Updates from Yishun St. 71

Just a short posting

2007-03-04T23:49:00.000-08:00

The conclusion to all matter is this: God alone is the source and giver of life and everything good. Remain in Him and He will remain in you.

A Feburary afternoon...

2007-03-03T06:31:00.001-08:00

Saturday 3th March. Early in the morning, I went with mum and sis to Standard Chartered Bank in Woodlands to do a combined account. Was there early so we had Mac breakfast. Had quite a bit of problem with the frequnent savings plan and in the end, we got an FD which was not really idea for us. To cut the story short, we learned from mistakes and had a better knowledge of the plans that the bank offers.
Just in this morning alone, I noticed 2 ugly acts of singaporeans... While trying to come out of MRT, I was blocked by people who just can't wait to get in. Also, when I tried to get into a lift, I noticed that some youths just can't wait to get in. And worst of all, a mother with a pam is trying to get out! I almost wanted to bark @ them army style but I controlled... controlled... controlled...

After I got home, I took Chloe out to tampines bike trail to have a solo run. Got there by taking off the 2 wheels and putting the body in the backsit. Well, it seems to work and it'll be the mode of transport next time when I go Ubin or Penerrang.
Today's track was muddy and slippery - due to the few day's rain. This time, I tried to conquer the hump I missed during the first visit. My first attempt got me rolling back with Chloe over me. Good thing I was wearing knee pads and the fall wasn't bad. Next was the mud trail. It was hard hard work peddling in mud, not to mention DIRTY! Didn't have much strenght to do much cycling and went off not long after. However, I did try the 'Ramp' but also fell in the process, this time among torns. Well, the money to invest in full fingered gloves and knee pads pays off and I wasn't scratched bad from the fall.

Cycled around and ended up in Pasir Ris. To be honest, today's not been a great day. Lousy mood. Cycling in Pasir Ris park, everyone seems happy. Took a rest at Fisherman's village and had a fried rice dinner. The place was not crowded. The northen wind was blowing, stirring along gentle waves on a low-tide afternoon. My sit was right at the edge of the beach, with a beautiful view of Ubin and Penggerang. Except for a moment the sun stole a peek over the clouds, the afternoon was cloudy. Restaurant was playing Jay Chou's CD. Perhaps the lyrics of this song could do well to express my feelings:

菊花残

满地伤

你的笑容已泛黄

花落人断肠我心事静静淌

北风乱夜未央

你的影子剪不断

徒留我孤单

在湖面成双

It was raining after the meal... I went home to burn CD for San.. Hope better dayz will come...

Mountain Bike vs. Racer

2007-02-27T19:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, i bum into uncle Sam while doing a causal ride in yishun. He chor me to go for a 'short' ride with him. This is the first time I rided with a racer and he sure is fast! Actaully, he was doing at a very leisure pace, but I was cycling the fastest I could in my life! The path is: Yishun, Mandai, Kranji, Sungei Kadut, Mandai and back to Yishun. The whole ride is about 1.5 hours, with avg speed of 22km/hr. I have to agree that I'm slow and my conclusion is that I have a long training ahead of me.
Uncle Sam told me that actually gals can cycle faster than me. (I sure hoped he was referring to gals on racers!) He told me techniques parts a big part as well. Ok, I'll do more cycling and push myself harder in order to improve. Also, trying hard to do that kerp jump. Benson said "If you don't fall down - you don't learn"
Also fell down yesterday while trying to avoid a flat-bed trailer. Got trapped in SPD. New wound on top of old wound...

I brought Chloe new shoes!

2007-02-24T01:12:00.000-08:00

Well, not 'shoes' to be exact but a pair of off-road tires. This pair has got a much needed grip especially when doing trails - something my factory chinese tires cannot do. Well, that's what more experienced riders says: 'can't make it'. Haha. Well, me being a newbie just have to humbly believe their opinion. But After the change, the ride does feel better. Btw, the tire was done up at the shop where uncle Sam introduced. The boss there is very nice - not like the BUSINESS MAN whom i meet in another shop. It's important and good to have a good support from a bike shop, especially for a newbie like me. Dun like those folks who just like to earn your money and offered solutions to their own benefit.

Anyway, Thomas also tuned Chloe and the feel after that is great! brakes were adjusted, brake level postion was corrected, shifters were tuned. Well, I'm more than HAPPY! Chloe feels good as ever! :-) Thomas suggested keeping the bike intact and only upgrade the crankset if i really wan to. I would agree with him as Chloe does not have a lot of upgrade potential. It's basically a ride-it-hard-an-get-the-most-out-of-it bike. This serve my purpose well as I'm feeling my way around in the sport.

I went Shawn's place in Aljuni and cycled back Paya Lebar. At yishun dam, I encountered the strongest wind I ever cycled thus far. A storm is blewing and the sky was over casted. The head wind really make peddling much much harder, even on a flat road. It doesn't help when I'm also carrying a newly brought army full pack. Boy, it was tough but i put through.

Skills is the key - dream bike will come in time

2007-02-23T16:33:00.000-08:00

Lately, I have been really dreaming of a nice full susser (full suspension) with hydralic disc brakes and lockable suspension. A few brands comes as hot favs. Rocky Mountain bikes are a real style, Jamis has got a bargain at less than $2000 for a very decent full susser. However, I was really ogling at a Rocky Mountain ETSX10. Was quoted about $4000 for it.

But really, do I have a need for it? Sane thinking tells me not. Only been really taking up mountain biking more seriously and I consider myself really a beginner. The off-roads I ride are few compare to the road biking I have done - though I am seeking out more trails to run. Tampines Mountain Bike trails is just so great for training but it's a real shame I live so far from it. If not, I'll surely practise the trail whenever I'm free. :)

So back to the point: I'm just not really for a mid-range bike. Not enough tricks under my belt and not enough knowledge to tune and make the best of it. So, I guess I'll just do my 'growing-up' with Chloe (I still loves her!) and wait till a few years down the road before I get another gal.
Besides, It's the skill that counts. A brillant tool in an un-skilled hand is a real turn-off!

@ Tampines Mountain Bike Trail

2007-02-22T15:57:00.000-08:00

Went mountain biking with Shawn to Tampines Mountain Biking Trail. It was the first time we went there. Shawn was riding his new red GT avanlanche 2.0. Started off exploring the 'forest trail' which was basically an earth path with some rocky sections. One part of the path is intersected with roots and a big hump which I didn't managed to clear this time. Well, being first time there, it's more I a familiarization ride, so i didn't have the intention of attacking the trail. Also didn't ride with my SPD on because I don't wanna get trapped while falling.

The hilly part of the ride is a different game. The path is smooth but it has got steeper climbs and descents. Really took some hard peddling and braking in order not to do a free-ride downhill. Shawn completed most of the track while i took some shortcuts here and there...

It's a wonderful track. But one that need to get me to do some homework of findng some techiques of mountain biking. hmm... check with Benson, my colleague - whose the mt. guru. His the sort who have done so pretty wild stuffs with his mt. bike in his older days.

Next time there: knee/elbow protection; tuned disc brakes; lowered saddles.... and I'm good to go!

Over the Chinese New Year 2007

2007-02-22T06:20:00.001-08:00

Once again it's the Chinese New Year period! It's great to enjoy 4 solid days of holidays. As with the past few CNYs, visiting relatives and having them coming over is getting more and more rare. This year, I didn't get any AngBaos from my relatives...

The streamboat dinner was a nice one. This year, good thing mum dind't buy a lot of those sotong and prawns thingy. As ususal, the food was an over-kill and I could hardly contain any more stuffs. After the dinner, I caught a midnight show 'Just follow law' with Alex, Tricia, Jona, Jolie, and Sam, a bro from Brisbane. The show was rather entertaining, with a sacastic undertone to government bureaucracy. It was good time with these yishun frens.

Next day! DA NEI CUI YI! Went Ah Ma's place and Uncle Sam got me some useful intel on cycling. Boy, I have been cycling everyday 'cept 1st day CNY. Went to explore the 'hidden fishing point' in Yishun and did a little bit of gentle off-road over there. Based on Uncle Sam's intel, i took the short cut to SengKang via Seletar Camp. Along the way, there were soo many cyclist!!! Seeing them and you'll immediately have the 'they are of the same race' feeling ^_^
Many of 'em are sooo friendly and we greeted each other as we cycled along. There a even someone from a large group of 20++ cyclist who tried to call me. I think he probably wanted to invite me to cycle along with the group... Sight, I was on the wrong side of the road and lost 'em in a short while... regret... I definitely can do well with more frens whom I can cycle together...

While doing some step climbing the second day, Chloe had her first fall... :( Good thing she arn't hurt bad...

Had a nice dinner with Mark at New York New York in AMK new mall during the holidays as well... The food was sinful and the aircon was cold! Then, it was Kara-ok session with Yishunites @ Yishun SARFA. Cost: $28 per pax. Pure rip-off during holidays.

On Tuesday, our caregroup went for visitation at each other's place. First stop: Zann's place. Zann's Ah Ma is ultra friendly but it's a real shame i can't speak cantonese... I suggested to sing her a jacky cheung cantopop song but was promptly shuted up by the rest :( We visited Eugene's place next and this time, we got to see his secret guitar. Good job bro! He is doing well with the guitar course. Then we went San's place, where she had lotz of goodies for us, BauKuas and self-baked cookies. Of course there were the omni-present spanner and sparkler (doggies) which in my opinion were the real boss of her place :) Ended up having a nice streamboat and lao-hey dinner @ Josherine's place.