Riding on and on: "Smileride's Backroads" ride

As suggested by the name, the ride will take us through the less "seen" roads and trails in Singapore. The below extract was written by smileride on SMBF.

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* Meeting point :

Macritchie Reservoir's bus stop that is opposite Mount Alvernia Hospital.

* What is it about :

Riding backroads is about enjoying the peace and serenity of small quiet backroads. There is much beauty around us that is just waiting to be discovered. If we keep taking the well worn routes, we will miss many scenic places.

The majority of this route involves riding on little known roads inside residential estates and also involves riding on several obscure trails. Be prepared to carry your bicycle over certain obstacles. Part of it even requires you to ride alongside a railway track.

As far as possible, the objective is to avoid riding on any main road. Hence, we may need to take a slightly longer route to get to our destination, but we'll definitely see more beautiful sights that 90% of S'poreans would have never seen before. On smaller roads, we will not have the usual problems associated with riding on major arterial roads (eg. buses or lorries overtaking within inches of you). As backroads are seldom flattened like the main roads, expect to encounter many hilly climbs. Do remember to grease your granny gears.

I've spent several months exploring secondary roads and connecting unmarked trails to design this route. I'm sharing it because some parts of this route will be redeveloped soon and the breathtaking views will be soon be gone forever. Enjoy it while it is still around.

* Who should come:

1. Those who'd like a SLOW and relaxing Sat ride, especially those who are bored of just speeding along main roads.

2. Those who want to see a different side to Sg. It will be like being a tourist again in your own country.

3. Those who want to admire the opulent houses of Sg's rich and famous.

4. Bicycle commuters who intend to ride from AMK/Bishan/TP to institutes of higher learning like NUS, NYP or SP.

* Where:

- Macritchie Reservoir's bus stop [Start]
- Flying Snake Way (runs parallel to Lornie Road)
- Adam Road Hawker Centre (break)
- Millionaires' Way (runs parallel to Dunearn Road)
- Turf City (+ secret shortcut to see handsome stallions grazing on open fields.)
- Climb of Pain (many of us will have to push our bicycles up this ultra steep hill)
- Railway track ride (a km or two of rocky path that runs beside a railway track and it is parallel to Clementi Road)
- Holland Drive Hawker Centre (break)
- Imperial Way (runs parallel to Holland Road and Farrer Road)
- Adam Road Hawker Centre
- Flying Snake Way
- Macritchie Reservoir's bus stop [End]
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I left home around 6.20am and headed for the rendezvous point. Along Sembawang road, I overtook a couple of "slow-moving" vehicles but apparently they became extremely fast after that =P Learning from Zi Kai in the art of leeching off others, I drafted behind till the long down slopes of Thomson Road allowed them to pull away =P

You should have seen Long House. There was a congregation of more than a hundred roadies today! Business would have been brisk for those stall-owners who opened early.

Meeting up with James, we waited for the others but none turned up so we proceeded. I would say it was an eye-opener to cycle leisurely through the lesser known roads, trails and private estates with "glass houses" and swimming pools.

Sadly, some of the places we passed, such as the cemetery, will be gone in the near future. Developments had already sprung up around the area and it was only time before the graves get exhumed and that plot of land turned into some multi-million dollar property.

It was refreshing to see the abundance of greenery in land scarce Singapore. Cycling beside a horse is not something you do everyday, nor is crossing a railway bridge. The latter reminded me of Thailand.

I had good old carrot cake at the Holland Drive hawker centre; and I have to thank James for the drink. He has certainly travelled many parts of the world and every country in the region.

On the way back, we encountered a flat, but somehow couldn't identify the leak. We pumped it up and it was enough to last him home.

The sun was already high in the sky. I put on my sunglasses and headed for home.