Our family cycling is pedaling further and further away π
Bikes are getting bigger and we are getting fitter.
In July, we attended Car Free Sunday’s last ride in this series. We cherished the opportunity to cycle as a family on roads without menacing cars.
It has always been my Dream to get whole family active in Sports. Be it cycling ,hiking, swimming, just do it together.
Final installment of Car Free Sunday (read our first ride here). We are eager for the next “season” to start.
Meanwhile, I am training for OCBC Cycle 2016 too. Casual cycling around neighbourhood in Uncle bike, is different from 23km category. Two smaller kids will join me in 20 minutes kids category.
Kids are generally fitter and more resilient, it is the Daddy who needs to kick-start his motor π
If there is one thing which defines my cycling “orientation” journey, it is always full of adventures.
#Cycle Session 1 – Pasir Ris Park
Halfway to meeting Winston (Blogfather), my tyre’s inner tube burst, it was so loud I might have alarmed half the neighbourhood. Well, it is better to burst my tyre earlier than halfway through ulu farmway π
Google map directions is embedded at this link, 15km one way. We start from Sengkang swimming pool to Punggol Jetty, pass by Coney Island, Lorong Halus bridge, Pasir Ris Farmway and uturn at Downtown East.
Roads in Singapore are always bright, and we might sometimes take this for granted. Try driving in Malaysia small towns where there are totally no street lamps, and lots of pot holes :p
We came across many eBikes and racers throughout the night. Fortunately, we did not run into any crazy wild dogs.
We started at 9pm and reached Sengkang after midnight, hungry. Supper perhaps?
I cycled with the undersized blue foldie and was struggling even before I reach Punggol! Back pain, stiff bum and calves which threaten to cramp. Fortunately Wei swap his 26″ mountain bike with me on the return trip.
I really over-estimated my fitness, one week of soreness followed after session 1 π
On the other hand, I am so proud of Boon Wee. This is his first night ride and he managed to follow our pace all the way, no complains. He has grown much and no longer “Ah Boy”, it was me who was struggling to catch up.
Really touched when he volunteer to swap bike with me for return leg hee hee.
#Cycle Session 2 – Woodlands Waterfront
Joined up with Winston again, we followed Npark Park Connectors North (PCN).
New bike for Woodlands, I upgrade to same 26″ bike as Wei ($159), but the cycling pedal shaft gave way after 35km! My cycling journey has not always been smooth Sailing pedaling :p
Our route, Sengkang, Seletar, Yishun Dam, Lower Pierce Reservoir (PCN), followed MRT track Khatib, Yishun, Admiralty, then another 20 minutes to Woodlands Waterfront (Map of Park Connector Northern Explorer Loop).
(image credit nPArks)
Just follow the PCN markings and you should find Admiralty Park and Woodlands Waterfront easily. Lighting is quite adequate and the main roads are illuminated. We must have missed a junction in the dark and detoured too far North to Woodlands MRT.
Reached Woodlands Waterfront after 30km (including detours), what we did not expect is the horde of Pokemon hunters at 12 midnight!
Suddenly on cue, everyone dashed towards the jetty, #WalkingDeadSeason7Premier :p
Google map direction is embedded at this link, 24km one way.
On hindsight, from Yishun Dam, we should have cycle along Yishun Avenue 8, 6 and 7 to link up PCN along Canberra Drive (towards Sembawang MRT)
This is Boon Wee’s longest ride to date, I hitch a cab at 35km mark hee hee.
Improving our health is the main outcome from more fitness activities (family cycling), having Fun is something tangible and valuable for us π
Other feedbacks about cycling journey :
1) nParks Park Connectors (PCN) are cool, it allow families to cycle in safety, but we still need to look out for other park users. As PCN expands, we can cover various tracks, parks and nature in Singapore (and there are many in urban Singapore!). Looking forward to the day when all our parks are linked together π
2) Why do some folks need SUPER bright blinking lights, impairing other cyclists’ vision. Please aim your lights down, everyone can see you from 100m away!
3) On the other hand, many folks are still cycling without illumination.
Some of the lights cost less than $3, good for safety.
4) When I was young and reckless, I used to race around town in my racer bike, with just a cap (no helmet). Kids must wear helmets if they are going for rides further from home.
5) Check out some Fun cycling routes recommendation here.
6) We are waiting for next season of Carfree Sunday to start again
7) Follow our cycling journey here –> https://sengkangbabies.com/tag/cycling and our Instagram #SKbCycles
Meanwhile, we are looking forward to the following cycling activities:
– 01/02 Oct OCBC Cycles (Registration closed)
– (Free) 15 Oct OCBC and Nparks Ride Safe campaign (Punggol Promenade)
– (Free) 05 Nov Millennia Kids Challenge 9km ride (Sengkang Health)
Perhaps Pulau Ubin for next Family Cycling π
