The preparation phase for this event was definitely a tough one. I had a goal in mind when I signed up for this event – to complete 168km. It came to a point that I put on my road bike and cycle twice every week on weeknights along mandai road, conquering the slopy roads, going up and down. Gearing myself up for this fateful day. Overcoming this 168km was going to be my greatest achievement in my life thus far, but I only completed 128km. SADNESS.
The Bike Rally 2010 organising committee had a pre-event brief this year at two different locations; Toa Payoh CC and NTU. Lucky for me, I stay near NTU but sadly, I wasn’t able to make it for the briefing. Fortunately, the committee had the slides uploaded on their website. www.bikerally.ntusportsclub.sg
21st Februaury 2010 is finally here. I arrived at the event ground, hoping to be one of those earlier participants, but to my astonishment, the queues at the registration counter were as long as the stretch of the corridor from my unit to the lift. (That’s very far, mind you) The registration officers were helpful and nice in dealing with participants of the event. I got myself registered quickly and brought my bike to the helmet collection point. It was a fast and swift process, I got my helmet in a while. I was given an event tag and a singlet and was told to wear it. This was one of their ways to identify cyclists on the roads. Yellow, was the colour they used, bright enough to be spotted while cycling along the roads of Singapore. Just then, at about 6.45am, there was a warm-up conducted by one of their personnel near the holding area, I joined them to get myself ready for the cycle. Their guest of honour was Mr Hri Kumar Nair, he flagged us off at the start point with a very long horning sound. At that moment in time, I was wondering, am I ready for this?
I followed the crowd and cycled towards our first checkpoint. On my way out of East Coast Park, I realised there were a few cyclists in red singlets and they were our safety cyclists. I was quite impressed by the number of safety cyclists who cycled with the pack. A while later, I noticed a few AETOS Personnel on motorbikes. What can I say! Our safety is guaranteed. Although there were no road closure for safety reasons, I felt safe enough as there were more than sufficient safety cyclists along the way as well as AETOS Riders to guide the traffic. I was comfortable while cyclist towards the first checkpoint.
The route is indeed long, the pack was rather slow. I cycled fast enough to catch up with the front cyclists, hoping to make it for the cut for the first extension.
I reached the first checkpoint at labrador park. WOW. There were bananas, and buns, and even gatorade is provided. There were also isotonic drinks, like 7up revive. The people in red were very warm-hearted, offering us drinks and food, ensuring that we have energy to cycle for the rest of the route. Honestly speaking, after that first stretch, I was rather tired. I didn’t realise that I was cycling way above my comfort zone, got pretty fast and definitely, I got tired fast. I couldn’t help it but to stay at the check point to rest for a while.
It was about 8.45 am when I left the checkpoint. I definitely had a long rest. While I was resting, I was observing the people around me. I realised, there were proficient cyclists, perhaps maybe, they are triatheletes or biatheletes. They look really fit. There were also the special olympics people around. People of all ages were there too. I was really surprised with the turn out, especially the many different people of different ages. I decided to take my bike and cycle to the next checkpoint.
Well, it was really late, and I was definitely sure that I missed the first extension (There goes my 168km. =( ) And true enough, I checked with one of the event organisers, and he said the cut off timing has already passed. I continued cycling to the next checkpoint. Along the way, there were many signages and marshals to guide us to the next checkpoint. All I can say is, it is definitely helpful and carefully thought. There will be marshals are crucial points to direct you the on the route and signages to tell you which way to go. The route is really long! I was actually quite tired mentally to cycle alone along this long stretch, but I told myself, this is a test for me, to test my patience and endurance.
I reached the next checkpoint, which is at NTU. It was located outside the Sports and Recreational Centre of NTU. The tracks and the field were all NEW! The basketball courts were NICELY DONE UP!! Well, I took this chance to rest at NTU Checkpoint and fill up my waterbottle. My legs were actually wobbling already. I think i didn’t stretch enough. I took some rest.
I then left NTU and proceeded on to the next checkpoint – Kranji Dam.
At this part of the route was the greatest challenge of my life. There was this stretch of road, it was long. It feels as if I was crossing a desert by foot, a never ending route to the next checkpoint. To my surprise, there was a car in the middle of the road. To my realisation, it was the safety car. The organisers were there cheering us on and taking pictures of us cycling at this stretch of the road. It was really encouraging at that point in time. When I cycled passed them, they were shouting like “persevere!”, “you can do it!” and “nothing is impossible!”. It was a morale booster. I continued cycling and managed to overcome this obstacle of the route. There I was, I reached the next checkpoint.
This was where i did not take a break and decided to have a slow ride to the next checkpoint which is at yishun stadium. I filled up my water bottle, took a breather and then I left for the next checkpoint. From here on, I cycled at a comfortable pace. I knew I was reaching my limit, for now, I was hoping that I would not be swept by the sweeping bus. There is this bus, that follows the pack at the back. This bus will pick up slower cyclists who are not able to meet the sweeping timing and also catered to those who could not proceed further to the next checkpoint, and at that checkpoint, they will continue cycling from there. I would not want that to happen to me as I wanted to finish this whole race by wheels, not on buses. Of course, I was a little bit ahead of time, I then took my time and cycle a my own speed.
I reached Yishun Checkpoint and subsequently, I also arrived at Serangoon Checkpoint and Changi Beach Checkpoint without getting swept by the sweeping lorry. Changi Beach Checkpoint is the last checkpoint of the route. I was so excited that I completed cycling all the 6 checkpoints and all that is left is the End point. My muscles were already aching, but no fear, there was counterpain provided by the organisers and medics were planted at each checkpoints to look after us. I was relieved and I was more than energetic to finish this last stretch of the route as this marks the 128km that I have cycled.
Along this last stretch, I enjoyed the seaside scenery as well as looking at faces of the people who jogged or cycled pass us. It was quite a sight. It was an opportunity for me to observe the beautiful seaside scenery. It was a calm scene. As I cycled, I counted people the number of dogs I see along the way. People bringing dogs to the parks to jog or to take a walk. It is nice. After a while, I saw signages such as “You’re getting there”, “almost there” and “really almost there”. At first, I saw quite a few “almost there” and I really thought I am reaching. After a while, i realised, they have alot of that signage along the way. It was quite lame but it was abit entertaining, at least it takes off my mind about cycling. The last stretch, when the “FINISH” banner was feasible, I started to increase my speed. I can’t wait to finish the race. As I crossed the finishing line, all I could think of is ”OH MY GOD, I finished this 128km”, it was hard to believe that I finished it without much help from anyone. The feeling of finishing it on my own is indescribable. I quickly returned my helmet and proceed to the stage area. There were lucky draws. I was back in time for the first round of lucky draw. Well, I didnt win anything from both lucky draws. Really unlucky. Then I saw the participants taking part in the stage games like the folding bike competition. Whoever who folds the bike faster will win. I can’t do it that fast!
On the whole, I would say that, Bike Rally 2010 is well organised. I am impressed with how students from NTU who are studying full time managed to organise such a widescale event. Good job to them.
Bike Rally 2010 is a great success, and I really look forward to taking part of it again next year.
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