Bike Trip to NUS -Double Yellow Lines are meant for cycling...

I had wanted to do this since I enrolled in NUS. Before 07/08 academic yr, I actually managed to reach Jurong East. So now on the pretext of returning a Central Library book that is due on 14 May, I decided to ride to sch. So for quite some time, most of my bike rides are done in non-rainy weather. Today being foolhardy, and knowing my lazy self would probably keep postponing the idea of cycling to sch (done for 3 yrs ya), despite the rain I set off to ride. Bad mistake. I swerved and slide/slip onto the pavement, landed mostly on my right side as the bottle from the right pocket flew up n over me. It cracked and I had to empty it. Fortunately I have two more bottles, but as it turned out I stopped by places to buy drinks instead.

Skinned my left knee. That was just before Marsiling MRT. It was close enough to turn back but I decided against that. Most worrying was the status of my bike. The chain had jammed at the rear wheel but I managed to cleared it. Still I was concerned about the frame, esp the looser structure of the centre suspension spring and frame. Barring any obvious defects (think have to overhaul the bike soon), I cont the journey but not before stopping at the toilet to wash my wound, using the bottle outside the toilet. Washed my greasy hands n the greasy frame of my bike as I had to handle it after fixing the chain. I was complacent and forgotten the golden rule of slowing down on wet surfaces n tyres. The left knee hurt when I was btw Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Gombak. Fortunately I decided to wear my knee support (for running) on my right knee (completely dirtied by the fall) So I switched it to the left, padding it with tissue paper. It helped. (Its bloodied n black so I tossed it after I reached home.

I soldiered on to NUS and returned the library book in the bookdrop. Basically I spent the next hour or so, taking pix of places in sch with the bike (to prove i rode there K!) since I always wondered how issit to ride in sch. It was totally anti-climatic. I was shagged, NUS is full of ridges and fucking hills, so I walked and pushed the bike. I was particularly tired when riding up towards the 96 busstop at the Engr Faculty. My bike doesnt like low gear, only high gear (have to fix that) I was panting, sticking my tongue, shagged face. So this Chinese guy (I think teaching staff) was just staring at me as I was pedalling. It was a gentle slope, so one cant really tell if just standing there. So there I was, pedalling on high gear, low on momentum, up this 'invisible slope' wet and tired. On a Yew Tee-CCK road, I realised I was pedalling with more effort, fearing the chain n gear were damaged. Then I checked the kerb, it was a slope, somehow not evident when cycling. Soon enough (well nt exactly), it leveled out and back to cruising pedalling.

Having fooled around enough in sch (near 7pm), its time to go back. On the outbound trip (from home) I took the Woodlands-Kranji-CCK-Bukit Batok-Jurong East-Clementi route. So I decided on a new route back as I wanted to check the Khansama Tandoori Castle at Biopolis. So the return route is , Buona Vista-Holland V-Holland Road-Farrer Road-Adam Road-Lornie Road-Thomson Road-AMK-YCK-Yishun-etc. Bad mistake. Spent time poring over the Street Directory. Farrer Road is still having some construction since ever, so had to cycle on the road(I try to use the pavement as much as possible, slow but having cars buzzing u is nt exactly cool. It was only 8pm, still alot of cars, unlike the NUS Bike Quests, which start at 9pm, so when one hit the roads the traffic is dying down). Though the pavements are sometimes unlit, so my eyes were staring wide open most of the time. Having used the Bike Quest traffic as a benchmark, I got stuck for quite some time at the Adam Flyover(during the BQ, almost no cars...a few only). Now its rushhour, no zebra crossings or pavement to use. Had to dash across the filter lanes that led out from the main highway. Tiring stuff. Finally got to MacRitchie reservoir, then followed the pavements back home.

Well stopped by near Daryl's place the petrol station. AMK onwards is pretty SOP, just keeping the rthymn going, pumping the legs, taking note of the cramps, switch leg for the main downward stroke. Wary of dark areas. Cursing slopes, getting off to walk. Careful on the downhill, teasing the brakes. Listening to the Ishuffle and the bike creaking at each stroke (the rain washed off the grease/something of the suspension frame, and me being heavy :). Then home at ard 1030pm. So around 8 hours, roundtrip. Knee hurts, ass hurts, sore back, n reddened palms from gripping the handlebars and brakehandles (dunno why, i get this). But accomplished something, though somewhat dubious and unnecessary.


I cant believe its only 58km......


Railroad!



Fancy a Greek house? Totally stunned when a majestic white house loomed b4 me, especially after passing through an industrial estate...


Not the place to be....


Jurong East MRT


Mac @ / near Tradehub21...


Tempted to order something....:)


Break at 96 @ Clementi Interchange


Pause @ 96 busstop after shitty climb


AS7 Shaw Foundation Building


AS7 Com Lab, frequent stopover during schtime



At Arts Canteen aka Deck, couldnt decide, so got 7up n 100plus, then saw the redbull in the fridge behind the uncle...needed a boost....Cycling cocktail!


Arts Camp poster/poser.....Copyright infringement?




The book, bookdrop and Central Lib...cant live without it...:(


Had to do it.


No more exams?


Megabites @ Science Faculty


heheheh, Khansama @ Biopolis....damn ulu siah....


A stretch of Holland V


Unlit pavements...cycling blind...


Adam Flyover.....lots of cars....


Misty night @ Thomson Rd


Locked to the Longkang railing, beside the busstop by the overhead bridge, opposite Khatib MRT. I just had to stop to take the picture.

@HOME
The said cracked bottle, probably cushioned by the fall, the bag too.... gone now, threw it.

shag....Glad I got the Samsung phone with 8 megapixel camera, clearer pictures now...