I remember the first time I joined an LoveCyclingSG ride. It was the Changi Monster Gun ride on October 24th, 2010. I had never cycled in a group before, and I never tracked my solo rides. Hence, I didn’t know group ride etiquette nor my average speed.

On the MRT to Kembangan to get to the PCN, I saw another guy get off with a folding bike as well. Later, I found out that it was Badrul. I went ahead because Erwin was late, and I got lost (what’s new?) going to the designated meeting spot. There were a lot of people already there and I felt so awkward going up to them — I didn’t know if they spoke mostly Chinese, and it seemed like they all knew one another. I spotted Taiwoon and introduced myself. Then Andy offered me a sandwich and tau huey. It was all new but I figured if I didn’t suck it up, then I wouldn’t get anywhere. In any case, Erwin was there too so I wasn’t alone.

The ride itself was memorable because 1.) I normally went a lot slower than the pace they had set and 2.) I’ve never pedaled upslope FOR FUN. The route had rolling terrain and killer (at least to me, back then) slopes. It was excruciating. I felt like dying. I told myself I was never going to join another damn ride.

But you know what, once it was done I realized I did have a good time. It was fun and safer to ride in a group and it only got better after that first ride.

This year marks my first year riding with LCSG. They’ve been a home away from home; a community of friends I can relate with in Singapore. For that, I’m grateful.

Funnily enough, the same Changi route was planned by the ride organizers for the October 30th ride. I was going to be out of town by then, so I accompanied Boo to do an earlier recce ride. We headed from Bedok MRT to the Changi Chapel.

After heading to the monster gun, we rode to the Changi Boardwalk. New place! It was quieter than most coastal places. Quite a number of people were fishing.

Then we headed up the bane of my existence — the old Changi Hospital. We passed by a lady on a Strida who nearly got hit by a roadie guy doing laps on the hospital road. He was mean to her.

As I huffed and puffed uphill, the same guy went up and down, up and down for training. I don’t know why but he yelled encouraging words to me, even though I did end up having to push my bike the rest of the way.

How can we forget doing the LCSG pose?

Then we headed over to Punggol to check out the new Waterway. Here’s a great shot of Boo looking like she’s the only one on the bridge.

I was a little disappointed because I thought the fountains and waterfalls would be open at the Waterway. Turns out they do, but only at night. We cycled some more and saw TC and his lovely wife.

This was by far the longest (by time) shortest (by distance) recce ride I have ever been on.