my map, i got to go see this place, Kranji Dam, it's a historical site of Kranji beach battle place. It's a long and rough trip i would say, on the way when again i was lost, and also brings back memories when i was a like three years old i think i was at this Upper Seletar Reservoir when this building first gave me an impression i might have went up there before when i was a kid.

Then come next is an old abandon army camp but i belive it is still under protection by the military, and a KTM railway track. Lots of trucks and cars going pass this place Kranji Loop an industy park with rough road that i end up having a bad butt day. Finally, at about 30km something, i am at my destination, again this place just look so familiar as is i was here before when i was a little rascal, yes going there was fun but the way back is the tiring part, but of cos i managed to reach home.

About a week after that adventure trip to the Dam, i suddenly have the spirt to have another, but this time is bit of a different, i wanted something more thrill, so as again look into my map, bingo Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Hearing from some of the more professional or hard core cyclist, they said this trail is not a good idea for leisure bikers who just started out, so i have to see it for myself. Took me about an hour or so to rech the reserve, up looking at the route, well thinking to myself it might not be as scary as what they said. So being a stubborn i just pedal on, upon slop after steep slop, and i finally sees another this time a big one. By the time i actually climb up without pedaling, looking forward and decided to turn back and my legs doesn't seems to behave on that day. But well going down was much fun actually. So in the end it turn out to be true what they said and so i just look around the park.

On my way back, as the sound of the ring and gon from near my house, i know i just have to take a look. It's a chinese puppet opera, they are just offering a show to the gods of their believes, this is now a dieing tradition today as we are not enjoying it, back then during the our great grandparent's time even children will take a seat and watch, as this is the only entertainment during the yester years.

Now about 2 week past and the haze seems to be gone, now with a clear blue sky and finally i am able to see some clouds and not forgetting the smiley looking face sun. So my friend and i decided to go out for a sping, we quickly grab our bikes and head for Sembawang Park. Another about two hours ride, we finally reach our destination, i with a crave for ice cold 100Plus drink, drank it down with joy and of cause have a sit back and relax while we are there with all the fresh air. So as for me sitting there and got bore, started taking out my camera and just wanting waste or finish up this roll of film.

2006-08-12T19:26:00.000+08:00

Last Wednesday was National Day, instead of just staying at home lazing away, i'd decided to go for a spin. So the plan was to go to Upper Peirce reservoir park, i could still remember when i was a lot younger before my parents would bring me along to this reservoir park, however i don't seems to remember much. This place do really bring back memory.

The journey there for me as a beginner rider isn't easy, but i would say the route to this reservoir is good for those what to train their strength as there is a couple of up hills and here's the fun part for those who love the thrill of speed as also their down hills road are pretty high and long, i've always went at about 47km/h for down hill.

When reach, i was overwhelm with the green nature landscape. As i sat down on some bench, closing my eye i could almost felt the peace within this park. The air is rather fresh too. I'd already sat there for like about three hours, i just love the peace and scenery. On my way home. Passing through Bishan park one, i managed to capture this trial bikers doing what they do best, jumping onto and off any thing that is stable enough to hold their rides and the bikers themselves.

Oh Thursday, after all the trip from Wednesday's Upper Peirce reservoir park, i just had to go down to Lower Peirce reservoir park as well. When i finally reach my destination at Lower Peirce, also again i was delighted by it's remarkable landscape and not to mention the calmness of this reservoir.

After a ride to Lower Peirce reservoir park, i just felt like going for a long ride. I head down to Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West, this park is also a good location for up hill training or strength. This park is to very beautiful as well.

2006-08-04T22:16:00.000+08:00

Endure!

Today, i do felt the adventure sprite in me. So from any normal routes just around my home, instead i went from Toa Payoh all the way to Changi Beach Park. To be exact, the distance is 31.20km. Now comes the hard part, as by now my enduring system is completely fried. However it's still rather an enjoyable ride.F

Finally home sweet home 60.71km, i have to tell you this, i am not ready for this kind of really long work out yet but i must not just give up hope, i can do it!

Pit stop

Wow this is close!

Another about 30km more to go...

2006-08-04T22:07:00.000+08:00

My red steed!

My new steed, love it!

2006-07-14T19:00:00.000+08:00

Strolling around ...

Running out of places to go in this island Singapore. So it turn out to be just a stroll anywhere my legs can bring me.

2006-06-05T20:53:00.000+08:00

Cheap thrill!

Last Saturday was a hot and lazy afternoon, as i started late for my cycling, so I'd decided to just take a spin around my neighourhood. So i head on down to Bishan Park 1 and 2, round and round only i cycle, yeah rather very boring but hey i managed to cover at least about 17kms. On my way back home, a sight that had remind me of my childhood days that i used to play down along the canal of my old place catching little fishes just after my school ends.

Today, Monday, if not for bumping into my friends i wouldn't had actually experience the thrill down my spine ,off road riding! however they walk i cycle, because they didn't expected me to join them on a last min notice. Anyway, of cause off road cycling is a real thrill to experience but also dangerous if you are not careful. So I'd conquer quite a few up hills and they are usually pretty long ones.

At first, i would wonder if my stock front fork suspension could take the beating of rough terrain of MacRitchie Reservoir. It was both thrilling fun and also not so fun, due to after a brief warning from the park ranger, while on my direction heading toward the HSBC TreeTop Walk and turn out to be that i had to walk all the way to the nearby entrance to lock up my bike, also just found out that we are not even allow to push our bicycle in most of the nature parks, i really do hate this rules that stops us from enjoying the beauty of connecting with nature, while cycling, in a way.

And so finally, my friends had finally arrived where we are to meet. While another climb with my legs this time up this long and winding path and after all the cycling I conquered, walking up is also rather tiring for me too. Yes, at last we are there, unfortunately we didn't do our research, the HSBC TreeTop Walk is close on every Monday, a real waste of our trip but hey at least i experienced the thrill that i didn't had before.

2006-05-26T21:38:00.000+08:00

My first crash

A beautiful day for another long distance cycling today. Destination Sentosa Island, at first i think to myself, this is going to be a long ride, boy was i wrong instead it's rather more bumpier then going to East Coast park. The traffic is much more challenging then i though. My first fear was cycling through Orchard Road, man, today's drivers, what happen to them man, in my own lane, the space is so big and not a single car and yet there will still a naughty driver horned at you and even look at you, what did i do? Well, i just stick to the road rules and paddle on to my destination.

A few climbing up of slope to conquer, Chinatown is next. Another messy traffic to look out for. When i was about ten minutes away from the island, where i still need to paddle hard for this rather long slope heading towards Church of St Teresa along Kampong Bahru Road, i stop by a bus stop rest my pity stressful legs for awhile.

When I'm done, as always i will look out for in coming vehicles, clear to go, i paddle hard and fast and didn't realized that I'm moving too fast towards the side walk, i keep thinking that i can squeeze or avoid it but i was wrong, my miss judgment leaded me into becoming Superman. My paddle hit real hard on the side pavement, i flew like about one meter away from my bike, saw a pretty fast moving car coming towards me, something just tells me to roll right now! I'd managed to dodged the fast moving vehicle just in time. Pick myself up. See if there is anything broken on myself and of cause the bike too, fortunately not a scratch accept for my right knee with a minor scratch. And what do you know, my Hasa cheap bike, i don't see any damage at all accept a few torn off paint job on the bike, also when i landed onto the ground i felt my head bumped, and later also didn't even see a scratch on my MET helmet, wicked!

For awhile, i was worried about my bike too. So i carry on to my Destination, nothing still can stop me, for now. Finally i was at the entrance to the island and also almost miss the turn. Anyhow, paid for the entrance fee $2/- to the island, my first though was to find a place to pit stop for some cool refreshing drinks. When i was finally there, i too didn't take any photos as almost everywhere are upgrading or doing construction, so instead i put up with some of my previous photos when i was there just about four months back.

After enjoyed enough of my Snapple drink, it's time to head home for the sky is rather dark, looks like it's going to rain. Well another about 10km of ride home and all the messy traffics coming ahead of me soon, well wish me luck.

2006-05-24T21:28:00.000+08:00

Operation 33km

Today, armed with a digital camera i'd managed to capture some of what i don't see everyday kind of images. My plan today is to head down to East Cost park and perhaps try to conquer a further distant then the last time i was there at around the distant of 10km. Also today i wanted to capture this yellow tower at the end of East Coast park, till now i have no idea what this tower is for, it somewhat could be a watch tower during the Japanese war invasion or it may had being watch tower for supervisor to watch over the workers during the old times. Whatever it is, this yellow tower sure had interest me.

Carry on with my cycling, again i'd past the location where i was just last week as my pit stop. Today i told myself, no i must go further, with all my will of strength, i push on. As peddling got harder due to climbing of an up hill, there is this “WOW” a first in Singapore Cable waterskiing, cool! This space used to be just an empty ground. Hmm...i guessed i have not really being to East Coast park for a very long time, so i sat down just for a little while and also managed to snap some shots.

I was just wondering while cycling, why is it today so pack with teens hanging around the park. Later i realized it's the school holidays now for some schools in Singapore, also i'd notice there are more and more people now doing their regular exercises from the time i saw last week and today also the numbers seem to be increased.

Finally, my pit, 15km. Bedok jetty, one of the most popular location in this park for fishing and also a rather great spot to let your hair down for some cool breeze. During in the evening is also always crowded with fisherman hobbyist or if you ain't there for the fishing, you can always still just watch them or even just hang around and enjoy some cool wind.

On my way out of the park, something that caught my eye which bring me forward to take one or two photos of these sand castle. Now back on the road, it is going to be another long and yet enjoyable ride for me, about another 15km more to reach home for a cold shower. Over all i guess i had went maybe beyond my abilities, however it had being an interesting ride and having great fun traveling from Toa Payoh to East Coast park, 33km.

2006-05-19T20:24:00.000+08:00

$250/- Hasa is the brand, that is the cost of my brand new bike, a cheap yet upgradeable bike that can get me pretty far, i guess. My first trip is just only a scroll around my neighourhood as a little training for me to start of with, mind you i had not cycle for about a year already, anyway ever since when i bought this nice looking bike i could actually travel much further then with my old heavy bike.

My furtherest cycle at that time so far is still about 8km, for 2 weeks, same place every week, hahaha getting bored. Now my record is at least 25km at three times a week, also explore some of the place or things that i have not seen it before, sadly i didn't had my camera with me however i will put up some photos when i'm on my trip to some place again. So come back to this page again for more exicting photos on my cheap trail.