A failed Desaru Ride

October 26 we planned to cycle to Desaru, Malaysia. From east coast park we cycle to Changi Ferry Terminal arriving around 6am, as usual Mang Jing hit 35+ kmh after we told him to take it easy! Unfortunately, the ferry is only opening at 7am. Had some light breakfast nearby and when we got back, the terminal is full of people. Ah, it's holiday in Singapore and everyone is trying to get into the boat.

After an endless wait and carb loading we arrived at Pengerang ferry terminal around 12 noon. The scorching heat is unbearable, riding condition in Malaysia is way different than Singapore. The ride started immediately; after 30km Kuya Silver had a flat tire. It's already past 1pm and there's no way we can reach Desaru then go back to Pengerang to catch the last 3pm ferry. Thus, the group decided to continue riding all the way to Desaru then Johor Bahru to Singapore. Unfortunately, just less than 30km reaching Desaru we had to stop and go back as one of our riders is having leg cramp and can't continue anymore. We decided to go back to another ferry terminal, Tanjong Belungkor which is 30km from where we stopped.

The ride was tough. It was a never ending climb. After you finish a slope another one is just meters away.

Lesson learned:
Ride early.
Bring enough water and consume it wisely.
Make sure all riders in the group almost have the same stamina, endurance and mental push. A group riding in the same speed makes the ride easier.
Pack some bread and power gel supplement. Yes, power gel. I believe in science of supplements.

Unfolding to Road Bike

Last Sunday I sold my Dahon Speed P8 for a lower price by 20%. I decided that I want to start riding road bike. Sad day for me but a very huge smile for the new owner. The buyer intend to use it for touring; he definitely got the right folding bike.

Using the money from my Dahon I bought a Polygon Helios 300. I was eyeing for Helios 400 as all of its components are Tiagra with Richey stem, handle bar and seat post. However, my budget won't fit as I need to buy necessary kit for road bike. Helios 300 is a decent entry road bike unless you're brand name conscious.

I got my road bike at Rodalink Commonwealth assisted by Sammy. He did the bike fitting and made sure I got reasonable discount. He included free bottle cage and pedals. I highly recommend Rodalink as I noticed that their price on bikes, accessories and apparels are cheaper.

It was also the first time I got to touch a Colnago frame. Oh man! I also saw a full carbon Colnago and I can lift it with two fingers :D

Kit: Topeak saddle bag, Topeak multi-tool, Topeak pump and extra tire tube.

MODEL NAME	HELIOS 300
MODEL CATEGORY	ROAD RACE – TIAGRA 18SP
SIZES (CT)	46 / 48 / 50 / 52 / 54 / 56 CMS
COLOR	BLACK WHITE GLOSS
FRAME	ALX 6XXX ALLOY RACING FRAME
FORK	COLUMBUS TUSK LIGHT CARBON
REAR SHOCK	-
HANDLEBAR	POLYGON XPERT
STEM	POLYGON XPERT
BAR END	-
HEADSET	FSA ORBIT IS-2
SADDLE	POLYGON STEEL RAIL
SEATPOST	POLYGON XPERT
CRANKSET	SHIMANO FC-R450 52/39T
PEDALS	-
BOTTOM BRACKET	SHIMANO BB-ES25
CHAINGUIDE	-
CHAIN	KMC X-9
CASSETTE SPROCKET	SHIMANO TIAGRA CS-HG50-9 12-25T
FRONT DERAILLEUR	SHIMANO SORA FD-3400 BAND TYPE
REAR DERAILLEUR	SHIMANO TIAGRA RD-4600 SS
SHIFTING LEVER	SHIMANO TIAGRA ST-4501
BRAKE LEVER	INTEGRATED BRAKE LEVER
FRONT BRAKE	SHIMANO TIAGRA BR-4600
REAR BRAKE	SHIMANO TIAGRA BR-4600
ROTOR	-
TYRE	KENDA KONTENDER K-196 700X23C
RIM	-
SPOKES	-
FRONT HUB	-
REAR HUB	-
WHEELSET	SHIMANO WH-R501

Dahon Bike: Tighten those nuts

I'm not sure if this was written before. I've been searching on Dahon site and forums on what are the screws/nuts that should be tighten on a regular basis on a Dahon folding bike but I can't find one.

Hope this will help.

Unfold your bike. From the floor grab it in the middle fold then slightly lift it up and down. If you feel there's some movement in the middle then you should tighten the hinge screw. Fold the bike, there's a Phillips screw that will allow you to stiffen the locking hinge. Try to find the right amount of tightness. Making it too tight will not allow you to close the lever. Unfold it and check if there's still movement in the middle.

I hope Dahon used an allen head instead of Phillips. I feel that it's easy to mess the Phillips head since the bolt is a bit hard to turn. If you have a small spanner, i think it is better to tighten it on the other side.

Always spray WD-40, wipe it, then lubricate these hinges, bolts/nuts as they can easily corrode.

Filipino Cyclist in Singapore

It's almost a month since my last entry. I've been busy trying to look for a new job. A huge change/decision was made by our employer and lots of people were considered redundant.

Anyway, as they always say - "change is always good". I'll definitely miss working with my former teammates especially my boss which is one of the most considerate team leads that I've ever worked with.

Moving on. A friend of mine recommended this cycling group on Facebook: Filipino Cyclist in Singapore. I joined the Dunearn - Mandail loop group ride; meeting point at Novena Velocity. Great, as I'm just 8 minutes cycling away from the meeting place.

The ride was epic!  There were road bikes, MTB and 3 folding bikes (including mine). When we arrived at Mandai road a guy on a road bike suggested that we change the plan; instead of taking Bukit Timah - Dunearn, it will be better to take a longer ride since a lof of construction is happening at Bikut Timah. The organizer (Mr. A. D.) asked us newbies if we're okay with it and we said --- YES!

I always wanted to see if I can push my body on a longer ride. There was a time I was pedaling really slow and Mr. A. D. advised to lower my gear so I won't easily get tired. He also recommended to focus in increasing my cadence by 80 - 90/minute. It really helped. My legs felt better.

The best part is that the road bike guys asked if we want to climb up Mt. Faber. Oh man, I was so excited. The only incline I had is at Chancery lane, ha-ha! I completed the climb using my lowest gear. Sick man! I love it! I love the burning sensation in my legs!

Lesson learned: Go join a group ride. You can learn a lot from other people by asking, advise and observing. Also, I find it safer since vehicles can easily see a long line of cyclist.

I like this group of riders, they strike me as serious riders in a way that they don't chat too much and take pictures. They just wanted to keep riding. The same rule that my jiu-jitsu coach always tell us, avoid talking much and just keep grappling.

Thanks to Mr. A. D.. The guy in blue jersey and bike that talked to me when I was pedaling very slow. Thanks to everyone that joined the epic 67 km ride :)

Mandai

Mt. Faber

67 km

ElectroLux Man

I'm gonna knock on your door. Ring on your bell. Knock on your window too.

My bike main purpose: grocery / market, going to my friend's bar and to relieve stress.

Hipster Handlebar (narrow)

Bike made of 9$ cardboard boxes

When engineers told Izhar Gafni it was impossible to build a bicycle from only cardboard, he didn’t stop trying — he just stepped up his game. He ended up with a fully functioning, fully ride-able bike made from cardboard scraps.

Check out the video http://mashable.com/2012/08/02/cardboard-bike/