A "Fool" Print

This year, the Bike Rally 2009 had 2 starting point; (1) East Coast Park (128km); (2) NUT (85km). There were 600 participants and over 200 volunteers spreading across the island serving as Road Marshal for the event. In total, there were 6 checkpoints located round the islands with each allowing 3 minutes of break time.

The registration began at 5.30am. Each of the participants was given a blue singlet, with red singlet given for the volunteers and green singlet for the organizers. The event flagged off at 7am. For the first 48km, it was a relatively easy ride with most of the route being flat. The average cruising speed was 30km/hr. KC, Brian and me were among the
lead group to reach the NTU.

I thought the rest of the journey would be relatively easy taken from the experience from the first two checkpoints. However, it was a book in disguise. After coming out from NTU, the journey was challenging with multiple endless up slopes to conquer.
Examples:
1) From NTU to Kranji reservoir (58km), we had to pass by some ulu roads with many up slopes.
2) From Kranji reservoir to Yishun Stadium (73km), we had the infamous Mandai slopes to overcome
3) From Yishun Stadium to Serangoon (88km), we had to pass through Jalan Kayu and over come some deserted road with some gentle slopes to take.

On my riding towards every checkpoint, I am thankful to the young volunteers (quite cute and pretty too ?) showing us direction for every turn we need to take. The sun was mercifully hot and I couldn’t have imagined all these volunteers had sacrifice their time waiting in the hot sun, pointing out direction and cheering us.
By the time, we reached Serangoon Stadium, some of the riders had begun to show tiredness. I found out from the organizer that this year, most of the riders were riding much faster than they expected. We were allowed to rest at a longer period waiting for the lead vehicle to lead us out.

Towards Changi Beach (102km), our last checkpoint, the weather was drizzling. At this moment, my legs wouldn’t have the necessary strength to pedal anymore and managed to squeeze in a consistent speed at 20km/hr.On my last lap toward the ending point (Big Splash: 128km), the weather had turned from bad to worst, pouring heavily. I was totally soaked with rain, smelly and tired. Thankfully, I was left with 7km to complete. Total Completion Time: 7hrs.

I was amazing pleased with this event (much better than i anticipated compared to the past). The whole journey was well organized, with sufficient replenishment (Bananas, Bun, energy drinks and bars, H2O) available at each checkpoint, visible signs and sufficient road marshals spreading along the entire journey. Not to mention, a finishing Teen (to my surprise) and a whole lot of full goodies bag for collection at a price of $15 for all!! Plus, all the cute, young female volunteers that adding up the fun (Stop and chit-chat with them). Hahaha.. I definitely will come back next year.