Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Last Part - 3 of 3 - How to Custom Fit Your Bike
Top Tube and Stem Length
Next, dial in the correct "reach" to the bar, or horizontal fit. Proper reach gives you easier breathing, better neck and lower back comfort, and better weight distribution and bike handling.
That "ideal position" varies here more than anywhere else for cyclists, depending on riding style, flexibility, body proportions, and frame geometry, among others. And, your upper body position will evolve with more hours in the saddle. That is, you may find that you develop a lower, longer position as your fitness and flexibility improve. As Davis Phinney notes, though it may be difficult to achieve a truly flat back, we cyclists should all strive to be “longer” across the top of the bike.
Unfortunately, there is no formula for sizing the top tube and stem that works as well as the inseam method. One indicator comes from glancing down at the front hub while riding in the drops; your view of the front hub should be obstructed by the handlebar. LeMond recommends that your elbows, bent at 65–70° with your hands in the drops, should be within an inch or two of your knees at the top of your stroke.
Measure your current bike’s top tube and stem. Then, decide how you’d like to alter that fit; add the top tube length to the stem length to get your overall top dimension. This is the very reason why stems come in 1cm increments from 7cm to 14cm, just to let you dial in your best top tube and stem length.
Handlebar Size
Road handlebars come in several widths and bends. Most cyclists select a bar that is just as wide as their shoulders, measured as the distance between the shoulder joints. A wider bar opens the chest for better breathing and more leverage, but is less aerodynamic. You’ll need to find your own balance between the two.
Crank Length, Gearing
Choosing the right crank arm length, like the rest of this, comes down to your size and riding style. Longer cranks give you more leverage, helpful if you like to push big gears at a low cadence (climbing, time trialing, etc.). On the other hand, if you like to spin at a high cadence, you’ll do better with standard cranks. As a starting point, we often recommend 170mm cranks on 54cm C-T road frames and smaller, 170–172.5mm cranks on 55–61cm frames, and 172.5–175mm cranks on 62cm frames and larger.
We offer a wide range of gearing options for chainrings and cassettes. Depending on your strength and terrain, you’re welcome to specify the close-ratio gearing generally used for racing, or wider ratios for hilly terrain or more recreational riding.
19 July 2009 Report
The Sunday started as usual but it seem quieter than the normal weekend at East Coast, it could be probably due to the absence of ladies in this part of the island. I am not in any way implying the ladies are the noisy lot of people, but I remember some smart wise old man told me a man equal to 100 ducks but a lady match at least 100,000 ducks. What does that means? I wonder, and still wondering till this very day.
Near to the Singapore F
lyer, 8000 ladies and non-registered free-loader enthusiasts of all shapes and ages were gathered for the flagging off of the 2nd year running event - Shape Run. The prize is a memorial bracelet from the hand of 6 sexy butler hunks at Millennia walk end point, but before they got to touch the hand of the hanks each lady must run, walk or crawl for 5 km or 10 km depending what routes they take and whether they run on the right track.
lyer, 8000 ladies and non-registered free-loader enthusiasts of all shapes and ages were gathered for the flagging off of the 2nd year running event - Shape Run. The prize is a memorial bracelet from the hand of 6 sexy butler hunks at Millennia walk end point, but before they got to touch the hand of the hanks each lady must run, walk or crawl for 5 km or 10 km depending what routes they take and whether they run on the right track.Back at East Coast, the men rolled off as silent as the surrounding. No surging, no life anymore and the routine pedaling accompany with the expressionless face, the reasons I believe was because all the women suddenly seems disappear overnight from the small little red dot. For those men who think you can live without a woman, think twice and think hard again. Looking at the pathetic faces, I thought it might be better to opt for the noise of 100,000 ducks then the regular silent nights.
The yet-to-form GatorRoadees team was shaping up well, the effect of months of hell training from the remote control coach (coach have not appeared for a while but gave instructions remotely) yielded result despite the misery and the lack of motivation from the absence of many 100,000 ducks the riders faced in the morning. The ten riders were able to put down all the sorrows and kept their focus to do what they do best now, cycling in 2 neat columns. The speed was kept constant at 37km/hr for quite a while along Coastal road with each rider taking turn to pull the group. The speed on my speedometer at one point hit 39 km/hr, what an achievement for a bunch of people who used to do at 27 km/hr.
While the hunky butlers were within sight, but the trays were empty. Where was the prize? The memorial bracelet the organiser promised to every Shape runner were nowhere to be found? Many runners were devastated with the announcement that the prizes were out of stock even though 8800 pieces were prepared for the officially registered 8000 runners. The promises but no delivery snag was not totally the organiser’s fault as many runners collected the bracelet with both hands, one at each hand. And the non-registered runners who also wanted to have a feel of the muscular hunk hand took away some from the stock pile.
The lessons learned from the Shape run were that it does not matter what shape you are or how fast you run. If you are a registered runner, it is important to reach the end point fast by all means. Run the shorter course, or make a wrong turn to reach the end point before others or totally not register for the event at all but use the money to buy one of those bracelets from runners who have got extra pieces, just to name a few ways for future reference. Obviously there are many other ways to get your hand on one of that small little bend. If you really need that so badly than snatch it from someone who are exhausted and in bad shape after the Shape run and no longer able to run after you when you flee the scene.
Roti pratas have become the latest favour for all the riders, apparently it gives higher energy level than the bananas we have been fed all this while. According to HAS (Health Authority of Singapore) the plain prata gives 122 Kcal and with egg, the energy level shoot up to 289 kcal. No wonder everyone would not leave Changi Village without stuffing at least one of those dough in the belly, it offers that extra booster. With the energy burned from the ride less than or equal to the input energy from the roti prata and banana, the end result on the waist line do not seem to shrink but inflate with more rides.
Nicky Ting
Did you realise the last disappointment actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise
Time to Slow Down and Smell the Rose
MarketBoy took a break from market work in July, caught a 48-seater propellor plane at Seletar Airport and flew direct to Pulau Redang.
Oh, the island is beautiful. The sand is powdery white and the sea is crystal blue. Something we will not get it at ECP or anywhere in Singapore.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Part 2 of 3 - How to Custom Fit Your Bike
MarketBoy continues with custom fitting your comfy bike.
Saddle Height
With the right frame size, you’ll be able to set your correct saddle height, which will be within a centimeter of 0.883 x inseam length, measured from the center of the bottom bracket to the low point of the top of your saddle. This allows full leg extension, with a slight bend in the leg at the bottom of the pedal stroke.
It is recommended to shorten this length by 3mm when using clipless pedals. Also, you might consider a slightly taller saddle height if you ride with your toes down and your heel raised. Most importantly, make any changes in saddle height gradually, and give your body time to adapt to the new position.
Neutral Knee Position
Next, put your bike in a stationary trainer, raising the front wheel to level the bike. Check your position with a video camera or mirrors in front and to the side, or with the help of a friend. Position your cleats with the ball of your foot directly over the pedal axle, and in line with any natural "toe-in" or "toe-out" foot position. Warm up by riding easily for 8–10 minutes.
Then, as you continue to look ahead, slowly stop pedaling, and bring the cranks to rest at horizontal, parallel to the ground. Check the position of your forward knee relative to the pedal spindle —for a "neutral knee position," you’ll be able to drop a plumb line from just below the front of the forward kneecap, and have it bisect the pedal spindle and ball of your foot below. Remember to not raise or drop your heel or hip as you check this. Then, move the saddle fore or aft, as needed, to achieve this neutral position.
The neutral knee position serves as a good starting point for most cyclists, though many adjust it from here: long distance (stage) racers and mountain bikers often move the saddle back by 1cm or more, for power, and sprinters may move it forward, “getting on top of the gear” for quick acceleration.
One more note on frame size and geometry: if you cannot move the saddle back far enough to get your knee to the neutral position, you should look for a frame with a more relaxed seat tube angle, or consider a slightly larger frame; if you have trouble moving the saddle forward enough, look for a steeper seat tube angle on your next frame, or consider a smaller frame. For most frames, a seat tube angle shallower by 1° moves the seat lug 1cm back, relative to the bottom bracket.
Finally, recheck your saddle height. If you’ve moved your saddle forward or back, you’ve effectively shortened or lengthened your saddle height, and will need to readjust it.
Saddle Height
With the right frame size, you’ll be able to set your correct saddle height, which will be within a centimeter of 0.883 x inseam length, measured from the center of the bottom bracket to the low point of the top of your saddle. This allows full leg extension, with a slight bend in the leg at the bottom of the pedal stroke.
It is recommended to shorten this length by 3mm when using clipless pedals. Also, you might consider a slightly taller saddle height if you ride with your toes down and your heel raised. Most importantly, make any changes in saddle height gradually, and give your body time to adapt to the new position.
Neutral Knee Position
Next, put your bike in a stationary trainer, raising the front wheel to level the bike. Check your position with a video camera or mirrors in front and to the side, or with the help of a friend. Position your cleats with the ball of your foot directly over the pedal axle, and in line with any natural "toe-in" or "toe-out" foot position. Warm up by riding easily for 8–10 minutes.
Then, as you continue to look ahead, slowly stop pedaling, and bring the cranks to rest at horizontal, parallel to the ground. Check the position of your forward knee relative to the pedal spindle —for a "neutral knee position," you’ll be able to drop a plumb line from just below the front of the forward kneecap, and have it bisect the pedal spindle and ball of your foot below. Remember to not raise or drop your heel or hip as you check this. Then, move the saddle fore or aft, as needed, to achieve this neutral position.
The neutral knee position serves as a good starting point for most cyclists, though many adjust it from here: long distance (stage) racers and mountain bikers often move the saddle back by 1cm or more, for power, and sprinters may move it forward, “getting on top of the gear” for quick acceleration.
One more note on frame size and geometry: if you cannot move the saddle back far enough to get your knee to the neutral position, you should look for a frame with a more relaxed seat tube angle, or consider a slightly larger frame; if you have trouble moving the saddle forward enough, look for a steeper seat tube angle on your next frame, or consider a smaller frame. For most frames, a seat tube angle shallower by 1° moves the seat lug 1cm back, relative to the bottom bracket.
Finally, recheck your saddle height. If you’ve moved your saddle forward or back, you’ve effectively shortened or lengthened your saddle height, and will need to readjust it.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Two Extremes
Earlier this month, MarketBoy received an email on the World's Most Expensive MarketBike... Coated with 24K Gold, lined with Swarovski crystals and only 10 pieces produced in the world, the classic set up has a price tag of $124,888.00
And then a couple of days later, MarketBoy received another email informing about the Sale at Giant Hypermart.
And then a couple of days later, MarketBoy received another email informing about the Sale at Giant Hypermart.
Lai ah... Lelong Lelong $49.90 nia...
Got 4 wheels some more...
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
How to Custom Fit Your Bike (Part 1 of 3)
MarketBoy is here to share some insights about custom fitting your bike. Forget the in’s and out’s of carbon vs. aluminum frames, Specialized vs. Pinaraello, the one thing matters more than anything else when you select your new bike — that it fits you!
When a cyclist fits her bike well, she rides more comfortably and efficiently. She rides with more power, and yet the effort comes easier to her. Her body is relaxed, her bike handling skills almost second nature.
True, setting up your ideal position on a bike takes some time, and can be difficult. Why? We roadies hear conflicting advice, and conflicting formulas, on sizing and positioning. Variances in body sizes and proportions, in levels of fitness and flexibility, in technique and style, all affect a rider’s best position on the bike. Truthfully, though, the best resource you have is your own experience, especially when teamed with feedback from knowledgeable cycling kakis.
So, here we go…
Your Inseam and Frame Size
The best frame size for a cyclist is as small vertically as possible, with enough length horizontally to allow a stretched out, relaxed upper body. This frame will be lighter and stiffer than a larger one, and will handle better and be more comfortable than a smaller one.
Determine Your Proper Frame Size
To determine your proper frame size, you’ll first need to get an accurate inseam measurement. Stand with your back against a wall, your bare feet 6" (15cm) apart on a hard floor, looking straight ahead. Place a book between your legs with one edge against the wall, and pull it up firmly into your crotch, simulating the pressure of your saddle while riding. Have a helper measure from the top edge of the book to the floor, in centimeters. Repeat two or three times, for consistency, and average the results to get your inseam length.
When a cyclist fits her bike well, she rides more comfortably and efficiently. She rides with more power, and yet the effort comes easier to her. Her body is relaxed, her bike handling skills almost second nature.
True, setting up your ideal position on a bike takes some time, and can be difficult. Why? We roadies hear conflicting advice, and conflicting formulas, on sizing and positioning. Variances in body sizes and proportions, in levels of fitness and flexibility, in technique and style, all affect a rider’s best position on the bike. Truthfully, though, the best resource you have is your own experience, especially when teamed with feedback from knowledgeable cycling kakis.
So, here we go…
Your Inseam and Frame Size
The best frame size for a cyclist is as small vertically as possible, with enough length horizontally to allow a stretched out, relaxed upper body. This frame will be lighter and stiffer than a larger one, and will handle better and be more comfortable than a smaller one.
Determine Your Proper Frame Size
To determine your proper frame size, you’ll first need to get an accurate inseam measurement. Stand with your back against a wall, your bare feet 6" (15cm) apart on a hard floor, looking straight ahead. Place a book between your legs with one edge against the wall, and pull it up firmly into your crotch, simulating the pressure of your saddle while riding. Have a helper measure from the top edge of the book to the floor, in centimeters. Repeat two or three times, for consistency, and average the results to get your inseam length.
Frame Size
Frame size refers to the length of the frame’s seat tube. Pro frames are measured along the seat tube in one of two ways, center-to-top (C-T) or center-to-center (C-C). C-T measures the distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the top tube or seat lug (See image bellow). C-C measures from the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the top tube. Since C-T measures to a point higher on the frame, a frame measuring 55cm C-T would also measure roughly 53.5–54cm C-C, a difference of 1–1.5cm.
To size your C-T road frame, we use a guideline of 0.67 x inseam length. For example, if you have an 85cm inseam, your C-T frame size would be 0.67 x 85cm, or 57cm.
Greg LeMond’s formula, from his former coach, Cyrille Guimard, establishes C-C size by the formula .65 x inseam length, which yields virtually the same frame size when you add the 1–1.5cm difference between C-C and C-T.
Larger riders (>1.8m) may find that this formula puts them on a too small, and uncomfortable, road frame. A taller cyclist who wants a more comfortable frame may be better off selecting a frame 27–28cm less than inseam length, C-T.
Frame Dimensions
A1 Seat Tube Length (C—T)
A2 Seat Tube Length (C—C)
B Top Tube length (C—C)
C Stem Length (C—C)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Helmet Size & Fitting: How to Measure Your Head
Use a cloth tape or IKEA paper tape to make your first measurement.
The circumference of the head should be measured at a point approximately 1 inch above the eyebrows, go round the head to make the measurement. Take several measurements and get the largest reading.
Size of helmet
* Medium: 55 - 59cm (21.75"-23.25")
* Large: 60 - 64cm (23.25"-24.75")
The circumference of the head should be measured at a point approximately 1 inch above the eyebrows, go round the head to make the measurement. Take several measurements and get the largest reading.
Size of helmet
* Medium: 55 - 59cm (21.75"-23.25")
* Large: 60 - 64cm (23.25"-24.75")
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
An Interesting Report
Finally the fugitive from Whitley Road detention centre was captured after 14 months of free and easy trip to JB by the Malaysia police forces, of course with Singapore intelligence help. He chose to swim across instead of cycle which was so much easier and comfortable; people would not recognise him in any way under the helmet and hiding behind the sun shade. Furthermore, cycling community believes in inclusiveness, regardless whether you are limping or not.
Wait a moment, what did Mas Selamat have to do with today’s ride report?
Since his custody and the coming closure of the Ministry of Affair’s slip, Capt Teo and Uncle Seng finally found time to join in the Sunday morning ride, a rare occasion. So we were honored to ride with both club veterans this morning. Oops, we had also another important veteran rode with us this morning, he was PaPa Chan. He came with his Yellow Jersey which he won from the 5 stages night race in Phuket years back, and he showed superb power despite absent from riding for a long while. He had declared in the last query that he did not do “EPO”, as such our technical team derived an interesting conclusion, cycling power is inversely proportional to the number of trips to Shanghai night.
Unfortunately, another veteran Mr. Yip could not make it for this morning because he was somewhere in the northern beach front of Singapore, investigating whether coconut could be used as a good improvise float to swim across to JB, we hoped he carried enough sunblock lotion and passport with him in case he crossed the territory line between Singapore and Malaysia. We wished him early completion of the experiment.
Without precise instruction from the coach who was away healing his wound from the Coach of the Year saga; own time own target was the theme for this morning ride. Everyone was doing their own thing and we left Fort road car park in such a way that the bystanders might thought PAP kindergarten having their fun ride in East Coast Park today.
Back to the coach’s issue with the management committee, we recognized how the coach felt after so much effort and commitment to raise the team standard since he was contracted couple of years back, yet he was not nominated by the MC for the best coach of the year award. The MC believed raising the team standard alone was not good enough; the coach must have the look of Tom Cruise; the height of Yao Ming and the weight of Lance Armstrong, but the main reason of all was that the coach only focus on the man cyclists and has ignored the ladies thus far. We needed more roses, Coach! Please do something, we love you forever, please come back!
After all the fun ride and comical formation, people were running out of patient; Chris who wore a bright Yellow Jersey became the obvious choice of all, was promptly nominated as the backup coach along Coastal Road to lead the team back to adulthood. He must be swearing inside him #*!@, who the ass-hole arrowed me, just to make sure the guys got what he wanted, he reiterated as swift as the Stingray, “Make a U-turn after Coastal Road”. He received neither reply nor acknowledgment, in any case out of more than 17 riders today, only 5 brave souls made a U-Turn with the yellow jersey coach. #@C!%B*&$, the guy who arrowed him did not make that U-turn at the precise moment but headed straight to the water hole – Changi Village. He was either ignorance or acted blur, I believed he was going to get it from Chris sooner or later.
After a cool cold drink, the heart bit was back in sync with the second hand, 60 bits per minute. Wait a minutes, something was amiss, where was our dear manager who was still holding the team string purse? Did he follow Madoff or Sunshine Empire chief’s footstep – disappearing act? Rumors were fast going round the table, he was tested positive on H1N1; NO! He had just sold BoA share in the first 3 months of the year and missed the May 09 rally. The investment company losses amount to US$3 billion, oh my goodness! What are we going to do as a tax payers? Can I ask for a tax rebate? In the mid of all the anxiety and at the rate it was going, surely someone would need to check-in to the mental health hospital in Jalan Kayu, a wise man finally opened his mouth, he said “Worry not, worry is just like a rocking chair, lot of action but get you nowhere”, brilliant wasn’t it? The good thing about the team was that we have many veterans around who are wise and mellow like the 1980 Chateaus Latour red wine. Then, came the next reply from the wise old man, “Bring my banana here”. All fell off the table!!
Disclaimer: none of the characters in the above are based on real people and any similarity is purely coincidental.
Nicky Ting
Email: nickypmb@singnet.com.sg
Whether you are happy or unhappy, life go on so the choice is really simple, be happy of course
Wait a moment, what did Mas Selamat have to do with today’s ride report?
Since his custody and the coming closure of the Ministry of Affair’s slip, Capt Teo and Uncle Seng finally found time to join in the Sunday morning ride, a rare occasion. So we were honored to ride with both club veterans this morning. Oops, we had also another important veteran rode with us this morning, he was PaPa Chan. He came with his Yellow Jersey which he won from the 5 stages night race in Phuket years back, and he showed superb power despite absent from riding for a long while. He had declared in the last query that he did not do “EPO”, as such our technical team derived an interesting conclusion, cycling power is inversely proportional to the number of trips to Shanghai night.
Unfortunately, another veteran Mr. Yip could not make it for this morning because he was somewhere in the northern beach front of Singapore, investigating whether coconut could be used as a good improvise float to swim across to JB, we hoped he carried enough sunblock lotion and passport with him in case he crossed the territory line between Singapore and Malaysia. We wished him early completion of the experiment.
Without precise instruction from the coach who was away healing his wound from the Coach of the Year saga; own time own target was the theme for this morning ride. Everyone was doing their own thing and we left Fort road car park in such a way that the bystanders might thought PAP kindergarten having their fun ride in East Coast Park today.
Back to the coach’s issue with the management committee, we recognized how the coach felt after so much effort and commitment to raise the team standard since he was contracted couple of years back, yet he was not nominated by the MC for the best coach of the year award. The MC believed raising the team standard alone was not good enough; the coach must have the look of Tom Cruise; the height of Yao Ming and the weight of Lance Armstrong, but the main reason of all was that the coach only focus on the man cyclists and has ignored the ladies thus far. We needed more roses, Coach! Please do something, we love you forever, please come back!
After all the fun ride and comical formation, people were running out of patient; Chris who wore a bright Yellow Jersey became the obvious choice of all, was promptly nominated as the backup coach along Coastal Road to lead the team back to adulthood. He must be swearing inside him #*!@, who the ass-hole arrowed me, just to make sure the guys got what he wanted, he reiterated as swift as the Stingray, “Make a U-turn after Coastal Road”. He received neither reply nor acknowledgment, in any case out of more than 17 riders today, only 5 brave souls made a U-Turn with the yellow jersey coach. #@C!%B*&$, the guy who arrowed him did not make that U-turn at the precise moment but headed straight to the water hole – Changi Village. He was either ignorance or acted blur, I believed he was going to get it from Chris sooner or later.
After a cool cold drink, the heart bit was back in sync with the second hand, 60 bits per minute. Wait a minutes, something was amiss, where was our dear manager who was still holding the team string purse? Did he follow Madoff or Sunshine Empire chief’s footstep – disappearing act? Rumors were fast going round the table, he was tested positive on H1N1; NO! He had just sold BoA share in the first 3 months of the year and missed the May 09 rally. The investment company losses amount to US$3 billion, oh my goodness! What are we going to do as a tax payers? Can I ask for a tax rebate? In the mid of all the anxiety and at the rate it was going, surely someone would need to check-in to the mental health hospital in Jalan Kayu, a wise man finally opened his mouth, he said “Worry not, worry is just like a rocking chair, lot of action but get you nowhere”, brilliant wasn’t it? The good thing about the team was that we have many veterans around who are wise and mellow like the 1980 Chateaus Latour red wine. Then, came the next reply from the wise old man, “Bring my banana here”. All fell off the table!!
Disclaimer: none of the characters in the above are based on real people and any similarity is purely coincidental.
Nicky Ting
Email: nickypmb@singnet.com.sg
Whether you are happy or unhappy, life go on so the choice is really simple, be happy of course
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
What a Beautiful Formation !
MarketBoy was so impressed to see such a beautiful drafting formation that he reached for his 8.1mp Sony Ericsson HP and took a quick snap of the group before errrr... the two lines goes haywire. ha ha.
Well, you guys have improved tremendously. Keep up the good works!
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Crash between a Boy and Girl...
Our usual Sunday ride to Tuas Checkpoint on 5 Apr turned out to be pretty disastrous....
Our Team Engineer had a fall over the New Kid on the Road. Nothing serious, just enough "passport stamps" for sweet memory.
MarketBoy will share with everyone in the subsequent posts on bike setting up and techniques to enhance greater safety in our rides.
On a quick note, please ensure that your tyres are "properly inflated". If you are driving a Toyota or Honda, oh yes, 33 psi is more than enough for each tyre. But if you are on road bike, MarketBoy's recommendation is minimum 100 psi. For your info, MarketBoy's market bike had his tyres pumped up to 130 psi...
Our Team Engineer had a fall over the New Kid on the Road. Nothing serious, just enough "passport stamps" for sweet memory.
MarketBoy will share with everyone in the subsequent posts on bike setting up and techniques to enhance greater safety in our rides.
On a quick note, please ensure that your tyres are "properly inflated". If you are driving a Toyota or Honda, oh yes, 33 psi is more than enough for each tyre. But if you are on road bike, MarketBoy's recommendation is minimum 100 psi. For your info, MarketBoy's market bike had his tyres pumped up to 130 psi...
For those who need the air pump, check it out with "Joo Huat Co" at Blk 91 Zion Road.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tour de Sunday (29 March 2009) - The clash between the team manager and team coach
The dawn break just after 7am, the sky was filled with orange cloud over lay on the dark blue sky background; everyone got double enjoyment from the symmetrical reflection from the sea surface of this beautiful scene that one might mistake and think you are suddenly lifted and dropped in the ancient city of Ang Kor Wat.
16 riders including two sweety newbie’s among the thorns gave the morning Sunday ritual a special touch, the electromagnetic field of different polarity attract worked wonder. All riders were at their best and ready to roll then came the team manager Willie stern instruction, “today we shall go straight to the Commando camp” said Willie, “lets do it man!” came the enthusiastic respond from some.
Coach Steven who just got his contract renewed for the season, rolled off slowly and quietly fell to the back, his powerful processor conceal under the helmet was hatching a new plan and he obviously was not agreeable with the team manager plan of going to commando camp today as he strongly believed the team fundamental was still far from desire, small hill training not doing good for them. The plan was activated.
Along the service road, speed was gearing up with Arnold and Chris pulling. Some still immersed in sweet dream of Ang Kor Wat beautiful scene, the rest sensed the tension between the two titans but no one wanted to get involved with the management of the club and just did their things, riding quietly and carefully till we reached Safra for a breather.
The cycle runway was within sight, the coach sprinted into action, shepherded all the iron horses forming 2 neat columns speeding toward Changi Village direction. The pistons motion legs pedal harder and harder to reach a constant speed of 35kmh all along without the luxury of syntactic lubricant, it had come to the danger of overheating. One third into the run way, the speed obviously was tapered off, suddenly from nowhere two CycleWorx riders dropped in-front of the peloton the commando style, took over the pulling and the rest were forced to step up the accelerator. The dreamers were now back from Ang Kor Wat and realised it was a serious matter, no more time for day dreaming.
The two Special Forces were our coach unusual arrangement of sparring partners for the team. Their massive body frame and syntactic coated piston legs ramming up high rpm, gave the rest of the riders a good sheath to ride in almost vacuumed condition. With blink of eyes, we were at the end of the run way near to the Air Show venue; the ride so far had been great with good speed and all felt the sense of achievement though legs were jellied and numbed. Next in the mind was the cold Milo Ice and hot beverage from the Changi Village coffee shop, and of course our team manager’s bananas.
The disaster was just about to strike; Coach Steven’s voice came in the air as he had just swallowed a microphone with the loudspeaker stuck to some part of his body. With the latest toy in his mouth, it was loud and clear in the air, ‘U- Turn’. The entire peloton momentarily jerked from the indigestion of the word ‘U-Turn’. Was his nice to us and happy with the performance so we were getting early release or he was thinking something more evil? Oh no the nightmare was here, the circuit training. Obviously he was unhappy with us riding under vacuum.
While grasping for air, many could not stop complaining, ‘what! no breakfast today huh!’, ‘I need my coffee…’ said what you like, there were no mercy from our no nonsense coach. We were on the way back towards Safra direction. Team manager was still on the opposite direction making sure our sweety newbies were well taken care and not left behind and got lost. How about the commando camp hill training? He wondered.
No more just sucking from the front wheel, all was on auto mode, taking terms to pull all the way to Changi Village. The coach appeared happy with his charge, we settled down for a nice cold drink to hydrate the body for the lost fluid from this first ever circuit training. By now the coach and team manager had also sorted out their differences when the team manager offered him his banana and the coach promptly offered $6 protection money covering himself and the two big guys to the team manager.
Not much surge on return trip, just that everyone was riding on their own space trying to get back as soon. However after the usual 5 minutes break at East Coast Park near Safra before heading back to Fort Road car park, the coach still with the unknown garage somewhere in the mouth make the final announcement of the week, ‘let’s go’, at this juncture no one move, time seem frozen for eternity. ‘Let go’, go where? The heart drumming experience along Coastal Road was still fresh in the mind. Disappearing act seem the best and logical way to go. Run…I mean rid hard and leave the coach behind.
Overall it was a good Sunday ride and everyone had gained good experience and if going at this rate, at no time some of us would be appearing in the coming Tour de France 2009.
Nicky Ting
Email: nickypmb@singnet.com.sg
Always believe you are not good enough hence you need continue improvement
16 riders including two sweety newbie’s among the thorns gave the morning Sunday ritual a special touch, the electromagnetic field of different polarity attract worked wonder. All riders were at their best and ready to roll then came the team manager Willie stern instruction, “today we shall go straight to the Commando camp” said Willie, “lets do it man!” came the enthusiastic respond from some.
Coach Steven who just got his contract renewed for the season, rolled off slowly and quietly fell to the back, his powerful processor conceal under the helmet was hatching a new plan and he obviously was not agreeable with the team manager plan of going to commando camp today as he strongly believed the team fundamental was still far from desire, small hill training not doing good for them. The plan was activated.
Along the service road, speed was gearing up with Arnold and Chris pulling. Some still immersed in sweet dream of Ang Kor Wat beautiful scene, the rest sensed the tension between the two titans but no one wanted to get involved with the management of the club and just did their things, riding quietly and carefully till we reached Safra for a breather.
The cycle runway was within sight, the coach sprinted into action, shepherded all the iron horses forming 2 neat columns speeding toward Changi Village direction. The pistons motion legs pedal harder and harder to reach a constant speed of 35kmh all along without the luxury of syntactic lubricant, it had come to the danger of overheating. One third into the run way, the speed obviously was tapered off, suddenly from nowhere two CycleWorx riders dropped in-front of the peloton the commando style, took over the pulling and the rest were forced to step up the accelerator. The dreamers were now back from Ang Kor Wat and realised it was a serious matter, no more time for day dreaming.
The two Special Forces were our coach unusual arrangement of sparring partners for the team. Their massive body frame and syntactic coated piston legs ramming up high rpm, gave the rest of the riders a good sheath to ride in almost vacuumed condition. With blink of eyes, we were at the end of the run way near to the Air Show venue; the ride so far had been great with good speed and all felt the sense of achievement though legs were jellied and numbed. Next in the mind was the cold Milo Ice and hot beverage from the Changi Village coffee shop, and of course our team manager’s bananas.
The disaster was just about to strike; Coach Steven’s voice came in the air as he had just swallowed a microphone with the loudspeaker stuck to some part of his body. With the latest toy in his mouth, it was loud and clear in the air, ‘U- Turn’. The entire peloton momentarily jerked from the indigestion of the word ‘U-Turn’. Was his nice to us and happy with the performance so we were getting early release or he was thinking something more evil? Oh no the nightmare was here, the circuit training. Obviously he was unhappy with us riding under vacuum.
While grasping for air, many could not stop complaining, ‘what! no breakfast today huh!’, ‘I need my coffee…’ said what you like, there were no mercy from our no nonsense coach. We were on the way back towards Safra direction. Team manager was still on the opposite direction making sure our sweety newbies were well taken care and not left behind and got lost. How about the commando camp hill training? He wondered.
No more just sucking from the front wheel, all was on auto mode, taking terms to pull all the way to Changi Village. The coach appeared happy with his charge, we settled down for a nice cold drink to hydrate the body for the lost fluid from this first ever circuit training. By now the coach and team manager had also sorted out their differences when the team manager offered him his banana and the coach promptly offered $6 protection money covering himself and the two big guys to the team manager.
Not much surge on return trip, just that everyone was riding on their own space trying to get back as soon. However after the usual 5 minutes break at East Coast Park near Safra before heading back to Fort Road car park, the coach still with the unknown garage somewhere in the mouth make the final announcement of the week, ‘let’s go’, at this juncture no one move, time seem frozen for eternity. ‘Let go’, go where? The heart drumming experience along Coastal Road was still fresh in the mind. Disappearing act seem the best and logical way to go. Run…I mean rid hard and leave the coach behind.
Overall it was a good Sunday ride and everyone had gained good experience and if going at this rate, at no time some of us would be appearing in the coming Tour de France 2009.
Nicky Ting
Email: nickypmb@singnet.com.sg
Always believe you are not good enough hence you need continue improvement
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday Ride on 1 March 2009
After away for a while and due to personal reason (laziness!) I did not cycle with the group for some time. This morning I decided to join the morning spin starting from Fort Road, after all it was just 5 minutes away from my house. When I arrived, the first thing I noticed was how the membership have grown over the last couple of months with many new faces joined in the weekly ride (I suspect Willie must have secretly used some marketing gimmick to attract them to join). Do not deceive by these ˇnewˇ roadies, there are all old hand characterise with strong paddling power and big lung capacity like the hot balloon...
We rolled off promptly when the clock stroke at 7am, under the firm control of our super champion Coach Steven Hoo who had just scored a victory fromthe first OCBC Road Race in Singapore and today rode with a fantastic 68mm depth profile carbon wheels, the team rolled off in 2 columns. Way before the heart pump up to HR zone one near the PlayGround @ BigSplash, the speed was already hovering above 30km/hr along the East Coast Service Road. From there onward you guys know what happened, it need no further comment for the rest of the journey.
Today highlight was the professional drafting demonstrated by everyone, the 2 columns formation were somehow still intact up to Coastal Road and each took their fair share to pull the peloton all the way to Changi Village. The same phenomenon on the return trip but with more power and it seem much faster, not sure it was because of the 100 plus; coffee black with banana or everyone was rushing home. In any case it was a great ride this morning.
Something worthwhile to mention was Papa Chan who rode excellently this morning, he not only managed to hold on to the peloton throughout, at times he went even faster than some young men that put many to shame. I could only guess either he had lots of secret trainings; or got an EPO the day before or he just returned from the always exciting Shanghai night.
The ˇnewˇ+ old hand roadies like Chris and Arnold were the culprits who made the ride faster and faster, no one was complaining but everyone seem enjoyed the fast speed with strong breezed brushed across the face and I was not surprised some even day dreaming they were on the stage five TdF whileburning away the calories and lactic acid formed in the muscle.
So for the rest who still not ride regularly with the group yet, you better get on your iron horse and start spinning alongside, before you ˇsmell no smokeˇ in future when you meet us again.
Nicky Ting
Always believe you are not good enough hence you need continue improvement
We rolled off promptly when the clock stroke at 7am, under the firm control of our super champion Coach Steven Hoo who had just scored a victory fromthe first OCBC Road Race in Singapore and today rode with a fantastic 68mm depth profile carbon wheels, the team rolled off in 2 columns. Way before the heart pump up to HR zone one near the PlayGround @ BigSplash, the speed was already hovering above 30km/hr along the East Coast Service Road. From there onward you guys know what happened, it need no further comment for the rest of the journey.
Today highlight was the professional drafting demonstrated by everyone, the 2 columns formation were somehow still intact up to Coastal Road and each took their fair share to pull the peloton all the way to Changi Village. The same phenomenon on the return trip but with more power and it seem much faster, not sure it was because of the 100 plus; coffee black with banana or everyone was rushing home. In any case it was a great ride this morning.
Something worthwhile to mention was Papa Chan who rode excellently this morning, he not only managed to hold on to the peloton throughout, at times he went even faster than some young men that put many to shame. I could only guess either he had lots of secret trainings; or got an EPO the day before or he just returned from the always exciting Shanghai night.
The ˇnewˇ+ old hand roadies like Chris and Arnold were the culprits who made the ride faster and faster, no one was complaining but everyone seem enjoyed the fast speed with strong breezed brushed across the face and I was not surprised some even day dreaming they were on the stage five TdF whileburning away the calories and lactic acid formed in the muscle.
So for the rest who still not ride regularly with the group yet, you better get on your iron horse and start spinning alongside, before you ˇsmell no smokeˇ in future when you meet us again.
Nicky Ting
Always believe you are not good enough hence you need continue improvement
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