At work today, and still a long week to go with probable weekend burned. Wanted to ride so much...
However had an awesome ride over the weekend with me buddies Brian and Rupert at Tampines Bike Park.
Here are some vids from the ride.
Brian's virgin jump on the ramp at the entrance.
Me kinda demonstrating an easy way of taking the uber kick-up at the TTFR line.
That'll be all for the little time I have riding over the weekends. And congratulations to Brandon Semenuk for getting Silver at X-Games Munich Slopestyle!
Recently, managed to make a few new friends shredding. Mainly started out with Rupert and myself, got to know Malcolm, and then the guys from TTFR. TTFR is basically a project that aims to build a freeride/DH line at the latter side of Tampines Bike Park which was desolated for quite some time.
Its currently still under construction, but half the line is ready to ride and its super fun.
Here's a video of how its like riding down the new line.
Its been awhile! But I'm back to writing about shredding and stuff. Recently there are huge changes in my MTB life and I've actually got myself a new ride. The Transition Bottlerocket 2012.
Got myself some spank spike pedals that I'm used to on this new ride.
Overall, the bike rode pretty well, its way lighter then my previous bike the Polygon DH 2.0. This is more of a slopestyle bike set up in a freeride manner, hit the trails well as well as freeriding and mild DH. Well after all said, its only my 2nd week with the bike, more comments will surface.
Haven't been riding and writing for quite a bit, as was too busy with work and other major commitments. Here's the update on my life and the MTB scene. In the MTB world, press releases with major impact was everywhere, firstly, Sam Hill went from Specialized to Team Nukeproof/CRC, and Aaron Gwin surprisingly took over the spot as the key rider for Specialized despite the display of intentions previously in continuing with Trek World Racing.
When I wasn't riding, I'm still shopping anyway, hence bought myself several new MTB related products, such as a hope seat clamp, renthal chainring, XT cassette, full face helmet and new knee guards.
Here's some picture of the loots.
Well the knee guards haven't arrived yet, will post pictures once I received it. Oh and the stickers are worn so... Time for new ones!
Finally the trip for the Drak Bike Park had arrived, all of us were so stoked about it and some didn't even manage to get some rest the day before. We met up in the morning at 6am and headed for Harbourfront, to take our ferries to Batam Island. We had much more riders today then usual, which total up to about 16 of us.
Upon arriving at Batam, we were received by Mr Ong from Drak Bike Park, who had all the admin details sorted out for us, and made our procedures across custom a convenient one. We were received by a huge green truck which loaded our bikes and drove them to the bike park, while we took the mini vans there. On arrival at the headquarters of the bike park, our bikes were already unloaded and there are refreshments waiting for us (how nice!). We then readied ourselves for the trails, mounted our bikes and rode out.
The warm up ride was pretty fun, went through a few farms and villages along the way, the natives were friendly and some kid even greeted me when I rode by. The trails was overall tiring, lots of climb, we took a short break after the trails and headed for the dirt jumps. My buddies did a few jumps (well I wasn't skilled enough for some of the jumps so I skipped), and next we headed for the berms trail, which was pretty fast and flowy, which led us into the small village which we will enjoy our lunch in the jungle.
pretty sweet place to enjoy the awesome local food
After we headed for more trail rides and the forest jumps, and then back to the dirt jumps, and after we will start the longest climb of the day, which many of us started to whine due to the fatigue kicking in from the extended period of climbing (this is the only part of the day which isn't fun). We finally reached the top of the hill and just ahead of us is a downhill track, a 2 minute descend which is extremely fun, making the climb worth it after all.
We headed back to the headquarters and had our bikes washed by the people there while we took our much needed shower. Then its time to head back home, almost 7 hours of non-stop riding, but it was totally a different experience from anything in the world, definitely one that will go into my memory bank.
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.
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.
