This event had been something for us to look forward to in our increasingly mundane working lives. As usual, I prepared my gear and set off when the appropriate time came for the r.v. point (East Coast Park). I may have beaten my personal best with a timing of 1hr 5min and an average speed in excess of 30km/h (estimated).
I reached East Coast Park at 9pm and linked up with Zi Kai while we waited for the others to come. By the time we had settled all the attendance taking and briefing, it was close to 11pm and we started to move out, with me leading Team 1.
It was at the ECP flyover that I met my first real fall on the road. A truck was intending to turn but the traffic lights were in my favour. I signaled to the driver to wait with my right hand but he seemed hesitant as the truck slowed then moved again. Instinctively, I jammed the left brake lever with full force, locking up the front wheels and sending the bike into a tumble. While I landed perfectly without even a sign of an abrasion =), my bike was not so lucky. Now adding to the long list of battle scars are scratches on the gear shifters, handlebars, saddle and front fork. Also, the front light took the full impact and was ripped off its cradle. Amazingly, the light was still working although the cradle was questionably destroyed beyond repair (I did manage to fix it later).
While I blame myself for making such a mistake, I wonder what might have happened if I had not stopped. Chances are I may get through but there's also a great chance of being mowed down by the truck. I reacted instinctively and that action probably saved my life. The only thing I could have done to prevent an "endo" was to keep both arms tight on the bars but at the point in time, I was signaling with my right hand.
My MTB may have sustained some aesthetic damage but I believe its functionality has not been compromised. In the looks department, it will never hold a candle to the latest full suspension marvel of technology. In the performance category, it can never match up to the high-end, specialised machines either. Yet, the modifications which have gone unnoticed by most, have given the entry-level bicycle an edge over many others. I am hoping that this configuration is optimal at a cost-performance balance. My personal preference has always been an MTB with a good mix of speed on the road and off-road capabilities. So far, I am very satisfied and have no intentions on further modifications.
Sembawang - Ang Mo Kio - Balestier - Lavender - East Coast - Nicoll Highway - Republic Avenue - Esplanade Drive - Keppel Road - Labrador Park - West Coast Park - Ulu Pandan - Orchard - Singapore Arts Museum - East Coast - Sembawang (kind of LTA Wu to give me a lift home with a stripped bike in his boot)
Total distance: 80km
Money spent: $9.15
Participants: Commanders of CBRE DG
I reached East Coast Park at 9pm and linked up with Zi Kai while we waited for the others to come. By the time we had settled all the attendance taking and briefing, it was close to 11pm and we started to move out, with me leading Team 1.
It was at the ECP flyover that I met my first real fall on the road. A truck was intending to turn but the traffic lights were in my favour. I signaled to the driver to wait with my right hand but he seemed hesitant as the truck slowed then moved again. Instinctively, I jammed the left brake lever with full force, locking up the front wheels and sending the bike into a tumble. While I landed perfectly without even a sign of an abrasion =), my bike was not so lucky. Now adding to the long list of battle scars are scratches on the gear shifters, handlebars, saddle and front fork. Also, the front light took the full impact and was ripped off its cradle. Amazingly, the light was still working although the cradle was questionably destroyed beyond repair (I did manage to fix it later).
While I blame myself for making such a mistake, I wonder what might have happened if I had not stopped. Chances are I may get through but there's also a great chance of being mowed down by the truck. I reacted instinctively and that action probably saved my life. The only thing I could have done to prevent an "endo" was to keep both arms tight on the bars but at the point in time, I was signaling with my right hand.
My MTB may have sustained some aesthetic damage but I believe its functionality has not been compromised. In the looks department, it will never hold a candle to the latest full suspension marvel of technology. In the performance category, it can never match up to the high-end, specialised machines either. Yet, the modifications which have gone unnoticed by most, have given the entry-level bicycle an edge over many others. I am hoping that this configuration is optimal at a cost-performance balance. My personal preference has always been an MTB with a good mix of speed on the road and off-road capabilities. So far, I am very satisfied and have no intentions on further modifications.
Sembawang - Ang Mo Kio - Balestier - Lavender - East Coast - Nicoll Highway - Republic Avenue - Esplanade Drive - Keppel Road - Labrador Park - West Coast Park - Ulu Pandan - Orchard - Singapore Arts Museum - East Coast - Sembawang (kind of LTA Wu to give me a lift home with a stripped bike in his boot)
Total distance: 80km
Money spent: $9.15
Participants: Commanders of CBRE DG
2 comments:
Ur description is in perfect English! Almost thot it was an essay or something. Lol. Keep up the gd wk! N the fall seemed really scary! But glad tt ur instincts took over. =)
"Kill two birds with one stone." Log down the significant trips as well as practice a little writing. The Army is not known for improving the linguistic capabilities of her soldiers =)
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