Pulau Ubin: Ketam Bike Park

This will possibly be the last post for the year of 2012. Anyway, the world didn't end as the Mayans predicted and the following day, I went shredding with the guys from 5th Avenue Riders. The destination this time is Pulau Ubin, aka the Ketam Bike Park.

unloading our bikes

After unloading, waited for a little and boarded the ferry towards Pulau Ubin! Haven't been there in ages, hence its quite an exciting moment for me.

On the ferry

the waters that separate Singapore from Ubin

The ferry trip was pretty short, only about 15 minutes or so. After arriving at the island, we went for a final break at the toilet and offered some prayers to the local deity before hitting the trails. On the way there are several shop-houses with loads of bicycle rental shops, they seem to have all kinds of bikes available for rental. Further ahead for about 3km will be the entrance to the diamond trails, I strongly urge beginners not to hit those. Alternatively the blue trails are pretty flowy and less technical than the diamonds, which has lots of climbs and technical descends.

As usual I was struggling with the trails and its too tolling for my current state of fitness (need more exercise :/). However I love the sport and will never gonna give it up...

After the tolling trails, it will end at a crossroads with a mobile drinks stall parked there, which sells tasty and sweet coconuts and other assorted beverages.

The 5th Avenue Bikes

After the picture session its time for us to head back, it started pouring heavily and we took shelter at a road side store located on the way to the trails. Took the boat after the rain got lighter back to Singapore, had late lunch and called it a day.

More Foxes

It seems like I've been buying way too much stuff this few months that is regarded to cycling. Time to cut down my spending (well I have a housing loan to pay FYI). But whatever, bought this new Fox Oasis Hydration bag yesterday.

On a side note, the 2013 pre calendar for the 2013 FMB World Tour events has been released.

Atherton Tees had arrived!

I know its lame, and its gonna be a hella short post, but still, my first Atherton Racing product had arrived! I was so stoked that the L size fitted perfectly.

Anyway's, to not let this post be so damn short, and if you'll wondering how the TBP YOG Track looked like, here's a video of it. I'm riding slow as I just passed the test and my left crank arm bolt is missing FFS.

Shredding Session: Tampines Bike Park

© Alvin O Conner for some of the photographs.

Finally had the chance to shred with my buddies! Woke up at 9am even though I had a late night movie session of The Hobbits. Met my buddies near my place, loaded our bikes and stuff and headed to Tampines Bike Park.

Loading up

Mounts of the 5th Avenue Riders

Guess what, it's Saturday and the instructor is around for us to take the BMX test, took it with 3 of them who had not taken it yet. Was quite nervous as the test sounded hard, but hey, it was ridiculously easy, just keep your foot on the bike and you'll pass.

Tampines YOG BMX Track

After we passed the test, took a short break and headed for the trails. The trail was way gnarlier then I expect it to be, it was raining for the past few days, hence mud is everywhere, and some sections even had ankle deep mud holes. Overall the trail session was destroyed by the humidity (which made me nauseated and my bros had to take care of me at some point :/ ), and the insanely deep and wet mud holes, moreover fallen trees are seemingly everywhere. Tampines Bike Park is definitely not recommended in the raining season, due to its elevation which resulted in the difficulties of the track drying up.

DRY TRAILS! YAY, look ahead and tell me again

Waterfall section

Chilling out after the trails

After TBP, we went on to Vertex which one of my bros had his bike fixed, had lunch and headed to Punggol for some chilling session. Fast forward, we were at my buddy's place, his property is kinda special as his family own all the 3 units in the row. He took out a water hose and started the "Bike Spa" session, I was sceptical at the "spa" initially, but was totally convinced of its name after witnessing how it's done.

Bike Spa

The facial session

Well, after getting my bike washed, witnessed a exchange of bikes, it was time to head home to mend my over-exhausted body, more training and riding for myself is definitely needed...

Busy Week is Over!

Haven't been riding, don't have the time. Was hogged with exams and important stuff such as selecting and buying my future home!

Hopefully I'll be able to put my wheels into the dirt this weekend. There's a new episode (second last sadly) of Life Behind Bars. There's also a new episode of Mountain Bike Chronicles and I'm glad they changed the irritating commentator.

Watch the new episodes here:

Life Behind Bars Episode 17

Mountain Bike Chronicles Season 2 Episode 10

Here's another spectacular 1 minute of riding for your aesthetic enjoyment

Red Bull Fox Hunt

The annual Fox Hunt happened again with Gee Atherton being the fox again. Its a really fun event to ride in, this year it took place at Cavehill Country Park, Belfast. As usual, the course is extremely muddy, and many riders actually have difficulties riding through them.

Gee was again the fox, and the riders have a 20 seconds head start and Gee was suppose to overtake them. Surprisingly for this year, Gee had better results which was second, the winner was apparently a Belfast local name Greg. Moreover, I think the reason that Dan wasn't participating is pretty obvious, he would simply outrun everyone consider his track records now in Enduro.

View the 2012 Fox Hunt here.

2011 Fox Hunt

The 2011 Fox Hunt had a more impressive starting line though.