Bike Rally 09

got to ecp pretty early in the morning tho register for the 128km self-torture. but at least i had quite some fun, leave the cramps aside. the flagoff was 5min late, so it started at 7.05am instead.

To Labrador Park
it was still quite tight, everyone is still packed rather closely, not much chance of overtaking. reached labrador park quite fast, since at that time was still full of energy. at the checkpoint, i had 1 banana and a cup of gatorade.

To NTU SRC
this was slightly more spaced out, some people left labrador park a bit later. a very long section, went along west coast highway, pasir panjang. somehow managed to reach ntu in jurong. still full of energy, not tired. at the checkpoint, had 1 banana and a cup of gatorade. i just filled my bottle with gatorade in the end.

To Kranji Reservoir
this was the tough one. there's this super long stretch of flat road that cuts through the cemetry. then the smelly farms, and the reservoir. it was rather hot at that time, but i guess the sunblock lotion worked well. so at the checkpoint, 1 raisin bun, 1 banana and more gatorade.

To Yishun Stadium
Mandai Rd was terrible, a very very terrible place to cycle. they have like 8 uphill sections, which was nothing but long stretches of slopes with little of them in the other direction. this one nearly killed me, i thought of giving up and just ask the person to send me back to ecp. but its not even halfway through, i wont give up so easily. at this time, im just behind the lead pack by 5min, so had ample of rest at the stadium carpark. again, 1 banana and gatorade.

To Serangoon Stadium
quite tired by the time i reached the stadium, despite so much rest at yishun stadium. muscle fatigue starts to set in really quickly, start to have cramps on both legs. palms are sore too, imagine the amount of vibration that they have to withstand. 1 banana and gatorade, i dont seem to get sick of them just yet.

To Changi Beach Carpark
this was one of the worst sections to complete. 1km plus uphill stretch along the Old Tampines Rd, the one near ikea. slow to a crawl, experiencing more cramps than the previous stage. but managed to get over this ridge after a long struggle. weaved through pasir ris, and it began to drizzle. then came out of pasir ris o the part i dread most. the uphill slope at loyang. i've been trying to conquer this uphill part for quite some time since it was near my place. i've made it through quite a few times, but not today. the cramp was so terrible that once i dismount from the bike i couldnt even straighten my legs. once the muscles contract the cramps come. took a short break there and pushed the bike over the hill. the rest of it to changi beach was my usual route, but i have never felt so challenged by this part till today. had a few soyjoy, a banana and gatorade.

To ECP

the usual park connector route, with the coastal park connector then to east coast park. its not just so simple, its all the way at BIG SPLASH-its right at the other end of the huge ecp.

Results

topped the inter-jc category with a timing of 5h59min and a few seconds more. but no prize, its non-competitive. thats the cycling time. reached that place at 2plus. the best part is that i still have to cycle home.

there will be a few things i would not do for the rest of this one week break. i wont cycle, i wont eat another banana, i wont even touch gatorade.

so today, i cycled a total of 155km, got some rather weird tan-lines. you will know why its weird when you see them. theres one that runs along the length of the forearm. its distinctly one side tanned, one side fair. im really tired, still have balloon sculpting tomorrow.