bicycle touring

[Dolores Parker]

My husband and I have been in Singapore, east coast for over a year. Most weekend mornings we cycle around Singapore 100-120 kms at an average speed of 25 - 27 km/hr, stopping to eat and sometimes sightsee along the way. Occasionally we go to Bintan or up the east coast of Malaysia to Desaru or Sedili for an overnight tour and would like to explore farther afield. We have touring bikes with racks... though I also have a faster carbon bike that I ride in Singapore. Our regular cycling buddies are moving away and most of the clubs in town (Joyriders, ANZA, etc) are too racing or triathalon training oriented and competitive for us. We're in our 50's with grown kids back in Canada.
Let us know if you're interested in joining us for a ride.

[Elayshe]

I am a single woman in my 50s and have just arrived in Singapore this week. I don't have my bike here yet and it's a while since I have ridden so I would need to improve my fitness. I've been looking for cycling clubs but they do seem to be for the 'younger, faster' individuals. I'd like to join you for rides once I get my wheels.

[Dolores Parker]

sounds good! Cycling is a great way to explore the island. Our kids are coming to visit in a couple of days, so we won't be riding much until early Sept. Maybe by then your bike will have arrived...

[IronMac]

First off, you cycle 100-120 klicks at a speed approaching 30 km/hr yet find that the bike clubs here are too competitive?!

Second, my folding bike (Bike Friday New World Tourist) will be here in October and, like Elayshe, I haven't been on a bike in over a year but if you keep posting here then maybe we can do a ride or two. I do primarily long distances (50-150 kms) in preparation for self-supported touring.

Third, you're not the couple I saw a couple of months ago riding at night with lights and racks near Clementi?

[Dolores Parker]

I know, it sounds a bit fast, but even these club newbie or recovery rides are moving at least that fast. It is easy to stay with them in the draft until they step it up over the south buona vista hill, or down the changi coast road (40+ kmph)... My husband gets going with the faster riders and then has to ice his knees after. Also they tend to ride shorter distances, so we do sometimes join them when we have less time.
We thought about bringing folding bikes here and taking them along to tour around the region but so far it has been easy to get our regular bikes on to ferries and bumboats. We were looking at Dahon Mu's...
My husband's bike is actually a bright orange cyclocross bike with fenders and a rack. That might have been us near Clementi, but I wouldn't have been riding my touring bike with rack that day.
I'll keep watching this post,,,

[kraikk]

I've gone to Sedili and Desaru too, and once to Bintan for the triathlon. I have a triathlon bicycle but no longer cycle for sport/training but use it to tour. I carry my luggage in a backpack. Not the most comfortable thing but it has all been very enjoyable so far.

I'm not an expat though, I got on this forum because of my interest in citizenship law.

[Dolores Parker]

Our weekends are a bit filled up with travel these days, but we might be riding the morning of Sep 6 and will also be around Sep 19-21, if you are interested in joining us for a ride around the island, kraikk.

[IronMac]

I know, it sounds a bit fast, but even these club newbie or recovery rides are moving at least that fast. Also they tend to ride shorter distances,

That is so true. Met a woman racer once who was amazed at anyone who rides more than 50 km in a day.

We thought about bringing folding bikes here and taking them along to tour around the region but so far it has been easy to get our regular bikes on to ferries and bumboats. We were looking at Dahon Mu's...

The biggest factor in my choosing a folder was the lack of space around here. BF seemed almost a natural choice because their NWT is meant for self-supported touring. It's probably not the best for crossing Siberia but they have their Llama model for that sort of thing.

My husband's bike is actually a bright orange cyclocross bike with fenders and a rack. That might have been us near Clementi, but I wouldn't have been riding my touring bike with rack that day.

Ok, then it wasn't you two. The touring bikes I saw had both front and back racks. All three of the touring bikes I've seen so far in SG, they've all been kitted out like that which is not surprising since SG is so conveniently located for touring SE Asia.

[Dolores Parker]

We did lots of self supported touring with front and back racks, tent, etc when we were younger. Here we've been going light and staying at local resorts... just 2 or 3 days at a time so far. My husband just uses a little rack top pack and I take just one panier and get used to the lopsided feeling.

[D_Mika]

wow i always loved cycling but 100km .. Eeek that will be something like a personal best for me .. really want to join and travel around , but definitely my presence gonna slow the rest of crowd..

[IronMac]

wow i always loved cycling but 100km .. Eeek that will be something like a personal best for me .. really want to join and travel around , but definitely my presence gonna slow the rest of crowd..

Trust me, you work up to 100 kms. hehehe

Don't worry about slowing the crowd! Different people go at different paces. With a big enough group, you're bound to find your "niche".

[D_Mika]

Thank you IronMac.. Btw How do you guys take you bicycle East Coast..
i mean i often come across this issue, even when i cycle with my friends..

PS: I'm a student, so using my own vehicle is not n option.. lol

[seanieh66]

100km? Easy, but then again I did that every weekend just south of London where it is not as stupidly humid as here. I am confident that I can keep up, but it'll take awhile before that happens. I can see whay shorter distances are prefrerred.

Tri is big here isn't it?

[Dolores Parker]

We have a routine of stopping for refreshments once or twice at various favorite points. (roti prata on Jalan Kayu)... and are often home by lunchtime.
And that shower afterwards feels sooooo good...

[Dolores Parker]

And yes... Tri is huge! I ride on the east coast wednesday mornings with a couple of triathletes. Everyone seems to be in training for some race or other.