RIR Cycling Map Archives - Sengkang Babies

RIR cycling map

This post covers the full route of RIR (Round Island Route) 75km, I have added in our Strava RIR cycling map too.

Refer to our first post for more details and GPS.

Our YouTube video is at this link.

Tip 1.
Our latest RIR cycling map is at this Strava map . Just open link in Google Map and follow turn by turn. (You may browse our first Strava map, showing half of 75km, for points of interest).

The 75km route should take you 5 to 6 hours easily, including breaks, navigation and photo stops.

Group of four (E, A and J) started at Rower’s Bay. Nice weather to start the ride, but it quickly turn warm.

Do cover RIR during daytime to admire all the sights and amenities (slap on generous sunscreen!). Otherwise, you will only see darkness at night :p

Stake this Jalan Kayu spot (GPS 1.405991, 103.872001) to enjoy a mist carpet at 0700. When we returned at 0730, the Sun was raising higher, and mist has started to dissipate.

The new PC (Park Connector) is wide and I love the bridge at the end. You no longer need to cycle on the road and avoid buses or pedestrians (bus stop).

Tip 2.
Take note the segment along Jalan Kayu (food area) is very narrow, and packed with pedestrians. Go slow. (Optional. My Strava map has a shortcut)

This new bridge is appearing too frequently in Facebook and Instagram (GPS added in previous post).

Notice the identical bridge designs, be it at Jalan Kayu, Sengkang or Changi. Wide, functional and aesthetic.

Tip 3 to 6. Refer to Nparks map.
-After Lorong Halus Bridge (PCN), turn into Pasir Ris via new pavement

-Official Pasir Ris (RIR) exit is after Downtown East (GPS 1.377841, 103.956147) but we exit at Car Park A to avoid the crowds

-We took shortcut (before Mosque) and cut behind Tua Pek Kong temple. Official track is to CLIMB Pasir Ris Drive 3 and Loyang Ave.

-Nparks map indicate left-turn into Hendon camp road and connect to Changi Beach Park. Most will actually cycle straight towards Changi Village. (If comfortable, cycle on the road along Netheravon Rd as pavement is narrow and bumpy.)

If you follow my RIR YouTube below, the description timestamp will show the clips of shortcuts and entry points.

We did noticed significantly more walkers and cyclists on our second trip along Changi Bay PC. Round Island Route is gaining more followers 🙂

Tip 7. Do take note of dogs.
They mostly leave humans alone, but we saw a black dog ambushing and chasing a lone cyclist :p (Just stay calm and slow down)

New bridge Changi Bay PC (Image credit friend)

Do take note that it is more scenic and shady to reach Changi Bay PC from Changi Village (instead of through East Coast Park and TMCR).

Spotted starfish under the bench. Go find octopus, squid and Jellyfish too.

Tip 8.
Along TMCR (Tanah Merah Coastal Road), remember to turn left and head towards Coastal PN. If you are cycling on road, you might miss the entrance.

After TMCR and ECP, we had a lunch pitstop at East Coast Hawker Centre. Avoid the popular duck rice if you are rushing for time. (Expect to wait up to 30min. Duck rice is tasty though).

Passed by Marina Barrage, Gardens by the Bay then photo-op at Arts Museum before we crossed Helix Bridge.

Follow Singapore River West along Alexandra Park Connector (official name is Alexandra Canal Linear Park)

This 6km segment follows the canal, and stretched from Clarke Quay to Queenstown MRT (refer Google Map). First timers will need to slow down at junctions and execute some tight turns to join the PCN segments. And Clarke Quay is always crowded.

Loves the green “curtain” along the canal. Really gives a touch of nature to the concreate surroundings.

From here, we navigated narrow PCN from Queenstown to Alexandra road before we reach Labrador Park. Refer our Strava map for reference navigation.

Tip 9. We would recommend that you take the pavement and PC (Park Connector) opposite of Alexandra Hospital.

We travelled on the side of Alexandra Hospital, and road was narrow and so much minor roads, bustops and junctions.

Although Labrador Park (Berlayer Creek) is the end point. We could not find any RIR navigational signs. #NoCongratsSigns :p

We are just Happy to complete the full Round Island Route.

Passed by Merlion Singapore on the way home (Image credit friend)

Tip 10.
Do refer to our full RIR cycling map (Strava map here). It will help you to identify and maybe pinpoint the turns along Round Island Route.

Additional tips for new riders:

– No need to stick 100% to Nparks map. It is ok to detour a bit, for a more relaxed cycling experience or sidetrack to photograph nearby attraction

– Research more PCN (Park Connectors ) at Nparks website
– We love Coast to Coast trail too (40km)

Let me share a few toilet points (and water coolers) along the route: (clockwise direction)
–Rower’s Bay
–Sengkang Riverside Park
–Punggol Waterfront
–Lorong Halus
-Many Toilets in Pasir Ris Park
-Changi Point Ferry Terminal
–Changi Bay PC (last one before TMCR)
–Changi Coastal (toilet only no water cooler)
–East Coast Park
–Marina Barrage
-I am not familiar with the restroom locations from Clarke Quay towards the end

-If you love cycling RIR, you will love our Taiwan cycling experience
(Click for 4D3N Hualien to Taitung)

ps.. in case you prefer walking to cycling, there is another RIR Route (150km).

Crafted by SGTrek, do find the materials and map here. A few of us #DaddyMatters had completed the first segment from Kranji to Canberra MRT. Do PM/email me if you need more details.

Singapore Round Island Route for cycling

This first segment or Singapore Round Island Route is 75km, and covers Rower’s Bay, Sengkang, Punggol, Pasir Ris, Changi, Tanah Merah Coastal Road, East Coast Park, MBS, Clarke Quay, Queenstown (MRT), till Labrador Park.

*update 01Feb – Second blog post (full RIR) with Strava Map is up

Second segment of Round Island Route (RIR) will only be ready in 2035. Expect park connectors (PC) and pavements to link to Lim Chu Kang and Neo Tiew road.

Cycling from Sengkang to East Coast Park via RIR (YouTube Video)

With such a big announcement, many cyclists were busy exploring the new route and detours. Alas, Nparks’ map is not really accurate, and many are left guessing with navigation.

Nparks’ link and map is here, but my strava map is more accurate :p

In this post, I will only cover from Sengkang to East Coast Park.

Two highlights for me would be Sengkang Bridge and stretch along Tanah Merah Coastal Road.

With more folks exploring different segments of RIR, I would recommend that you wait for more details on the entry and exit points. This might save you some extra energy, unless you love to explore and do not mind getting lost 🙂

Getting Lost in Singapore can be Fun!

New Sengkang Bridge

This bridge has taken too long to open, many joggers and cyclists were curious about the other side of the bridge. This bridge does not disappoint.

Wide, spacious and quite scenic. If only future bridges could be this standard. Same applies for RIR’s wide passageways. Kudos!

Sengkang New Bridge is located at this spot (GPS 1.400038, 103.887772). You will need to ride up a mini slope, and bridge is just behind the toilet.

Cross Punggol’s iconic Lorong Halus Bridge to head towards Pasir Ris.

Take note after passing the PCN along Lorong Halus (towards Pasir Ris direction).

Take a left turn at the junction ( point “X” below GPS 1.383997, 103.936452). 99% of folks will turn right at this junction and head towards Downtown East direction.

You can now cut direct into Pasir Ris Park, and exit at (GPS 1.388065 103.939067).

This entry point is easy to miss, and I consider myself a regular along this stretch. Do LOOK OUT for heavy vehicles driving in and out of Pasir Ris Farmways.

Between Downtown East and Api Api river, there are at least 4 entry/exit points into Pasir Ris Park. I do not know which one is official “RIR” entry.

Please share Pasir Ris park other exit points with me 🙂

Fast forward to Changi Bay Park Connector

Shortly after Changi Ferry Terminal, turn left into the new Park Connector.
Refer my Strava Map, GPS is 1.370873, 104.004861.

Take note the trees (samplings) will need at least a few years to mature. There are minimum shelters, but there is a toilet along this 4km stretch.

This 4km stretch might make your TMCR journey a little bit more scenic. Feels a bit like family-edition of TMCR.

Rare to find this type of under-utilised cycling route in Singapore. It would be perfect if there is more shade.

Those who wish to explore only Changi stretch, can just park at carpark next to Changi Ferry Terminal. Stretch yourself and you can reach Jurassic Mile (and Changi T2), 15km one way.

Nice image below credit my friend Eddie.

Love this small climb, slowly exposing the horizon. Suspect the sunrise at this spot should be mesmerising.

This lone moon-leave tree caught my attention. It felt like the 金城武 tree in Taitung (maybe I am too imaginative). Do pop by our Taiwan Taitung cycling trip here.

You will exit PC after passing by Changi Exhibition Centre, and face the boring Tanah Merah Coastal Road (TMCR) again.

Jelly fish under the bench!

After Navy Museum junction, you will detour left. This is a new stretch of road and park connector, with dedicated bike lane.

Look left and enjoy the coastal view. Look right and you might identify the buildings along the “original” TMCR route.

For those new to Tanah Merah Coastal Road, there is a parallel PCN. I was cycling on the dedicated bike lane.

Hot day, enjoyed some shade and biscuits at Coastal Park Connector.
Spot the sails and fishing along this ulu cove.

Leisurely ride into East Coast Park. Spotted some stealth otters swimming inland during high tide.

Pit stop at my favourite 7-11 along East Coast Park. Recharge with ice cream and Pocari.

Feedback for RIR:

1)Hope Nparks will add more Singapore Round Island Route markers. During my trip, I can spot many cyclists lost in Sengkang or Pasir Ris 🙂

2)We hope the trees will grow faster and provide more shade.

Was supposed to cover up to MBS, but I woke up late and missed the timing. Singapore Round Island Route will be popular with cyclists and families.

More opportunities to explore all corners of Singapore. Thank you Nparks!

Updated 01Feb
The second blog post on RIR is ready, click link for blog post.

Do refer to our full RIR cycling map (Strava map here). It will help you to identify and maybe pinpoint the turns along Round Island Route.